I've Just Seen: Blue Jasmine (2013)

Blue Jasmine (2013)


Director: Woody Allen

This is the film that 'Our Cate' (as Blanchett is affectionately known in Australia) won the Academy Award for Best Actress, and in her speech famously told Hollywood to make more female-driven films. After seeing the film I can understand why she won the award: I have seen three of the other nominees from that year (Amy Adams in American Hustle; Sandra Bullock in Gravity; and Judi Dench in Philomena), and Blanchett's performance does stand out.

Her character is certainly a person who wants to be noticed and listened to: like the woman on the plane at the film's beginning, Jasmine draws the audience into her world. Of the four performances of that year nominated, I would say Blanchett goes the furthest with her character: superficially, she looks utterly dreadful at times, a fact remarkable because of how rare it is to see an actress be blotchy, worn and tired. Blanchett also shows us the subtext of Jasmine's thoughts as she tries to make a change in her life. Her upper-class New York accent sounds near-perfect (though this is coming from a biased Australian). For me, it is one of Blanchett's best film performances.

At the centre of this film is a fraught sibling relationship between Blanchett's Jasmine and Hawkins' Ginger. Jasmine simply expects to be taken care of, and to dish out unwanted advice (and judgment), while Ginger defends her sister to others, and finds herself listening to Jasmine's advice. Blanchett and Hawkins are very good together as this mis-matched pair of sisters.

This is not one of Allen's greatest films, but it has some top-notch acting from its cast. The non-linear structure provides some intrigue and tension in the story, but the real pleasure is watching Blanchett's Jasmine's complete breakdown.

I've Just Seen: Senna (2010)

Senna (2010)


Director: Asif Kapadia

In my movie odyssey I am trying to sample as many different types of films as possible. Along with the horror genre, documentaries were an area I had largely avoided. Why? I do not know, particularly when there are documentaries like Senna to be seen. I am not one for car racing, and really know next to nothing about cars; Kapadia's Senna had me invested in the races, immersing me in the world of racing during the 80s and 90s.

The film is essentially a character study of Ayrton Senna, considered by many in car racing as one of the best drivers ever, possessing a natural ability that he worked hard to maintain. In Kapadia's film Ayrton Senna is presented as a wonderfully complex person: as serious about his Catholicism as he was about his racing, a proud Brazilian at a time when many were not, a fan of the ladies, and a fierce competitor. His rivalry with Alain Prost is a highlight of the film, though it is not make it entirely clear how there relationship changed over the years (Prost is now a patron of Senna's charity). I would also have liked just a little more insight into just how popular Senna was in Brazil. However, these are minor quibbles.

If you don't know how Senna's career played out, don't read anything about him, but just go and see the film. I did know, but when the end of the film occurred, I felt shock, sadness and was deeply moved. This would be great in a double bill with Ron Howard's Rush, another film that works for car racing novices like myself.

I've Just Seen: Secretary (2002)

Secretary (2002)



Director: Steven Shainberg

I could be wrong, but I don't think there are many films where sadomasochistic relations are portrayed in a positive way. Or at least, are seen as a healthy way for a young woman to express her complex relationship to pain, develop her confidence in herself, and find love. Secretary not only does this, but manages to be funny, clever and surprisingly romantic. And have a domineering male love interest called Mr Grey who manages to be a rounded character!

Both Gyllenhaal and Spader have a lot to get right with these roles, trying to make these two people understandable and believable. Spader's Grey could easily be seen as a creep, but he does a great job of revealing Grey's disgust with himself and his behaviour, and his utter fascination with Gyllenhaal's Lee's enjoyment of their relationship. We don't need some traumatic backstory to explain his behaviour; Grey just is this way. He must come to accept that he can keep doing it and have a meaningful relationship with that person. Gyllenhaal's Lee is now one of my favourite characters in film; her trajectory is very unique, learning how to deal with her addiction to pain, and oddly discovering an inner strength through being submissive. Spader and Gyllenhaal have great chemistry; I really wanted him to open up to her and see how happy they could be together!

The production design was another highlight: Mr Grey's office is a strange combination of sharp objects in 'just right' spots with odd but beautiful plants growing in his glasshouse. Lee's bedroom is full of plastic, girly objects that she slowly rejects as she grows in confidence. Her clothes change from childish jumpers and hairstyles to sophisticated office chic (to a soiled wedding dress!).

