The Soloist
This movie is a superb screen adaptation of Steve Lopez’s successful novel. A Los Angeles reporter, afraid of the staff cut backs at the newspaper where he works, is desperate for a ‘human interest’ story. When he stumbles upon a schizophrenic street musician, who was a former Julliard music student in New York, the reporter milks the story for all it is worth. A friendship of sorts starts to develop between the two men, and when the reporter tries to help the musician, the results are not really what each of them expected. Both Robert Downey Jr., as the reporter, and Jamie Foxx, as the musician, give outstanding performances. As a side issue, director Joe Wright creates some amazing musical sequences, which visualize pieces of classical music.
Grey Gardens
One of the trials and tribulations Jacqueline Kennedy had to endure, after she became Jackie Onassis, was a humiliating public scandal concerning her Aunt, Edith Bouvier Beale, and her first cousin, also called Edith. These two women were part of New York Society, but, they eventually withdrew to their summer house, ‘Grey Gardens’, to live in isolation, surrounded by cats and raccoons. As times got tough, the house started to crumble, and, so too, did their grasp on reality. When news hit the tabloids that Edith and Edie were to be evicted from their home, after a raid by the Health Department, Jackie was forced, through public outrage, to do something to alleviate their plight. Directed by Michael Sucsy, the movie is an absorbing look into the relationship between a ‘toxic’ parent and her ‘victimized’ daughter. Both Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore are fantastic, as ‘Big’ and ‘Little’ Edie.
The Hangover
Two days before the wedding, four men, including the groom to be, head to Las Vegas for a ‘Bachelor Party Blow Out’. Awakening the next morning with devastating hangovers, three of them can’t remember anything they did in the last twelve hours. They are also greatly surprised to discover that they have lost the groom! With much trepidation, they have to retrace their steps, to find out what they did, and what has happened to the groom. Meanwhile, as the clock ticks by, an anxious bride back in Los Angeles is preparing for her wedding. This movie is wittily directed by Todd Phillips, and it stars an assortment of excellent actors cum comedians, including Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha, Heather Graham and, of all people, Mike Tyson!
I Love You, Man
Written, produced and directed by John Hamburg, this is a surprisingly good situation-comedy. Paul Rudd is terrific as a successful Los Angeles real estate agent, who discovers when he becomes engaged to get married, that he has no close male friend that can act as his best man at his wedding. Paul sets out on a series of awkward and funny ‘man dates’ to find a new best friend. During one of these encounters, he meets a charming and opinionated man, well played by Jason Segel, with whom he instantly bonds. But, as their friendship grows, Paul’s fiancée starts to feel pushed aside. The movie sensitively explores the relationship which emerges between the two men.
The Answer Man
Jeff Daniels demonstrates, once again, what a versatile and talented actor he has become, in this gentle and slightly sentimental comedy, well written and directed by John Hindman. Jeff plays a world famous author, who penned a best selling spiritual book entitled ‘Me and God’. The book offers definitive answers to perplexing spiritual questions, and, for most of his reading public, Jeff and the book are highly regarded. However, Jeff is nothing but a grumpy author, suffering from ‘writer’s block’, who, hounded by fans, just wants to be left alone. Unfortunately, a back injury forces him to leave the security of his town house, and confront real world realities. The movie shrewdly investigates the attraction of ‘self-help’ books, and their authors.
Labor Pains
When faced with dismissal by her disgruntled employer, Lindsay Lohan grasps at straws, and falsely announces she is pregnant. Knowing that the publishing company for which she works won’t sack a pregnant employee. But, naturally enough, things get out of control, and Lindsay has to go on perpetuating the illusion that she is pregnant. Although the movie doesn’t really fall into the category of ‘screwball comedy’, it comes pretty close, with many bizarre and wacky situations. All those years of servitude in the Walt Disney Studios have certainly honed Lindsay Lohan’s comedic skills.
Little Ashes
For most of his adult life, the great Surrealist painter Salvador Dali was reluctant to talk about his student days. This English language Spanish film, directed by Paul Morrison, clearly shows why Dali was so hesitant. Dali met playwright Federico Garcia Lorca when they were both students at Madrid University. Initially, it was an intellectual attraction that drew them together, but, this quickly developed into a sexual relationship. However, conducting a ‘gay’ affair in the changing politics of Spain in the 1920s was too much for Dali, and he fled to Paris to join experimental film maker Luis Bunel, and to ultimately instigate Surrealism. Leaving behind a distraught Lorca to get on with his theatrical career. Apart from the sexual revelations, the movie is a captivating study into the vibrant political and cultural forces that shaped the emergence of one of the most successful art movements of the 20th Century.
