It was no surprise that there was only one other person in the audience for Bel Ami. The adaptation of the novel by Guy de Maupassant falls fairly flat. Definitely a case of style over substance. Which is a shame as there is a very strong cast. Although Robert Pattison seems a little lost in the lead role and ultimately fails to carry the movie as he is required to do. When the main character has no redeemimg features, and does not get his come uppance at the end, it all seems a waste of time.It is left to Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas and Christina Ricci to add the necessary class. Unfortunately, the less said about Philip Glenister the better. I was hoping for big things from the director and designer, Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod from Cheek by Jowl, in their first feature. The movie does look fantastic, but they may have just picked the wrong story.
Contraband is a decent enough thriller about smuggling. There is plenty of action and Icelandic director Baltasar Kormakur keeps a nice pace throughout. He has the assistance of three countrymen as writers, but there is nothing novel in the story. Mark Wahlberg capably heads the cast and there are some nice cameos along the way. Instantly forgettable, but fun while it lasted.
I picked Young Adult for my first visit to the Rex at Berkhamsted. Director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody have combined again to make another creditable movie. After Juno and Jennifer's Body, we know the script will be sharp and witty, and this movie shines with crisp dialogue. The film relies on the presence of the lead actress, and here Charlize Theron is outstanding. She is in just about every scene, and turns in a virtuoso performance. Her homecoming character is not at all likeable, but Theron generates her flaws with sympathy and intelligence. The key supporting role is not Patrick Wilson as the target of her desire, but Patton Oswalt as the disabled unattractive nerd she ignored at school but whom she turns to when all else fails.
No comments:
Post a Comment