Category Archives: Drama

Drama

The Last Showgirl

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Date watched: February 26, 2025
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2025

Review

Wednesday night I hosted a private screening of ‘The Last Showgirl’ as a fundraiser to raise money for a charity walk that I am doing with a group of friends later in April.

When selecting a film for these fundraisers (this has now become an annual event) I try to look for something that is likely to be popular at the box office (i.e. an Oscar nominated film) and/or something that I think people will like and is interesting.

While it was tempting to try and sway my friends to request for a screening of ‘Wicked’, when I searched for upcoming films and saw the trailer for ‘The Last Showgirl’ I knew that this would be the one. Second choice would have been ‘The Brutalist’ but with a runtime of over 3 hours, it would not have been a wise selection.

For the event we had an audience of 39 people (myself included) and I’ll have to go by people being honest with me, as I must acknowledge that saying you didn’t like the film to the organiser of the event might have been uncomfortable. While I didn’t run a poll, I would say on the most part people did enjoy the film. There were a few that I heard from that weren’t too sure about it or on the fence.

Considering that I liked the film, and a lot of the audience were friends of mine, perhaps it also skews to being in a bubble of like minded people!

‘The Last Showgirl’ is a film directed by Gia Coppola and written by Kate Gersten and tells the story of Shelly, a showgirl who has been in a 30-year run of a Las Vegas show which is coming to an end. To Shelly this comes as a deep shock as she still appears to be ‘stuck’ in the days when the show first started and hasn’t been able to move along with the times easily.

It’s the type of story that I am craving to see in cinema. Something that reflects on real life, that shows the rough and hard parts of life. That features ‘older’ women (I don’t think I like that phrase, but I’ll use it for lack of an alternative.)

Women over the age of 55 are at great risk of financial and housing insecurity and are over represented on the poverty line. That’s something that this film is highlighting. Yes, the characters are living in Las Vegas, performing in a show but it’s not the typical glitz and glamour that might normally be portrayed on screen. The film uses the lives of its characters to reflect on the issues of this demographic and what they often face – not having the superannuation they need or getting by without a house. When a lot of people think of someone who is homeless, they often think of the person living rough out of the streets as they walk past. But there are many forms of homelessness and one of those is featured in this film – someone sleeping in their car and using the showers at work.

To quote Shelly, “Feeling seen, feeling beautiful, that is powerful.” It’s a film about this demographic being visible and relevant.

To also have a film with so much female representation from the director, writer, cinematographer, and actresses fills me with much joy. Miley Cirrus also features on the soundtrack with the closing song, which she performers and cowrote.

Pamela Anderson, who plays Shelly, pours so much emotion into her performance and she is just a joy to watch on screen. Shelly isn’t a perfect character, but who is a perfect person in real life? She has her flaws, but she is out there trying her best and living her dream.

Admittingly I am a fan of Pamela Anderson. While I didn’t really watch Baywatch as I was probably that bit to young for it while it was on air, I remember her in the series ‘Stacked’ while I found her comic acting brilliant. I haven’t seen that show since it was on air so no idea how it rates nowadays – so don’t judge me for that!

While this film isn’t a comedy, Anderson gets to flex her dramatic skills and gives a very worthy performance. And if it’s ok to say so, she certainly has still got it! I uttered a verbal ‘wow’ when she appeared in her sparkly dinner outfit.

The film also features Jamie Lee Curtis, another actress whom I am very much a fan of. She features as Annette, an ex-dancer who worked in the same company as Shelly and is also a friend. Without it being established in words, they are probably best friends. Her performance in this film is also very good. The sequence which features her dancing to ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ shines and really establish who Annette is. Funny to hear that the scene was improvised.

The two together (Anderson and Curtis) have a brilliant chemistry that reflects well on screen. The film also features a well assembled cast but I can’t go on naming everyone individually!

While I enjoyed the film, I felt that there was certainly a potential to dig a little deeper and flesh it out more. I just felt like there was more space available and something was missing. I would have liked to have seen more from some of the supporting cast and their relationship with Shelly, although there is something fun about creating a backstory for some of the other characters yourself and filling in what might have been.

I say give this film a go, even if it may not be your usual cup of tea. There are some great acting performances and I really did find it a charming and emotional story.

Rating:  Good

 

If you’d like to support our efforts for the walk, you can donate here: https://www.surfcoasttrek.com.au/t/one-trek-to-rule-them-all

Biopic, Comedy, Drama, Musical

Better Man

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Reading Time: 6 minutes

Date watched: January 4, 2025
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2025

Review

Saturday afternoon I decided to escape the heat and see my first movie at the cinema for 2025.

Better Man is the new biopic about Robbie Williams, from the creative mind of director Michael Gracey.

Now in case you are unaware, yes that is a monkey on the film poster and yes, that monkey is portraying Robbie Williams. Since that detail had been announced while the film was in production it has been a talking point. Some sceptical and many curious to see what it would be. Everyone else in the film is portrayed with actors, it is just Robbie to quote the film’s director Gracey that ‘we see, as Robbie sees himself’.

For those unfamiliar Gracey is probably most well know for his work as director on the film ‘The Greatest Showman’. I was lucky enough to go along to a Masterclass in Directing with Michael Gracey back in 2021 where he spoke about his career and delved deep into the process of making ‘The Greatest Showman’. I’ve been left with fond memories of that evening and images of the raw footage we saw for ‘Rewrite the Stars’ that has left a lasting impact on me. It was at that session where Michael gave us the heads up of a new film he was working on, a Robbie Williams biopic, after it was revealed that Robbie played a part during the making of ‘The Greatest Showman’.

