Take This Waltz

“Take This Waltz” stars Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman and Luke Riley. Michelle Williams is a very talented actress who seems to be much better than the films in which she appears (e.g. “Marilyn” etc.). This film written and directed by Sarah Polley is no exception as Ms. Williams struggles as the bored and unhappy housewife who meets and immediately connects with another man and it is her journey through this complex set of circumstances that we watch for 116 minutes. The movie is too long and experiences the same frustrating theme over and over again. Perhaps a 3d party editing the film would have seen what Ms. Polley could not. It is indeed difficult to delete your own creative endeavors but good films demand that this be done. I give this effort by Ms. Polley 2 and ½ stars.. The possibilities and ideas are there but they just don’t seem to reach their potential.

Ted

“Ted” is the creation of Seth MacFarlane who not only co-wrote the film with Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild but directed it as well. It is all MacFarlane’s project and like his “Family Guy” property, it is irreverent, bold and over the top in its disregard for political correctness and the like.. The film stars Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis together with Ted, the teddy bear whose voice is that of the multi-talented Mr. MacFarlane. Though sometimes trite and formula in its story line, this film works. The writing is sharp, witty and equally insults all who come in its path. Such dialogue and tacky jokes can only work if they are funny and, indeed, these are. Some have unfairly compared this film to “Knocked Up” and “The Hangover” but that does it a great disservice.. It is better than the films of that genre. We get engrossed in so many serious and artsy types of movies that we forget the absolute pleasure in being able to sit back, relax, laugh and have a genuinely good time viewing a good theatrical exhibition. For me, “Ted” fulfilled that need and I gladly give it 3 stars with a strong recommendation that it be seen as soon as possible.

“Beasts of the Southern Wild” is a drama/fantasy as seen through the eyes of a 6 year old who lives with her father and others in this Southern Louisiana community amidst and after the fury of Hurricane Katrina. First director Benh Zeitlin who co-wrote the film with Lucy Alibar seeks to capture life in this G-d forsaken life style in which Hush Puppy, the name of the 6 year old’s character in the film, attempts to cope with life in the swamp and Delta. Extraordinary is the performance of  Quvenzhane Wallis, who plays Hush Puppy, and that is probably the only reason to view the film. Intermittent drama, fantasy, prehistoric animals and melting ice packs make this a very uncomfortable movie to watch and for this reviewer, earns it 1 and ½ stars, most of which go to Ms. Wallis. I went to this film anticipating really great artistry and good craft (the reviews were so good). Unfortunately the film was not good and, as I squirmed in my seat and watched it, I thought I would endure it since it was only 91 minutes in length. I was wrong. I looked at my watch almost as many times as I looked at the screen. Whether it was something I ate previous to attending the theater, the handheld camera jumping up and down,  or both, I got ‘”see-sick” as the flood waters filled the screen. One Pepto Bismol and three Tums tablets later, I still couldn’t lay the blame to either so I’ll blame both causes for my visual and stomach upset and my mistake in following the recommendations of the so-called “film gurus”.

The Matchmaker

“The Matchmaker” is an Israeli film written and directed by Avi Nesher who tells this story of Holocaust survivors living in Haifa and how they cope and adapt to the life they found in Israel. Deceptive as it is, the title of the film tells the story of a very serious and professional matchmaker who influences and plays a part in the lives of so many people in his city and, especially, one 16 year old boy.. It is a “coming of age” film where the son of a survivor learns so much about the things that happened over “there” (as the film’s characters refer to the camps and terror of Europe under the Nazi regime). The cloud over the entire film or the “elephant in the room”, if you will, is the Holocaust yet this novel and unique way of relating how these survivors cope with their past and its horrors makes for an interesting and informative movie experience. It is also, without a doubt, a clear view of life as it existed in Haifa, Israel in 1968. Notwithstanding a running time of 112 minutes and English titles translating the Hebrew dialogue, this is a film well worth seeing. I give it 3 and ½ stars with special accolades to Adir Miller (who plays the title role). Mr. Miller is a noted Israeli screenwriter and comedian who once again confirms that although serious actors may not be able to play comic roles well,  comic actors can usually excel in serious parts... He, together with Maya Dagan and Tuval Shafir  help make the viewing of this film so meaningful and rewarding and explain its many nominations for Israeli film awards.

To Rome With Love

“To Rome With Love”  was written and directed  by Woody Allen and, with him, stars Judy Davis, Alec Baldwin, Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Robert Benigni and Penelope Cruz. This will not be recognized as one of Mr. Allen’s better films and certainly in no competition to “Midnight In Paris”. In his obvious love affair with the Italian capitol, Mr. Allen helps the movie by making the romance and beauty of the city come alive amidst the escapades of its stars in various and unrelated stories but the thread, thin as it is, is Rome. Though the film’s dialogue and direction are a tribute to the creative talents of Mr. Allen, there are elements in the film that are not. Funny story twists that are humorous when first seen become annoying when repeated unnecessarily. One other factor should be noted and that is the performance of Mr. Allen himself. Were he not the infamous writer/director, no casting person would have placed him in the film.   Allen’s reputation precedes each sequence in which he appears and when he does nothing notable or even mediocre, disappointment sets in as he “steals the scene” in that he robs the audience of all the other fine elements in it. Having written all of this, the film stands a cut above those presently playing and, as someone said, an “OK”  Woody Allen film is still better than another’s good one. Yes, individually, the film has some problems, i.e. Allen’s acting, a disjointed series of stories, unnecessarily repetitive humor, etc. but, added together,  the sum is much greater and more worthwile than its individual parts. I give the film 2 and ¾  stars. You may be somewhat disappointed but you definitely will be entertained.