The Ghost - 23rd July 2013

Tuesday Night is Film Night takes to the political stage tonight, as we sample the mystery thriller that is;

The Ghost

Based on the novel by Robert Harris and directed by Roman Polanski, The Ghost (or The Ghost Writer) stars Ewan Mcgregor as a ghost writer bought in to continue writing the memoirs of ex British prime minister Adam Lang, played superbly by Pierce Brosnan. I say continue, as the previous ghost writer died in slightly mysterious circumstances.

And so we have a nameless ghost writer (McGregor) who starts to discover that his predecessor was uncovering slightly more than the political and private history of the former prime minister. In fact, as the surface is scratched even more, further evidence is brought to light that shows that former PM Lang had a darker history than was first imagined.

The problem with trying to review a story such as this, is the fact that there is a lot of information in the film, which is far too complex to place into words on this page. If I were to put too much information here, it would spoil the film, too little and you may not be enthralled enough to watch, but I would implore you to do so, as although the plot lines are far too complex to simplify here, it is a worthy 128 minutes of viewing.

What I can say though is that The Ghost is an intriguing, engaging, extremely watchable piece of political drama. There is a depth of information that is bought superbly from the page of the original Robert Harris novel, to the screen through some brilliant Polanski direction and some realistic, believable and dramatic acting from the talented cast.

McGregor is perfectly pitched as the unremarkable ghost writer, bought in to translate this remarkable story into book-form for Lang (Brosnan). Olivia Williams is spot on as the Wife to Lang, a somewhat disparaged character, bored of the political life style and a tad jealous of the mistress-like media-handler, come spin doctor; Amelia Bly, played perfectly by Kim Cattrall.

There are minor roles also for Tom Wilkinson (The Full Monty and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), who plays Paul Emmett, a name for Lang's past, that comes back to haunt him. Also, Robert Pugh, who plays Richard Rycart, another name from the past and present, out to confound Adam Lang. Pugh has probably been in every TV drama going and always puts in a sterling performance. 

The Ghost is not everyone's cup of tea, as it is a complex, but extremely believable and understandable (if you watch closely) piece of drama. It is engaging and intriguing, you are pulled along by the unfolding story, as complex layer upon layer is pulled back to reveal the dark secrets of the main characters.

The only moot point maybe the ending, I like a neat well balanced understandable ending, with loose ends tied up and plotlines rounded off, I felt The Ghost let me down in the last two minutes, but only slightly. Don't let this put you off, if you watch it, enjoy it and understand it, let me know and we can compare notes.

As for the TNiFN scores, The Ghost scores a well rounded and politically correct 6.3 out of 10. 

I wish we could be more consistent on scoring! And avoid the fractions! Of course, I could always say that the score was 19 out of 30!

Enjoy.

Wuthering Heights - 16th July 2013

Tuesday Night is Film Night takes on a classic story tonight, as we sample the 2011 adaptation of;

Wuthering Heights

Andrea Arnold wrote the screenplay, and directed this controversial 2011 adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic love story. This classic tale of obsessive love of Cathy, by Heathcliffe, takes a sombre turn, as Arnold defines a very bleak and moody dynamic with her screenplay.

Just to bring those who haven't read this Brontë classic up to date, it follows the life of a poor orphan boy; Heathcliffe, who is rescued from poverty and taken in by the Earnshaw family where he develops an intense relationship with his young foster sister, Cathy.

This movie is almost as dreary, bleak and desolate as the windswept Yorkshire moors, where it is set. Andrea Arnold opted to film with a lot of hand held cameras and jump-cut editing, with very dark, dismal and minimal lighting. As a result, the film is difficult to follow, the dialogue is very sparse in the first part of the film and doesn't really build any momentum at all.

I'm sure those of you with an eye for an artistic film, may jump to it's defence, but even with some stunning scenery, I'm afraid art or no art, this film is destined for the bargain bucket.

I cannot really add any further to this, I am sure there are better versions of the story out there, maybe one that may do justice to the Brontë original. This one however seemed to be art for art's sake. Even the use of strong language seemed to lend itself more to the arty-farty brigade, rather than adding some gritty gravitas to the story. Just because you introduce modern day swearing into a classic piece of literature, doesn't make it more of a classic, in fact it presents itself as being pretentious and self indulgent on the part of the director.

The only thing that could have saved this movie, would have been the appearance of Kate Bush, running over the windy moors, belting out her greatest hit!

In short; terrible.

In long; arty, pretentious and terrible.

As for the TNiFN scores; 3 out of 10.

Next!!

Johnny English Reborn - 9th July 2013

Tuesday Night is Film Night is here yet again! And as the summer evening sun warms us, we draw the curtains on that and settle down to witness;

Johnny English Reborn

Yes indeed, the hapless and gormless MI7 agent is back. Johnny English is here to save the day, but first he has to ruin it for everyone.

