Review of film: “CRAZY HEART”

2009, 12-31:

Review of film:  “CRAZY HEART”

Director: 

Scott Cooper.

Writer: 

Scott Cooper.

Starring: 

Jeff Bridges

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Robert Duvall

Colin Farrell

James Keane

Ryan Bingham

Jack Nation

Anna Felix

Paul Herman

Tom Bower

Beth Grant

Rick Dial

Debrianna Mansini

Jerry Handy

Ryil Adamson

J. Michael Oliva

David Manzanares.

MPAA: 

Rated R for language and brief sexuality.

Quotes:

“I used to be somebody, but now I’m somebody new”

“ [Where’d all the songs Bad wrote COME from?]  Life--  unfortunately.”

“Less than you probably imagined me to be.”

“Get the [sound] mix the way I WANT it!”

“I knew what the risks were with you--.”

“Never too late for ‘Give it one more try!’...”

“The weary kind.”

“So glad to be home.”

MY Rating:  

8.5 of 10 stars  (re the 111-minute movie).

Up & Down, but NOT Down & Out! =

Bad  Blake (JEFF BRIDGES) is dedicated— to his guitar, to singing, and especially to his BOOZE…

…  He used to be somewhat “big”, but --  at 57, with $ 10 in his pocket & an alcoholic – he’s weary, worn out, and reduced to personally driving himself around the country to play gigs at small venues with local “pickup” bands.  Not wanting to “waste” time, he has a companion milk container--  used to relieve himself rather than take restroom breaks as he drives…

…  His manager (JAMES KEANE) keeps trying to urge Bad to do more work with a now-successful ex-student named Tommy Sweet (COLIN FARRELL)--  but Jeff has some undetailed “BAD” memories of their previous collaborations, & keeps working to satisfy his “grudges” by avoiding accepting any future involvement with Tommy…

…  Despite his often-half-hearted performances (due to being sick from all the drinking), Bad still has lots of old-time fans (mostly older people).  Just when you think he’ll tell them whatever they want to hear just to get what he wants (such as liquor) & then get “rid” of them, he surprises you by being THOUGHTFUL -- remembering their names & keeping his promises to dedicate songs to them, etc…

…  Previously married 5 times, Bad still keeps his “eye” out for potential hook-ups with new women he meets, such as Jean[ie] Craddock  (MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL), a writer relative of a piano player…

…  He has a real CHARM about him--  but when you expect his words are likely to be just a superficial “ACT” to get what he wants, he surprises you by actually DOING what he says he will, & showing a real caring interest in certain people such as Maggie’s 4-year-old son Buddy (JACK NATION)…

…  Bit-by-bit, Jeff grows attached to Maggie, and vice-versa…  Partly due to her encouragement and caring, he finally (reluctantly) accepts a well-paying gig in Phoenix where he’s to open for Colin. ..

…  From Jeff’s negative attitude, you expect Colin to be a rotten no-good--  but instead, he’s GRACIOUS & keeps openly telling fans how Jeff’s the one who TAUGHT him to play & sing & that Jeff’s thus the real “star” deserving of getting an autograph from & listening to him play… 

…  Colin goes out of his way to try to build Jeff’s fan base, & keeps trying to get him to collaborate with him more, especially in the form of writing new SONGS for him--  which Jeff hasn’t done in years for anyone (including himself as he kept deteriorating)…

…  But, ol’ Devil Booze keeps rearing its head in Jeff’s life, causing increasing problems for him & those around him…  An old mentor in Houston, Wayne Kramer (ROBERT DUVALL --  one of the producers on the film) tries to help Jeff sober up & deal with his problems & his “family”…

…  Will Jeff take the motivation he’s being given?…  Will he be able to clean-up his act?…  Will he “get the girl”?…  Will he become musically “relevant”  again?…  Will Bad’s REAL name be revealed?…  Naturally, all those questions will be answered in this film…