I’ve also been lucky enough to see Robbie Williams live in Australia twice.

So safe to say that I was going into this film a fan of both the creator of the film and the subject matter!

I found this to be an enjoyable film with a nicely layered narrative. Robbie’s personal story of becoming famous at a young age and his personal battles faced over the years provides the foundations of a story tell. It is his great back catalogue of songs and his personality (the cheeky and charismatic character) that makes it one to see. And the fact that they have chosen to portray Robbie as monkey is what will make it stand out from the pack of biopics being released and likely draw in people who aren’t Robbie Williams fans.

The film had me laughing out loud, to crying (I had two big teary moments), as well as being uncomfortable with some of the tough themes In Rob’s life. It’s one of those narratives which builds through those emotions so cleverly that as a viewer you just ride the wave of emotions. Yes, when reflecting back I can see how certain scenes are there to build a certain emotion but I didn’t have that analysis going while viewing. Unfortunately not all films can achieve this.

Better Man was filmed largely in Melbourne and there are plenty of familiar Aussie actors you will recognise. Just a couple to mention are Damon Herriman as the band manager of Take That, Kate Mulvany as Robbie’s mum, and John Waters as Michael Parkinson.

One of the things that I liked about the film is the use of Robbie’s songs. They are peppered throughout the film and rather than used in chronological order are coupled with the scene to match the emotion being conveyed. That was something that I really liked from the Elton John biopic ‘Rocketman’. It also gives the film a sense of being timeless. If you were around at the time of these events, you can map in your mind the late 90s for example, but having a timestamp on screen isn’t required to tell this story. I think that also helps not distract the viewer from where in the narrative we are, so you’re not thinking about the film duration.

Some of the songs are used in their entirety while others you may have to keep an ear for. This was another nice touch which I liked from the film.

My favourite scene from Better Man is the ‘Rock DJ’ sequence. This is used to depict the period where Robbie is in the band ‘Take That’. The sequence starts as the band is signed and shows the rising popularity of the band, particularly with young girls. The band sing the song together while making their way down Regent Street, London causing all sorts of chaos, a visual metaphor of their success in the UK at the time. The song builds up and ends at Piccadilly Circus with an incredibly grand dance sequence covering the whole street. From the chorography, to the costumes, to the pause added between the lyrics ‘When’s it gonna stop’ [pause] ‘DJ’ makes every second of this sequence just incredible. I can’t convey how much I adored this sequence. It is so spectacular and looks amazing on the big screen.

My second favourite sequence would have to be for the ‘She’s the One’ dance sequence used on the night when Robbie met Nicole Appleton. Ashley Wallen’s choreography here is magical. The song also covers a lot of the relationship between Robbie and Nicole flashing back and forth between that first night and periods of their relationship. It’s no coincidence that this scene gives parallels to the dance sequence with Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams for ‘A Million Dreams’ in The Greatest Showman, as Wallen also worked on that film. Wallen and Gracey are greatly paired to make beautiful films. The emotion through dance transferred to screen they achieve is wonderful. It makes me truly appreciate the art of cinema.

The scenes which use ‘Come Undone’ and ‘Let Me Entertain You’ are also very powerful sequences that are at the core of what this film is about. How Robbie sees himself and the struggles he has/does deal with. Those sequences are so emotionally charged and without spoiling anything the ‘Let Me Entertain You’ scene elevates this film and separates it from many biopics. With stories dealings with diseases of the mind, that can be a difficult thing to visualise on a screen but also gives a filmmaker the ability to dip into fantasy and create beautiful visual analogies. Both of these sequences caused me some distress and uncomfortable feelings but I think that is the point (at least I hope!)

While I potentially could comment on use of all the songs, I’m not going to do that! I’ll leave some of that for you to experience in your own viewing.

I’m guessing at this point you’re wondering why I haven’t mentioned the monkey. To be honest, it’s kind of like that watching the film. You clearly notice it at the start but as the film progresses, it’s not really a thing. Clearly what makes the film work so well is Jonno Davis who is the actor behind the motion capture. The visual effects are absolutely spectacular but for the facial expressions and personality characteristics to really pay off, the person under that motion capture has to be doing the work. And Davis has done a sensational job. It almost sounds outlandish to say but without his performance, I don’t think this film works as well as it does.

This is certainly a film for fans of Robbie Williams, the creators attached to The Greatest Showman, music biopics, and/or of visual effects.

If you’d like to know a little more about Robbie Williams, I would suggest his documentary on Netflix. It covers much of what is in this film in more detail in a more traditional documentary format. You certainly don’t need to watch it before seeing the film.

Catch Better Man while at the cinemas. It looks truly fantastic on the big screen and you’ll have an enjoyable time.

Rating:  Great

Comedy, Drama, Musical

Wicked

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Reading Time: 9 minutes

Date watched: November 23, 2024
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2024

Before I launch into this review, I feel I need to provide you with a little bit of context in case you have come here not knowing anything about the film. If you know what Wicked is, please skip ahead. If you are still with me, at a very high level what you need to know is:

    • In 1939 there was a film called “The Wizard of Oz” (if you do not know this fact, I need to have words with you) based on a book
    • In 1995 another book was written with this as the inspiration called “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West”
    • In 2003 a musical adaptation of the book “Wicked” was adapted for Broadway.

