The Squid and the Whale
Divorce can sometimes be hell. Even when things start out
amicably, once children become involved in an emotional tug-of-war
events can deteriorate rapidly into something extremely unpleasant.
Writer and director Noah Baumbach’s period piece family
movie is billed as a ‘comedy’, but, there is nothing
in the slightest bit ‘funny’ about this film.
Harrowing is more like it! Jeff Daniels, who is usually regarded
as a ‘light’ comedic actor, has the role of his
career as a failed author who has settled for a minor teaching
position. Jealousy raises its ugly head when Daniel’s
retiring wife, superbly played by Laura Linney, discovers
a writing talent of her own and suddenly her career takes
off. Bitterness, resentment, suspicion and envy follow. Separation
and divorce are inevitable. Jeff and Laura’s two teen-age
sons are dragged into this mess, and are forced to take sides,
resulting in understandable emotional upheaval. Unfortunately,
there seems to be no end in sight for this family’s
turmoil, and their dysfunctional behavior appears as if it
will continue well after the final credits roll. Noah Baumbach
sensitively handles this obviously auto-biographical subject
matter, plus, his immaculate re-creation of a late 1980’s
New York Brooklyn is amazing. Lara Linney gives a well-modulated
performance as a woman gradually becoming aware of her own
worth and eventual emancipation, but, the real star of the
show is Jeff Daniels, who presents an exceptional portrayal
of an ‘intellectual snob’. There is nothing to
like about Daniel’s character. He is arrogant, demeaning
and insensitive to the needs of others, being entirely wrapped-up
in his own emotional short-comings. That Jeff Daniels can
create such an engrossing character out of this despicable
man is outstanding. The movie is an emotional roller-coaster
ride, but if you have the stamina to stick with it you will
get a lot out of it.
Cars
Pixar, the manufacturers of ‘The Incredibles’
and ‘Finding Nemo’, have created another fabulous
computer-animation cartoon for the Disney Organization with
their smash hit ‘Cars’. The movie is actually
‘genre’ film-making of the very best kind, so
the plot progression and characterizations are fairly predictable.
When cocky rookie racing-car Lightning McQueen is apprehended
for speeding through a town on Route 66, on his way to a big
racing event in L.A., he is incarcerated in ‘hicksville’
until he learns some small-town wisdom and the values of friendship
and true-love. No new surprises there, but, what is surprising
about the movie is the glorious animation and cinematic style
in which the cartoon is made. The movie is a sheer delight
to watch. Motor cars, as such, seem like unlikely subjects
for lovable cartoon characters, but, with Pixar’s attention
to detail in re-creating stereo-type ‘western’
characters as automobiles, they come pretty close to humanizing
and glorifying the humble car. Also, there are some delightful
supporting characters. Tractors, for instance, make stupid
‘cows’ that are jealously protected by a harvester
‘bull’. Additionally, there are some pretty spectacular
‘set-pieces’. When McQueen and his girl-friend,
a sassy blue Porsche, go for a spin to view ‘Monument
Valley’, the stylized landscape is awe-inspiring. Plus,
the opening and closing sequences, which detail two action
packed Grand-Prix events, are created in the best cinematic
‘racing’ tradition, complete with zappy fast-editing
and countless thrills and chills. I thoroughly enjoyed the
movie, but, I am apprehensive that some of the plot developments
and issues discussed will be a bit ‘adult’ for
young children. The film basically targets teen-agers, who
have just acquired their driving licenses, and ‘speed-freaks’
of all ages, who are going to be enthralled!
Imagine Me & You
The Ealing Studio is a long established British institution,
famous for continually producing whimsical and endearing comedies.
When a film emerges bearing their imprimatur, you know immediately
that you are in for a good time. Such is the case with Ol
Parker’s romantic-comedy ‘Imagine Me & You’.
This movie is reminiscent of ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’,
and its light-hearted touch brings to mind the delightful
‘Notting Hill’, but, where-as those two films
were ‘straight’, Parker’s romantic fluff
is a ‘gay’ love story concerning two unpretentious
lesbians. When Piper Perabo, a blushing bride, meets Lena
Headey, the florist who did her bridal bouquet, over the punch-bowl
at her wedding reception, it islove at first sight. Nothing
is going to get in the way of these girls being together,
as true-love inevitably conquers all, but, naturally enough,
theirroad to happiness turns out to be a rather long and bumpy
affair. What is refreshing about this movie is that it is
not in the least bit ‘sensationalist’. Rather,
Parker treats it as a straight forward romance that just happens
to be played by two women. Both Perabo and Headey also wisely
avoid ‘gay’ stereo-types, and depict two ladies
caught-up in an emotion that they perhaps don’t fully
understand. There is no overt ‘camp’ humor to
be found in the film. The romance and soft sentimentality
within it comes from the excellent script, predicaments and
performances of the leading actors. Over-all, it is an entertaining
though slightly predictable movie, and could hardly offend
anyone even if it tried.
666: The Child
I really wanted to watch and review this movie as I love the
name of the child-actor, Boo Boo Stewart, who stars in the
film. I wish I loved Boo Boo’s movie as well, but I
didn’t. Director Tim Story’s horror-flick is just
another spooky story about a temperamental ‘Spawn of
Satan’ who creates general havoc when he doesn’t
get his own way. Everything about the movie is cheap and nasty.
Even the gruesome death scenes, with their shock-value quota,
are some-what tatty. Boo Boo’s movie is pretty much
a ‘boo boo’!
Riding The Bus With My Sister
If ever there was a candidate for the title of ‘Worst
Movie Ever Made’ this excruciating movie must be it.
From the opening frame, when you instantly realize that Rosie
O’Donnell is going to play a mentally-challenged person,
you know the film is going to be awful. Why director Anjelica
Huston, who is an Academy Award winning actress, didn’t
suggest to Rosie to perhaps try another approach is beyond
me. Anyway, the film is a Hallmark Production, which more
or less says it all. Not even for a second think about going
there!