…  Because he died shortly before the film was released, the movie is dedicated to the memory of STEPHEN BRUTON who --  along with producer T-BONE BURNETT & RYAN BINGHAM (who appears onscreen as Tony, a leader of a local “pickup” band) -- helped create the fine original music in the film… 

…  Jeff (who’d played music since he was “a kid”) & Colin took some singing lessons to be even more effective in their roles (& both handle it all excellently & credibly)…  

…  This film has been put on many people’s “BEST of 2009” list, mainly for the understated yet very strong and marvelously effective performance by JEFF BRIDGES…

…  He does indeed DESERVE an Oscar nomination for his sensitive, breezy and believable work in this surprising film (which often gives you the OPPOSITE of what you’re “expecting”, in an upliftingly NON-cliched way)…    [And, Jeff later WON the Oscar for  Best Lead Actor…]

…  The “Heart” may be “Crazy”--  but seeing it isn’t!…

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Review of film: “SHERLOCK HOLMES”

2009, 12-21:

Review of film:  “SHERLOCK HOLMES”  

Director: 

Guy Ritchie.

Writers:

Characters:  Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson = Arthur Conan Doyle.

Screen story:  Lionel Wigram & Michael Robert Johnson.

Screenplay:  Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, & Simon Kinberg.

Stars: 

Robert Downey Jr.

Jude Law

Rachel McAdams

Mark Strong

Eddie Marsan

Robert Maillet

Geraldine James

Kelly Reilly

William Houston

Hans Matheson

James Fox.

Original Music by: 

Hans Zimmer.

MPAA: 

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material.

Quotes:

“You wear a jacket.”

“The little details are of far more importance—.”

“Traumatize solar plexus.”

“What you’re drinking is meant for eye surgery.”

“You have the great gift of silence.”

“I love what you’ve done with the place.”

“Death is only the beginning!”

“She would sit on your back and paddle up the Thames.”

“No girl wants to marry a doctor who can’t tell if a man is DEAD or not.”

“I’m psychologically disturbed.”

“A fortune, ruled by us.”

“What a crazy appearance you’ve had.”

“I feel safer already.”

“She loves an entrance--.”

“…‘Fear’ being the most powerful weapon of all.”

“Professor Moriarity found her weakness.”

“Command [the] radio waves.”

MY Rating: 

8.5 of 10 stars (based on advance screening of the 128–minute film).

It’s less “Elementary” than “SECONDARY”, My Dear Watson!…

Guy Ritchie has brought his typical high-ENERGY handiwork to this Sherlock Holmes story set around the 1860’s:  ROBERT DOWNEY JR. plays Sherlock, who’s a brilliant but often disorganized “consultant” to Scotland Yard…

…  In this tale, Dr. John Watson (JUDE LAW) is more a friendly PARTNER than a sort of “underling”, & they have frequent disagreements as Holmes in-effect is living at Watson’s home…

…  As the story starts, both guys are trying to foil the efforts of a group of crazed killers of young women, who turn out to be led by Lord Blackwood (MARK STRONG).  But, when Holmes turns him over to Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) & Constable Clark (WILLIAM HOUSTON), Blackwood seems to control the “minds” of some of the police & stages a frightening “TRICK” on the populace during & after his supposed demise…

…  At one point, an ex-flame of Holmes, Irene Adler (RACHEL MCADAMS) arrives back in his life, causing considerable upset and confusion… 

…  That seems somehow linked to the “ESCAPE” of Blackwood, & the film starts becoming an increasingly involved spiraling of science, threats to the public, and oft-frantic efforts to figure out what’s “GOING-ON” with Blackwood’s secret society and how Holmes & Watson might “STOP” what’s happening…

…  In the midst of this, Watson tries to get closer to his love, Mary Morstan (KELLY REILLY)--  which Holmes keeps trying to “DISCOURAGE” for various “private” purposes… The story intertwines religion, then-“new” SCIENCE, and POLITICS to create a vibrant “chase”-based action-thriller in an enjoyably-typical Ritchie-esque flavor…

