Tuesday Night is Film Night takes on a classic tonight, as we travel back to 1976 and take a look at what could be a heavyweight champion of the world of film, or a puny pugilistic poke at the world of boxing, of course it's;
Rocky
Rocky may well be a classic, but it's not been seen in this household. It seems an odd choice to make, when a lot of the TNiFN films are pink and fluffy chick-flicks or rom-com's.
So, why Rocky?
I think the only reason we decided to watch it, is because we visited Philadelphia on our American holiday and actually went to the "Rocky Steps", which is more accurately known as the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We had some pictures taken at the same spot and so decided to check out what the film had to offer.
Poor excuse, but true. So anyway, was the film any good?
Rocky was written by and stars Sylvester Stallone, playing small town boxer; Rocky Balboa. Rocky has boxed for many years and has not made it beyond the small time fights, supplementing his meagre prize money, with wages he receives from debt collecting for a loan shark.
Alongside Stallone we have Burt Young as Paulie Pennino, Balboa's friend. Paulie's sister is Adrian Pennino, played by the lovely Talia Shire. Adrian is the love interest in the film, for Rocky. Finishing off the main characters, we have Burgess Meredith as Mickey, Rocky's trainer and Carl Weathers playing Apollo Creed, the unexpected opponent in the film.
The film follows the story of Rocky, an unknown boxer, who through a stroke of luck, gets to have a crack at a world title, when Apollo Creed, current heavyweight champ, comes to town. The idea being, that Creed defends his title, by taking on a well know opponent. When this deal falls through, they decide upon the outlandish notion, that he takes on a complete unknown, giving them the opportunity to box against a legend. Clearly, Balboa is the complete unknown. America being the "Land of Opportunity" and all that.
That's the basic premise of the film and we all know that Balboa goes from an out of shape, unknown back street boxer and trains up, to take on Creed in the films finale, but in the route to get there, does the film live up to it's legendary status?
We don't think so.
Stallone's dialogue is almost unintelligible throughout the film. In his first outing as Rocky, he seems to be more at home with the meat thumping, than he does talking. His interactions with Adrian are slightly better, but the scenes with Mickey and Paulie seem to be weak and somewhat stale.
In fact the only real saving grace is Talia Shire, as the shy and retiring love interest, who starts the film as a quiet, unattractive, straight laced and demure Adrian. Seeing her blossom as the story progresses, adds some colour to a very black and white performance from the Italian Stallion; Stallone.
I guess for a film that is nearing 40 years old, it wasn't so bad. Also, I'm sure it would have been good at first viewing, back in the seventies, but with a plethora of sequels, the thin plot seems weakened further, by the passing years.
However, if you like Stallone, and you like a gritty, sweaty, punch up storyline, give it a go. However, I'm not so sure that subsequent Rocky films will make it to the hallowed Tuesday Night is Film Night slot.
Rocky clearly loses on points, scoring a measly 5 out of 10. Better luck next time Rocky!
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Quartet - 14th May 2013
Tuesday Night is Film Night attempts to brighten a wet and miserable May day, with a film from 2012;
Quartet
Quartet is based on the Ronald Harwood stage play of the same name and is set in the fictional nursing home for retired musicians, Beecham House. At Beecham House, fading and aging musicians spend their twilight years, entertaining themselves, and others, with their various musical abilities.
The first thing to note about this British film, is the stellar cast. All the leading actors are instantly recognisable and are very well suited to the characters they play. Michael Gambon plays retired musical director Cedric Livingston, who attempts to lead the residents of Beecham House, in a gala performance to raise funds, for the upkeep of the home.
Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins and Billy Connolly play Reginald, Cissy and Wilf respectively who are all retired opera singers, but also form three parts of a quartet, famous some years ago for their performance of Verdi's Rigoletto. However, the problems start, when the fourth member of the quartet, who just happens to be Reggie's ex-wife, turns out to be the latest resident of Beecham House. Maggie Smith plays the fourth quartet member; Jean Horton and tempers and relationships are frayed at Beecham House, as the past is dug up.
Quartet starts out to be a melancholic amble through the slow and steady lives of the residents of Beecham House. It takes a while for the film to get going and for the story to develop into a cohesive plot, however getting there, albeit slowly is worthwhile, as it gives the cast time to grow, develop and introduce some levity into the proceedings, which breaks the seemingly slow start.