Made in 2011, Johnny English Reborn sees Rowan Atkinson delightfully recreate his spectacularly English; Johnny English, after his first outing in the eponymous film from 2003.

After a disaster in Mozambique (cue facial tick and twitchy eye), English was stripped of his knighthood, removed from the Secret Service and exiled to Tibet, where he studied at the (kicking) feet of Tibetan monk's. (It will all become clear if you watch the film).

Anyway, the upshot is, after several years in the wilderness, he is summoned back to London to head up a new operation to uncover a plot to assassinate the Chinese premier. In London he meets up with the new MI7 chief Pegasus, AKA Pamela, played the very lovely Gillian Anderson. He also catches up with the gadget man for MI7; Patch Quartermain played by Tim McInnerny. And finally, he gets reacquainted with the top agent; Simon Ambrose played by Dominic West.

Unfortunately, there is no return appearance for Ben Miller as Bough in this second outing for Johnny English, although he is credited in the movie, so one can only assume his appearance hit the cutting room floor in the final edit. Instead the role of assistant to Mr English falls to young Agent Tucker (Daniel Kaluuya).

As for the actual plotline, it is the usual fare; techie gadgets for your agent on the street, mishandled by the occasionally pompous English. Various double agents, working for various different agencies and a mad Chinese woman running round with a hoover, trying to kill everybody! (Again, you need to see it).

There's no real need to articulate within this internet based vehicle for movie facts, the full letter of the story, to be honest in the grandest scheme of things, it is not that important. What is important is the acting, the dialogue and the situations, it is a fun filled film. To all intents and purposes it could be a Bond movie, if it were not for the farcical notions and the hapless meanderings of the main character. As the movie taglines state; "A little intelligence goes a long way"! And; "One man. One mission. No chance".

In summation Johnny English Reborn delivers the goods, Atkinson is as always, superb. Daniel Kaluuya as Agent Tucker makes a decent sidekick, (but he's no Bough). And the other leading characters all fill in the gaps quite nicely.

A thoroughly enjoyable movie, which on the TNiFN clap-o-meter, pushed the needle round to a healthy and hearty 8.7 out of 10. (Who introduced fractions of a vote?!) 

Not a great review, but a great movie. See you next week.

The Change-Up - 2nd July 2013

Tuesday Night is Film Night tries out a "body swap" movie tonight. So, will it be bigger than Big? Or will it be Vice-Versa? Or could it be a Freaky Friday on a Tuesday? Whatever it ain't, it is;

The Change-Up

Clearly the "body swap" genre has been done many times. And many times, it has been done very well. Big is a classic. Freaky Friday is a fun film, but what does The Change-up bring to the big screen, that will make it any different?

Well, to start off with, it's of an adult nature (15 certificate). There's swearing and nudity in it!

Brilliant!

However, it's most abiding quality is; it is totally hilarious! They have taken the genre, applied it to the typical story; two people wishing for each others lives and made it extremely watchable and massively funny.

Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman star as Mitch Planko and Dave Lockwood respectively. Best buddies since school. Dave is a family man, with a loving Wife; Jamie (played by Leslie Mann), along with 3 children. He is an up and coming lawyer, in a big and busy firm. Things are good for Dave, if a little hectic. Work is busy, home is busier, there's just no time to fit it all in.

On the other hand, Mitch is a jobbing actor, who is also a lazy, pot smoking, layabout. Life is also good for Mitch, albeit a bit monotonous and without much hope for the future.

On a night out, the two buddies discuss their separate lives, just wishing, if only for the moment, that they could swap lives...................

........ you know what is coming next.

However, the source of the body swap magic would be a spoiler, so we're not saying how it comes about. Needless to say that it does. And with the usual consequences.

As soon as the swap is made, then cue well over an hour of total hilarity, as our two leading characters, attempt to work out how to now live each others' life.

The film weighs in at 112 minutes, so is quite a lengthy movie, but it fills it so well. The story is perfect, the characters are perfect; Reynolds and Bateman play both of their roles so well. Normally with "body swap" movies, you get a lot of sadness and pathos, when they discover they don't like their own lives and then they hate their new lives even more. Yes, there is a degree of that, but the schmaltzy stuff is kept to a minimum, as they concentrate more on the funny bits!

We think what makes this film work better than others is that the two characters; Mitch and Dave are totally different, but not in age, as in some other films of the same genre. They are just like chalk and cheese, so the awkward situations they are forced into, are so much funnier as a result.

As with all TNiFN reviews, the spoilers are down to a minimum here, we would not want to to spoil your enjoyment one iota. So please watch The Change-up, you will be so glad you did.

As for the scores, The Change-up amasses an unprecedented 9 out of 10.