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Reviews
Elizabeth Rex (2004)
A well-engineered, engrossing and atmospheric take on Elizabeth I's conflict between being a woman, and being a Sovereign.
The story takes place on the night before the dawn execution for treason of Robert, Earl of Essex. Shakespeare and his company of actors are at court, under curfew in a barn, with the Queen through her restless night as she struggles with the decision she has made to behead her beloved "Robin".
On the sixteenth century stage the parts of women were played by men; the only woman in the company is the seamstress who makes and repairs the costumes. The Queen is intrigued by the nature of the men that play these roles, and whether their 'essence' is truly that of a man, or of a woman. In part to entertain and divert the Queen who is tormented by her decision to execute Essex, and in part to illuminate the question that so intrigues her, members of the company recite and play short vignettes from various of Shakespeare's plays. In this vein they challenge the Queen with provocative questions that would be inadmissible at any other time or place, and reveal their sympathy for Essex. At times the Queen commands and threatens regally, at times she drops her guard and confesses her womanly feelings. There is a powerful counterpoint for the Queen who feels the sexual passion of a woman, but must put that aside to act in the interest of the State - or, as she said to the army at Tilbury: "I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a King". Here, poignantly, she says to the male actor: "If you will teach me how to be a woman . . . I will teach you how to be a man."
Meanwhile, Shakespeare is taking notes, perhaps for some future play....but it will not be performed in his lifetime, nor the Queen's.
The set is somewhat stagy, but creates good atmosphere; the Shakespearean quotes blend well with the play's own dialogue. Brent Carver gives a powerful and convincing performance as the actor who plays the female parts, and Diane d'Aquila is commendable as Elizabeth. Overall, an engrossing production that makes you feel you are in the rafters, secretly watching an intimate and revealing behind-the-scenes moment of history.
A Home at the End of the World (2004)
Warning! You may feel better about the world walking out of this move than you did walking in!
This is a captivating movie that brings back warm and emotional memories of "Teorema" (with the wonderful Terence Stamp in his early years) and its copy-cat follow up "Something for Everyone" (with equally delicious Michael York).
"Bobby", in this case has something for everyone. Other critics have described him as straight, or bi. To me he is gay, but certainly flexible. His feelings of love, affection and empathy affect all the other principal characters and, I suspect, will do the same for much of the audience.
It is not just his sexual cross-gender flexibility, but also his willingness to accept changes in the relationship - such as when his one-time "best bud", Johnny tells him that the intimate relationship they explored as teenagers cannot continue. "Bobby" is a product of the 60s, of Woodstock, and he "goes with the flow", never malicious, never devious, never regretful, always open to the possibilities of a "pretty" tomorrow, perhaps accepting life's twists and turns, but possibly knowing that "what goes around comes around" - as "Johnny" does in due course.
The supporting cast is superb, "Clare" as the third character in the triangle, who loves both "Johnny" and "Bobby"; "Alice", "Johnny's" mother, who loves "Bobby" but not quite (on screen at least) to the point of consummating it; and of course "Johnny", perhaps the most difficult character, in that he appears attracted to casual relationships rather than the love "Bobby" has for him, and needs in return. But these are indeed supporting characters, flitting like moths around the hot flame that is "Bobby".
Les invasions barbares (2003)
A wonderful, warm and moving film
Having enjoyed "the Decline of the American Empire" I deliberately went to this film without knowing anything more about its content. I was surprised to find that at the most basic level, it is about death. What was even more surprising was how moving, funny and uplifting such a film could be.
Why is this film called "The Barbarian Invasions"? For me it is about the invasion of modernity and the pace and values of our current society, epitomized by the son, Sebastien; and the more socialist and human values of the father, Remy, who does not wish to be whisked off to some high-tech hospital to die with the best technological care money can buy. The contrast of the crowded, confused and underfunded Quebec hospital, with its long waiting list for critical equipment, on the one hand, and its efficient and orderly US counterpart is brutal.
We see Remy surrounded by friends, family, and ex-lovers, and appreciate how much these contribute to easing his final days, yet Sebastien's income from his big-city job in corporate finance buys many comforts too - from more, and more private, space in hospital, to heroin to ease his pain, even to the purchase of "friendship" from Remy's one-time students.
At this level, and at the human level, Arcand is accepting, tolerant and non-judgmental. Remy himself is no paragon, yet one cannot help shedding a tear for him. Despite his own judgment that he has achieved nothing in his life, his flirtations, which continue right up to his deathbed, have left him rich and warm memories. Although his children are far different from him in values and lifestyle, there is by the end reconciliation and warmth.
This is a movie to make you think about what is important in life. Sebastien is inched back from an obsession with his job, his laptop and cell-phone, to a reconciliation with his father, while Nathalie (at the opposite extreme) begins the tough task of dealing with her drug addiction. Both, in their own way, have contributed materially to Remy's dying days, but in the process have discovered something about themselves.