It is a shame that the music scenes, especially surrounding the quartet, were edited in such a way, that we didn't actually see them singing. This, ones supposes, is because the cast could not in reality sing, in such a style that would befit their characters. However, to counter this, experienced (and aging) musicians and singers were used, interspersed with the actors, to bring some authenticity to the proceedings.
Overall, Quartet is a slow, almost graceful movie and a credit to it's director, one Dustin Hoffman, in his first major film directorship. It produces all the qualities required for a feelgood film and ticks all those boxes.
One to watch.
Scoring a respectable 7 out of 10 with the TNiFN audience.
Quartet
Quartet is based on the Ronald Harwood stage play of the same name and is set in the fictional nursing home for retired musicians, Beecham House. At Beecham House, fading and aging musicians spend their twilight years, entertaining themselves, and others, with their various musical abilities.
The first thing to note about this British film, is the stellar cast. All the leading actors are instantly recognisable and are very well suited to the characters they play. Michael Gambon plays retired musical director Cedric Livingston, who attempts to lead the residents of Beecham House, in a gala performance to raise funds, for the upkeep of the home.
Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins and Billy Connolly play Reginald, Cissy and Wilf respectively who are all retired opera singers, but also form three parts of a quartet, famous some years ago for their performance of Verdi's Rigoletto. However, the problems start, when the fourth member of the quartet, who just happens to be Reggie's ex-wife, turns out to be the latest resident of Beecham House. Maggie Smith plays the fourth quartet member; Jean Horton and tempers and relationships are frayed at Beecham House, as the past is dug up.
Quartet starts out to be a melancholic amble through the slow and steady lives of the residents of Beecham House. It takes a while for the film to get going and for the story to develop into a cohesive plot, however getting there, albeit slowly is worthwhile, as it gives the cast time to grow, develop and introduce some levity into the proceedings, which breaks the seemingly slow start.
It is a shame that the music scenes, especially surrounding the quartet, were edited in such a way, that we didn't actually see them singing. This, ones supposes, is because the cast could not in reality sing, in such a style that would befit their characters. However, to counter this, experienced (and aging) musicians and singers were used, interspersed with the actors, to bring some authenticity to the proceedings.
Overall, Quartet is a slow, almost graceful movie and a credit to it's director, one Dustin Hoffman, in his first major film directorship. It produces all the qualities required for a feelgood film and ticks all those boxes.
One to watch.
Scoring a respectable 7 out of 10 with the TNiFN audience.
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Butter - 7th May 2013
Tuesday Night is Film Night returns after a week off and this week we choose a movie straight out of left field.
Will it be Anchor's away and a Lurpak of lies? Or have we struck Kerrygold and be rolling in Clover? As we sample some;
Butter
It is often said in these TNiFN blogs that storylines are formulaic and movies, of a feelgood nature, can be repetitive. This cannot be said of Butter. There is a feelgood factor yes, but the story is unique. It's certainly the first film we have seen based solely on butter carving!
To the story itself, Jennifer Garner plays ambitious wife, Laura Pickler, whose husband; Bob (Ty Burrell) has been the Johnson County butter carving champion for the last 15 years. (Stick with it, it gets better!)
After 15 consecutive years of wins, the judges believe it is time for Bob Pickler to step aside and give someone else a chance. Pushy wife Laura doesn't think so and picks up the carving tools herself.
However, she hadn't considered a challenge from 10 year old orphan; Destiny. Destiny (Yara Shahidi) has been fostered many times, but has never felt at home, until she finds herself in the home of Ethan and Jill, who manage to nurture her artistic talents and encourage her to enter the butter carving contest.
From here, the story rumbles on gently, but without much to write home about. An encounter with a pole dancer, some butter carving sabotage and sexual favours for a favour, pad out the middle section of the film. The ending is predictable, but pleasant, for those of us who like the feelgood factor.
Butter is quite a jolly film, some swearing, some sex and some laughs, but however much you like the uniqueness of the story, it cannot hide the very thin plot. Some elements of the movie have little relevance to the story, or at best, have been added to bolster the story somewhat.
Jennifer Garner is really good, but we do like The Garner. Yara Shahidi is fantastic as Destiny, but even great acting cannot make up for the weak story. Some of story was funny, but not enough to have you rolling in the aisles. There was probably more laughs in the gag reel at the end.
In summary, Butter was OK, a unique story-line, funny in places, but I can't Believe It's Not Better!
It's a 5 out of 10 for Butter.