Yes, this is a movie musical. I know the trailer doesn’t really allude to this and I hate how they market movie musicals but here we are. What I ask is that you continue to read on, even if you don’t like musicals. That also extends to our friends who haven’t seen the Wizard of Oz or have and aren’t big fans. Maybe you are only here “for the plot”.

Ok we should all be back together now. Let’s begin!

Review

Fellow Ozians,

The movie which I initially didn’t think was needed has turned into the most popular film of 2024!

Yes dear reader, if you have read any of my previous reviews you will know that I am a big musical theatre fan. And while I wouldn’t have called myself the biggest Wicked fan (I would think that honour goes to the friend who initially introduced me to the musical) I have in fact seen four versions of the stage production for a total of 5 times. For those doing the math, the first Melbourne production I saw twice!

Why then would I say I’m not the biggest fan? Well I will admit that I haven’t read the book it was based on as being one of the reasons.

There is however no denying that I love the stage production. So why then was I so hesitant for a movie version? Maybe it was the attachment I have to the Original Broadway recording of which I have listened to endlessly. Or the attachment I recently found I had to the original cast of the first Melbourne production. Probably the biggest factor was that the film was split into two parts, with the first part having a longer run time than the entire stage production! How could they do such a great show justice? And would this end up just like The Hobbit?

So why then did I go see it you may think? The answer: I’m a musical theatre nerd. Of course I was going to see it! And when I found out that Club Broadway were going to do a screening followed by an after party I thought, you know what – If I’m going to see this film, the best environment would be with fellow musical theatre nerds. They would understand. We would bond together however this experience turns out. BEST. DECISION. EVER.

The experience exceeded my expectations is so many ways.

Firstly, in the lead up to the screening (which was opening weekend, a Saturday midday session), I was getting more and more excited from each clip that I started to see on socials. Learning about the live on set singing. Cast interviews. I had a few friends who were sceptical of Ariana Grande in the role of Glinda, but I was personally pretty excited for her inclusion. I then found myself starting to get nervous that I might be building up my expectations. And worse what if the reason why the film is longer is because they have added additional songs, content, and took focus away from one of the best parts of this show – the two female leads Glinda and Elphaba, with unnecessary additions of male roles?

I put those thoughts aside and when the day finally came, a girl who loves comfy pop culture clothing, whose favourite colour is blue, and who was hesitant about this film, found herself walking into the theatre in a poofy pink dress with an accompanying wand. Yes, I went to the cinema dressed as Glinda. Popular style. If you don’t know what that means, click here. The only thing I didn’t nail was a pink flower in my hair.

Did I feel out of place? To begin with yes, but it did not matter because by the time we arrived at the cinema, so many others were also dressed up. A lot more Elphaba’s to Glinda’s, including two that I saw who stepped it up a level and painted their face green. Did I mention it was also a 37°C day? Kudos to your effort. I knew that I was in the place that I belonged.

I now turn my attention to the film. You probably already have an idea about what I am about to say here given the run up.

I absolutely adored it.

I’ve had a few days to sit with it now and I think it is just about perfect. One of the things I find out of place may just be my memories of the sequencing from The Wizard of Oz. But I’m going to trust the filmmakers more than my memory at this time.

It is also probably worth mentioning that whenever I see the stage production, I always cry at some point. I can usually make it to the end of Act One. On an emotional day, it’s the opening number. Sometimes I can hold off until the third song.

I can tell you that the film got me from the opening number. I managed to stifle flowing tears until a little later on in the film. And of course, the final number got me – it was always going to.

If you have never seen the stage production or are not a fan of musicals (or perhaps even The Wizard of Oz)  – firstly, thank you for continuing to read on. I’ll be making references to the stage production quite a bit but one of the things you need to know is that from what I have seen from other audience member reactions and also my own perceptions is that you don’t need to know anything about Wicked going in.

The show itself is already so well written and with the original creators of book and musical involved, the film was in good hands. Taking away the songs, the story is a compelling drama filled of highs and lows. You really become emotionally involved with the characters and can understand their motivations, even if you do not agree with them all of the time.

On screen our lead character is green and the world is set in the Land of Oz which contains magic and talking animals with jobs but you don’t have to look far for parallels to the current state of the world and perhaps even your personal life. The themes of injustice, being an outcast, not alone buy lonely, propaganda, scapegoats I found so powerful. It was something that really hit me directly and so clearly. A new experience I’ve not really had from the stage production before. That is why I think it is going to be/is universally loved. It’s not often to get such a connection like this from a film – musical or not.

To those who may be worried about all the songs, I would say that Wicked isn’t a song heavy film. What I mean by this is that you will get dialogue, and it is also a very funny, so you will have plenty of laughs. If it helps, I would say this musical is more like a ‘The Greatest Showman’ than something like an ‘Into The Woods’.

And to those who know Wicked, as a film I found it to be true to the stage production without being a straight up replication. All the comedy was there (plus some!) and the focus on Glinda and Elphaba was not at all lost. I was really interested going in to see what things they would be able to do on film that can’t be done in a stage production and was surprised at how much the story has been enhanced without changing many of the core components.

