Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” stars Thomas Horn, Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks, Max Von Sydow, Viola Davis and Jeffrey Wright in this interesting and in depth study of a young boy’s coping, or at least trying to cope, with the loss of his father who was killed in one of the towers on September 11. Under Stephen Daldry’s direction of the screenplay written by Eric Roth, the 129 minute film seems a bit drawn out at times. However, thanks in no small part to the exemplary acting of first time performer, Thomas Horn, the audience is able to understand and experience how this precocious boy tries to make sense of and identify with the loss of his father. Remembering that Master Horn was selected by the producers and director after seeing him appear as a contestant on the game show “Jeopardy”, one is even more astounded at the skill and craft of this young performer. A difficult subject that could easily be made maudlin, the film keeps a balance between a widow/mother’s burden and the significant emotions confronting her son. Of special note is the performance of Max Von Sydow who, although never saying a word in the film (his character cannot speak) exhibits and displays the kind of emotions that a verbose thespian speaking paragraphs could never hope to achieve or communicate. I give this film 3 stars if, for no other reason, the performances of Messrs. Horn and Von Sydow and the direction by Mr. Daldry who must take credit for being responsible for what these actors were able to achieve and bring to the screen.

Red Tails

“Red Tails” stars Terence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., David Oyelowo and Nate Parker in this 2 hour film produced by George Lucas, written by John Ridley and Aaron McGruder and directed by Anthony Hemingway. The film tells the story of the 332nd Fighter Group of the Army Air Force, an “experimental unit” created by the Civil Aeronautics Association to determine if African Americans were “capable” of becoming combat pilots in World War II. Trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, 13 cadets were selected to engage in the program whose members ultimately became known as the “Tuskegee Airmen”. Faced with a history of prejudice and abuse by a nation that considered “colored people” as second class citizens, at best, these new pilots were first assigned mop up operations flying less than airworthy Curtis P-40 fighter planes. Nevertheless, their outstanding skill and dedication brought significant harm to the German enemy. Finally recognized for their talent and effectiveness, they were given new P-51 fighters, the best the country had to offer at the time, and allowed these brave heroes to utilize their new equipment in achieving even greater feats of valor. To distinguish the group, the tails of the new aircraft were painted red which, ironically, was the only “color” that, in the end, really should have mattered. Unfortunately the film is burdened with some trite dialog and plot lines and sometimes reminded me of one of those B movies exhibited in World War II. But putting all that aside, the real stars of the film are not the actors, writers or the director but, instead, (a) the powerful story it tells and (b) the Lucasfilm special effects that enhance and make the movie experience so exhilarating. Most of the film takes place in Italy and in the offices of the Pentagon during the period 1943 to 1945 after the men have completed their training.. I would have preferred some flashbacks to the kind of life these men lived prior to the Tuskegee undertaking which would have highlighted even more the difference between the bigoted society they were defending and the levels of heroism and valor they exemplified and displayed. As hard as it is for us to comprehend that as late as only 55 years ago, African Americans could not use the same public facilities or attend the same schools as whites, it is even more difficult to witness these same disenfranchised minority members risking their lives for the society that so cruelly treated and regarded them. I give this film 3 stars. The important message the viewer comes away with after watching this film is that the Tuskegee Airmen were indeed a credit to their race…..The Human Race.

A Separation

“A Separation” is an Iranian film written and directed by Asghar Farhadi and represents the Iranian government’s official entry to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Foreign Film category. Knowing in advance how highly received and reviewed this 120 minute film was I of course expected as near to perfection a film as could be exhibited. This, unfortunately, was not the case. The film is superbly acted but carries with it flaws in the story line and leaves unanswered and unexplained many questions about the motivations and aspirations of the principal characters. What aids in the pictures above average quality is the ability of the viewer to delve into and witness the inner workings of the Iranian judicial system from the filing of a criminal complaint to its ultimate adjudication in an environment where public officials, not lawyers, have sole jurisdiction over the proceedings. This, of course, being an Iranian film, is of special interest to Western viewers for through it, the viewer gains some insight into what the daily life and struggles are for both men and women in this sheltered and almost isolated society. It’s always interesting to be able to humanize and try to identify with inhabitants of a country with such sharp political and cultural differences when compared to most countries in the West, The film and director Farhadi help us to investigate and explore the universal issue as to when absolute truth must prevail regardless of the consequences. This is an issue that confronts those in the film and almost all of us every day. The positives in the film far outweigh its weaknesses and for that reason. I give it 3 and ½ stars.