Will it be Anchor's away and a Lurpak of lies? Or have we struck Kerrygold and be rolling in Clover? As we sample some;
Butter
It is often said in these TNiFN blogs that storylines are formulaic and movies, of a feelgood nature, can be repetitive. This cannot be said of Butter. There is a feelgood factor yes, but the story is unique. It's certainly the first film we have seen based solely on butter carving!
To the story itself, Jennifer Garner plays ambitious wife, Laura Pickler, whose husband; Bob (Ty Burrell) has been the Johnson County butter carving champion for the last 15 years. (Stick with it, it gets better!)
After 15 consecutive years of wins, the judges believe it is time for Bob Pickler to step aside and give someone else a chance. Pushy wife Laura doesn't think so and picks up the carving tools herself.
However, she hadn't considered a challenge from 10 year old orphan; Destiny. Destiny (Yara Shahidi) has been fostered many times, but has never felt at home, until she finds herself in the home of Ethan and Jill, who manage to nurture her artistic talents and encourage her to enter the butter carving contest.
From here, the story rumbles on gently, but without much to write home about. An encounter with a pole dancer, some butter carving sabotage and sexual favours for a favour, pad out the middle section of the film. The ending is predictable, but pleasant, for those of us who like the feelgood factor.
Butter is quite a jolly film, some swearing, some sex and some laughs, but however much you like the uniqueness of the story, it cannot hide the very thin plot. Some elements of the movie have little relevance to the story, or at best, have been added to bolster the story somewhat.
Jennifer Garner is really good, but we do like The Garner. Yara Shahidi is fantastic as Destiny, but even great acting cannot make up for the weak story. Some of story was funny, but not enough to have you rolling in the aisles. There was probably more laughs in the gag reel at the end.
In summary, Butter was OK, a unique story-line, funny in places, but I can't Believe It's Not Better!
It's a 5 out of 10 for Butter.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - 23rd April 2013
Tuesday Night is Film Night goes all exotic tonight as we head off to India and see what is in store at;
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
We actually saw this one at the cinema when it came out and we loved it then. So, it was rather pleasing that the DVD came through to us, via the medium of a birthday present, but will it be as good on second viewing?
The film follows the multi-threaded stories of a collection of very British retiree's from various backgrounds, who seek a new life in the beautifully presented (in the brochures at least), Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, somewhere in the middle of a hot, humid and dusty India.
Each character has a different story to tell and these are retold to us, as our pensionable patrons are thrown together in, what turns out to be, a dilapidated hotel, run by the anxious to please Sonny Kapoor. Sonny, played superbly by Dev Patel, is the third son in a successful family. Unfortunately, the run of success ran out when it reached Sonny. Although his aspirations and dreams for the hotel are grand, his ineptitude for business is clearly evident.
As the different stories unfold, each characters life starts to intermingle with the other characters, to produce some absolutely lovely moments. It would be unfair of me to unravel a lot of the stories here, as it would spoil it for those who haven't seen the film and if you haven't, then you really must.
With a fantastic cast, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, teems with talent. Maggie Smith (Dame Maggie, if you please), is sidesplittingly funny as plain speaking Muriel Donnelly. Some of the things she says are little non-PC, but outrageously funny.
Judi Dench (Dame Judi, if you don't mind!), brings some gravitas into the mix, with a bitter sweet portrayal of staid housewife and newly widowed Evelyn Greenslade.
Tom Wilkinson, (not a Dame!), plays Graham Dashwood, who is no stranger to India and returns to rekindle an old relationship, and one that surprises his fellow guests.
Bill Nighy plays Douglas Ainslie, as only Bill Nighy can. Aided and abetted by Penelope Wilton as his insufferable wife.
The cast of wrinkly patrons of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is completed by Norman Cousins (played by Ronald Pickup), an oldie looking to kindle some long lost passion, with anybody he can lay his hands on. In the same vein Madge Hardcastle is on the look out for rich single men wandering around India. Madge is played by the gorgeous and multi-talented Celia Imrie.
A fantastic cast. A superb story, based on the book These Foolish Things by Deborah Moggach. A great setting and some brilliant, laugh out loud moments. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a joyful stroll through the lives of these seven OAP's, showing that life can begin with new outlooks, new adventures and new friends. Yes, it's a life affirming feelgood, fun film, but what's wrong with that?
You'll love it.
And it scores 9 out of 10 here.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
We actually saw this one at the cinema when it came out and we loved it then. So, it was rather pleasing that the DVD came through to us, via the medium of a birthday present, but will it be as good on second viewing?