I really enjoyed this film, so much so that I may even add it to my favourite film list. The only problem is that now I feel I should watch the other S&M film with a Grey man in it, so I can compare the two stories. But of course, that would mean actually watching that film and listening to all its awful dialogue. Oh well: it will probably just establish how wonderful this film is.

I've Just Seen: Woman of the Year (1942)

Woman of the Year (1942)



Director: George Stevens

The screwball comedy is arguably my favourite film genre. I love the battle-of-the-sexes and battle-of-wits that goes on, and often find the preposterousness of the plots a joke in and of itself. Of the many pairings in this genre, Tracy and Hepburn are legendary, and it was this film that they first met on. They have wonderful chemistry. The first time Tess and Sam meet is quite sexy, and their instant attraction is clear and believeable.

Some parts of the script are a bit aged; most women these days are able to keep working and be married. But the idea of making sacrifices for your relationship was nicely presented: passion alone is not enough to sustain a marriage.

This is a very sweet and funny romance from one of cinema's greatest screen couples. Watch it to see where it all began!

I've Just Seen: Jurassic World (2015)

Jurassic World (2015)


Director: Colin Trevorrow

I must make a confession: I haven't yet seen an original Jurassic Park film!!! (Please don't throw things at me!). In my defence, I was only three when the first movie came out, and I never got around to seeing it when it was on TV. And I hadn't planned to see this movie, but my lovely new friends from my film course invited me along, so I went. Did I enjoy it?

Eh.

The visuals were very good, and the film sounded great (nice sound design for the dinosaur roars!). But the story was, well, 'unfocused' is the kindest word I can think of. I didn't really engage with any of the characters, and could feel the cogs of the plot cranking in certain scenes. The lack of a main character was a problem, though our group did decide that Indominus Rex might be a good candidate. Howard's running around in heels didn't bother me as much as the 'woman must learn to be more maternal' plot line. Really, the woman runs a huge dinosaur park full time, and yet she is supposed to take time out of her busy schedule keeping everything safe to walk around with her two nephews who are reasonably self-sufficient? Sigh.

The film overall feels more like a morality tale than a science fiction film: you can tell who is going to die by how nice they are to children. (Good-bye English nannie!).

This is a perfectly fine way to pass a Friday night after a hectic week, which is exactly what I used it for. However, I doubt that it will be considered a classic in years to come.

I've Just Seen: The Red Balloon (1956)

The Red Balloon (Le Ballon Rouge) (1956)


Director: Albert Lamorisse
Writer: Albert Lamorisse

What a delightful film this is! I really feel I don't need to say anything else, except go watch it! It won't take you very long; 35 minutes, tops. And share with a real child, or just your own inner one.

The plot sounds like it comes straight from a Pixar film (a high compliment, I assure you): a young boy is befriended by a sentient red balloon, who follows him around war-scarred streets in 1950s Paris. This simple idea is beautifully presented by Lamorisse, who uses music and visuals to tell the story. There is little dialogue, only a few shouts of 'Ballon rouge!' by the little boy. The special effects appear to be all in-camera, and are simple yet very effective.

As with many films like this, the balloon is symbolic: of what, though, is left up to the viewer. Is it the human soul/spirit? Innocence? Joy? Love? For me, it is all of these things. Again, I urge you to go and watch this yourselves. The last shot is one of the best in cinema.

I've Just Seen: This is Spinal Tap (1984)

This is Spinal Tap (1984)



Director: Rob Reiner

I tend to like the films of Rob Reiner. The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally are two of my most favourite films, and really enjoyed Stand By Me. Spinal Tap was Reiner's debut feature film: a great way to start an amazing run of films.

The candid mockumentary style heightens the comedy, as the hilarious lines are slipped into normal conversation, catching the audience by surprise. Christopher Guest and Michael McKean get most of the best lines, though Shearer gets one of the funniest moments, getting stuck in a strange alien pod onstage: the ending of that scene is brilliant. The band getting lost backstage, and the discussion about the sexism of 'Smell the Glove''s cover are also fantastic. This is no great narrative thread, except that the band are making their way around America on tour. This aimlessness works well in the film: the band are as unsure about what is going to happen next as the audience.

The funniest parts of the film are the bands songs: 'Big Bottom' and 'Sex Farm' have wonderfully terrible lyrics. The songs from the bands history, particularly from the 60s and 70s are even funnier: 'Listen to the Flower People,' with its trippy-dippy clothes is a nice piece of satire.

This is Spinal Tap is very funny, even if you know nothing about heavy metal (I do not).