That in large part is due to what Jon M. Chu, the director, has done to build the world the story sits in. It is simply remarkable. The word “wow” actually escaped my lips as the opening sequence rolled through the vast field of tulips of Munchkinland. One of my favourite things to do while waiting for the stage production to start is to read all the places on the giant map which holds as a backdrop. This film turned that map into a whole world that I could visualise and though it sounds crazy, I felt like I was actually there.

If you are a fan of the original ‘Wizard of Oz’ film and/or the stage production of ‘Wicked’, there are so many little easter eggs in there for you to find. It will only enhance your viewing without diminishing the experience for the new audience members. Let’s just say the audience I was with lost our minds over something pretty exciting which if you are on social media, you probably already know about.

You might also be wondering about my earlier point that this film, which is part one, is longer than the entire stage production. I found the film to be very well paced and for me, the time simply flew past. I really enjoyed where they choose to finish part one and eagerly await part two – a whole year away! The extended scenes and extension to some of the songs added, made for a richer story and experience that didn’t feel like filler.

I must also acknowledge at this point that this review is becoming just as long as the film! I’m not going to do a scene by scene breakdown or song by song analysis because that isn’t what this space is about. And believe me I could! My intention is to share my experience of the film with you and to help you get an idea if you may like it or not.

Wicked is such a joyful film. It is visually stunning on the big screen. The choreography is both incredible and incredibly shot. The costumes, hair, and makeup magnificent. And such a diverse cast in very way you can think of. Big shout out to having an authentic wheelchair user for the character in a wheelchair too! The more I think on it, I can’t fault it. And judging by the reception and busy cinemas (even into the second week), I think is proof.

And of course I cannot end this review without mentioning the cast. All of whom were spectacular but I really want to focus on two.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Two powerful voices. Two incredible actors. Neither who had done on the role in a stage production before and nailed it. Despite going dressed as Glinda, she is not a character I would be friends with IRL and not someone I identify myself with. But there is something about this role which I love so very much. I would identify with some of Elphaba’s traits, particularly her passion for equality and justice. I think many would agree and is likely the reason so many in the audience I was with, went dressed as her.

I really do hope you take the chance to go see Wicked even if it is not usually your thing. This is an experience that I think you would want to be a part of and the cinema is a great place for that.

As for me, I’ll be back for my second viewing this weekend. The question is, do I paint my face green this time…

Rating:  A Must See

Action, Drama

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: January 7, 2023
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2023

Review

The Robin Hood story has always been a favourite of mine and I grew up watching the Disney version from 1973 (yes, the cartoon one) and Mel Brook’s Robin Hood: Men in Tights. In later years the BBC version in 2006 also became a favourite.

Yet despite Men in Tights being on high rotation, I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen Prince of Thieves and after Netflix flogging the fact it’s now available in the UK and Ireland, I succumbed, found another streaming service it was available for in my region, and gave it a go.

So first off, Men in Tights is such a great parody. Even though I haven’t watched it for years I could clearly see what character traits and scenes were used. It’s so well done; I can’t wait to re-watch Men in Tights again.

Which now brings us back to the focus of this review. If I had to describe the film in one word, it would be; Trashtastic.

I found it so camp and over the top. By the amount of laughing, you would think this would be a comedy.

The writing was poor, as were many of the action scenes, and I found the camera angles to be quite odd at times (take a look at the scene where the Sheriff is threating to cut out Will’s tongue). I’m not sure if there were going for something creative in that regard but it was just off putting with everything else going on.

Kevin Costner in the lead role of Robin doesn’t even attempt at an English accent, so I guess that it makes sense that in the casting of King Richard they would look no further than the master of accents, Sean Connery.

I would have liked to have seen more of Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Maid Marion. When we are first introduced to her there is promise of a stronger role however as the film processes, the female lead mostly ends up screaming for help from her lead male actor. This is more a reflection of the time the film was released and I’m glad to see in more recent adaptions Marion having more grit.

As for other casting notations I enjoyed the casting of Michael Wincott as the Guy of Gisborne. He is a favourite of mine from other classic 90s films such as The Crow and The Three Musketeers and Christian Slater as Will Scarlett is the perfect addition of eye candy. I wonder if this is the trend that started of Will always being the hot one? If you know, leave me a comment.

However, there is only one reason that you need to watch this film and his name is Alan Rickman. The eccentric performance he gives this film gives the impression he had a lot of fun with the role. He brings a camp, horny, over the topness energy and has most of if not all the best lines. From cancelling Christmas to threatening to cut your heart out with a spoon!

It doesn’t really bode well for a film where Morgan Freeman doesn’t get a mention here and one of the best features is a Bryan Adams song.

If you are a fan of Men in Tights but haven’t seen the source material, it’s worth a one time watch to see how good a parody it is. If you are an Alan Rickman fan, same thing, good for a one time watch for the performance alone.

And if you are a fan of Robin Hood, there are better adaptions out there.

Rating:  Alright

Comedy, Drama

Love Actually

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Date watched: December 11, 2022
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2022

Review

Love Actually is another of those ‘modern classic’ films that is universally much loved and for whatever reason, I haven’t gotten around to seeing yet. I did know about some of the storylines and scenes due to the film’s mass appeal and it being nearly a couple of decades on! I had just never taken the time to sit down and watch it.