The film follows the multi-threaded stories of a collection of very British retiree's from various backgrounds, who seek a new life in the beautifully presented (in the brochures at least), Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, somewhere in the middle of a hot, humid and dusty India.
Each character has a different story to tell and these are retold to us, as our pensionable patrons are thrown together in, what turns out to be, a dilapidated hotel, run by the anxious to please Sonny Kapoor. Sonny, played superbly by Dev Patel, is the third son in a successful family. Unfortunately, the run of success ran out when it reached Sonny. Although his aspirations and dreams for the hotel are grand, his ineptitude for business is clearly evident.
As the different stories unfold, each characters life starts to intermingle with the other characters, to produce some absolutely lovely moments. It would be unfair of me to unravel a lot of the stories here, as it would spoil it for those who haven't seen the film and if you haven't, then you really must.
With a fantastic cast, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, teems with talent. Maggie Smith (Dame Maggie, if you please), is sidesplittingly funny as plain speaking Muriel Donnelly. Some of the things she says are little non-PC, but outrageously funny.
Judi Dench (Dame Judi, if you don't mind!), brings some gravitas into the mix, with a bitter sweet portrayal of staid housewife and newly widowed Evelyn Greenslade.
Tom Wilkinson, (not a Dame!), plays Graham Dashwood, who is no stranger to India and returns to rekindle an old relationship, and one that surprises his fellow guests.
Bill Nighy plays Douglas Ainslie, as only Bill Nighy can. Aided and abetted by Penelope Wilton as his insufferable wife.
The cast of wrinkly patrons of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is completed by Norman Cousins (played by Ronald Pickup), an oldie looking to kindle some long lost passion, with anybody he can lay his hands on. In the same vein Madge Hardcastle is on the look out for rich single men wandering around India. Madge is played by the gorgeous and multi-talented Celia Imrie.
A fantastic cast. A superb story, based on the book These Foolish Things by Deborah Moggach. A great setting and some brilliant, laugh out loud moments. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a joyful stroll through the lives of these seven OAP's, showing that life can begin with new outlooks, new adventures and new friends. Yes, it's a life affirming feelgood, fun film, but what's wrong with that?
You'll love it.
And it scores 9 out of 10 here.
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
The Woman in Black - 16th April 2013
Tuesday Night is Film Night takes another genre twist this week and probably for the first time, we settle down to enjoy (?) a horror movie. Will we be shaking all over, as we look upon;
The Woman in Black
Of course the initial draw towards The Woman in Black for us, was the starring role for Daniel Radcliffe, being as we are a house of Harry Potter fans, but the character that Radcliffe plays; Arthur Kipps is a far cry from Harry Potter.
Kipps is a young lawyer, who is sent to a remote coastal village, to uncover the paperwork of a deceased woman, who lived at the foreboding Eel Marsh house. However, his efforts are thwarted by the appearance of the ghost of a scorned woman, dressed in black. And it seems like every time she appears, another child dies, in a strange and horrible way.
Adapted from the Susan Hill novel, the screenplay by Jane Goldman is superb. Although the story is excellent, it is all about the suspense, the great camera work, the special effects and the soundtrack. There are many things within the film, that will make you want to scream out loud or will send shivers coursing down your spine. Especially the collection of Victorian toys and creepy dolls with eyes that follow you.
A lot of the suspense and horror, if you like, comes from the subliminal camera shots. Yes, there are lots of full on scary moments, that fill the screen, and your ears with screeching violin strings, but it is the fairly silent moments, when you, the viewer and Arthur Kipps, need to take a double-take, was that really a face at the window? Was that a figure standing in the distance?
So, good story, great camera work and superb acting. Daniel Radcliffe handles the role of Kipps with aplomb. Other actors of note were Ciarán Hinds as Sam Daily, the only character to actually befriend Kipps. Also, Kipps has a four year old son, who is cared for by their nanny, as Kipps' wife had died. The nanny is played by the delightful Jessica Raine, who is probably better known as nurse Jenny Lee in the TV series, Call The Midwife.
Sam Daily's wife in the film is also very well played by Janet McTeer, a fine character actress, who has appeared in her fair share of period dramas.
All in all, The Woman in Black is a fine return to the big screen for Hammer Films. It certainly does the genre proud and will leave you cold and afraid to look out of any windows for awhile.
We rate it as an 8 out of 10. Now to go to bed with the light on!
