I thought Prisoners was a very impressive crime drama. Everything seemed to work together, which if they didn't, it might have been just another dozy story about a kidnapped girl. I guess it all starts with a very decent script. Aaron Guzikowski actually wrote it in 2007 and it has taken this long to see the light of day. Then director Dennis Villeneuve has created something nailbiting and atmospheric and lead actors Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal are on top form. The editing is superb; whenever a scene might go on too long, it doesn't. And then the Georgia landscape is beautifully photographed, in fact all the cinematography was brilliant. It was Roger Deakins again! This is a long film, but it always held my attention.
The critics have all gone mad for Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine. It does have much to commend it, but it's one big failing left me disappointed. The central character does not have a single shred of anything attractive. Surely Allen could have found something that might have elicited our sympathy. But no. This does the movie no favours. So I was left with a sour taste as Cate Blanchett's disgraced financier's wife Jeanette/Jasmine dissolves in a puddle of self pity. There is not a laugh to be had as she holes up in her sister's crumby apartment. But here Sally Hawkins gives a superb performance. Allen is heavy handed as he contrasts her blue collar friends with Jasmine's cultured background. I found the portrayal of working class America, up close and personal, to have a certain merit. Blanchett is heavily tipped for an Oscar, and indeed her performance is quite staggering. Shame about the script.
Another critical success is Ron Howard's Rush. I thought it was awful. Poor script, even worse acting, and I just hate all the revving and screaming of the F1 engines. If what had gone on in between races had been remotely interesting, I might have enjoyed it more. As it was, it turned out to be the worst movie I have seen for a long time.
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