THE ART AND THE MAGIC OF "MIDNIGHT IN PARIS"

Well, this is definitely a little number that has me scratching my head. Oh don’t get me wrong, not in a bad way. The film is amazing. It’s just that as I actually am such a fan of Woody Allen, I’m not entirely sure why I put off watching this for so darn long. I better not take this long getting round to watch Blue Jasmine…  But I digress… Let’s get this show back on track girls and boys, because this film has a lot to say for itself (well, what did you expect, it is Woody Allen) and we’d better get started talking about it…

Gil (Owen Wilson) and Inez ( Rachel McAdams) are an engaged couple who have tagged along to Paris with Inez’s father and mother who are on a business trip. For Inez, this is a perfect moment to select furniture for their future Malibu home. For Gil, a screenwriter who desperately wants to “try his hand at real literature” Paris is almost a pilgrimage. While Inez is determined to “stay a tourist”, Gil wants to wander the streets of Paris, sit at the cafes where Hemmingway and Picasso conversed and soak up the atmosphere. And I mean of course Paris is beautiful, but it is not Paris at its best. This, according to Gil, is Paris in the ‘20s.  But then again, Gil has so many things he is discontented with in his current existence that it is not surprising he dreams of an idealised past.  Things however, take a turn for the surreal when one night, when Gil is taking a slightly tipsy walk through Paris by himself, he actually finds a way back into the ‘20s. As he gets over his disbelief and starts exploring this strange occurrence, Gil begins to think that he may have found the perfect solution to all his problems. He no longer needs to just DREAM of living alongside his idols, he can actually stay in the past and do it! So can Gil, who can barely decide where to live in Los Angeles actually make the decision to uproot and live in a completely different era? And more importantly, is this actually the solution to his problems?

Actually this is a really good follow-up to “Now You See Me”  in one sense. Because when you read through the credits, you are once again absolutely battered with celebrities. But it’s ok you see – firstly the celebrities are in fact mostly little more than cameos (with the notable exception of Marion Cotillard who didn’t make it into the blurb but… I mean watch the film, there’s a reason for that). Throughout the film we closely follow Gil and his story. There is, in fact, something incredibly fitting about the concept of “celebrities playing celebrities”.  It makes it easier for us to get into the mind set of Gil who is literally star-struck, surrounded by every literary influence he has ever had, living and breathing in the flesh. We get a good feeling of the “awe” he feels in their presence  and incidentally I loved the contrast between his “day life” and his “night life” as, especially in the second half of the movie, any exchanges he has with his fiancée and her family are almost exclusively limited to the hotel room. All in all, Midnight in Paris is a sweet, romantic, magical fable that I am very glad I watched indeed.

I mean yes, this is Woody Allen, so the film relies heavily on dialogue. And yes, this is a fable, so there is an “inherent lesson” to be learnt from it. There is even a scene where Owen Wilson “tells us” this lesson at the end. This may seem a tad to didactic to you. Then again, if you’re a fan of Woody Allen, surely you can’t have that many problems with being “talked at” and “lectured”. And credit where it is due, the scene is neither long nor obnoxious.

I remember when this film first came out, a lot of people sort of wrinkled their noses and said “it isn’t like his usual stuff” (Him being Woody Allen). I agree. It is a lot more positive, a lot less “grounded I the harsh and bitter realities of real life” than his usual works. If you are looking for an outlet for that kind of emotion, I would suggest you pass up on this one. This film would go much better with a glass of wine, some chocolates and a few friends – albeit those who can endure films with a LOT of dialogue. 

PUBLIC ENNEMIES

I am rather surprised with myself as I start writing this review. I ADORE this film. It has two of my favorite actors in it. The fact that I have not mentioned it before kinda defies logic. However, blogger doesn’t lie (as far as I know) and I have trawled my previous posts to no avail. So here goes. Well, thinking about it, it sort of makes sense that you will love this film. The leading actors? Johnnie Depp, Christian Bale and Marillon Cotillard. Gangster movie. About a REAL gangster. Director ? Micheal Mann. Have I got your attention yet?