…  What are the real hidden “GOALS” of Blackwood & his group?…  What are the roles of Sir Thomas (James Fox) & Lord Coward (HANS MATHESON) in all this?…  Whose “side” is Irene really on, & who is she taking “orders” from?… 

…  Will Holmes be able to “divide” Watson from his lady friend?…  Will Holmes & Watson get AWAY from those pursuing them?…  Who will “save” London & the “world” from the machinations of the secret society?!…

…  This film is unusually EFFECTIVE in combining humor, drama and action, all the while “wrapping” it in a lively “ATMOSPHERE” of a time long gone…

…  The settings and music & special effects are impressive, the actors all perform especially WELL (particularly Downey & Law together), & you shouldn’t be surprised if you see this become an ongoing “SERIES” of such films (because there are loads of “touchstones” for possible future SEQUELS inherent in it)…  [And indeed, a sequel is set for release in 2011]…

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Review of film: “THE YOUNG VICTORIA” [ = CIFF Report # 16 re 45th ]

2009, 12-09:

Review of film:  “THE YOUNG VICTORIA”  [ = CIFF Report # 16 re 45^th ]

This constitutes my original Report # 16 on the 45th Chicago Int'l Film Festival:  The Fest had 3 “Red Carpet” Specials with Cocktail Receptions following the film involved.  The Opening Nite special movie (at a fundraiser rate of $ 100-150) was “MOTHERHOOD” (which I reported on in Report # 7), & the Centerpiece film (at $ 50-100 as a fundraising effort) was “PRECIOUS” (Reported on in my # 12)…

…  The last such special was the CLOSING-nite film, “THE YOUNG VICTORIA” (at $ 100) on 10-22-09.  The film was produced by Martin Scorcese & Graham King, and was written by OSCAR-award-winning scriptwriter Julian Fellowes…

…  Normally, the closing-nite film is attended by some special GUESTS involved with the making of the film (often with a Q&A after the screening)…

…  But, altho there was scuttlebutt that some such guests were originally SCHEDULED for attending the event this year, NONE of them actually finalized their acceptance or showed up (& thus --  since I especially wanted to report on a Q&A -- I did NOT attend the film on that day, waiting for a later advance screening, which is the basis of the Review I’m now enclosing below):

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Review of film:  “THE YOUNG VICTORIA”

Director: 

Jean-Marc Vallée.

Writers: 

Julian Fellowes.

Starring: 

Emily Blunt

Rupert Friend

Paul Bettany

Miranda Richardson

Jim Broadbent

Thomas Kretschmann

Mark Strong

Jesper Christensen

Harriet Walter

Jeanette Hain

Julian Glover.

MPAA Rating: 

PG for some mild sensuality, a scene of violence, and brief incidental language and smoking.

Quotes: 

“ When I marry, I will please myself. ”

“ …  won’t shed English blood for foreign ” involvements

“ …  like a China doll, walking over a precipice. ”

“ I play it with you in my heart. ”

“ Every suitor will come with strings attached. ”

“ Master the rules of the game, until you can play it better than THEY can. ”

“ It’s your life, Albert--  LIVE it! ”

“ I am expecting a very LARGE family! ”

“ Never forget:  you are first a COBURG! ”

“ A man who has no work becomes RIDICULOUS! ”

“ I neither seek nor invite your advice. ”

“ I will not have my rule usurped! ”

 

MY rating: 

8.5 of 10 stars (based on an advance screening of the 100–minute film).

     They named an Age after her, but this is the “BEFORE” part of the “After”

British Queen Victoria was born in 1819.  By the time she died at 81 in 1901, she had reigned longer than any other British monarch (namely, 63 years & 7 months).  She was around for so long, & Britain was so globally powerful during that period, that the late 1800’s are known as the “VICTORIAN Age” after her…

…  Her image in today’s mindset tends to be one of a sort of “frumpy”-looking old lady.  But, this fascinating film concentrates on her EARLY years & how she BECAME Queen...

