I Hired A Contract Killer 1 star. Disappointing. Too slow. Takes ages to set the scene – lonely, friendless, Frenchman in London, sacked, contemplating suicide but can’t manage the deed itself. All in virtual silence. Hiring a hit-man ( surprisingly easy given what had gone before) and then trying to avoid him. I liked Jean-Pierre Leaud in the starring role. And the other characters were quirky and interesting – and all well played. Action, when it happened was good – just too many spaces in between. Some witty dialogue – Why didn’t you stay in France? – They didn’t like me. You can’t leave your home-land! – The working class has no country. But again, just not enough of it.
When Evening Falls On Bucharest or Metabolism 2 stars. Another disappointment. But it stays with you which is why it has two stars instead of one which was my immediate response. Dopey director sleeping with an actress who is starring in his film. Film is taken up mostly watching them eat. Their conversations are interesting – about film-making, food, flirting. As is their rehearsing of a scene he’s written for her – over and over. It’s all really about them – their relationship and whether it’s going to continue. Sort of interesting but dull to watch! And we didn’t get to see much of Bucharest.
20,000 Days On Earth 4 stars. Great documentary on Nick Cave. I overheard people saying it wouldn’t change your opinion of him – you either liked him or not. I’m not sure. I had some knowledge of his life. He talks often of growing up in Wangaratta, playing in the river. This was a mix of one on one interview with him interspersed with him in his (very flash) car talking to people who mysteriously appeared and disappeared beside him – Ray Winstone, a former colleague, Kylie Minogue. He visits a fellow band member and talks with him over a beautiful looking meal (which he discards in favour of bread!) and his personal archive with archivists lovingly handling bits and pieces from his past that he explains. We see snippets of home – wife in bed, sharing pizza with his two sons. Him strolling through a garden (his?) and on the beach at Brighton where he lives. And through all of this we see bits of performances. All really well done.
Happy Christmas 3 stars. I had enjoyed Drinking Buddies last year at MIFF. This new film from the same director is not as good. Lovely, truthful performances based on the same improvisatory film making which makes it all very authentic. Anna Kendrick is a very interesting actor and I liked seeing Lena Dunham. About family and managing family responsibilities – both wayward siblings and two year old toddlers. But there was a lack of tension and conflict that diluted the message. Everything was a bit saccharine sweet. Still, very enjoyable to watch. The kid was fantastic.
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