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josehernon
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Hello Carter (2013)
Charming film showcasing London
Catching up on a year of film and wanting to write a review of a British Film... after having the chance to view parts of a film that was invited to see as part of the London Film Festival, have decided to pick on film relatively close to my heart, about a character down on his luck living in London - step forward Hello Carter...
Advertised as a comedy by LFF, if anything Hello Carter was not quite sure what genre it should be; although that is probably more a reflection on us viewers and our need to characterise things...it did feel like a stylish rom-com that was neither a romance nor a comedy... maybe that's what made it such a likable film, in that it couldn't be put in a suitable box. Although perhaps in turn that was the main flaw with the film... as it certainly felt that in the case of the script, of being a case of more a sum of its parts, than an overall rounded story.
It's fair to say the basic premise of a wild goose chase around London was a bit fanciful and some of the coincidences a bit unlikely in this day and age - but when accepted the story was just that (fanciful) & the over-arching plot was probably meant as no more a vehicle for more subtle examinations of relationships and chance in key individual scenes, some poignant, others interspersed with good ole British humour (well that was my take)... then I think that the filmmakers generally hit the mark and made it work.
The lead character perhaps suffered from being neither unlikeable nor lovable, whilst well-acted, Carter seemed safe and it would have been interesting to see a more volatile performance (or character) in that role...however there were a lot of other good performances and certainly whenever Jodie Whittaker's character appeared, the film seemed to have more edge...perhaps more of Hello Jenny over Carter wouldn't have gone a miss.
Alongside good supporting performances, it was the subtle direction and especially good camera work that pulled the film together into a highly watchable British film. It was great to see London on film and so well filmed...one of the few low(er) budget British films that I would recommend others to see. Hope to see more of this ilk in future at the London Film Festival. A Solid 7/10 from me.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
A True Classic
One of those bores that liked it before all the hoopla...remember getting to watch as I'd read the Stephen King short story in the collection of novella's* of which it was part (which I had only read as it contained the short story 'the Body' which was turned into my previous favourite film, Stand by Me)
Upon watching what I thought was an astonishing film on video, I wondered why I hadn't heard of this being at the cinema or talked about....although I say that latter point now...it's probably something that has developed over time... much like the buzz for the film itself... I can say it remains to this day the only film that I have watched after reading the story, that is much better and more poignant than the book from which it came.
The film itself is told in a great way and filmed brilliantly...not least captured by the character of the warden (depicting what were 3 in the novella). It is full of great supporting characters and turns and there are two brilliant male leads (they both should've have got an Oscar nomination with one of them winning!). It's a film where if I started writing about the components of, or scenes from, I could go on For longer than the film itself...(which despite its length never felt like a long movie!) So will just say that I'd recommend watching it to anyone. I've watched it copious times since first viewing and it never gets boring or do I seem to switch off when it's on...so a boring choice of favourite film, but it really is a great movie.10/10
* the collection (4 seasons) of short stories also contains Apt Pupil, which is probably the best of the novella's but was turned into a pretty average movie!
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Deserving of the praise...
This was a film with an extraordinary story to tell, that was as a central pivot around slavery well known, but the sub plot to that and how Solomon Northrop came to be a slave, was most definitely not as known in popular culture (until this film anyway!).
Whilst not always the easiest watch, Steve McQueen handled bringing that to the screen really rather well and probably should have got a lot more kudos himself than his film seems to have been getting. He didn't do in a judgmental way but let Solomon's story flow...and almost tell itself. There wasn't any condescending type scenes over burdened with script, rather a lot of 'we'll display it and let you judge for yourself' type ones (the hanging scene springs to mind) & the story depicted on screen was the richer for it.
Not being a filmmaker, I cannot go too in depth on the technicalities but it looked beautifully shot too...I have heard some bemoan his style of filming, but having seen a couple of his other films I was familiar with this and comfortable with... although it felt more expensive (if that's the right word) than his previous offerings... the film was still suitably confronting...which given the topic it was always going to be. That said it was depicted in a way where you weren't looking to take sides, even though it was obvious where your sympathies should lie...but was telling that it was apparent that the more tragic figures were the slave owners and those associated to it, rather than the victims themselves. From Paul Giamatti's boorish seller to Paul Dano's unsure underhand, & Benedict Cumerbatch's sympathetic plantation owner (all superbly played) - then of course there was Mcqueen's male muse, the always excellent Fassbender (can someone just go ahead & script a film where he & Daniel day Lewis are brothers or rivals or something!) portraying the most villainous yet clearly troubled and tragic figure...battling with his feelings for Patsy whilst trying to remain stoic to how things should be in that day and age. Thinking his superiority was real when it was clearly betrayed by his mind and no more than a virtue of timing and geography...(the latter points much like Solomon's misfortune that gave the known yet unknown sub-plot of the wider theme of slavery it's arc).
The film reached its peaks around scenes involving Mr Fassbender and the incredible Lupita (fully deserving of her accolades since) but the films constant and bedrock was clearly Chiwetel Ejifor...he portrayed Solomon's anguish admirably and really captured that sense of 'why has this happened to me' that allowed the viewers to transcend the more accepted tales of slavery that have perhaps been captured before. That in itself means the film will be revered for quite some time, 8/10