So in Christmas 2021 all that was going to change. I was committed to setting time aside to finally watch the film…then stuff happened. I got busy, other films popped up, and then Christmas passed. Therefore, I was adamant to try again in 2022 but still having to find time amongst a busy schedule.

Luckily, I noticed that my local cinema had a special Christmas screening of the film playing that also happened to be on a weekend with nothing planning. Seeing as I was already committed to watching the film, why not see it at the cinema?

I reached out to a friend who was distressed to recently hear that I hadn’t seen Love Actually before and she excitedly agreed to come along with me.

The cinema was filled with many people who had seen the film before, and it was clearly a favourite (particularly of the person sitting in front of us) but I did spot a couple others in a similar position to myself. I always love seeing films at the cinema, there is something about sharing reactions as well as seeing how others respond that enhances the experience. Much better than sitting home alone laughing out loud, or worse, pointing at the screen remarking “that’s funny”.

At this point you’re probably thinking, spare me the build-up, what did you think of it? So here it goes…

My initial reaction to Love Actually is that there were a lot of laugh out loud moments and that it was well written. All the independent stories which are running concurrently have a good pace to them, switch focus at the right time to give enough coverage between stories, and by the end all the stories wove together, what feels to be, seamlessly. No easy feat to achieve with such a large ensemble cast.

My favourite storyline of the couples from the film would be the relationship between Jamie (Colin Firth) and Aurelia (Lucia Moniz). Despite the language barrier between the two and the clear attraction, the fact they are on the same wavelength I just found adorable. They were practically having a conversation together or saying the same things to each other but just didn’t understand. And while I wasn’t a fan of the hasty marriage (come on guys just go on a few dates first) I do find it pretty romantic they both started to learn each other’s primary spoken language. Urgh that made me sick to admit!

I’d be here forever if I started to comment on each of the cast but before I make a quick couple of mentions, this is my blanket statement to say that I thought the cast was really well put together and all delivered equally good performances. By not making a specific comment, is in no way a negative reflection.

All the American actors that were chosen were a perfect fit. From Billy Bob Thornton as the American President to the girls the character Colin brings back home, Shannon Elizabeth and Denise Richards.

Then there is Rowan Atkinson as the jewellery salesman, who for me stole the scenes he was in. This just gave an extra lift to the film that I really enjoyed. Especially his distraction tactic at the airport towards the end of the film.

Hugh Grant has a typical performance from the time the film was released, that bumbling romantic fool. It works for him and it works for the film. I now live for the scene of him talking to a picture of Margaret Thatcher on the wall and calling her a saucy minx!

There is a scene however where his character as the UK Prime Minister takes action to speak out against the American President at a press conference, after a rather grotesque display of power against the girl he fancies. I would have hoped that the Prime Minister would have down the same thing for anyone who found themselves in that situation, not just the girl he likes.

That’s sort of when you think about a few of the stories having similar things that are a little uncomfortable or cringey that I didn’t much enjoy. While some of those moments have a place within the film, there is also quite a lot of questionable behaviour that doesn’t. For example, I found there to be a lot of fat shaming which really felt out of place. This might be something that just hasn’t aged well, like the sitcom Friends.

Putting aside some of the negatives I experienced, I found myself enjoying the film. And while it hasn’t become my favourite Christmas film, I can see it being added to the rotation of movies that I have playing in the background while putting up the Christmas tree in years to come.

Rating:  Good

Comedy, Drama

Sideways

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Reading Time: 6 minutes

Date watched: October 30, 2022
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2022

Review

Sideways appeared on my radar in an unusual manner. It normally wouldn’t be the type of film that would necessary spark my interest, especially when it was released back in 2004. I could have deprived myself of what is a beautiful and very funny film all because I am not a wine drinker.

So how and why did I end up watching Sideways? It was thanks to a podcast and a comedy festival I went to a month ago! Peter Helliar hosts a podcast called ‘You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet’ where he talks to other comedians and friends about a well-known film they haven’t gotten around to seeing yet.

If I also haven’t seen the film the episode is about, I like to watch it first in preparation before listening. So when it was announced that the film for the live episode recording I was going to at the Grapes of Mirth festival was Sideways, I had planned to watch it in time for the recording. Unfortunately that didn’t happen (apparently you get quite tired doing a 10 hour drive) but I did watch the film the night after the recording. Luckily for me, most of the audience hadn’t seen the film either, so Pete did try to steer away from too many spoilers.

I highly recommend checking out the podcast, as there are some great insights to the film. For me, it really enhanced my viewing experience.

When it came time to capture my thoughts on the film, I didn’t want to do so that night. Partly because I didn’t have the time as I was driving back home the next day but mostly because I wanted time to develop my own thoughts on the film. I’ve now had the time to process and just watched the film for a second time to take stock of what connected for me. There are still things that I agree with that were spoken about in the podcast, which I will call out when making reference to in this review.

Second time around, I really enjoyed the film just as much as the first time and can easily see watching it multiple times in years to come.

Sideways follows the story of Miles and Jack, two middle aged men who are spending a week visiting vineyards across California before Jack’s wedding on the weekend. Miles has arranged this week getaway for the two friends, to share his vast knowledge of wine, hang out, and play golf together. Yet both are battling their own form of an existential crisis which adds friction between the two on the trip.

Jack is an once popular TV star turned voiceover actor and as the week progresses, is having a dramatic case of cold feet. Does he really want to get married? He sees this week as his last week of freedom and wants to use it as a chance to cut loose and party. Aka sleep with other women.

