Boyhood (2014)

8.9/10

Mason: So what's the point?

Dad: Of what?

Mason: I don't know, any of this. Everything.

Dad: Everything? What's the point? I mean, I sure as shit don't know. Neither does anybody else, okay? We're all just winging it, you know? The good news is you're feeling stuff. And you've got to hold on to that.

More than 12 years ago, filmmaker Richard Linklater had a brillitan cinematic idea: to shoot one film in the course of 12 years, with the same actors, portraying the life of a young boy (turned into a man) and how he copes with growing up. Thus came 'Boyhood'. 

This astonishing piece of filmmaking was created to remind audiences and film lovers/enthusiasts all around the world that cinema can be just as much about imagination as it can be about real life too. Richard Linklater (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight, School of Rock),  a self-made writer, producer and director, managed to shoot a film in the scope of 12 years – in all literal sense – and gift the world of this filmmaking masterpiece. The result was a 3-hour long family social teenagy/coming of age drama – along with many comical and down to earth moments – that offered not only a pleasurable screening but also it give amounts of food for thought. 

However much Linklater tried to keep it real, the reason this project truly worked, it’s the fact that he had an incredible cast to work with and share this passion for this film. “Keeping it real, keeping it simple.” This phrase was emblazing in my mind throughout the film. He made it believable. Even when things get rough, even when there were moments of uncertainty or a simple dialogue between teenagers, he kept it real. 

Starring as the boy growing up, is Ellar Coltrane, who we view his 12 years on film through his eyes and how he experiences things and goes through some hard situations – divorced parents, moving away, mother getting re-married, alcoholic stepfather etc. These are but a few things that we are able to view through Coltrane’s eyes. 

In this cinematic experiment Linklater added the likes of Oscar Nominee and Golden Globe Winner Patricia Arquette and Oscar and Golden Globe Nominee Ethan Hawke, to carry through the story of Mason (Coltrane). Both Hawke and Arquette manage to deliver profound and grounded performances throughout, acknowledging the rawness of reality that this film is depicting. Their awareness of what being a parent means, the struggles and sacrifices of keeping a family alive takes can be wonderfully discerned through simple family moments they seem to share separately on screen with one or both their film children. A simple dialogue of what and where life leads you is more than enough to make you appreciate the familiarity of what Linklater depicts. This story is about a family, it’s course, it’s let downs, it’s choices, it’s about the arguments and the hugs and the moments where you feel proud or alive. It’s about love and life. 

When the film opens we see Mason, a 5 year old boy, gathering his toys about to move in another town with his mom and his sister. On the film’s epilogue, Mason, an 18-year-old man now, is sitting with new friends from College gazing into the horizon, into this wondrous unknown of where life will take him. The ups and the downs. 

Linklater so eloquently manages to encompass the reality of events in Mason’s life, that it almost seems effortless on film. As if viewing these awakward or off beat moments on screen are a direct depiction of any family’s reality out there. This is what makes this film such a unique undertaking; it’s ability to connect to what’s real. 

Going around with a buzz in the award season this is one of the major contenders for a Best Picture/Best Director and Best Supporting Actress/Actor award. The first 3, in my honest opinion are more likely to be had from the looks of things, as the Critics as much as the wider public seems to be in favor of Linklater’s film. 

Will definitely recommend and commend this film for anyone who appreciates cinematic landmarks. This will definitely be your cup of tea. Just remember that the film might feel a lot more familiar than what you imagine them to be. 

The Buzz: 

• Linklater's daughter, Lorelai Linklater, as Mason's sister. A star on the rise, perhaps?!?
• This song, which will be echoed throughout this film's running time...

"Boyhood"

August: Osage County (2013)

7.1/10

Violet Weston: I'm so glad one of my girls stayed close to home. In my day, family stuck together.

Tracy Letts wrote a story about a family; a disfunctional family, a normal family. Something that resembles very close to home for anyone with a big family. Drama is of course a key ingredient, especially when you have family coming over. Do you want shouting? You got it. Do you want lying? You got it. Do you want deep dark family secrets? You certainly got it. Do you need excellent acting skills? You have it even before you think it. This film is a family symphony gone bad. 

The story is a look at the lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. (source: www.imdb.com)

Much to our anticipation, the films starts somewhat off beat introducing us to the characters one by one, and their little quirks, up until the big family gathering at a funeral table. What a sheer delight that was. What every person is looking forward to when getting together with family after a long time. Of course script and play writght, Ms.Letts, does so brilliantly keep us entangled in each story line, reminding us, that this could easily be our family or the family next door. 

Staring from the spectacular, if not inconceivable, Meryl Streep, leading a cast that one can only but dream to see all gathered up, she portrays the matriarch of the family, the one who always survives, the grumpiest of them all, the oldest psyche that never ceases to be the sting that starts up everything. She is the core of everyone, and ultimately their destruction. 

