Film Review - The Iron Lady

Suspension of disbelief is frequently essential for cinematic enjoyment. I am willing to believe that a man can fly. Or that a man can become genetically spliced with a fly. But that Margaret Thatcher has a conscience? That's a stretch too far.

I was setting myself up to be angry at this film for humanising a woman who is largely perceived as one of Britain's greatest villains (or heroines, should you not remember the 1980s). However, I did not quite get what I expected. The film was hugely disappointing for completely unpredicted reasons.

This film is not to be thought of as a biopic of Margaret Thatcher. It isn't. Yes, it covers important moments in her career, via largely chronological flashbacks, as well as selected reactions to her decisions- both reconstruction and archive news footage. But approximately 50% of the film is just a lonely old woman pottering about the house, talking to her dead husband or lying awake in bed. In short, it's exceptionally dull, and unnecessarily so. Minutes are wasted while she butters toast, walks across a room, or washes a teacup. It doesn't make her any more human or vulnerable, and grinds the film's pace to a near crawl.

From a directorial standpoint, it's all very well-made, and a far more serious cinematic experience than you may expect from the director of "Mamma Mia!". But don't expect to get much of an education regarding her rise/fall to/from power. You'd be better off hunting down old episodes of Spitting Image.

Neither her son Mark, ally Norman Tebbitt, nor her most fervent political opponent Neil Kinnock make much of an appearance (if at all). We are treated to Olivia Colman's (surprisingly accurately voiced) Carol Thatcher- though I'll forever be disappointed that they didn't go for the obvious choice of Monty Python's Terry Jones.

Which brings us to the real point of all this- Meryl Streep. 30 years since her last Oscar win, she's averaged one nomination every other year. This year will be no exception. Streep doesn't merely do a good impression of Margaret Thatcher. She becomes Margaret Thatcher. And in a way that feels completely genuine, unlike Michelle Williams's gimmicky Marilyn Monroe in "My Week With Marilyn". Once or twice I must admit I did get a slight Jennifer Saunders vibe, but the performance (in particular the accent) never slips for a moment.

Fortunately, the film doesn't make any attempt to change minds. Whatever you felt about Thatcher beforehand, you'll likely feel as you come out. I certainly felt my blood increasingly boil as the film neared its end. I'm just disappointed that it didn't end with a fade to black and the caption, "...and she's still fucking alive."

Film Review - Puss In Boots

For me, the Shrek movies have been something of an over-rated phenomenon. The introduction of Puss In Boots did improve matters at first, but he has been a very one-note character; He's a badass Zorro, but sooooo cuuuuute... And that's it. So my hopes weren't high for this spin-off movie. And yet, somehow, it's fantastic.
The character is nicely fleshed out here, with a decent backstory and a truly emotional journey involving a childhood friendship with Humpty "Alexander" Dumpty. From the off, the comedy beats are spot-on. Western clichés are turned on their head, dramatic moments comically undermined by Puss's cat traits, and some superbly choreographed dancing and fighting.
Antonio Banderas has the perfect voice for such a smooth character and Salma Hayek proves to be more than a pretty face, giving Puss a credible rival/love interest in the equally intriguing Kitty Soft Paws.
The Shrek franchise may well have run its course, but I suspect that Puss may still have a few of his nine lives left to share with us.

Film Review - Goon

Violence. Proper blood-letting, tooth-removing, coma-inducing violence. Isn't it hilarious?
What happens when you find yourself quite enjoying a film, yet you utterly despise everything it stands for? Can a hateful message stop a good film being a good film? Even if I give "Goon" the benefit of the doubt, I'll certainly never look at professional ice hockey with any form of respect ever again.
The basic principle of this film is that a man is hired as a hockey player because he can fight. Very efficiently. And not only does nobody have a problem with this, he's an idol to millions, including children. And the girl he's interested in already has a boyfriend. But I guess that's the boyfriend's issue. And this is all, supposedly, based on a true story. And played for laughs. Seriously, is it really just me that has a problem with this?
Casting Seann William Scott is something of a master stroke. He has a proven history demonstrating that he has more than enough charm to get away with playing characters who should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. And he pulls it off again.
I can't deny I was hooked, but if it's any consolation, I feel thoroughly ashamed of myself for it. I just wish the film-makers (not to mention real-life counterparts) did too.