To me, I don’t think it is crystal clear when Jack makes this decision. It was obvious that he was very keen to start this trip and whether that started off as just wanting to get some air to think if getting married was the right move or if he have a very clear goal from the get go, I’m not sure about. The way things escalate, I would suggest there is no plan as Jack reacts rather impulsively.

I find the character of Jack insufferable, difficult to empathize with, and a lot of the time pretty cringey. Kudos to Thomas Haden Church on the way in which he plays the role. For anyone else of my vintage you may also remember him from his role of Lyle in George of the Jungle, another insufferable type character!

Miles on the other hand, has been divorced for two years and has yet to start another relationship. Despite the fact his marriage was an unhappy relationship and that his ex-wife has moved on, he is stuck in the belief that they may get back together some day. He works as an English teacher, has written his own novel, and is waiting on news if it will be published. Of the two men, I think Miles is the one with the more redeemable qualities and who I found myself relating to on a few levels.

Enter Maya and Stephanie, the two women which Miles and Jack spend most of the week days with. Miles already knows Maya as a waitress where he frequently dines when on wine tastings and Stephanie becomes the subject of Jack’s lust. The (un)published novel is something that Jack uses as the excuse to tell the women he is attempting to woo for the reason of their trip. You know, because mentioning he is getting married on the weekend would be awkward.

Maya is a fellow wine connoisseur with a sharp palate, the perfect pairing for Miles. She is intelligent, measured, and provides a lot of light to Miles’ shade. Her character has some beautiful ways of talking about wine and life. They also share a similar experience in their marriage breakdowns. Virginia Madsen brings to life the character of Maya, giving her some complexities and a real part of the film.

Stephanie on the other hand, while also having a good knowledge of wine, is quite impulsive. After meeting a man for 24 hours, she is having conversations about moving in with him and introducing him to her child. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that Jack is innocent in anyway, it just seems to come across as moving very fast. While they share this attribute, unlike Miles and Maya where their commonalities compliment each other, the similar behaviour of Jack and Stephanie works against them.

The scene were the four go out to dinner together for the first time, really shows the differences between Jack and Stephanie vs Miles and Maya, as well as between the two women and two men, just from the types of conversations we see them having.

It’s probably the reason why I have connected with the film, I do adore this type of story telling. There is so much that you could unpack from each of the characters and their relationships with each other.

Having good material is one place to start, having the strong cast to bring it to life is the other part of the equation. Paul Giamatti’s performance is what really makes this film for me. His facial expressions alone add so much to each scene, really conveying the way in which Miles is thinking and feeling. It’s a strong cast however without Giamatti, the film wouldn’t be what it is.

Apart from the quality of the story, the film also has a great quality in how it has been filmed and the way in which it flows.

One of the things that was mentioned in the podcast I attended was about the level of detail in each shot. It was said that everything is included in the film for a reason and I really agreed with this comment. One such example is when Miles and Jack stop at Miles’ mother’s house on their way across California.

Miles says they are just stopping in to wish her a happy birthday. Yet when they get in the house and are asked if they are staying for something to eat, Miles says yes. Jack gives him a look of ‘what do you mean, we should get going’ where Miles’ response is “just a snack”. Cue the next scene which shows the three of them sitting at a table, much later in the evening, with a fully cooked meal on the table. That is just one small example that the whole film is filled with.

Sideways is a really well written comedy-drama. It has top notch acting from a great cast. The sequences and the way it is filmed I found quite charming. And let’s not forget about the soundtrack, which is beautifully scored, adding yet another layer to this film. Again I find myself listening to the soundtrack as I put my thoughts together.

Don’t worry if you aren’t a wine drinker, that will not prohibit any enjoyment that Sideways has to offer.

Rating:  Great

Comedy, Drama

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: November 27, 2022
Date Reviewed: December 04, 2022

Review

I’m mixing things up a little bit today, as I write this review, I’m sitting at an airport terminal waiting to board my flight in an hours’ time. It’s the first time being back on a plane since the pandemic hit and seems an appropriate time and place to reflect upon this film.

Last Sunday evening I ticked off one of the films I’ve had on my ‘trailers I’ve seen at the cinemas’ watchlist for some time now. Something a little different and after a busy few weeks and a packed weekend, it was a nice way to relax into a Sunday evening.

I’d also arranged with mum we’d go see this film together a few weekends ago, as it was the next available day in the calendar!

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a gorgeous film and at its heart, is the story of an underdog overcoming the odds.

Set in post WWII London, Mrs. Ada Harris works as a domestic house cleaner for many well-off clients, living in hope that her beloved husband Eddie will return to her from the war. She is a woman who works hard with a small yet strong support network and who believes in a bit of luck.

As she fears, Mrs. Harris soon receives confirmation that her husband is presumed and declared dead during an accident that occurred in the war. This news sets off a chain of events, which ultimately leads Mrs. Harris on a journey to Paris to buy a couture Dior dress.

It’s a relatively simple story with no major twists and turns, which I don’t mean in a negative way. Mrs. Harris is the underdog that we are cheering on in her seemingly small dream. While the film doesn’t portray being ‘nice’ or ‘good’ to getting what you want, it does show that kindness can go a long way.