The Woman in Black
Of course the initial draw towards The Woman in Black for us, was the starring role for Daniel Radcliffe, being as we are a house of Harry Potter fans, but the character that Radcliffe plays; Arthur Kipps is a far cry from Harry Potter.
Kipps is a young lawyer, who is sent to a remote coastal village, to uncover the paperwork of a deceased woman, who lived at the foreboding Eel Marsh house. However, his efforts are thwarted by the appearance of the ghost of a scorned woman, dressed in black. And it seems like every time she appears, another child dies, in a strange and horrible way.
Adapted from the Susan Hill novel, the screenplay by Jane Goldman is superb. Although the story is excellent, it is all about the suspense, the great camera work, the special effects and the soundtrack. There are many things within the film, that will make you want to scream out loud or will send shivers coursing down your spine. Especially the collection of Victorian toys and creepy dolls with eyes that follow you.
A lot of the suspense and horror, if you like, comes from the subliminal camera shots. Yes, there are lots of full on scary moments, that fill the screen, and your ears with screeching violin strings, but it is the fairly silent moments, when you, the viewer and Arthur Kipps, need to take a double-take, was that really a face at the window? Was that a figure standing in the distance?
So, good story, great camera work and superb acting. Daniel Radcliffe handles the role of Kipps with aplomb. Other actors of note were Ciarán Hinds as Sam Daily, the only character to actually befriend Kipps. Also, Kipps has a four year old son, who is cared for by their nanny, as Kipps' wife had died. The nanny is played by the delightful Jessica Raine, who is probably better known as nurse Jenny Lee in the TV series, Call The Midwife.
Sam Daily's wife in the film is also very well played by Janet McTeer, a fine character actress, who has appeared in her fair share of period dramas.
All in all, The Woman in Black is a fine return to the big screen for Hammer Films. It certainly does the genre proud and will leave you cold and afraid to look out of any windows for awhile.
We rate it as an 8 out of 10. Now to go to bed with the light on!
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas - 9th April 2013
This is possibly going to be the hardest blog to write about a film, not really room for levity when you consider the subject matter.
The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas
The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas
Based on the John Boyne book of the same name, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas traces the story of two 8 year old boys, bought together by fate, but divided by faith, politics and a barbed wire fence.
Bruno, the son of a German army officer, who gets moved from Berlin to a new posting as the commandant at a concentration camp. The whole family have to move, so Bruno, along with his sister Gretel and their mother, try to begin a new life near the camp.
Although Bruno is forbidden to play in the back garden, he manages to sneak out and finds himself exploring the woods. On one of his trips, he finds the perimeter fence of the camp and just inside, he spots Shmuel sitting quietly. Shmuel is the same age as Bruno and they start talking. Bruno asking many questions about this strange "farm" that Shmuel works on. He also asks why he is still wearing his pyjamas. The trips to the fence increase for Bruno and he starts to bring food for Shmuel and their friendship develops.
The film beautifully portrays the innocent friendship of the two boys, unaware of the atrocities that are happening all around them. We see the heart break and hardship through their innocent eyes.
Some notes on the acting in this film; the two boys are fantastic, Asa Butterfield as Bruno and Jack Scanlon as Shmuel really capture the essence of the innocent nature of the two 8 year olds. Also David Thewlis who plays Bruno's father, the camp commandant, puts in a splendid performance, which underlines the brainwashed mentality of the Nazi's, their tyrannical hatred of the Jewish people and is the complete flipside of innocence.
The film understates the severity of the subject matter, but does so because of the untainted views of the boys, but this does not detract from the harrowing truth of life inside the perimeter fence.
It is a gripping film, one that will clearly evoke many emotions, including sadness and anger. It is good to explore the differing views of the parents, as well as the children. Although it may not be, for some, an easy film to watch given the subject, but the story, as it unfolds, has you hooked and compelled to watch, to see how the friendship, born out of innocence, matures, grows and ultimately ends.
A totally brilliant film and a must see one at that. And if all that you garner from this film, is a modicum of knowledge about the atrocities that went on, then it is no bad thing. It is a fascinating, unbelievable, harrowing and incredulous period of recent history and one that should never be forgotten.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas scores 8 out of 10.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - 2nd April 2013
Tuesday Night is Film Night is doing the rounds of the genres, this week we try a "coming of age" movie. Will it be a failure or will we learn;
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up.
Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope and the unforgettable friends that help us through life. (This product description was stolen from Amazon).
