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Wadjda (2013)

Posted by amateurcinefile on March 22, 2014 in 2013 Film Reviews, Foreign Film Spotlight

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Review by-Jarrett Leahy

Wadjda is an 11-year-old girl living in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Free spirited and a bit of an odd duckling, it is Wadjda’s dream to buy her very own bicycle so that she can race and beat her friend Abdullah. However, in the Saudi culture, it is believed that girls should not ride bikes because they are seen as a threat to a girl’s virtue. Never one to be deterred and ever the resourceful young girl, Wadjda has been saving every Riyal she can get her hands on, but still finds herself hundreds short of the amount needed for her beloved bicycle. One day, Wadjda decides to sign up for the schoolwide Koran recitation contest, hoping the prize money for first place will be enough get her the bike she so dearly covets.
WadjdaWadjda is everything you could ask for in a piece of world cinema. One of the signs of a truly gifted foreign film is if it helps the viewer better understand a culture different from their own. Here Wadjda succeeds gloriously, taking us out of our comfort zone and showing how other people live halfway across the world. We are told that Saudi women are not to be seen or heard in public by men. Because Wadjda’s mother can’t produce a male heir, we see that under Saudi law, her father has the right to find another wife if he so desires. And we feel and sympathize for Wadjda, who is beginning to grasp some of the harsh realities she must face in the society she lives in.
383718283_640Waad Mohammed, the young actress who plays Wadjda is simply a revelation on screen. She confidently personifies the fearless optimism of a young girl who refuses to let life bring her down. From the opening scene, she grabs your heart and doesn’t let go. Striking Saudi actress Reem Abdullah offers a poignantly moving performance as Wadjda’s mother. Always under the constant pressure of society rules, we see and feel her inner strife through her silent yet emotive facial expressions as she toils to provide for Wadjda while trying to persuade her husband not to choose another wife. The loving interactions between mother and daughter are genuine and heartfelt, and their final scenes will leave you with a lump in your throat.
files.phpWhat makes this gifted film even more special is that Wadjda is the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia. Even more, it is the first feature-length film made by a female Saudi director, Haifaa Al-Mansour. It was reported that because of the constraints placed on women in Saudi Arabia, Al-Mansour was not permitted to interact directly with the men on her film crew. During street scenes, she was forced to watch on a monitor in a vehicle close by and then give directions by using a walkie-talkie.

A marvel that it was even made, Wadjda is superb storytelling. It transports the viewers into a foreign land and grants them the opportunity to experience life in a society very different from their own. Skillfully accepting the heavy burden of carrying a film at such a young age, Waad Mohammed shines as the title character. If by the end, this adorable little girl doesn’t win you over, you may want to check your pulse.-JL

Grade: A-

Edited by-Michelle Zenor
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The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Posted by amateurcinefile on March 20, 2014 in 2014 Film Reviews

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Review by-Jarrett Leahy

The Grand Budapest Hotel is crime caper, murder mystery revolving around the exploits of Gustave, a legendary concierge working at the famed and luxurious European hotel, and his newly hired lobby boy and confidant Zero Moustafa. Ever the lady’s man, Gustave inherits a priceless painting, Boy With Apple, when the very wealthy heiress he was having relations with suddenly passes away under suspicious circumstances. When Gustave is framed and hauled away for her death, Zero is compelled to right this injustice brought upon his beloved mentor.

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The Grand Budapest Hotel is a deviously clever comedic drama filled with sharp, witty humor. Ralph Fiennes expertly personifies the charmingly cunning character of Gustave, and Tony Revolori’s portrayal of Zero is sublimely comical. Together they share genuine affection and good-natured camaraderie that is only strengthened by the absurd situations the two experience together.
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Director Wes Anderson has long been known to have at his disposal a stable of extremely talented and loyal actors that jump at the chance to be involved in any project he is working on. So along side these two great leads is an extraordinarily gifted ensemble of amazing supporting stars who bring their own unique set of acting gifts. Being even a small part of Anderson’s universe brings an obvious joy that is exuded from each member of this top notch cast.  The highlight of which is Willem Dafoe’s character Jopling, a homicidal sociopath who will stop at nothing to get the family fortune he covets.