It also demonstrates that you should never judge a book by its cover, which can be said about all the principal characters in the film. At surface level it is easy to make assumptions about who a person is, however, people are getting by the best they can. This is especially the case in the period the film is set, after the war.

A couple of things that stood out for me in this film was firstly the soundtrack. It is beautifully scored, accompanying the film superbly. It’s one of those scores that at times you don’t quite realise it is there as it does its job so well. I’m actually listening to it right now as the background to writing my thoughts.

The second would be the use of cinematography when Mrs. Harris first sees a Dior dress and then again when she goes to view the collection, finding “the one”. The way the film captures how she is taken aback by the dress, gives the appearance as if she is floating as the rest of the world melts away. It is a great way to accentuate the moment you see something that you desire and have an instant must have feeling. Whether that be for a dress, a car, another person, or perhaps even a lego set!

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is more than a film just about a dress. It’s about finding your way in the world and sometimes that means looking at things from a different perspective. It’s about holding onto your dreams, for you never know what is around the corner.

It may not be a film you immediately find on your radar but I promise you’ll have a smile on your face by the end.

Rating:  Good

BONUS TRIVIA: I did also want to mention that in my research of the film I found that in other adaptations of this story, there was a 1992 TV movie made starting Angela Lansbury and Omir Sharif with the title ‘Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris’. I might have to have a look for a copy as that sounds like it would be delightful!

Comedy, Crime, Drama

Amsterdam

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: October 9, 2022
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2022

Review

There seems to be an increasing trend of filmmaking these days which blur the lines between truth and fiction. While some might say this has always been the case, I think many of us accepted that a fundamental part of the narrative was true with some embellishments added to enhance the drama. After all, it has often been said to never let the truth get in the way of a good story!

However, I have noticed that more and more it is a granule of truth to which a narrative is based that is surrounded by fiction, yet I don’t think our previous acceptances have caught up. Given that it has been found that viewers will believe fiction when it is presented as fact, is it up to the film makers to point out the fact from fiction? Should it be made clearer that what the audience is about to consume is a work of fiction or should we just know that going in?

Amsterdam uses a true event which is known as the “Business Plot” to base a comedy murder mystery around it. The film opens with the line “A lot of this actually happened” and while it does give light to a remarkable political conspiracy alleged to have occurred to a wider audience who would largely be unaware of it, the film itself has little to do with the truth of those events.

Despite that ambiguous opening line, I took it in my stride. I’m the type of person who will go and read the trivia about the film after watching it and seek out some fact from fiction in my own time. So I very quickly got onto just enjoying the film.

There have been some mixed reviews of Amsterdam (beyond the fact vs fiction element), but I liked it. I found it to be a light, quirky, and funny film and what I really took away from it was a story of friendship built on trust and respect. The film’s title itself refers a period during the first world war where the three leads meet each other and make a friendship pact which is the catalyst to the murder mystery they find themselves involved in.

The biggest draw card Amsterdam has is its star-studded cast and unsurprisingly Christian Bale shines in an excellent performance. He has this ability to transform into the character he is portraying no matter the film. Which also reminded me of how under-utilized he was in Thor: Love and Thunder. I also really bought into the chemistry between Bale, Robbie, and Washington whom the story follows.

Visually it is a good-looking film that includes picturesque sets and some gorgeous costumes. I also really enjoyed the accompanying soundtrack, which was beautifully scored.

While I enjoyed Amsterdam, it didn’t quite seem to hit the heights that it perhaps could have. It’s not a spectacular or complicated plot. The narrative can be a bit clumsy at times which gives the appearance that it is more complex than it is.

That said the film has plenty of moments that have you laughing and gasping in the right spots and may even warm your heart at times.

Rating:  Good

Drama

Pride & Prejudice

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Date watched: August 24, 2022
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2022

Review

When this film was initially released, I had no interest in seeing it. I’d just been studying the novel at high school for English Literature and was a big fan of the TV mini-series from 1995, which we also got to watch at school.

For me Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle were my Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, to the detriment of all others. I guess it was just a case of bad timing.

Timing it seems is much better. It’s now been quite a while since I’ve watched the mini-series and I don’t think I’ve read the novel since high school. I’ve also been looking for something to fill the void left with Ripper Street finishing and when I found out Matthew Macfadyen was in this film, enough time had passed to the attachments of the past.

Wednesday night I had a free evening at home and decided it would be the night to finally watch the film. And you know what, I’m glad I did.

With a two-hour run time, it’s not going to capture everything that an almost six-hour mini-series is going to be able to, however I feel it did a good job including all the main story points and delivered an emotionally charged interpretation.

Most of the focus remains on Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, which is introduced via Mr. Bingley and Jane’s courtship. Rosamund Pike plays the role of Jane shyly and quite refined, while Simon Woods portrayal of Mr. Bingley is on the verge of the buffoon. Whether that was a choice of the adaptation or the actor, I’m not sure but think it was the wrong call. The storyline with Lydia and Mr. Wickham is also key to the novel and with the runtime feels slightly rushed. That said I think the decisions made for what was included to instead focus on Lizzie and Darcy was the right call to delve into these characters in more depth and have a better payoff at the end.

Now I may be a bit biased given that my motivation to watch the film was Matthew Macfadyen but I thoroughly enjoyed his interpretation of Mr. Darcy. Watching his growth from beginning to end with his feelings towards Elizabeth was a joy and at times pretty steamy! Yes, they are starting off with the strong foundations of Jane Austen’s novel but the mannerisms on display, to the very fine details really make it. The on-screen chemistry with Keira Knightley made that relationship what it is. I could barely take all the exchanged glances between the two!

