This is how to make a great movie from a less than promising true(ish) story. Keira Knightley delivers a career best as country girl Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, entering marriage with Henri Gathier-Villars, played in his usual one dimensional projection by Dominic West. There are many aspects to this film that made it so enjoyable. Wash Westmoreland's direction and script (with Richard Glatzer andRebecca Lenkiewicz) are exemplary and are matched by the wonderful sets and costumes from late nineteenth century Paris and Burgundy.
Equally great to look at is Mary Queen of Scots. Whenever you see Working Title as producers, you now that it will be something special and this is no exception. Bravely employing theatre director Josie Rourke for her first film, there is great tension and drama as the movie cuts between the two courts. This could have been a mess, but with editor Chris Dickens, it felt completely right. A good screenplay by Beau Willimon from the book by John Guy, with a huge cast and great locations. Saoirse Ronan was fine as Mary, although constantly at fever pitch, but the revelation was Margot Robbie, excellent as Elizabeth. Her make up must win Jenny Shircore and the team an award.
Not what I expected. Adam McKay has followed his The Big Short" with this semi-anarchic drama about the rise of Dick Cheney from Yale drop out to (maybe) the most powerful man in America as VP to George Bush. The movie swings between a normal bio-pic to art house (fly fishing has never featured so prominently) to visual and editing trickery. But at the heart we have an Oscar worthy performance from Christian Bale as Dick and an even more deserving one from Amy Adams as his wife Lynne. Not to mention Steve Carrell, terrific as Donald Rumsfeld and Sam Rockwell as George Bush Jr. I didn't stay for the post credits scene.
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