The unlikely hero of this story harking from 1930’s America is John Dillinger (Johnnie Depp). He is an old-school gangster and bank robber and boy is he getting on the police’s nerves… There are many things impeding the police from catching Dillinger: He is intelligent, cunning and an expert at getting away with anything but murder. To add insult to injury – the public LOVES him! In the troubled times of the Great Depression, Dillinger refuses to take money from the people and targets only big banks and corporations, thus making himself some rather powerful enemies. Regardless of public opinion, the FBI is just about sick of being made a fool of by Dillinger. They set their number one man, Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) on Dillinger’s proverbial tail. Purvis and Dillinger will start a deadly game of cat and mouse – but this is not all Dillinger has to worry about. The times are, as a wise man will say decades after him “a’changing” and the underworld is adapting to it. The question is will Dillinger, an old-fasioned bank-robber with is “Mol” Billie Frechette (Marillon Cotillard) on his arm be able to adapt as well?

First of all, if you thought that with quadruple Oscar® nominee Michael Man at the helm, you had nothing to fear – you would be right. The film is a good quality, old-fashioned gangster movie and it’s a movie about the real men all films in this genre were based on. Dillinger’s story is particularly fascinating seeing as it combines this fact with the changing times and the dynamics in the underworld, a place we all assume has “laws unto itself”. Actually no, it changes with the times and those who can’t adapt are left by the wayside just as with everything else… I have heard the film being described as a “guys movie” yet I’m not sure I agree… I mean yes, it’s a gangster movie but the bizarre relationship between Purvis and Dillinger – very equally matched enemies here – is interesting to watch for any lady who likes a bit of action in her movies. Plus of course, there is the fact that both Depp and Bale are drop-dead gorgeous (I’m being candid here, come on now…) And last but not least, there is the love between Dillinger and Frechette as portrayed by Depp and Cotillard. As you can imagine from actors of that caliber you will be reaching for tissues.

In short, Public Enemies very successfully combines a fascinating period film with breath-taking action. You will enjoy it – no matter what your tastes are =)

INCEPTION

Now, I don’t usually go in for “public crazes”. On principal. Something doesn’t necessarily have to be “popular” for me to enjoy it – in fact if it’s too popular, I tend to resist it. Take LOST for instance – never went near it. And now we know the end, I doubt I ever will. However, occasionally even I succumb to public opinion. Especially, if a film flies to NUMBER THREE in the imdb top 250 of best films ever – a list compiled based on public vote – within days of its release. I’m talking, as you probably have guessed, about Inception. Stories about the film started circulating in my hometown like wildfire – it became pretty obvious I had to go to the cinema and see it. And that is saying something – I hardly ever go to the cinema (my job is watching films - can you blame me for God’s sake?). I am still bowled over. It is some MIGHTY film…
Ok, so for the story. Now bare with me – it’s a complicated story, I’ve only seen the film once and it’s slightly hard to tell without giving away spoilers. But I will do my level best. Our hero is Dominc Cobb (Oscar ® nominee Leonardo Di Caprio – and Dominic Cobb is incidentally also the name of the lead character in director Chris Nolan’s first film). Dominc has an unusual talent. With the help of new “dream sharing” technology, sedatives and some talented colleagues he can infiltrate people’s dreams. Originally conceived as useful for military exercises, it is now an outlawed process, because the dream sharing has a “disadvantage”. Because once you’re sharing a dream with someone, you can have access to their thoughts and ideas. Gives corporate theft a whole new meaning, no? Dominc Cobb is the best of the best. The only problem is, he is also a wanted outlaw back in his home, the United States, so he cannot return. This may have been ok but Dominic has two small children back there, with their grandparents, waiting for their Daddy to come home. Then, Dominic is offered the chance of a lifetime. Mr. Saito is Oscar® Nominee Ken Watanabe. (The name may well mean nothing to you but you actually will recognize him – he was nominated for an Oscar® in his performance in Last Samurai. He was also one of the leads in Letters from Iwo Jima) a rich businessman makes him an offer he simply cannot refuse. One last job and if he succeeds, Saito will pull the necessary strings so Cobb can go home to his family. The only problem is the job he has to do may well not be possible. Inception: Planting an idea into a person’s mind instead of taking it. It actually sounds easy, but messing with the subconscious can be trickier than it first sounds. And I don’t mean in the therapeutic sense…
Inception is, as I said, a MIGHTY film – well worthy of a director with a legacy of mighty films (Don’t forget Mr. Nolan was nominated for an Oscar® as the director of The Dark Night). Leonardo Di Caprio, I feel, is like a wine maturing with time. He’s handsome of course, but I don’t mean that – he’s one hell of an actor and I am confirmed in that opinion every single time I see him in something. In fact, the acting is something to be mentioned quite seriously because the standard is quite high this time. And there are people I could not squeeze into the (already rather long) synopsis. For instance, Marion Cotillard. How can I possibly not mention Marion Cotillard for God’s sake she is one of my favourite actresses! Her role will become clearer when you watch the film but let me just tell you she executes it with utter brilliance. Another favorite of mine is a member of Dominic’s crew: Ellen Page. She was nominated for an Oscar® at a very tender age for her stunning performance in Juno (I reviewed this movie actually. Click right here). Trivia pages tell me that she was by no means the first choice and the favorite for the part was Evan Rachel Wood (who turned the part down). Great respect for Miss Wood but I honestly don’t know what Mr. Nolan was thinking – she is perfect in the part. Last of all, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as another crew member. You may or may not remember him from “500 days of summer” but I think he was awesome, I particularly enjoyed the performance.
I only have one slight criticism of the film. With such grand things such as the subconscious, dreams, etc. on the scene, Chris Nolan could actually have gone for a film with a lot more philosophical depth. I mean, the film is often called a Matrix knockoff (which is an insanely unfair comment) but then again, I can see why you would prefer the Matrix : It had a philosophy. It discussed things such as life, existence. I mean, sure, Inception is definitely a film to be watched again (Mr. Nolan’s aim apparently. Another big success on that score). The plot is very well constructed, it is intelligent and original. However, at the end of a day it’s a very intelligent, well acted Hollywood movie with absolutely SUPERB visual effects.
Nothing at all wrong with that, of course. Just some unused potential…

