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Reviews
Ali (2001)
Michael Mann captures an American sporting legend
Michael Mann's 'Ali' hasn't won many plaudits however I thought it had plenty to offer. I found many strands and elements to the portrait, that was effectively brought out in the fine acting performance by Will Smith. What stood out above all was the absolute pride and brashness of Ali. Here was a man always on fire, brimming with confidence. Some of his opponents set themselves up for defeat when they baited him, calling him Cassius Clay, his ancestors' slave name, rather than his Islam ordained name, Muhammed Ali. Ali was never going to cop anyone being condescending to him. Ali was super slick on his feet and even more slick with his brain. He was lethal at press conferences, showing as little mercy in them as he did in the ring. Ali and famous sporting broadcaster Howard Cossell developed a friendship however Ali was unrelenting in the barbed invective he threw at him. Ali, certainly stung like a bee sometimes! I found it interesting the way Ali's relationship with women was portrayed. His hotheadedness and charisma meant that he never had any problem making relationships with women. Keeping relationships was something altogether different. His arrogance and innate conservatism, fuelled by his religious faith, destroyed many relationships. Other themes that came across was Ali's strong, religious stance, converting from the Christianity he was brought up in, to change to Islam, and his strong sense of racial pride, captured best in the Zaire scenes. By no means a perfect film but one worth seeing and it gives one a little more of an insight into a unique, brilliant character.
In the Bedroom (2001)
Everything boils over'In The Bedroom'.
I was keen to see this film as it has been so well reviewed and Cissy Spacek in the leading female role has received an Academy Award nomination. I wasn't to be disappointed. The scenario is one where no something is going to give. It's set in the sleepy American town of Maine. Parents, Matt and Ruth are a conservative, middle-class couple. Matt is a Doctor and his wife teaches the local school choir. Their problem is their son, Frank, who has just completed his first year of college. Frank is having a passionate affair with a married woman, Natalie, the mother of two young kids, who hasn't yet received her divorce from her violent husband Richard. The moment that we, the audience, first catch sight of Richard we know that he is going to create more than trouble for Frank and his family. How to describe 'In The Bedroom'?! I guess the best description would be a powerful revenge drama. There are some great merits to it. The direction by debut director Todd Field is strong, and the performances are strong, especially the leads Cissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson- what a great actor!- as husband and wife, Matt and Ruth. I view the strength of any film is in how many strong scenes it has, and 'In The Bedroom' has some genuinely touching, wrenching scenes. The other big strength of 'In The Bedroom' is its building up of atmosphere. The cinematography is just outstanding. So much mood is conveyed by the lighting and feel of the movie. Highly recommended. 'In The Bedroom' was a film worth seeing anywhere.
Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)
A heroic true story evocatively told
Phil Noyce's film 'Rabbit-Proof Fence' has only recently opened however it looks like it will be very successful. Essentially its power lies in poignantly depicting a remarable true story. Three Aboriginal girls, Gracie, Daisy and Laura, are forcibly taken away from their family home in Jigalong, Western Australia and taken 1,500 miles away to Moore River to be trained as domestic servants, part of official Australian Government policy. What ensues is that the iron-willed Molly makes a daring escape with her younger sisters from Moore River and they make their way back home on foot, being guided by the rabbit proof fence that sweeps across the Gibson desert and towards Jigalong. Everything just seems to work so well with this movie. Noyce's direction is restrained and so effective. The cast are excellent. The three young Koori actresses, Evelyn Sampi, Tianni Sansbury and Laura Monaghan give such natural, emotive performances. They are supported by some of our finest, most experiences actors, including Deborah Mailman and Gary McDonald. Chris Doyle's cinematography of the Australian landscape is awesome and the soundtrack by ex Genesis star Peter Gabriel adds so much to the impact of the film. 'Rabbit-Proof Fence' makes a sure fire way to the heart.
Lantana (2001)
Australian drama at its best
Ray Lawrence's 'Lantana' deservedly won a whole swag of awards at this years' AFI awards. What a film! It casts a stark,intense light on contemporary relationships, how fractured and vulnerable and vulnerable they have become. Basic trust seems to be the last thing that is possible. Anthony LaPaglia plays the film's leading character, Detective Leon Zat, whose life is turned upside down after a brief fling. LaPaglia gives an aching, compassionate performance. There are many other winning performances. As Detective Zat's brief fling Rachel Blake is charismatic and eye catching as Jane O'May. Kerry Armstrong is good as Zat's insecure wife, Sonja.
Barbara Hershey is an anguished soul as psychiatrist Valerie Summers who suspects her husband of having an affair. Geoffrey Rush gets exactly the right tone as her reserved, cold fish husband. Peter Phelps is all edginess and swarminess as Somers' gay client, Patrick Phelan. Vince Colosimo and Daniella Faracci make for a gentle, unpretentious, loving,suburban couple. Strong characters, delivered by a good cast, made for a good Aussie film.
Lawrence doesn't hold back on the ending with a powerful final scene that stays long in the memory. A melancholic, haunting soundtrack adds to the films' strength.
Shallow Hal (2001)
Certainly not shallow however this is no Bergman
The Farrelly Brothers latest effort, 'Shallow Hal', is a quirky film that just didn't have much bite. The films' premise was simple enough. Jack Black plays Hal Larson who together with Jason Alexander as Mauricio Wilson, play two very sexist young men. They always judge women just on appearances. Then one fateful day Hal meets famous guru Anthony Robbins who puts some kind of spell on him where he is able to look beyond physical appearances and see womens' beauty inside. Hal's spell takes the shape of falling in love with the 300 pound Rosemary Shanahan, played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Whilst everyone else sees this hugely obese woman Hal sees Rosemary only as a figure of beauty. This conceit does provide for some of the films richest comedy. For what's its worth, my verdict on 'Shallow Hal'. Its an enjoyable enough film with an appealing message. Many people may be put off by its simmplistic style, but its entertaining and the performances are good. Most of all its heart is in the right place!
Sous le sable (2000)
A moody blue film
Francois Ozon's film 'Under The Sand' has a dark, sombre scenario. French couple Marie and Jean have been married for a quarter of century. They take their annual vacation un the south of France. The drama unfolds as they're enjoying a beautiful summer's day at a local beach. While Marie lies down to have a sunbake, Jean, after a reflective glance at the surf, rises, and heads into the surf for a swim. After dozing off, Marie wakes up to find that her husband is not lying beside her. She searches the beach and he is nowhere to be found. He has vanished, her nightmarish ordeal has begun. The best decription I can find for this film is that it charts the intense, oscillating experiences of one woman as she has to face the loss of her husband in a horrible way. Charlotte Rampling's performance as Maris is strong. The whole gamut of experiences are revealed. Even as Marie tries to accept a new lover but struggles, because her husband is still very much with her. This film was dark, even grim, but recommended.