Down to the nitty-griity. Logan Lerman plays Charlie a shy, retiring and somewhat troubled teenager, starting his "freshman" year in high school. The nature of his internal turmoil becomes apparent, the further into the movie you get. Via flashbacks, we learn as to why he suffers from the occasional blackout and the disturbing mental imagary that floats about in his head, from time to time.
And it's not just the down to untimely death of a close friend. There's more. You really need to see the film to fully appreciate the issues that the young Charlie is suffering from, just merely describing them here, will not do justice to the fantastic acting of Lerman, as he portrays the fragile wallflower that is Charlie.
However, although he is subject to some bullying, it's not all bad for Charlie and he soon falls into a clique of older students, who take him under their collective wings and nurture his talents.
Emma Watson, who is really sublimely gorgeous as the caring (and occasionally sultry) Sam, who Charlie falls for in a big way, but who is herself, troubled by a trail of hapless relationships.
Along with the extremely camp and very gay Patrick (Ezra Miller), they bond together in a relationship that sees our wallflower blossom and mature.
It is a heartening film, where the underdog, battered by life's pressures and torments, finally gets through to the other side. Although Charlie does not make this journey with ease or unscathed and the mental torture that gets him through is evident, shocking and upsetting.
It is not then, a feelgood movie. Although the outcomes are inevitably favourable, the journey is arduous. There are casualties along the way. And although Charlie "comes good" in the end, it is not in the same vein as a true feelgood movie, you cannot feel good about the mental anguish that is suffered along his journey.
I maybe skirting around the issues, but you can only truly appreciate the outcome, when you see the details. It is a gripping movie, it is a sad movie, it is a happy movie, above all it is a brilliant movie. Underpinned by the fantastic screenplay of Stephen Chbosky. Each twist and turn takes you to another place and not necessarily where you think it will go. It's a gritty drama, but is lighthearted in places. And throughout, a ridiculously good soundtrack fills the spaces, when the dialogue ceases.
I cannot praise this film enough, if I could sit and watch it again now, I would. It seemed to have everything in it that I like about a movie and that is reflected in the TNiFN score of 9 out of 10.
A must see film. In fact the DVD cover boasts that the film is; "The best film of the year"!
It is not wrong.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up.
Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope and the unforgettable friends that help us through life. (This product description was stolen from Amazon).
Down to the nitty-griity. Logan Lerman plays Charlie a shy, retiring and somewhat troubled teenager, starting his "freshman" year in high school. The nature of his internal turmoil becomes apparent, the further into the movie you get. Via flashbacks, we learn as to why he suffers from the occasional blackout and the disturbing mental imagary that floats about in his head, from time to time.
And it's not just the down to untimely death of a close friend. There's more. You really need to see the film to fully appreciate the issues that the young Charlie is suffering from, just merely describing them here, will not do justice to the fantastic acting of Lerman, as he portrays the fragile wallflower that is Charlie.
However, although he is subject to some bullying, it's not all bad for Charlie and he soon falls into a clique of older students, who take him under their collective wings and nurture his talents.
Emma Watson, who is really sublimely gorgeous as the caring (and occasionally sultry) Sam, who Charlie falls for in a big way, but who is herself, troubled by a trail of hapless relationships.
Along with the extremely camp and very gay Patrick (Ezra Miller), they bond together in a relationship that sees our wallflower blossom and mature.
It is a heartening film, where the underdog, battered by life's pressures and torments, finally gets through to the other side. Although Charlie does not make this journey with ease or unscathed and the mental torture that gets him through is evident, shocking and upsetting.
It is not then, a feelgood movie. Although the outcomes are inevitably favourable, the journey is arduous. There are casualties along the way. And although Charlie "comes good" in the end, it is not in the same vein as a true feelgood movie, you cannot feel good about the mental anguish that is suffered along his journey.
I maybe skirting around the issues, but you can only truly appreciate the outcome, when you see the details. It is a gripping movie, it is a sad movie, it is a happy movie, above all it is a brilliant movie. Underpinned by the fantastic screenplay of Stephen Chbosky. Each twist and turn takes you to another place and not necessarily where you think it will go. It's a gritty drama, but is lighthearted in places. And throughout, a ridiculously good soundtrack fills the spaces, when the dialogue ceases.
I cannot praise this film enough, if I could sit and watch it again now, I would. It seemed to have everything in it that I like about a movie and that is reflected in the TNiFN score of 9 out of 10.
A must see film. In fact the DVD cover boasts that the film is; "The best film of the year"!
It is not wrong.
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