Film Review - The Lady

Michelle Yeoh first came to my attention as the kick-ass Bond girl in Tomorrow Never Dies, and ever since I have followed her amazing career in both Asian and Hollywood movies. Luc Besson achieved huge success with his kick-ass movies such as Leon and The Fifth Element, as well as producing The Transporter franchise. So these two have joined forces to bring us... a biopic of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese Gandhi. And I, for one, am so pleased they did. Somehow, her amazing story has passed me by, but it is as inspirational as it is tragic.
Besson must be given credit for allowing the story to unfold in a way that genuinely creates tension, and doesn't take anything for granted. Should you know Suu's story, it must be remarkable to see how the situation occurred. However, if, like me, you had never heard of her, you're in for a real education and a devastating emotional journey.
Michelle Yeoh has never been better, imbuing Suu with a sincerity and grace, her performance having a subtlety that tears at your heart. You never question a single moment, look, gesture, comment, and don't ever feel like you're watching somebody Acting, with a capital A.
Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the rest of the cast. David Thewlis is limp and insipid as her British husband, never truly demonstrating any form of sincerity in his affection for his wife. The vast supporting cast are even worse, clearly comprised of relative newcomers and/or amateurs- that's certainly how they come across, anyway.
Much like The Iron Lady, the focus of this film's attention is on the lead female performance, and I honestly couldn't say who did the better job. However, THIS, Phyllida Lloyd, is how you tell the story of a powerful female political figure.

Film Review - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Two years ago, one of my favourite films of the year was The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. This year, an almost identical movie has been released again. Had I not seen the original Swedish version, this English-language version may well have had the same effect. But, for some reason, it didn't. Therefore, I'm finding it difficult to judge this as a film in its own right without comparing both versions.
David Fincher is certainly a superior visual director, and I can't honestly say Rooney Mara has done a notably worse job than Noomi Rapace as feisty lead Lisbeth. Nor Daniel Craig as Blomqvist, for that matter. But the pacing here felt a lot slower, I didn't find myself as impressed with Lisbeth as I was first time around, and her relationship with Blomqvist didn't feel quite as genuine.
However, there are a few substantial differences between the two versions here and there, most notably the outcome of the central mystery. And I certainly don't want to give the impression that this is in any way a bad film- it's a great film, because it's a great story and I highly recommend seeing it if you haven't seen either version. Be warned, it does touch on some sensitive areas and has a few brutal moments that can be difficult to watch.

Film Review - Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

It's been a while, but Tom Cruise is back. And by "back", I mean "BACK!" Forget "Knight & Day" (I'm sure you already have), all is forgiven as we get what is quite possibly the best film of the M:I franchise so far.
Pixar contributor Brad Bird's live action debut turns the action and tension up to 11. In the process, it also manages to wring out the best performances for years from its stars. Tom Cruise and Simon Pegg get to play to their strengths, and even double-Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner gets his best role so far, demonstrating why he has been lined up to replace Matt Damon in the forthcoming Bourne film.
We have now become so blasé to big-screen set-pieces that when something happens and you find yourself actually shouting an expletive aloud, you know a film has done something impressive.
Taking the best elements of all of the previous films, this raises the bar for action movies once more, and reminds us why Tom Cruise was such a huge star- and might be again.

Film Review - The Smurfs

I was a big fan of the Smurfs as a child and the prospect of a movie should have been an exciting prospect. However, the decision to set it in New York actually put me off. I wanted to see Smurfland (for some reason now referred to as Smurf Village). Fortunately, we do get a brief glimpse of this world, and I was pleased to see Gargamel and Azriel in tow as well.
Unfortunately, a lot of the mythology is buried in amongst the raucous chaos that ensues. Rather than stick to a story, they throw stuff at the screen in the hope that you're distracted enough to notice that nothing's actually happening.
That said, I can't say I wasn't entertained. The cast were very good, the visual effects were decent enough, and the post-modern self-referencing was kept to a tolerable minimum.