…  King William IV had no direct heirs.  His brother, Prince Edward (Duke of Kent), had married Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld in Germany, and they had one daughter, Victoria --  the subject of this movie (portrayed by EMILY BLUNT)…

…  As the film story begins, Victoria’s father had died, & her life was in the control of her mother, the Duchess of Kent (MIRANDA RICHARDSON) & her “advisor”, Sir John Conroy (MARK STRONG), who consistently tried to “brow-beat” her into doing things the way THEY wanted--  namely, to appoint her mother as “REGENT” to eventually rule “FOR” her if she were to inherit the crown before the “legal” age of 18…

…  The King (JIM BROADBENT) was very FOND of young Victoria, loving her independent spirit--  but couldn’t stand her mother and the machinations of Sir John, & kept trying to STOP them in their efforts to have a Regent appointed.  (Yes, even then, Politics had a frequently UGLY “head” that kept being raised!)…

…  Complicating the political situation is the fact that the brother of Victoria’s mother is King LEOPOLD of Belgium (played by THOMAS KRETSCHMANN), also from the House of Saxe-Coburg & eager to see that his House has CONTROL of the British monarchy as it did in other countries such as Portugal…

…  Thus, he also backs the idea of Victoria’s appointing her MOTHER as Regent.  He consequently urges a nephew, Prince Albert (RUPERT FRIEND) to try to COURT Victoria, which Albert does…

…  Victoria’s life is so lonely & “isolated” in her residence, she’s required (by her mother) to hold HANDS with a woman whenever she walks down or up the stairs…  But, despite her upbringing & seeming frailty, Victoria grows up very STRONG in will & REBUFFS the abusive efforts of Sir John and her mother…

…  In time, the King dies, & Victoria --  who by this time was over the age of 18 (& thus not “requiring” any Regent) is declared the Queen (in 1837).  She’s the first monarch to reside in Buckingham Palace… 

…  To thwart the continuing noxious efforts of her mother & Sir John, she’s assisted by Prime Minister Lord Melbourne (PAUL BETTANY), who inveigles her to have people loyal to HIM in her household… 

…  While Melbourne’s actions aren’t destructive to her reign, her level of support to him eventually angers the PUBLIC when she doesn’t readily accept a NEWLY-elected Prime Minister & what he wants in the way of household help for her & the like…

…  Feeling that their will is being “ignored” in the Constitutional Monarchy, the general public grows restive and violent in opposition to her conduct…

…  ALBERT (Rupert) keeps writing & visiting & encouraging her in life, acting INDEPENDENTLY of the wishes of (uncle) King Leopold (who admits at one point that he’d “planned” Victoria’s marriage into his House for “20 years”)… 

…  When Victoria sees Albert is good-hearted & caring towards her, she eventually allows him to MARRY her.  While they’re very happy in general & he tries to encourage PROGRESS in the country, some strains arise when Victoria tends to be overly “controlling” of the household & the way the country is run… 

…  Will Victoria learn to accept wise COMPROMISES in life and politics?…  Will the once-alienated public grow to LIKE her again?… 

…  This film covers a lot of “ground” & is an Engaging & very well-acted telling of the historical story (with especially fine work by Emily Blunt as the self-reliant & growing Victoria…

…  She’s being touted for a possible OSCAR nomination for her role, & is deserving of that recognition)…  [NOTE:  she did NOT get nominated--  tho the film won an Oscar for best COSTUME Design, & lost out on 2 other “Technical” categories it was nominated for…]

(…  As an aside:  Victoria and Albert eventually had 9 children, whom she married off into at least 8 other Royal Houses of Europe-- + loads of grandchildren who tended to do the same…  Victoria was with Albert for 22 years, until he died at age 42.  His “influence” lived on, in the way she worked to improve education, welfare & industry for the masses in the U.K…. )…

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