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The Catch (2023)
Dismal and dull with risible accents.
I read the book which wasn't great and this is worse. It amazes me that they get pretty good acting talent who must all be wincing at the accents they deliver their very poor dialogue in. I like several actors here but I felt sorry for them to be honest. The characters are really flat and the story just doesn't flow. Brenda Fricker wanders about providing some low level peril which is just irrelevant and feels like filler, much like the luckless George and lots of other peripheral characters who have no purpose or character. No one speaks like these folks, and it's just a comedy accent which makes every sentence sound like a Two Ronnies sketch. Give it a miss, and probably don't read the book either which wasn't much better.
Anne (2017)
Puzzling
I wanted to like this and I did really enjoy large parts of it. The liberties taken with the source both work and don't work. I think the acting is wonderful, particularly characters such as Diana who have a lot of charm and depth. However the modern liberal attitudes clunk around anachronistically. It is puzzling to think that girls who think you get pregnant from holding hands blithely accept feminist views. It would appear that Anne is the only person in Avonlea who has ever had a thought - she leads every issue from the forefront with gaping characters behind her: in order to shine, everyone else has to be an idiot. She doesn't have consequences to her actions -everyone always forgives her misdemeanours as she saves a child, knows how to manage a fire more than anyone else, attacks the patriarchy - all of these actions including the modern based protests the children make, make this a jarring experience. Matthew attempting suicide, Gilbert travelling the world to return to school - all of these peculiarities clunk about. The warmth and simplicity of Avonlea was what made it special, homespun stories of realistic situations whereas Anne lurches from one crisis to the next. I like the changes in some respects - the character of Bash is welcome with his story and associated characters but it doesn't quite work. Drawing attention to the plight of various minorities and groups is commendable and done well serves a great learning tool in tolerance and a world view to young audience members, but to have characters declare their sexuality and it to be welcomed almost without comment does a disservice to the fight these characters would have had. As a woman, the word consent around sex being a common thread is a relatively new view but in Anne with An E - these concepts are bandied about and accepted more widely than they are now post Me Too! So overall - lots of really charming moments, the cinematography is beautiful, the score is gorgeous and the relatively young cast do very well. But Anne often comes across as a bit deranged rather than free-spirited and I am not sure I would like her in my life.
The Perfection (2018)
Promising but ultimately disappointing
I was very much enjoying this film - I thought the idea was interesting, the cinematography was good and the cast was credible. I found the first third refreshing, the second third challenging and then was so disappointed at the end. It brings up many questions - why destroy someone on a pretext of saving them? There would and could have been better ways to convince Lizzie and this was the most extreme and implausible. However, I went with it right up until the end scenes which went far beyond my suspension of disbelief. Why would you do all that to escape simply to chain yourself to the very abuser you were claiming to rescue everyone from? This was a very disappointing and stupid end to a promising film - it felt they sacrificed all their previous ideas for one single ridiculous shot. Boxing Helena sprang to mind and not in a good way.
Journeyman (2017)
Considine again proves he is the most talented name in British cinema
This is a beautiful film - peppered with moments of humour and breathtaking moments of shock. The use of music is inspiring (Nick Cave amongst the most wrenching) and Considine is a thoughtful and innovative director. I was fortunate enough to be at the screening where he attended for a Q&A and he spoke about the set being the actors' house and how they all feel comfortable and safe. And it shows. Jodie Whittaker is striking in her performance and all the supporting cast shine rather than simply be there. It is a shame that Paddy doesn't get the recognition he deserves. He spoke about turning up for films where he was disappointed in his part and the people he was working with - he is "in films for five pages" whilst we get the Hiddlestons and Redmaynes shoved at us. We should focus on the Paddy Considines and Stephen Grahams a lot more. A lovely, thoughtful and ultimately very moving story beautifully played out by craftsmen.
The Inertia Variations (2017)
Just glorious
If you have ever loved and listened to Matt Johnson/The The, or even if you have not, this is the most beautiful portrayal of an artist stuck in time, in inertia of his own making. Following him over three years in a documentary made by his ex-partner, it covers his period up to writing a new song for the first time in 15 years. Covering the bereavement of his brother Andy Dog who did all the artwork for The The and delving into Matt's difficulties finding his way through the destruction of London, his inability to write new material and his production of Radio Cineola (a marathon broadcast), it rewards The The fans who have been wanting to see inside Matt's creative process. I cried my eyes out frankly and laughed a lot as well. A truly beautiful film. The poetry of this piece of work and recognition of the ever present genius of Matt, this is an entrancing piece of work about music, love, sex, death and of course, politics.