The Iron Lady

“The Iron Lady” stars Meryl Streep (as (a) the middle aged and (b) the old Margaret Thatcher), Alexandra Roach (as the young Mrs. Thatcher) , Harry Lloyd (as the young Denis Thatcher) and Jim Broadbent (as the older Mr. Thatcher). Written by Abi Morgan and directed by Phyllida Lloyd, this 105 minute bio-drama depicting the life of the United Kingdom’s first female Prime Minister is really 3 films in one. The film centers around the old Mrs. Thatcher and her flashback recollections of her life both prior to and when she was in the center of the political arena. Unfortunately, the film’s emphasis is weighted in favor of the old woman and not the vibrant upstart figure that the middle aged Mrs. Thatcher exemplified. We watch the daughter of a storekeeper become an active participant in local and then national politics but the emphasis throughout the film, rests on the old lady who can barely recall what has transpired in her earlier years.
That all being said, one must acknowledge and tip the derby to Ms. Streep who shows us once again how wonderful and talented an actress she is. I went to this film expecting to see her do a Julia Child’s impersonation in a political instead of a culinary setting.. Happily this was not the case. Unless you knew in advance that the old Mrs. Thatcher, was Ms. Streep, you would not recognize her. And, as the middle aged Mrs. Thatcher, the more contemporary looking Meryl Streep shows us what it took for a woman to break into the “old boys’ club” in British politics, to become the leader of its Conservative party and to then serve as PM for more than 11 years. The film is honest in its portrayal of this dynamic leader for it proves that only someone as strong willed and almost arrogant in her demeanor as Mrs. Thatcher could accomplish what no other person of that gender ever did. Here, unfortunately, the performance of its star is much greater than the film in which she appears. Ms. Streep deserved a better script and a more finely conceived dramatization of the life of one of the great figures of our time. Nevertheless, I give this film 3 stars because of the performance of another dynamic figure of our time, Ms. Meryl Streep.

Young Adult

"Young Adult” stars Charleze Theron, Patton Oswalt and Patrick Wilson in this 94 minute drama involving a basically depressed and mentally disturbed woman in her late 30;s seeking to recapture the glory years she spent in high school and the romance that never quite came into fruition. Ms. Theron gives a worthy performance in creating a character devoid of reality with the uncanny ability to instigate awkward and unpleasant experiences with most of those she encounters when she returns to the place where she was born and raised. However, good acting alone does not make a good movie. The best way to describe this film is for me to share with you that, throughout its viewing, it made me feel edgy and very uncomfortable. There are scenes where you know what is going to happen and almost wished it didn't in order to avoid watching it play out on the screen. Although the team of writer Diablo Cody and director Jason Reitman were so successful in their film “Juno”, unfortunately for them, and for this film's viewing audience, this movie does not reach that level of accomplishment. I give the film 2 stars with a suggestion that there are better ways to spend your money in order to feel frustrated and depressed.

Hugo

“Hugo”, in 3D, is a movie buff’s delight. Set in the early 1930's and starring Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley and Sasha Baron Cohen, this 207 minute film is enchanting as it is informative. Based on the book “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick (yes, a relative of David O.) and faithfully adapted by John Logan, this film masterpiece was directed by Martin Scorcese who can rightfully boast having made one of the best pictures of 2011 and of other years as well.. Much like ”The Artist” this movie searches the cinema past from the Lumiere Brothers first cinemaphotographe salons and the documentary aspects of the new medium to the short films made by George Melies, a French magician turned filmmaker who in the early 1900’s introduced story lines, fade ins, fade outs and trick photography to the new movie going public. Although not a household name, Mr. Melies wrote, directed and starred in over 500 films and chronicles his life and achievements as part of the larger story of a young boy trying to cope with the mysteries of life and its meaning. Not to be overlooked is the marvelous cinemaphotography as the scenes of Paris become real and surreal via the 3D medium. There is a storybook quality to the film that makes one feel as if he or she was reading from a children’s book with vivid colors and landscapes intermingled with real footage of movies of the era. I give this film 4 stars for its beauty, its message and the more than joyous experience I had watching it.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” stars Gary Oldman and Colin Firth in this UK French joint venture based on the best selling novel of the same name.by John LeCarre. This is a text book example of what can happen when producers attempt to depict on the screen the essence of a well written novel with religious adherence to the plot but without enough film or time to do it as well as the written word. Taking place in the midst of the cold war in 1973 this film is uncomfortable to watch and the 2 hours and 7 minutes of its duration seems more like a lifetime. Torture techniques are discussed in the film but I suggest that subjecting a prisoner to a viewing of the film will elicit more information from him than waterboarding, for instance, ever could. Co-written by Bridget O’Connor, Peter Straughan and Mr. LeCarre and directed by Tomas Alfredson, there is plenty of blame for each of them to share in creating this less than worthy piece of work. A director can do very little with a script that is confusing and seemingly endless and that is what Mr. Alfredson apparently had to deal with in order to bring about this boring and tedious endeavor. I went to the film aware that some very respected critics in some highly regarded papers and periodicals raved about the film and, consistent with that, my expectations were quite high. Unfortunately my viewing experience was not pleasurable at all nor did the movie in any way involve me in the plot, the characters or the story itself. I give this film 1 and ½ stars with a strong recommendation that it be avoided when making your next theatrical selection (unless, of course, you are looking for a 127 minute nap).