TRUE STORY OF THE WEEK : "LA MÔME"

Now correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure you remember “La Môme” – also known as “La Vie En Rose”. Oh come on, sure you do, it “made” Marion Cotillard. In 2007 It basically wiped the floor with everything it faced at every award ceremony from BAFTAs to Ocars®. The other actresses, admirable as I am sure they were, didn’t stand a chance! But dear God, what a movie that was…
It is, as you know or probably have guessed, the life story of Edith Piaf. Born into a poor family, her father was a circus performer and she had to keep the both of them (plus her father’s drinking habit) afloat with renditions of the Marseillaise on street corners. She was discovered under rather similar circumstances some few years later. One day as she sang various cabaret songs on another street corner with her good friend Mômone, she is discovered by Papa Leplée, a cabaret owner (played by the French films staple Gerard Depardieu). Luck combined with Piaf’s amazing talent and hard work made her the star she is today. Her life story was successful but not always happy. It was marred with sadness, death and drugs, to the point that at 40 she almost looked 70. But at the end of the day, that life was so full, we can almost hear her claiming loudly “Je ne regrette rien” – I regret nothing right to the end.
After the first two films I reviewed this week I desperately hunted around for something a bit happier, but unfortunately to no avail. That is not to say this is an entirely “sad” movie. I mean true enough, there is a lot of sadness in the film, but such is life. All through the film we have the beautiful music and Piaf’s undaunted spirit leading the way. The film definitely captures the essence of Piaf and as for Marion Cotillard, she deserves her place in history for her performance. And something has to be said for the make-up, décor and costumes, all won numerous prestigious awards that year. You are transported right to the ‘40s . And Cotillard looks so much like Piaf it’s almost spooky.
Both Cotillard and the film – and in fact Piaf as well at the time – just tells it like it is. Gives it to you straight. And the story is told with such quality that you will clap your hands and bounce around as the rollercoaster goes up and reach for handfuls of tissues as it goes down. This is a seriously “good” quality film. And if you’re any sort of “cinephile” you will put it on your “to watch” list, right now.