Watching "Queen and Country" was for me the equivalent of watching a proper and deserved sequel to "Aliens" (1986), written and directed nearly 30 years later by its creator, James Cameron. And even with a completely different cast, you realize that the beloved main characters from the original classic are essentially the same. Only 10 years more mature.
When John Boorman directed "Hope and Glory" (released just a year after "Aliens"), I, at age 16, decided it was and would always be one of my favorite movies. And when in 2014 I knew that, 27 years later, he would release a sequel, I WAS IN HEAVEN. And after watching twice - at the 2014 edition of the Mostra International de Cinema de São Paulo - I can say with relief that all the effort Mr. Boorman had to complete this film was not in vain, quite the contrary. And he has said - at age 81 - that this was his last film. A pity. Because the Rowan family deserves at least a trilogy.
Main points of my review:
Despite wishing for a sequel - mostly to keep track of what happened (SPOILERS again) between Percy and Dawn - "Queen and Country" is a worthy ending for all these wonderful, old and new, characters.
Thank you, Mr. Boorman.
When John Boorman directed "Hope and Glory" (released just a year after "Aliens"), I, at age 16, decided it was and would always be one of my favorite movies. And when in 2014 I knew that, 27 years later, he would release a sequel, I WAS IN HEAVEN. And after watching twice - at the 2014 edition of the Mostra International de Cinema de São Paulo - I can say with relief that all the effort Mr. Boorman had to complete this film was not in vain, quite the contrary. And he has said - at age 81 - that this was his last film. A pity. Because the Rowan family deserves at least a trilogy.
Main points of my review:
- Callum Turner convinces both as the adult version of the main character from the first film, Bill Rowan (the Director in its infancy) and also of his original actor, Sebastian Rice-Edwards, one of those rare cases of a gifted actor who had a role only in life, and made him so special. Turner may not have been a great boat handler as convincing as Edwards (heh), but otherwise, he is Billy Rowan. And not an impersonator.
- IMHO, Caleb Landry Jones (Percy, Billy's best friend in the Army) was one of the best young actors in the amazing cast of "X-Men First Class" (hence my disappointment to learn that his character was killed in "X- Men, Days of Future Past"). In this movie, he alternates between "too much" and "awesome much" (as the Heath Ledger's Joker. Yes I caught thinking myself several times how he would make a great Joker). Maybe he was driven to exaggeration by the director, maybe the actual friend was "just like that". BTW, I'd love to see him in a Terry Gilliam film since Terry understands "crazy" (in a good way). Interestingly, he's a Texan actor playing British characters very well.
- Tamsin Egerton is really the face of royalty and tragic beauty. She also played Guienevere in a TV series ("Camelot"). When her eyes smile, momentarily leaving behind the perennial state of sadness, you're also quite fond of her. At 26, she has the world ahead to conquer for sure.
- With the exception of David Hayman who repeats the role of Billy's father, the rest of the protagonist's family has renewed the cast. The mother and older sister were replaced by another actresses (again, the actors may change but they are essentially the same characters). My biggest disappointment was with Billy's grandfather. Ian Bannen (who died in 1999) was a FORCE OF NATURE, stealing nearly every scene in which he appeared. But in the second session, I began to be content with what I had, maybe the director has opted for someone more like his original grandfather. However, the film does not explain the disappearance of the sister of Billy, Sue (or I wasn't paying enough attention).
- The military characters are all treated with respect and consideration (for a change, they are not stereotypes, but actual human beings).
- Fortunately, the film picks up, with decency and tenderness, forbidden romance between Billy's mother and Mac (the father's best friend), one of the best things from the first movie. Also, fortunately, it shows something that was only suggested in "Hope and Glory": the love of cinema, from the characters mentioning classic movies and directors and the connection of filmmaking with the idyllic river. And fortunately again, the river also reappears: after all, is special as the other members of the Rowan family.
- Music: as in "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" by Billy Wilder, the theme song evokes the tragic main lady. Here, the theme of Ophelia. On the Wilder's film, Gabrielle. And I only realized, of course, the second time I watched.
- Editing: the film manages to give us time jumps at the right pace, you realize the plot moving and the characters maturing. And does not care to leave it all explained to the viewer (like the scene in the hospital where - SPOILERS - Billy sees his first great passion for the last time).
Despite wishing for a sequel - mostly to keep track of what happened (SPOILERS again) between Percy and Dawn - "Queen and Country" is a worthy ending for all these wonderful, old and new, characters.
Thank you, Mr. Boorman.