My favourite scene would have to be when Mr. Darcy attempts to practice his social skills by basically barging into Mr. and Mrs. Collins house to see Elizabeth and all he can come up with is some remarks about the home his aunt helped to furnish, before running away when Charlotte arrives home.

This occurring after a conversation the night before were Mr. Darcy reveals to Elizabeth that he has trouble talking to people he doesn’t know and her response being that he should practice.

There are a number of moments where Mr. Darcy is trying so hard, and we the audience can see the affection that he has for her but essentially, he just keeps stuffing it up. Ultimately resulting in the worst proposal in the history of proposals. The work he does between that moment and the second proposal is so rewarding resulting in a proposal that totally kicks butt!

Another of my favourite scenes is when Mr. Bingley, accompanied by Mr. Darcy, visit the Bennet’s where he intends to propose to Jane. The Bennet women are all sitting around the house in a very relaxed manner and when Kitty spots the men approaching, they are all in a rush to look “presentable”. The result of everyone sitting so perfectly and picturesque when the men walk into the room is quite hilarious.

I really enjoyed the energy of the cast, there appeared to be a youthful energy, particularly with the Bennet sisters. Keira Knightley played the role of Elizabeth really well and hats off to Brenda Blethyn being the very annoying Mrs. Bennet. Almost ruining Jane’s chance of an engagement to Mr. Bingley by not stopping talking and by threating Lizzie to never talk to her again after refusing Mr. Collins proposal…by continuously telling her that fact! It was also a nice surprise to see Rupert Friend in the role of Mr. Wickham, for any other Homeland fans out there.

Visually the difference between the classes was well represented and it somehow didn’t overly feel like a period piece. It felt a little more realistic rather than dressing everyone in white/lightly coloured clothing and having very clean shots. The costumes and sets all looked beautiful and the estate used for the Darcy residence was truly impressive. The film also has a beautiful score which accompanies it.

It’s also worth noting that the US version has a different ending with the inclusion of an additional scene. I would recommend checking it out on YouTube. The version I watched didn’t include this scene and if I hadn’t found out about this alternate ending, I wouldn’t have been fussed. The additional scene is just a cherry on top. Traditionalists and fans of the novel may not like it though.

So don’t be like me and dismiss this because the wonderful job the TV mini-series did adapting the novel. This film also delivers a beautiful story which I’ll happily watch again.

Rating:  Great

Drama

King Creole

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: August 19, 2022
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2022

Review

Following some inspiration of seeing Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’ last month, August’s family movie night, selected by mum was Elvis Presley’s fourth feature, King Creole.

This is the first Elvis film that I have seen and by all accounts, one of his best performances. While I have nothing to compare that against, I’d have to agree!

The film also stars Walter Matthau as local mobster Maxie Fields and Carolyn Jones as his gal Ronnie. The latter who you might know as Morticia Addams from the Addams Family television series.

Elvis stars as Danny Fisher, a young man who has just flunked graduation from high school for a second time for basically having a bad attitude. His family has fallen on hard times after the passing of his mother three years ago. Now it’s just him, his sister, and father who can’t hold down a job, living in a not so good part of New Orleans, as it is all they can afford.

To support the family Danny works a job before and after school as a busboy at Maxie Field’s nightclub and the reason that he flunks high school the second time all starts following an incident at the club the morning of his last day of school. With good intensions, he sticks up Ronnie after an all-night drinking session becomes violent.

Following this encounter between Danny and Ronnie, an infatuation between the two begins and it is where all of Danny’s troubles start. He is a good kid at heart but keeps making questionable decisions leading down a path of no good.

It is because of Ronnie that the first time Danny is on stage singing occurs. On the night he quits his busboy job at the nightclub after making a deal with his father to continue studying at night school, Danny sees Ronnie again and attempts to talk to her in front of Fields. Ronnie explains to Fields that she complimented Danny on his singing and Fields wants Danny to prove that he can actually sing.

This results in the first big number of the film with a striking performance of “Trouble”. This song I recognised from the Elvis movie, and it was captivating.

I feel like this is the formula of Elvis movies and probably any singer turned movie star. Their character just so happens to be able to sing, which then becomes a part of the narrative.

In King Creole, I think this balance is struck well as the singing scenes are mostly woven into the narrative of Danny taking up a job as a singer at a nightclub. There is still a strong plot to the film that isn’t propped up by musical numbers, but they are still there for entertainment and build up the soundtrack. Also, you can’t go wrong with a mobster storyline!

While there is a lot of drama and good acting on display, the film also provides a number of laughs along the way. The relationship between Danny and Ronnie is an intriguing one exploring the parallel of their lives, which I really enjoyed.

The weakness I found with the film was the character of Nellie, a love interest of Danny. I can’t quite work out why Nellie has this sudden lust for Danny, especially under the circumstances which they meet and the way the evening plays out. I feel like her character might be there to help Danny stay on the straight and narrow and I’m not sure why this couldn’t be achieved with his sister, who also seemed to be an underutilized character.

Having said that, I found King Creole to be a most enjoyable film and if you are looking for an Elvis film to see, this is a great place to start.

Rating:  Good