Change Your Image
JeromeDavidS
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Queen & Country (2014)
A dignified and poignant sequel to "Hope and Glory"
Watching "Queen and Country" was for me the equivalent of watching a proper and deserved sequel to "Aliens" (1986), written and directed nearly 30 years later by its creator, James Cameron. And even with a completely different cast, you realize that the beloved main characters from the original classic are essentially the same. Only 10 years more mature.
When John Boorman directed "Hope and Glory" (released just a year after "Aliens"), I, at age 16, decided it was and would always be one of my favorite movies. And when in 2014 I knew that, 27 years later, he would release a sequel, I WAS IN HEAVEN. And after watching twice - at the 2014 edition of the Mostra International de Cinema de São Paulo - I can say with relief that all the effort Mr. Boorman had to complete this film was not in vain, quite the contrary. And he has said - at age 81 - that this was his last film. A pity. Because the Rowan family deserves at least a trilogy.
Main points of my review:
- Callum Turner convinces both as the adult version of the main character from the first film, Bill Rowan (the Director in its infancy) and also of his original actor, Sebastian Rice-Edwards, one of those rare cases of a gifted actor who had a role only in life, and made him so special. Turner may not have been a great boat handler as convincing as Edwards (heh), but otherwise, he is Billy Rowan. And not an impersonator.
- IMHO, Caleb Landry Jones (Percy, Billy's best friend in the Army) was one of the best young actors in the amazing cast of "X-Men First Class" (hence my disappointment to learn that his character was killed in "X- Men, Days of Future Past"). In this movie, he alternates between "too much" and "awesome much" (as the Heath Ledger's Joker. Yes I caught thinking myself several times how he would make a great Joker). Maybe he was driven to exaggeration by the director, maybe the actual friend was "just like that". BTW, I'd love to see him in a Terry Gilliam film since Terry understands "crazy" (in a good way). Interestingly, he's a Texan actor playing British characters very well.
- Tamsin Egerton is really the face of royalty and tragic beauty. She also played Guienevere in a TV series ("Camelot"). When her eyes smile, momentarily leaving behind the perennial state of sadness, you're also quite fond of her. At 26, she has the world ahead to conquer for sure.
- With the exception of David Hayman who repeats the role of Billy's father, the rest of the protagonist's family has renewed the cast. The mother and older sister were replaced by another actresses (again, the actors may change but they are essentially the same characters). My biggest disappointment was with Billy's grandfather. Ian Bannen (who died in 1999) was a FORCE OF NATURE, stealing nearly every scene in which he appeared. But in the second session, I began to be content with what I had, maybe the director has opted for someone more like his original grandfather. However, the film does not explain the disappearance of the sister of Billy, Sue (or I wasn't paying enough attention).
- The military characters are all treated with respect and consideration (for a change, they are not stereotypes, but actual human beings).
- Fortunately, the film picks up, with decency and tenderness, forbidden romance between Billy's mother and Mac (the father's best friend), one of the best things from the first movie. Also, fortunately, it shows something that was only suggested in "Hope and Glory": the love of cinema, from the characters mentioning classic movies and directors and the connection of filmmaking with the idyllic river. And fortunately again, the river also reappears: after all, is special as the other members of the Rowan family.
- Music: as in "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" by Billy Wilder, the theme song evokes the tragic main lady. Here, the theme of Ophelia. On the Wilder's film, Gabrielle. And I only realized, of course, the second time I watched.
- Editing: the film manages to give us time jumps at the right pace, you realize the plot moving and the characters maturing. And does not care to leave it all explained to the viewer (like the scene in the hospital where - SPOILERS - Billy sees his first great passion for the last time).
Despite wishing for a sequel - mostly to keep track of what happened (SPOILERS again) between Percy and Dawn - "Queen and Country" is a worthy ending for all these wonderful, old and new, characters.
Thank you, Mr. Boorman.
Dear Courtney (2013)
Very special movie
I saw this little gem of movie making last month at the Mostra International de Cinema - São Paulo (Brazil) and loved it so much. In my humble opinion, it was one of the best of the festival. I was surprised to not find any review here yet.
I didn't know anything related to this project beforehand. I was only attracted by the name of the movie and its intriguing synopsis (about a German teen who "actually" wrote a very famous song). Just like going in a blind date. And what a date!
Everything was so much fun and well done. All the main characters were well acted and engaging, specially the main couple (the real one, heh). Oliver Bröcker looked like Chris Pratt a lot. The music and editing were so good (specially the transition cards between shows).
Without falling in spoiler's territory, let me just say this: as a true fan of Kurt Cobain, I went out of the movie theater VERY emotionally satisfied. He was treated with more trueness, sincerity and tenderness than in any movie before (Last Days tried too hard).
In a nutshell, a movie made with real care and talent by all involved. Should be watched by many people in many countries as possible. Rolf Roring is a special new talent to keep our eyes on.
Congrats and thanks to the filmmakers!