MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN

A very personal project and a remarkable achievement for Edward Norton. He not only directs and produces but also plays the leading role in his own adaptation of Jonathan Lethem’s novel which he re-sets in the fifties rather than modern day New York City.
Lionel Essrog is a solitary figure – a private detective with Tourette syndrome determined to solve the murder of his colleague and true friend Frank Minna (Bruce Willis). His quest for the truth leads him down a spiral world of corruption and danger…
Norton’s acting is of the highest order and his intelligent direction evokes the period most magnificently. The production designs are also superb and are perfectly complimented by Dick Pope’s stunning cinematography. The music is also spot on – a moody jazz soundtrack from Daniel Pemberton adds immensely to the film noir quality.
Norton’s idea to cast Willis as the bigger than life figure works a treat – his presence adds gravitas and sets up the situation most effectively. The supporting cast is also to die for – Gugu Mbatha – Raw is excellent as Laura Rose, the link to Lionel’s investigation while Alec Baldwin relishes his role as the forceful megalomaniac and if his terrific speech about power reminds a current president it is certainly not coincidental. The must-see film of the season!

HONEY BOY

A truly cinematic experience superbly written and acted – Shia Labeouf deserves awards for his sensitive screenplay based on his own experiences and remarkable performance playing his father.
The story of a young actor’s childhood as he struggles to come to come to terms with his father’s abuse and violent behaviour towards him. Later on in his life as a young adult in rehab he continues to fight the demons of his past.
Noah Jupe is superb as an 11–year-old Otis and so is Lucas Hedges at the age of 22 but it is Alma Har’el striking cinematic vision that will stay long in the memory.

ORDINARY LOVE

Lesley Manville and Liam Neeson share an adorable chemistry as a loving married couple whose lives are shaken after Joan is diagnosed with breast cancer.
Owen McCafferty’s screenplay avoids any sentimentality while Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn’s unobtrusive and sharp direction allows the actors to deliver spellbinding performances. Manville is amazing as the fragile protagonist strongly supported by Neeson whose towering presence is put to great use here.
Not an easy watch but intelligent and worthwhile!

SO LONG, MY SON

Wang Xiaoshuai’s 3 hour epic that spans over three decades in an ever changing China was one of the highlights of the recent London Film Festival. A tragic accident and the loss of a child will haunt two families throughout the years…
An instant classic superbly performed by an excellent ensemble of actors. The story is complex and requires patience but it certainly pays dividends. It demands attention from its opening sequence and it doesn’t let go till the final credits.
An exceptional piece of filmmaking and one of the most memorable and moving films of the year!

THE CAVE

This powerful documentary from Feras Fayad treads familiar territory to the recent but superior FOR SAMA which also examined life under siege in Aleppo, Syria. The Cave refers to an underground hospital where Dr Amani Ballour and her colleagues work around the clock in order to save lives. They are the unsung heroes of the tragic events that still continue in their beloved country…
An important film that needs to be seen!

BUDDIES

Arthur J, Bressan’s tragic, urgent film made in 1985 is now digitally remastered from the original negative and is back in cinemas in order to coincide with World Aids Day. The story follows David (David Schachter) a 25-year-old yuppie who volunteers to be a “buddy” to Robert (Geoff Edholm), a 32 year-old AIDS patient abandoned by his friends and family…
A ground breaking film which sadly is still very relevant to our times. Essential viewing!

STARDOG AND TURBOCAT

A fun premise for this enjoyable animation feature which is also available in 3D.
The action begins in 1969 and follows the story of loyal dog Buddy (Nick Frost) who is launched into space by his scientist owner. But fifty years later he crash lands into a small town where pets are illegal and hunted by the police. Buddy has no option but to join forces with eccentric cat Felix (Luke Evans) in his quest to find his master…
A strong beginning and end with wonderful creations – Felix is from the Batman school of acting while the scene with a goldfish fighting a bulldog has to be seen to be believed.

Also out this week:

INVASION PLANET EARTH: This is clearly a labour of love for Simon Cox who first envisaged this project over twenty years ago. He first started filming six years ago and manages to bring it to the screen thanks to crowd funding. Tom and Mandy Dunn are still mourning for the loss of their small daughter and are delighted when she falls pregnant again. However on this joyous day an enormous alien ship fills the sky…There are some fine moments despite the heavy handed acting and manmade special effects.
HUMAN NATURE: This fascinating scientific documentary examines how the controversial new gene editing technology CRISPR is able to shape the basic building blocks of life. There are arguments in favour of genetic engineering especially when it comes to cure diseases but also against it when designing our own children. An intelligent film spoken with clarity by a vast group of professionals.