Companion, Bridget Jones - Mad about the Boy and I'm Still Here

 

A low budget movie that brought back memories of films like Her, Ex-Machina and The Final Girl. But here in Companion, the female is a robot. So an enjoyable futuristic satire. Unfortunately, the first few words of the film from Iris gives the game away completely. Why did they do that? My suggestion is go in five minutes late and avoid all trailers. Indeed, following this guidance you would never know Iris is a robot.

The story is OK, but the dialogue not great. Tom Shone in his three star review in the Sunday Times talks about director "Drew Hancock's high concept horror comedy". I didn't know any of the actors except for an unrecognisable Rupert Friend in a small early appearance. The film does not aim to be scary, and despite the obligatory deaths, it's mainly good fun. In fact the first death is off screen. Mark Kermode on his podcast loved it. Nothing in Sight and Sound.

Nor was there for the new Bridget Jones movie; Mad about the Boy. Most notable for it's collection of top British stars including Hugh Grant (worth the price of admission on his own), Colin Firth, Sally Phillips, Emma Thomson (only a tiny part that should have it's own movie), Neil Pearson (not seen him for ages - didn't miss any of his Between the Line's), Jim Broadbent (also very briefly), Celia Imrie, Isla Fisher and the big co-star, the ever reliable and brilliant Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mr Wallaker.

Lots of wonderful locations from Hampstead (I'm sure I visited The Spaniards Inn but that would have been over forty years ago), Hampstead Heath (all on this blog), Parliament Hill. The pub was now derelict The Hope and Anchor in Hammersmith. Then later on the Lake District: all sorts of conflicting locations on the net, but Derwent Water is favourite (Keswick, Kitchen Bay and near the familiar ferry at Hawes End). As tour leader, Mr Wallaker admits, this is the most beautiful place in the world. The old barn was Old Brandlehow Barn nearby. 

There were the odd funny parts, but "Bridget is older, wiser, sharper, funnier and marginally less dependent on pratfalls". Only one to my recollection. She even has  a highly respected job as a TV producer. The critics warmed to this fourth, and better film in the series. British director Michael Morris has the credit. All to a fine soundtrack although the only two that were familiar were Modern Love by David Bowie (Fabulous over the late opening credits) and Should I Stay or Should I go by The Clash. I somehow missed A Little Respect by The Hanseroth Twins (the backing musicians for Brandi Carlile).

I had to go to Cineworld in Hemel Hempstead to see I'm Still Here. A Brazilian film with many nominations at this weeks Oscars. It should win best international feature, and it's even nominated for best picture.  But not an easy film to watch. Set in 1971's Rio de Janeiro and based on a true story, it follows the well off Paiva family when the father is arrested and disappears for ever. His wife is played by the wonderful Fernanda Torres who, in my opinion is worth best actress ahead of Demi Moore and Mikey Madison. The film starts happily enough, parents and five children enjoying the beach and the weather. But in the background is always the threat of the military dictatorship. 

For a film that concentrates nearly all of the time on the family, it is tense, happy and heart breaking, all at the same time. Tom Shone in The Sunday Times says it is "all the more powerful for it's intense dramatic focus on the Paiva's family dynamic". Director Walter Salles is the reason. His other films include Motorcycle Diaries (recorded last week) and Central Station. He is the focus of the four page article in this month's Sight and Sound Magazine - see my review. Mark Kermode says it is one of the best films of the year, "brilliant and gripping".