charnwood-60525 Reviews

Full Time (2021)

Fast paced modern life of a single mother

[8/10 · 29 March 2022]

It's hectic movie.

The photography and music reflects the pace of the daily life for Julie (Laure Calamy).

She leads a hectic life, living in a village a long way from her equally hectic job as the Chief Housemaid in an upmarket hotel in downtown Paris.

We see her at a critical point in her life.

There's a public transport strike, the mortgage is overdue, the alimony payment from her ex hasnt come through.

Adding to her stress, the elderly babysitter for her 2 small children is struggling to cope.

We find out that it's a fill-in job after leaving her (well-paid) career role in Market Research.

There's light at the end of the tunnel, as she fits in an interview back in the industry she came from.

The film only covers a week or so, as she juggles all these challenges, trying to do all them well, and be a good mother.

Calamy does a very job, showing the variety of emotions of this single mother tying her best to survive and solve the multitude of problems she faces every day.

Both Sides of the Blade (2022)

Trully insightful into the dynamics of relationships

[9/10 · 26 March 2022]

Denis, with the acting skills of Binoche, has found depth that was probably not in the novel.

As with all relationships, Jean (Lindon) & Sara (Binoche), it is not quite as it seems, initially.

Of course, there is some serious history that is aluded to early on, and then it explodes when an ex-friend, work colleague and lover comes on the scene.

The responses by each of the three is very 'telling', leading to intense interactions.

Highly recommend as an insight into the complexities of intimate relationships especially in middle-age when the wounds of the past have not fully healed.

Mustang (2015)

Not for a faint-hearted yet a journey worth taking.

[9/10 · 25 July 2016]

It is top class start for a first-time Director. It is a heart-warming and yet challenging depiction of 5 orphaned teenage sisters and the paternal culture that find themselves in a small community well away from the big cities. It starts with a scene of teenagers having fun and descends quickly into a nightmare. Yet it has many moments of humour and the photography is a highlight. Certainly the strong bond of love between them is depicted beautifully. The standout performance is the first-time actress who plays Lale, the youngest of the 5. She sees all, with maturity beyond her years. Her personalities of her siblings are varied with all trying to cope in their own ways. It appears that it is not all that common in modern day Turkey (as suggested by other reviews) yet I consider it a journey worth taking.