Her wonderful cast of fiction siblings include actors such as Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor,Juliette Lewis, Sam Shephard, Chris Cooper, Dermot Mulroney, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch and Margo Martindale. As would anyone see, we're talking about an incredible line-up of actors who not only surpass the audience's expectations, but come to make justice to the originality of the characters from the play as well. 

However, and as truthful as we can be, as the plot thickens, and the best kept secrets are slowly being revealed, the film oftentimes feels to become strenuous and dragged on. The absurdity in which the family dialogue operates tends to strech past its supposed duration time, thus making the viewer lose even the slightest inclanation to what's going on in their drama. For this reason, we can easily pin-point from the beginning that the film tends to feel more like a dramatization of a stage play than a film altogther. 

The juice in the story is how vulnerable every character is, and the mutliple layers that they keep deep beneath. As soon as the yelling gets going, there seems to be a flare for the overexaggerated plot twist; the siblings who have fallen for each other. Oh the hubris. It happens in the best of families. Only with this one, the deterioration comes slowly and painfully at hand. But what a delight it is to see that life is so unprogrammed, that even the best of people can lose their way at some point.

One should definitely watch it with his folks, or spouse, or children, at that, and remember how it feels to not be able to stay away from your own blood, no matter the heartache and the traumas. 

Not much intented to say regarding the technical particulars, just to point out that the locations make it all too real to be in their family territory. Pulitzer winner playwright Letts, offers us a truly dynamic family drama that resonates for everyone who's ever been part (or even a hint) of dysfunctional in their household. Not the best drama out there, but definitely passes across some powerful messages regarding family bonds. 

          

August: Osage County

Philomena (2013)

7.7/10

-Philomena: And after I had the sex, I thought anything that feels so lovely must be wrong.
-Martin Sixsmith: Fucking Catholics.



There's always something heart-warming when you sit down to watch a film about self-discovery and atonement. And it's always equally surprising when you enjoy the film more than you initially anticipated.

'Philomena' tells the real life story of Philomena Lee, who after years of keeping mum, she went seeking for her long lost son. When former journalist Martin Sixsmith is dismissed from the Labour Party in disgrace, he is at a loss as to what do. That changes when a young Irish woman approaches him about a story of her mother, Philomena, who had her son taken away when she was a teenage inmate of a Catholic convent. Martin arranges a magazine assignment about her search for him that eventually leads to America. Along the way, Martin and Philomena discover as much about each other as about her son's fate. Furthermore, both find their basic beliefs challenged. (source: www.imdb.com)

Steve Coogan (Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, Hot Fuzz, In the Loop, Tropic Thunder), who co-wrote the script with Jeff Pope, also stars as the gifted yet misunderstood journalist who is trying to find himself after his horrendous dismisal from the BBC. Coogan has proven time and time again what a brilliant comedian he is, but with this one he goes one step further in showing to the wide audience that drama suits him equally well. 

The sensitivity and the humanity in which both Coogan and Dame Judi Dench treated Lee's real life story is extraordinary. Two very un-similar characters onto a journey of soul searching. The humourous blends ever so subtly with the dramatic, keeping the viewer to sympathize even, with what the characters are going through. Who said that drama can't be hilarious? This film proves that even evil nuns can have their funny side. 

In all seriousness though, the genious behind the film is truly owed to the evocative story of the real Philomena Lee and the man who sought out to make her story be heard. Coming to add a little bit more of his genious is Oscar nominated director Stephen Frears (The Queen, High Fidelity, Dangerous Liaisons), who makes sure that his audience does not fall into the trap of the melo-drama, but instead builds up the suspsense in sweet down-to-earth agony of where this story could end. 

The film is beautifully shot in locations between Ireland, England and the United States, giving the viewer a travelling feast between the then and now moments, whilst at the same time raising some serious fundamental issues regarding religion and faith. Cleverly so, the writers implemented their stories with philosophical and moral questions such as 'Is there God?' or 'Should one believe in God?' or 'How do you keep your faith, even after the nuns sell your child to the Americas?'. Coming back to an age where a good Catholic girl should be pious and pure, Philomena Lee had sinned, and for her mistake, she was punished rightly so, by having her son taken away from her. 

The humanity and the empathy in which Dench operates as Philomena is remarkable. Her humility and her strength to forgive makes us realize that there are greater things to hold onto nowadays than the anger that we are taught not to let go in modern day society. This wholesome feeling of faith is what truly inspires audiences and what makes them connect to Philomena's story.

A very heart-warming film that it is definitely worth a watch. Albeit nominated for Best Picture as well, it rightly deserves its place in the list. 








           

Philomena

Arthur (2011)

Rating: 5.9/10

"We shouldn't get married... we have nothing in common. You love horses. I don't trust them. Their shoes are permanent. Who makes that kind of a commitment to a shoe?"

