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Reviews
The Squid and the Whale (2005)
another Baumbach spectacular
Noah Baumbach is known for his assistance in the writing of great films such as The Life Aquatic and the Royal Tennenbaums along with Wes Anderson. This film holds place in the hall of fame of black comedy films with what seems to be a highly strange plot which in fact is quite common: the story of a couple living in Brooklyn with two sons going through the beginning of their separation. From the very start of the film you begin to see how Walt teams up with his father, played by Jeff Daniels, whilst young Frank (Pickle) shares his opinions of the separation with his mother. Bill Murrey was the original choice for the role of Bernard Berkman, yet Jeff Daniels still manages to play the role perfectly with highly comedic one liners. In the film both Walt and Frank grow through new and difficult stages in their lives, Walt is discovering his sexuality by not only showing interest in his new girlfriend but also his father's college student; and Frank, a new teenager also suffers from hormonal and sexual issues, not to mention his seamen distribution throughout his school, his new interest in beer, hilarious vulgar outbursts, and his non-artistic role-model Ivan the tennis coach. The title reveals itself at the end when Walt runs to the museum to see the large representation of a Squid and a Whale with Lou Reed's monotonous voice in the background giving the film a polished ending. I highly recommend this film to those of you who share the same passion for dark humor and great cinematography.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Wes Anderson stuns us again!
After Rushmore, Wes Anderson already sold me with his witty black-comedy humor and excellent casting. A dysfunctional family with a heartless, yet charismatic father played by Gene Hackman attempts to recover the family ties. Gene Hackman does so by telling his family he is near death and wishes to spend his last days with them. These last couple of weeks where the family reunites and blends together reveals new secrets by each character. Wes Anderson creates this "stuck in the 70's" mood by his choice of indie wardrobe, classic 70's music, typical NYC settings and even makeup, as shown through Gweneth Paltrow's mod eyeliner. Music by the velvet underground, the Beatles and even the Ramon's, it really creates the feel for each mood of the characters. With salmon pink painted walls, the Indian doorman, and the detailed bedrooms, the house shows a personality of its own. All three of Angelica Houston and Gene Hackman's siblings return home, as well as Gene Hackman himself, to come to closure and resolution with their individual, as well as family, issues which only brings them closer together. I found the movie incredibly entertaining and it's one of my top three movies of all time. If you enjoy dark humor and classic 70's music fitted in each scene as well as excellent actors playing ridiculous characters, then you'll definitely love this one.
The Journey (1997)
Incredibly Insightful
Although the time in which the movie was filmed may put people off because of its cheesy 90's elevator music in the background, the plot and theme of the whole film is never the less amazing. The director compares two polar cultures, Indian and American, and clashes the two when an old man from India comes to America to visit his sons' family. The time base of the whole movie is set during the season of autumn which richly captures the idea of falling leaves and the changes made in the lives of the characters; which could also support that the use of trees is also a representation of wisdom that the grandfather brings to his family. His passion for music and poetry brings us closer to his character as a charming and charismatic old man, but he still suffers from the loss of his dead wife. The movie shows a healing process for each of the characters. The grandfather recovers from the death of his wife, his son begins to question his significance as a doctor in America, while his daughter in-law (a completely dislikeable perfectionist in my opinion) is still searching for her own identity and role as a mother,wife and an individual. I deeply enjoyed this movie and felt that it has made a great impact on me and I hope it will do the same for many other viewers.