Monday, September 6, 2010
The Concert
“The Concert” is a movie well worth seeing. This Russian/French endeavor stars Aleksei Guskov and a wonderful actress named Melanie Laurent. Taking place in both Moscow and Paris this original story by Thierry Degrandi and Hector Cabello Reyes is well directed by Radu Mihaaileanu. A difficult film to categorize (i.e. comedy, drama, tragedy) it contains all of these elements but, most of all, it is spiritually uplifting as it covers the period in Russia from the reign of Leonid Breznev to subsequent changes in both leadership and attitude. The director takes us through a series of flash backs and current scenes to relate the story in simple and unconfusing elements as we learn the history of the musical group that is the subject of the film (hence the title) and its sparkling and vibrant last 25 minutes as we listen to Tchaikovsky’s violoin concerto and see flips and bits of scenes that tie the entire picture so that, as a result, there is finality and a recognition that music can be so basic and important a part of our lives. I give the film 3 stars with a fair warning that the movie will not only allow you to see the tugging of the strings of the violin in the concert but also the ones along your heart.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Mao's Last Dancer
“Mao’s Last Dancer” stars Bruce Greenwood, Chi Cao, Joan Chen and Kyle MacLachlan
Based on the best selling Australian book by author Li Cunxin, this is the story of a Chinese ballet dancer, Mr. Cunxin, who attempts to chronicle his life from the sixth child of a Chinese peasant family to the artistic heights of the Houston ballet.. Written by Mr. Cunxin and Jan Sardi the film was directed by Bruce Beresford (“Tender Mercies”, “Driving Miss Daisy”). Unfortunately, the film tries too hard to create heart tugging moments to the background of world famous ballets but without much success. Mr. Cao’s dancing is, of course, noteworthy as is his acting but the film creates in the viewer the feeling that we are simply “going through the story” without much depth or sincerity. I give this film 2 stars with a question mark why so many people are recommending it. As an aside, although Mr. Greenwood’s acting is likewise appreciated, his attempting to portray a gay musical director has an almost SNL appeal to it when it could have been done with much more subtlety and class. Ms. Chen and Mr. MacLachlan, however, stand out, as the dependable actors we have come to know them to be.
Based on the best selling Australian book by author Li Cunxin, this is the story of a Chinese ballet dancer, Mr. Cunxin, who attempts to chronicle his life from the sixth child of a Chinese peasant family to the artistic heights of the Houston ballet.. Written by Mr. Cunxin and Jan Sardi the film was directed by Bruce Beresford (“Tender Mercies”, “Driving Miss Daisy”). Unfortunately, the film tries too hard to create heart tugging moments to the background of world famous ballets but without much success. Mr. Cao’s dancing is, of course, noteworthy as is his acting but the film creates in the viewer the feeling that we are simply “going through the story” without much depth or sincerity. I give this film 2 stars with a question mark why so many people are recommending it. As an aside, although Mr. Greenwood’s acting is likewise appreciated, his attempting to portray a gay musical director has an almost SNL appeal to it when it could have been done with much more subtlety and class. Ms. Chen and Mr. MacLachlan, however, stand out, as the dependable actors we have come to know them to be.
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