This is not one of the films I would normally recommend to any film junkie to sit down and watch, let alone watch it myself, but 'Arthur' left me in a surprise kind of mode, and I mean in a good way. Russell Brand may not be an actor but a comedian but with this one somehow he does seem to making it work. Acting alongside the Dame Helen Mirren, Brand somehow shines and truly seems to be challenging himself with this role.

The story is about Arthur; a rich, alcoholic playboy with no regards to his working life. After another drunken run-in with the law, his aloof mother has had enough and forces him to marry Susan, a proper business woman, or else he will lose his inheritance. Just as he's engaged to Susan, he meets Naomi, a free-spirited girl who Arthur thinks is perfect for him. Any attempts at holding down a job are fruitless, so Arthur has to decide, what is more important: love, or his mother's money. (www.imdb.com)

It is quite a tricky task to unite a Brit comedian with a thespian of Mirren's stature and background, but somehow the two of them seem to have all the chemistry this film and story need. With the quirky sense of humour and the outrageous crude jokes of Brand, the story takes on another level of form when things don't quite turn like a normal cliche comedy does nowadays.

It is not a cup of tea for everyone, I can well assure you this film will be passed on as quickly as it was made in Hollywood. The purpose it serves though is for a fun, entertaining time in for a dull Saturday to fill in the atmosphere with something funny. The direction is mundane and Jennifer Garner's role seems to be suffering, as well as is veteran actor Nick Nolte who seems to be doing this just for the sake of it.

Nonetheless, it serves for a good time. Slapstick jokes are there, too much luxury is there, humungous amounts of wasted money is there, unnecessary nudity is there, Upper East-Side of Manhattan is there, boy-meets-girl-and-falls-in-love-and-will-do-just-about-anything-to-get-her is there, boy-will-screw-things-up-and-see-the-error-of-his-way-when-it's-too-late is there, happy ending with a twist is there.

Generally speaking it won't harm to take a peak at this one. Do not expect any Hangover (2009)/Bridesmaids (2011) moments or even the slightest sympathy from the executive Hollywood producers, but expect a sense of 'what is really meaning full in life' kind of theme lurking in the background.

Hope you enjoy it (or not). Do report part back in case you will!

Arthur (2011)

La Vita è Bella aka Life is Beautiful (1997)

Rating: 8.8/10

"Buon giorno, Principessa!"

He came, he saw, he conquered. That's what exactly Roberto Benigni did. He had a fantastic film idea. He saw it through. He conquered Hollywood. And after that the Foreign Press Association and the Academy  Awards created the Oscar for Best Foreign Film category so that the Europeans wouldn't come and take their awards away. (just kidding) And here's when we say Viva Italia!

All joking aside Roberto Benigni wrote and directed this wonderful film that talks about a father's will to protect his song against the Nazis no matter what the cost. The plot goes like that:

"In 1930s Italy, a carefree Jewish book keeper named Guido starts a fairy tale life by courting and marrying a lovely woman from a nearby city. Guido and his wife have a son and live happily together until the occupation of Italy by German forces. In an attempt to hold his family together and help his son survive the horrors of a Jewish Concentration Camp, Guido imagines that the Holocaust is a game and that the grand prize for winning is a tank." (www.imdb.com)

Roberto Benigni casted his real life wife, Nicoletta Braschi, as his on screen wife something which really vented on well as these two actors have chemistry both on screen as well as off. Benigni's secret ingredient though was the hilarious and at the same time outrageous comedic lines in the script. Benigni's character is somewhat of a goof-ball what we'd call but he still is smart enough to make all the right moves and still win his audience's hearts.

But I simply cannot stress this enough, this film is so touching and heartwarming that simply will melt even the most demanding viewers. The plot stars off very light-hearted almost  like a romantic comedy with that European light-hearted style and somewhere along we meet the German occupation in Italy and its harsh consequences. Begnini's imagination knows no boundaries in this film as he manages to combine both drama and comedy all into one-film without this feeling awkward or too excessive. He balanced everything just about right for the viewer to follow the plot and have a good time, even with an anti-war film. I gotta handed to the unbelievable acting of Benigni, who simply astounds audiences as he managed to get people from across the world to cry and be moved, as well as feeling a sense of appreciation of everything that one lives for.

One of the true memorable elements in the film, besides the exquisite acting and dialogue is the music, by Nicola Piovani. I'm sure that many people out there will have heard this piece before. This is truly one of the best well-composed musical scores and in all honesty the Academy Award was well-deserved.

Without wanting to spoil too much this touching film, I'll simply say watch it with your family, with your loved ones and I promise you that immediately after watching it you will venture on to your father (or father figure) and go hug them, for this shows the true meaning of flawless family love.

Buonna notte principessi e principi!




La Vita e Bella (1997)