Little Fockers

“Little Fockers” is the third in a series of mediocre “comedies” starring the same characters as in the prior two with some additions in an apparent effort to try and salvage it from the “3 strike rule”. As before, Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman star but, this time around, they are aided and abetted (as in a crime) by Owen Wilson, Jessica Alba, Laura Dern, and Harvey Keitel. Directed by Paul Weitz the film does continue the same comedy base of inept son-in-law and domineering father-in-law and the clashes among the two. I went to this film mindful of the low ratings it had received and, armed with low expectations, I found it easier to tolerate the “same old, same old”. This is not a good movie and should best be reserved for free cable or, as I was lucky (or unlucky enough) to receive, a free ticket to a screening. All I lost was time but, in all honesty, there were laughs in the film thanks to some clever lines (although not too many of them) and the charm and comic talents of Mr. DeNiro who, without him, the film would have failed even more. I give the film 2 stars and, to paraphrase the old adage “let the viewer beware”.

True Grit

“True Grit”, a remake by the Coen Brothers of the original film based on the novel by Charles Portis, stars Jeff Bridges as the incorrigible Rooster Cogburn (the role originally created by John Wayne,), Matt Damon and the remarkable Hailee Steinfeld who litereally steals each and every scene from her crafty and seasoned male co-stars. A harder and tighter character than the soft young girl originally played by Kim Darby, this film is a true western much in the genre of Clint Eastwood‘s “The Unforgiven” reciting the saga of a no-holds barred effort by a young 14 year old girl to avenge the death of her father. The photography is a thing to behold as we experience the old west more as it was than the B westerns would have us believe. Jeff Bridges plays old Rooster straight as an arrow in a non-satirical and non-clownish manner. The humor he creates is a natural one because he simply says and does funny things but, when the chips are down, he is all “true grit”. I give this film 3 stars with a strong suggestion that it be seen, not simply as a western, but as a really good movie.

Made in Dagenham

“Made in Dagenham” is the true story of the birth of the “equal pay for women” movement in the United Kingdom in the mid 20th Century. Starring Sally Hawkins and Bob Hoskins, this film was written by Billy and William Ivory and directed by Nigel Cole. The movie tells the story of 187 women fighting for the same pay men receive for doing the same work as they do, a most revolutionary and controversial position to take at the time. Playing the unassuming and never-asking-for-the-role crusader is Sally Hawkins who plays the part with such depth and understanding that her performance is sure to be recognized when the formal accolades are given later this year. I give the film 3 stars because, simply as a movie, it’s OK, but as a piece of history and a portrayal by Ms. Hawkins that is truly noteworthy, it earns a higher rating than it might otherwise have received.

The Fighter

“The Fighter” stars Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams in this exciting and deeply moving story of a blue collar family seeking to rise above its economic level through the boxing profession. Based on the true story of “Irish” Micky Ward, his half brother Dick Eklund, played by Messrs. Wahlberg and Bale, respectively, these two actors dominate the screen and give meaning and life to their Lenox, Mass. story. Thanks in no small part to director David O. Russell, there isn’t a mediocre or negative performance by any actor in the film. Looking back, however, one must tip his or her critic’s hat to the extraordinary performance of Christian Bale who becomes someone you would never thought he could either be or portray. He is convincing and real and gives the stellar performance of his career. Kudos to Amy Adams who, playing outside her normal casting role, becomes a barmaid suitable to the surroundings and the relationships with her blue collar customers. Melissa Leo is also about as genuine in her role as you could want and adds much to the movie. There are those who, like a Pavlovian response, will say “I don’t like boxing pictures”. Don’t fall prey to this trap. Boxing is a means for the picture to allow us the opportunity to view and experience the trials and tribulations of this lower class family and how two brothers cope not only with life’s setbacks but their own personal demons as well. That being said, one must also acknowledge the drama and action-filled fight scenes as the audience is caught up in the bouts shown on the screen with almost the same involvement and intensity as if each viewer was seated at ringside. I give this film 3 and ½ stars for it truly accomplishes the goal of any good theatrical experience.……it entertains.

The King's Speech

“The King’s Speech” stars Colin Firth (as King George VI), Helena Bonham Carter (his Queen) and Geoffrey Rush (the Australian Speech Therapist) in this true story of how the successor to the throne after Edward VII (who abdicated to marry twice divorced American, Wallace Simpson) attempted to overcome a serious speech impediment (i.e. a debilitating stammer).
This basically is the simple plot and story but thanks to the superb acting of Messrs. Firth and Rush and the script written by David Seidler, this film directed by Tom Hooper has suspense, deep audience involvement and the credibility so needed to make it all work. Firth’s portrayal as King George VI is nothing less than superb as he brings pathos and humanity to the role. Left in the hands of a less skillful actor and director, Firth’s performance could have been awkward or even border on satire. It is neither. Instead the viewer is treated to a rare on screen chemistry between Mr. Rush and Mr. Firth where the performance of each is enhanced and made better because of the interaction between the two. I give this film 3 and ½ stars with careful note to watch this year’s Academy Awards ceremony where I’m sure you will see Mr. Firth pick up his first Oscar.

The Company Men

“The Company Men” stars Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, Tommy Lee Jones and Kevin Costner in a story similar to “Up In The Air” except that the leading men in this film are those who are downsized by corporate demands instead of those doing the downsizing to them. Written and directed by John Wells, the film is fast paced and well edited and directed as it tells us the stories of three men made victims by the decisions of upper management and how the corporate officers and boards strive to keep profits high while minimizing caring and humanity.. Masterfully played by Tommy Lee Jones, the film is, on the one hand, depressing as it tells us how vulnerable the tenure of employees, even high level ones, can be while, at the same time, letting us know how critical and necessary to our everyday lives what having a decent job represents. I rate this film with 3 stars and the unfortunate prediction that it will not do well commercially. People in hard times and a down economy go to the movies to experience “escapes” from the everyday world and its problems and they don’t need films such as this to serve as reminders of them.

The Tourist

“The Tourist” stars Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp and Paul Bettany in what was obviously intended as a clever spy thriller in the would be (but doesn’t achieve) style of Alfred Hitchcock and other great directors of that ilk.. The film has 6 screenplay and writer credits and one wonders how, with all these supposedly talented people, the dialogue and story still leaves so much to be desired. The clue to the shallowness of the script and the illogical circumstances it creates is that, in the final 15 seconds of the film, the all too typical “dialogue to explain everything” takes place. Somewhere within this film is a good movie but 6 writers and director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (one of the writers) just couldn’t quite find it. Angelina Jolie, strutting around like a model on a fashion show runway, has almost no dialogue in the picture. In fact, if she said the director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck‘s name, it would take up more screen time than all the words she uttered in the film. That all being said, the picture still gets a 2 and ½ star rating because the real attraction of the film (which should get the most prominent screen credit of all) is the City of Venice. Even if you’ve been there before, it still ignites the traveling bug to go back and see it again for never has a city been photographed and shown in such beauty, pulse beat and color. So, in fairness to the film, although it contains too many contradictions and inconsistencies, it nevertheless gives the viewer a fast paced and wonderful tour of the unique location where it was filmed.