coffey-21 Reviews

Goodnight Mr Tom (1998 TV Movie)

John Thaw at his very best

[7/10 · 4 August 2008]

This is arguably John Thaw's finest performance where he successfully shakes off any traits of his Inspector Morse character and brings a perfect adaptation of Tom from the pages of the book to the TV screen. This is a well made production which maintains its family viewing vibe despite some very mature themes like the outbreak of the second world war and the physical abuse suffered by the child.

However it is the relationship between Tom and young Willie that is the heart and soul of this story. It is touching and beautiful to see this bond between the young boy evacuated from London and the grumpy old man he is left with develop - a real grandfather/grandson connection.

It is a pity that this story wasn't made with a bigger budget with a more established director as it belongs on the big screen, not shown once or twice every ten years on a Sunday afternoon. Given the right guidance, John Thaw would be celebrated the world over and bestowed with many awards for his brilliant performance in this movie. A great actor and a great role that should have been honored more than it was at the time.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Give Ledger the Oscar

[10/10 · 24 July 2008]

The cast are top class-Bale, Caine, Freeman, Roberts, Eckhart, Gyllenhaal and an outstanding performance by the little mentioned Gary Oldman who proves his blockbuster/serious actor status with a solid performance for the second Batman film in a row as Jim Gordon. However Heath Ledger deserves an Oscar win for his role as the Joker-not because he has since passed away but because he has given one of the best supporting performances in movie history. If Johnny Depp can earn a nomination for Pirates and Anthony Hopkins a win for Silences of the Lambs, then Ledger more than deserves it for this. He is more sinister and spectacular than this years winner, the excellent Javier Bardam, so people should not be surprised if he wins.

Intermission (2003)

Irish film-making at is best

[10/10 · 26 April 2008]

I'm quite surprised that this film hasn't got a higher rating. This really is a gem of movie. Well-written, well-acted, witty and brutally black dialog makes this a modern Irish classic. The acting is excellent. Colin Farrell is well cast as the stereotypical Dublin scumbag which he seems to have great fun portraying. Cillian Murphy is great as the lovelorn rogue John while David Wilmot steals the show from his more famous co-stars as unlucky in love Oscar. Kelly MacDonald, Shirley Henderson, Deirde O' Kane and Colm Meany add more weight to a highly talented cast.

The film follows the lives of several different characters in contemporary Dublin and how their lives intersect. The violence and coarse language is matched by the tender and honest scenes. The fast pace of the movie holds the viewers attention fantastically well as we follow the lives of these highly likable characters(well maybe not Farrell but he is still compelling and hilarious to watch) while they search for love, happiness and the answers to life's complicated dilemmas. A true original. Even though its not much of an achievement, by far the best Irish movie ever made. Perfect stories. Perfect writing. Perfect characters. Perfect acting. Perfect film.

Career Girls (1997)

Mike Leigh's story of friendship.

[8/10 · 19 April 2008]

I had the pleasure of watching this film on Film Four last night. The plot was simple but thats the beauty of Mike Leigh's films. There's not a whole lot of action but he conveys the basic realities of life, whether happy or harsh, with such credibility and enthusiasm. He comes across as a really good director for actors to work with. He gives them the freedom to express themselves and really go for it, no matter how subtle or OTT they might be. It is refreshing to see drama like this, done with such work-rate and honesty, not the trash Hollywood produces while paying talentless actors millions for portraying characters that no one cares about. Thats the talent of Leigh and the actors he collaborates with. They create and portray characters that the viewer can relate to and care about, whether it's Lynda Steadmans' Annie longing for love while dealing with her allergies or Karin Cartlidges' Hannah and her search for happiness while dealing with her mother's alcohol problem. Mark Bentons' Ricky is beautifully tragic to watch as it displays the capabilities of this highly talented actor. Not for everyone this film, but if you appreciate great acting, wonderful story-telling and the value of true friendship, I highly recommend that you see this when the chance arises again.

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

Gosling gives another amazing performance

[8/10 · 15 April 2008]

I saw this movie in the Kino Cinema in Cork yesterday, one of the only cinemas in Ireland to show it. Yet again Ryan Gosling gives another outstanding performance in the role of Lars, a shy young man who is afraid of human interaction and who suffers from the isolation and loneliness accompanying it. As a result of his fragile mental state, he believes that the sex doll he has bought over the internet is Bianca,a real life missionary who is Lars real life girlfriend.

The movie has incredible heart and is endearing to even the most hardened of personalities. However I do believe the way the community reacts to Lars delusion is a little far fetched. The love and support they give both him and Bianca is exceptional but in the modern world we are now living in, it is hard to believe that a whole town could rally behind Lars dream girl. The lack of cynicism and smutty sexual references is unrealistic and the fact that Lars' delusion is not poked fun at by anyone adds to the unconvincing situation.

This film could have been a made-for-TV mess if it wasn't for the magnificent Ryan Gosling. His sensitivity, originality and mannerisms makes Lars a highly likable character who the audience roots for. The thought of the complicated and emotional Lars being played by any other actor Gosing's age doesn't bare thinking about. Can you think of the cock-up Orlando Bloom, Shia La Beouf or Justin Timberlake would have done? It would have been intolerable trash that would have poked fun at mental illness without meaning to do so. Gosling is the most talented actor of his generation. No one comes close. After seeing Johnny Deep in Sweeny Todd, Tommy Lee Jones in In The Vally of Elah and Viggo Mortensen in Eastern Promises, I believe Gosling should feel robbed that he didn't receive another Oscar nomination this year.

Half Nelson (2006)

Disillusioned young male teacher strikes up an unconventional friendship with a student when she discovers his drug addiction

[8/10 · 2 July 2007]

I recently saw this film when it open to a limited release in Ireland and what blew me away was the exceptional performances by the actors involved. Shakerra Epps defied her tender years by giving a mature, subtle performance as Drey, a young girl looking for a role model after her brother is imprisoned on drug charges. However the males in her life are hardly suitable characters to guide her in life. Anthony Mackie gives a solid and polished performance as the drug dealer who who tries to recruit Drey into his murky business, but it is Ryan Gosling who steals the show. As a history teacher who conveys to his students that change works in society, Dan Dunne's attitude and lifestyle contradicts what he preaches in class. The relationship that develops between Duune and Drey after the the latter discovers her teacher off his game on crack is one of mutual respect. Gosling's performance is mesmerizing. His character is stuck between a rock and a hard place. He tries to steer his student and new-found friend away from the sinister world of drug dealing, but he is in no position to preach as his addiction spirals his life into chaos and damages the relationships in his life. It is really a case of the pot calling the kettle black and hence the movie earns the title Half Nelson. Gosling more than justifies his Acadamey Award Nomination for his performance as the disillusioned, self-loathing Dan Dunne. His roles to date show that he has a tendency to play tortured young men, from The Believer to The United States of Leland, and this film shows once again that he is one of the best actors working.