FILM OF THE WEEK
THE RACER
There have been many documentaries as well as feature films focusing on cycling and Le Tour de France, but most memorably this subject is explored in Alex Gibley’s THE ARMSTRONG LIE and Stephen Frears’ THE PROGRAM, both films centred around the controversy that Lance Armstrong sparked after taking illegal substances. In this Irish and Flemish co-production, the action takes place in the summer of 1998 during the opening stages of Le Tour de France. The start of the Tour begins in Ireland and the story follows Belgian cyclist Dom Chabol (Louis Talpe), a “Domestique” a support rider for the team. It is a thankless task where he needs to set the pace, block the wind, provide water or whatever is necessary in order to ensure that the team’s prime racer wins. But when a teammate is knocked off the Tour following a doping error Dom finds himself as a frontrunner of the race…
“The one who suffers the most wins the race” is the film’s motto and although writer/director Kieron J. Walsh’s story is fictional it all feels very authentic and real. Taple is very persuasive as the bitter racer on the edge of a new life after he is dropped from the team and is well supported by Ian Glen, as Sonny, the team’s masseur and doping expert.
SAFE SPACES
Justin Long delivers his best performance to date as Josh Cohn, a New York City professor facing a crisis both at home and work. Writer/director Daniel Schecther paints a fine picture of a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown following accusations during his class regarding his teaching methods. He is desperate to save his reputation but is also pre-occupied with re-connecting with his family now that his beloved grandmother is dying in hospital…
An intelligent script which brings to mind David Mamet’s controversial play “Oleanna”, where a college professor is challenged by one of his students. Long is excellent, well supported by an eclectic cast including Fran Drescher as his sister.
THE MACALUSO SISTERS
Sicilian playwright/ director Emma Dante adapts her play with great imagination and style which makes it almost impossible to tell that the birth of her screenplay started on stage. She tells the story of five sisters living in an apartment in Palermo making their living by renting doves for ceremonies. However, their happy existence comes to a sudden end after a tragic accident in the sea…
A complex story set in an organised chaos beautifully executed and acted by a tremendous ensemble of actors playing the sisters at different ages. And Dante’s masterful direction is perfectly complimented by stunning, lyrical imagery.
THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI
Here is the fascinating true story of Lakshmibai (Devika Bhise), the historic Queen of Jhansi who in 1897 led valiantly her army against the British East India Company. Meanwhile, Queen Victoria (Jodhi May) is very distressed after this mutiny breaks out in response to Britain’s colonial rule.
The battle scenes are well executed while the Warrior Queen is a dignified figure but the whole project needs a much better script than this which only scraps the surface. The dialogue is thin and uninspired while the characters are one-dimensional and verging on the stereotypical, especially the English. And the less said about Rupert Everett’s interpretation of Sir Hugh Ross the better.
GOODBYE, DRAGON INN
Tsai Ming-Lian’s mesmerising film is as fresh and relevant as the day it was first released back in 2003. I remember it vividly after seeing it the London Film Festival and now re-visiting the film in this beautiful 4K restoration I still found it as haunting and compelling.
The action takes place in Taipei City in a massive old picture palace on its last day before it closes forever. The sixties wuxia classic DRAGON INN is playing on the giant screen to a poor audience, while a couple of gay people are cruising around. Meanwhile, the disabled box office manager is preparing to lock down its doors…
It is slow but a rewarding experience once you surrender to its pace and beauty. (Blu-Ray Second Run)
TOTAL RECALL
Paul Verhoeven’s futuristic sci-fi thriller is back in a sparkling new 4K restoration in order to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The story is adapted from Philip K. Dick’s short novel “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale” and provides Arnold Schwarzenegger with one of his most celebrated roles as the man on a virtual vacation to Mars.
A thrilling adventure accompanied by Jerry Goldsmith’s memorable score and with ground-breaking visual effects Sharon Stone plays a key role here just before she reached superstardom with BASIC INSTINCT. (Blu-Ray from STUDIOCANAL)
UN FILM DRAMATIQUE: Eric Baudelaire is credited as the director of this enjoyable documentary along with twenty students at a junior hight school in a Paris suburb. It is a collective creation, and the schoolchildren embrace this project with intelligence and enthusiasm which is highly infectious. They are mostly from immigrant backgrounds and talk openly and honestly about racism and their place of belonging. A real collective piece of filmmaking worth discovering. (MUBI)
THE GLASS MAN: Written and directed by Christian Solimeno, who also plays a key role in this atmospheric film made in 2011. He tells the story of Martin Pyrite (Andy Nyman) a middle-class man who is having a perfectly ghastly time. He is deeply in debt and every morning he pretends to his wife Julie (Neve Campbell) that he is off to work even though he got sucked. And to make matters even worse a mysterious debt collector arrives one night at his doorstep…It is suitably creepy with a dedicated lead performance from Nyman who effortlessly carries the film. It is perhaps a touch too long but still a chilling portrait of a desperate man sinking into desperate measures.
THE WOMAN WHO RUN: Hong Sang-soo’s charming film follows the story of Gamhee, a married woman who visits three of her friends on the outskirts of Seoul while her husband is on a business trip. Three different locations including a small cinema for this gentle film photographed in almost static shots. A fine portrait on loneliness effortlessly unfolds before our eyes. A soothing and mesmerising experience. (MUBI)
Any feedback is welcome: [email protected]
