Saturday 12 December 2009

Sin Nombre Film

5 out of 5

(in Spanish with English subtitles): Sin Nombre is a gorgeous movie that packs an emotional punch as it follows the immigrant trail from South America to the USA. The film, like its name works on multiple levels. “Without a Name”, what was intended to be the temporary title for the film ended up being a permanent one as it worked on multiple levels – the alienation of immigrants coming to a new country, the reinvention of a person when they join a gang, and perhaps a movie that wanted to leave the moral judgments for the audience to make themselves.

The film traces two independent story lines – one of a young man who is part of a gang and another of a young girl who joins her father and uncle to immigrate to America. Eventually, on a train that represents one of the most dangerous immigrant journeys and has claimed many lives in reality, these two characters meet. But assuming that this is a clean romance, would be wrong. The director had more in mind than a simple love story about two people coming together.

Instead, the movie is more complex. Love is an element of the film, but not its main focus. Lost love, future love, the love for one’s family, or for friends who become like a family are all examined in turn. As is infatuation, and the mistaken love for authority which embraces violence and cruelty. But the film does not stop there. It realistically depicts two of the bigger challenges of modern day South America – the plague of gangs and the ambition of immigration to America – both solutions to the social, economic, and political problems that many countries in that part of the world face.

There are some difficult moments to watch and to face. There is violence, often pointless and cruel. There are also tender moments, some of which you can hardly believe exist, in a background of situations that are so difficult to deal with, that they seem to strip all humanity out of humans. A heartfelt and emotional mix of tender and cruel, this film is a gem. Backed by convincing acting by the two main leads – Paulina Gaitán and Edgar Flores, the struggles of the characters in the film stay with you long after.

Overall, Sin Nombre is a highly recommended film that is worth seeing for the gorgeous cinematography alone.

Where the Wild Things Are Film

3 out of 5

Based on a children’s illustrated book by Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are is the story of a young boy and what happens when his loneliness and inability to connect with his family turn inward towards his imagination. Reminiscent of the classic film “The NeverEnding Story” with various furry creatures, this movie surpasses its predecessor in many ways. But in some, it falls short.

The film is technically brilliant with the beast characters being quite convincingly playing alongside the human boy. The landscape of the majority of the film is beautiful and defies reality. Coupled with some excellent music choices, the atmosphere is set for an interesting ride. However, there is an uneasiness of the film that stems from the confusion of whether it is for adults or for children. There is a hint of “Lord of the Rings”-style events happening in the background, if the main character and his wild things are left to their own devices.

The film stops short of blood and gore, but that’s partly due to the soft animal aspect of the wild beasts. Instead of blood, their “stuffing of feathers” comes out when they are hurt. Yet, there are still some scenes which feel too mature for children as they are a bit unnerving even for adults. The emotional issues that Max has, stemming perhaps from his loneliness or the usual challenges of growing up are never fully addressed. His own violent tendencies, the casual [violence that he is a victim of by his sister’s friends, and the mild violence that the wild things also display without too much of a thought are all disturbing. And that uneasy feeling does not go away during the film, especially since none of these tendencies are really explained or resolved.

What is also a challenge in a movie such as this is the line between reality and imagination. A line that is very fuzzy with the viewer left to assume what has and has not occurred and what is a symptom of something else. With modern day eyes, it’s easy to go down the slippery slope of analyzing the movie the way perhaps a child psychologist would. And that further complicates this film, which already is trying to juggle multiple audiences and messages.

Overall a pretty film that lacks a focus and an audience. Perhaps by trying to appeal to a wide audience, it ends up confusing the adults and scaring the kids. Despite this ambiguity, the film’s imagery and soundtrack are stunning.

Bright Star Film

5 out of 5

One of the most beautiful and dreamy films of the year, Bright Star explores how one of the most well-known British poets, John Keats, developed a relationship with a neighbour girl, Fanny Brawne. The film is gorgeously shot with beautiful colours streaming from costumes and lighting to the outside locations, including an enlightening blue forest landscape. But the stunning visual beauty of the film doesn’t take away from its emotional impact.

Just as John and Fanny begin their encounter as questioning and individualistic people, so does the viewer. But slowly, we all become seduced by the beauty of John’s poetry and passion and Fanny’s outspokenness and tenderness. Slowly but surely, we fall in love with them both just as they fall in love with each other. The passion of their relationship plays out for the viewer, with multiple obstacles being removed. Societal norms are discarded as is the advice of friends in the face of emotions that grab hold of John and Fanny. Or so we imagine. So we hope. As any movie based on a historical real life person and event, quite a bit of the movie may be fiction or pure imagination on the part of the screenwriter and director. But ultimately that does not matter. Any questions about authenticity do not dilute the emotional experience of watching youth brazen with the creative spirit and zest for life find someone who they cannot help but completely become lost in.

The movie is certainly a romantic story. Few viewers can not be seduced by the passion of John and Fanny’s relationship. But without being too obvious or saccharine sweet, the film takes a sour turn, as life so often does. The result of which is one of the best and most emotional acting displays by actress Abbie Cornish. Utterly brilliant.

Just like real love, the movie will inspire, enliven, and ultimately tragically break the viewer’s heart. But it is certainly a journey worth taking and watching. For days afterward, the words of John Keats and the magical music that accompanies the film will stay with you.

If you like Bright Star, watch All the Real Girls – a modern take starring Paul Schneider, who plays John Keat’s best friend (Charles Armitage Brown) in Bright Star.

An Education Film

3 out of 5

Exploring the maturation of a young ambitious girl in 1960s London, An Education is not an easily-digested film. Nor is it a film which wraps up its message in a neat box for the viewer, despite an ending which erroneously tries to do so. Focusing on a relationship with an older man, the film subtly is informed by the reality of being a young woman during those times – the choices, the limitations and the realities. This is a time when feminism was very much in its early stages and the decision between a career and a husband seemed to be a mutually exclusive one. When the choices for women seem to be either to have a career and no personal life, or sacrifice your personal ambition leaving you completely vulnerable and tied to the man in your life. Not an easy decision, and one with which the main character, Jenny, played by the fantastic Carey Mulligan struggles with throughout the film.

Interestingly, the film also explores the morality of love and bending the rules when you believe you are doing so for all the right reasons. Whether it’s love or excitement or blind rebelliousness, it is difficult to judge any of the characters too harshly, even the older man who takes advantage, the usually underrated Peter Sarsgaard.

For all the moral qualms and ambiguous choices that the characters in the film have and all the ambiguous choices they make, the film errs in trying to make a complex story cleaner and simpler for the audience to digest. It would be easy to label the characters of the film as right or wrong. Stupid or smart. But to do so would be to miss the point. Ultimately all the people have their redeeming qualities and have made peace within themselves with their choices – some moral and some less so – but that is compromise that we all make. A compromise that is sometimes quite compromising in the name of excitement or love.

The movie accurately portrays the sometimes painful experiences of growing up. It is sometimes said that growing up first means killing the ideas and restrictions of your parents, gods, and teachers. Only then are you free from preconceptions and are able to formulate opinions and make your own decisions – right or wrong. And that is ultimately what Jenny does in the film.

Ultimately, a quality movie examining a complex situation during a time that was quite different from ours today. However one that doesn’t move the emotional needle of the audience too much in either direction – no need for tissues.