Film Reviews

FILM OF THE WEEK
LITTLE JOE

Jessica Hausner, the Austrian director of LOURDES, brings to the screen one of the most original films of the year. This is a true European production filmed in Austria and England with mostly UK based actors in leading roles and hopefully such a successful partnership won’t be a thing of the past. Emily Beecham, who made such an impression a couple of years ago as DAPHNE, now plays Alice, a single mother with a teenage son named Joe (Kit Connor). She is a successful scientist working at a corporation developing new species and her genetically engineered invention of a crimson flower is highly regarded. It is a beautiful flower with therapeutic powers, which she calls “Little Joe” and against company policy she brings one home as a gift to her son…Hausner’s assured direction and eloquent screenplay co-written with Geraldine Bajard, create a unique, clinical world superbly designed with great use of splashes of colour. The flower is red like Alice’s hair whereas the scientists are dressed in green in sharp contrast to the white background at work. Beecham is excellent as the proud scientist who begins to suspect that “Little Joe” may not be as harmless as she first thought. An intelligent sci-fi drama with a touch of THE INVASION OF BODY SNATCHERS that will keep hooked till the end!
GREED

A biting satire written and directed by Michael Winterbottom about the rise and fall of self-made billionaire Richard McCreadie (Steve Coogan), a greedy and totally ruthless character based on a notorious public figure. McCreadie’s empire as king of retail fashion is facing a crisis and is about to collapse following a nasty public enquiry. However, he is determined to re- build his tarnished reputation by celebrating his 60th birthday on a Greek island in grand style…The characters are purposely vile and unsympathetic and Coogan relishes his bigger than life persona. He is supported by a terrific cast but the episodic nature of the storytelling is not always successful. Still, there is plenty to enjoy here!
THE CALL OF THE WILD

Chris Sanders puts his past experience of directing animation features to good use for his live-action film debut based on Jack London’s novel. The story of Buck, a big cuddly dog who lives a happy existence in his California home until he gets dognapped and taken to Yukon, Canada. The time is the 1890’s and Klondike Gold Rush is in full force where strong sled dogs are in need Buck begins his adventures as a mail delivery dog before he is uprooted yet again…It is a likable film with a highly watchable central performance from Buck, courtesy of CGI effects. It all looks impressive but overall it lacks the detail and sophistication of THE LION KING. Harrison Ford’s strong presence as John Thornton, a Gold Rush enthusiast adds gravitas. He also relishes the narration delivered very much in the style of Morgan Freeman.
THE PUBLIC

This is clearly a labour of love for writer/director and leading man Emilio Estevez, who sets the action of his compelling film in a public library in Cincinnati. It is a popular place and people queue every morning in order to get in the library. It is especially a refuge for the increasing number of homeless citizens who one night take over the library in order to shelter from the freezing cold…The strength of Estevez’ well executed drama is his careful development of his characters which makes one care about these people’s predicament. It may preach to the converted but overall worth seeking out!
LIKE A BOSS

I can’t believe that this lame comedy is directed by Miguel Arteta, the same person who made the brilliant BEATRIZ AT DINNER, a highlight of the London Sundance Film Festival, a couple of years ago. Salma Hayek played Beatriz with great sensitivity and power in this terrific attack on America’s class system which sadly never received a cinema release. Here Hayek plays Claire, a megalomaniac executive in cosmetics, who flirts with the idea of taking over the small business of Mia (Tiffany Haddish) and Mel (Rose Byrne). The premise may have a single good idea but the overextended, repetitive script credited to three writers never gets its full potential and the less said about Hayek’s caricature characterization and appearance- likened by one of the characters to a carrot- the better.
MIDNIGHT FAMILY

Luke Lorentzen’s tremendous documentary follows the Ochoa family, who every night without fail sets out in their own private ambulance in Mexico City to provide help to those in urgent need but for money. Their service is essential in a city of millions but with less than a hundred of legitimate ambulances. However, the Ochoa family still gets harassed by the corrupt police demanding a cut from their earnings. It is an urgent film eloquently told by a highly accomplished filmmaker. It is certainly disturbing at times but a must!
DVD Releases:
DIAMONDS OF THE NIGHT:

Jan Nemec’s exceptional debut feature made in 1964 is based on Arnost Lustig’s autobiographical novel which tells the story of two teenage boys on the run in the forest following their escape from a train bound for a Nazi concentration camp…The hand held camera never stops following these boys fleeing for their lives and determined to survive against the odds. The striking black and white cinematography is complimented by perfectly framed compositions in an utterly compelling film where every picture speaks volumes with hardly any dialogue. A little gem!
LIFEBOAT: As the title suggests the entire action of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1944 war classic based on John Steinbeck’s novella takes place on a lifeboat. Following a Nazi torpedo on an ocean liner a few survivors find refuge on the boat. Tallulah Bankhead leads a splendid cast of terrific character actors in this intriguing and superbly directed feature from the master of suspense. Hitchcock never fails to accept a challenge and here he makes great use of his single set and builds up the tension in a most spectacular manner.