Black Berry, The Creator and The Great Escaper

 

I didn't know the story of the rise and fall of Black Berry, so I thoroughly enjoyed hearing how it happened. I thought how it was presented was exceptional, the screenplay and direction by Matt Johnson promises great things to come. The hand held camera gave it a documentary feel. I liked how Douglas Fregin (also played by Johnson) was marginalised once the firm hits the stratosphere, but has the last laugh when he sells his shares at the top and is now extremely rich. Jay Baruchel draws the short straw in his portrayal of inventor Mike Lazaridis. I just wish the film had spent more time on it's inception than about it's marketing. However, Glen Howerton does give the film it's oomph playing Jim Balsillie. Adapted from the book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story behind the extraordinary rise and fall of Black Berry, you know already know the ending, but that doesn't matter. Good to hear songs from the time, however I wasn't sure about the end credits Waterloo Sunset until I realised the firm started in Waterloo, Ontario.

Visually stunning, it was just a pity that the story and screenplay were lacking. In fact director Gareth Edwards has spent most of the big budget for The Creator on special effects. There is too much time without any dialogue so all science and little fiction. So you spend your time gazing at the at every shot, not bothering to hear what is going on. The huge panoramas showed on the ultra wide screen, but leaving too much space top and bottom of the picture did no favours. The cast seem a little bored, John David Washington, Ken Watanbe and Allison Janney are very good actors, but struggle with the dialogue. Then there is the child Alphie whose origins seem to be ambiguous. I could say that about the plot. Funny how the film got mixed reviews from the critics. Peter Bradshaw gave it four stars but Roger Ebert only two. I go with the latter. 

Now The Great Escaper is a completely different movie, and none the worse for it's small budget. It is so well  written by William Ivory and well directed with much heart by Oliver Parker. We all know the story of Bernard Jordan leaving his wife and care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of D Day. Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson provide humour and pathos in spades in their swansong together. The former was OK, basically playing himself, but it was Jackson who I feel steals the movie with her performance. It just shows what a really special actress can do. The seaside resort of St Leonards looks great and there is a supporting role for the wonderful John Standing who lends Jordan a very big hand. Superb.