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10/10
As good as it gets in the genre!
10 February 1999
Luc Besson has a wonderful eye and it is demonstrated again and again in this film. It's an unusual mix of Thriller/action and family/romance. More family than romance with the relationship that develops between a young girl and a seasoned Assassin. Unfortunately the violence and swearing does attract an R Rating in Australia.

A must for humanists who believe that Assassins can have feelings and who feel for the loneliness this profession would create. Gary Oldman plays a role we are familiar seeing him in: a psychotic killer (actually an undercover cop)- hey he does it well! Jean Reno (Leon) is both lovable and lethal; most of all convincing as the Assassin with honour and standards. Natalie Portman as the 12 year old Mathilda is cute, loveable and delightfully naughty: I think we'll be seeing more of her in the future- very talented. The rest of the cast are mostly type-cast but it all melds well to make this a well rounded albeit hard to box motion picture. If you like a good bit of action and the skill of a talented Assassin coupled with a sweet story of an unusual relationship don't miss this one!
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The Slingshot (1993)
9/10
Beautiful and quirky!
8 February 1999
This film from the early 1990's is similar to MY Life as a Dog, by Ingamar Bergman. Like Bergman's tale, this film is seen through the eyes of a young boy. The adversity he faces as the son of a Russian Jew and a Socialist are portrayed with humour and intensity. SBS did very well once again to screen this film in 1998.
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9/10
A fine tale of human spirit & morale!
3 February 1999
David Bowie appears on the cover of this film, in spite of having one of the smaller major roles. After you see the movie you no longer question his presence there. His performance is magnificent. Watch for the understated behaviour regarding the flower.

This film is memorable because of a tremendous cast (including Jack Thompson- who keeps popping up in war movies) and a wonderful soundtrack by Ryuichi Sakamoto, who also performs in the movie. The soundtrack captures the jungle feeling, coupled with Japanese moods. Forbidden colours (song) has been known to give me goosebumps.

Very much, not your average War movie, _Merry Christmas Mister Lawrence_ is excellent because it portrays the relationship between captor and captive, victor and defeated. It's a movie about human spirit and love under dangerous circumstances! It's a movie about discipline and honour, especially the different way these are perceived.
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