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As a long time fan of Wes Anderson, it’s been a true joy to see him and his elegant, artistic styling slowly being more accepted by mainstream cinema. In an ever-growing world of prequels, sequels, and superhero overload, it’s refreshing to know that filmmakers like Anderson can still be successful without having to compromise their artistic vision. Anderson’s artful use of lavish set pieces gives each of his pictures a distinct look and feel. Once familiar with his styling, it only takes a few scenes to realize you are watching one of his films. As for The Grand Budapest, some may find it difficult to fully grasp or appreciate the exaggerated outlandishness of the story. But for those who embrace this scrumptious fable, you’ll be treated to the first memorable feature film of 2014.-JL

Grade: B+


Edited by-Michelle Zenor
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2 Guns (2013)

Posted by amateurcinefile on March 19, 2014 in 2013 Film Reviews

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Review by-Jarrett Leahy

Two undercover agents, each unaware of the others’ covert status, hatch a scheme to infiltrate a Mexican drug lord’s organization. When the plan goes wrong and allegiances dissolve, Bobby (Washington) and Stig (Wahlberg) find the only people they can truly trust is each other. Based on a graphic novel of the same name, 2 Guns is the second teaming of Icelandic director Baltasar Kormakur and star Mark Wahlberg, joining 2012’s minor hit Contraband.

2 Guns falls under the category of the buddy film, an overplayed sub-genre that gets unmercifully rehashed year in and year out. A sure-fire way for one of these films to differentiate itself from an other is through casting, and in this nature 2 Guns wildly succeeds, landing veteran bad-asses Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. Denzel brings to the film his classic swagger and mystique and Wahlberg has perfected a cocky, comedic timing. Together they add an extra level of credibility and humorous amusement to a story that shouldn’t be as entertaining as it wound up being.
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2 Guns supporting cast definitely looks impressive on paper. Edward James Olmos was a solid casting choice, expertly personifying drug lord Papi Greco’s low key ferocity. Unfortunately, James Marsden and Bill Paxton’s supporting efforts can’t be as highly praised. Paxton, the film’s glaring weak link, gives an exaggerated delivery that crosses over to cringe worthy camp, and Marsden just feels completely out of place. However, the biggest disappointment was Paula Patton, who wound up relegated to cliched eye candy there to only help tie up loose ends to the many convoluted storylines.

As expected with a tale of this nature, 2 Guns is jammed packed with an overabundance of gun play and explosions, as the many plot twists and double crossings obviously require some serious fire power. If examined with a rational brain, 90% of this storyline is absolutely preposterous. But problems with plausibility can simply be explained away by the fact the source material is a graphic novel, and graphic novels aren’t always known for being logical.

2 Guns as a whole wound up being more entertaining than it had any right to be. The obvious reason for this is Washington and Wahlberg, as the two join forces to show that an over-the-top action film doesn’t have to be a completely brainless cinema experience. Despite two questionable supporting performances and the usual pitfalls that come with most shoot-em up action ficks, 2 Guns takes your run of the mill buddy film and infuses it with just enough cool from its leading stars to make it worth watching.-JL

Grade: C+

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Philomena (2013)

Posted by amateurcinefile on March 18, 2014 in 2013 Film Reviews

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Review by-Jarrett Leahy

This afternoon, I introduced Michelle to the touching story of Philomena.  I had originally seen Philomena a month or so before I started up AmateurCinephile, and revisiting it yet again only confirms my initial evaluation of the film.  Philomena is adult cinema of the highest quality. Director Stephen Frears, who is best known for The Queen and High Fidelity, adeptly walks a tight line of telling an important yet difficult story without casting aspersions on the entire Catholic church or organized religion as a whole. What we are offered instead is a tender, heart-wrenching, and cathartic story of a mother’s search for her long lost son.

Philomena Lee, a retired nurse in her late 60’s, suffers from a dark, painful secret from her past that she has kept from everyone in her family. At age 17, innocently naïve, Philomena became pregnant after a one-time love affair with a handsome young man. Mortified, her widowed father abandoned her, leaving Philomena in the custody of a Catholic convent. There she gives birth to a son and is forced to work in the laundry room for four years to pay off the resultant cost of her stay and childbirth. Guilted into relinquishing custody, one day the nuns, without warning, adopted out her beloved son to another family without even allowing her to say goodbye. Now fifty years later, Philomena enlists the help of a recently maligned journalist to aid in the daunting search of the son she never forgot.
Judi Dench in Philomena
Judi Dench is simply phenomenal, giving a performance filled with compassion and goodness, while personifying a humorous appreciation for the simple pleasures of life.  Lingering on her beautifully aged face, the camera invites the study of one of our greatest actresses.  Dench fully embodies Philomena, capturing every emotional nuance and allowing the audience to perceive each feeling she experiences. As difficult as it is to choose a best performance for such a talented actress, Philomena would be my humble choice. In fact, if I could have awarded the Best Actress Academy award for 2013, I would have given it to Dench over Cate Blanchett, who was also brilliant in Blue Jasmine.
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Steve Coogan, who plays the journalist Martin Sixsmith, was the driving force behind bringing Philomena’s story to the big screen, as he was also a co-producer and co-writer of the screenplay. Coogan aptly embodies an exterior of sarcastic skepticism that masks an inner kindness and sympathy for this virtuous woman and her strife.  These two together create an unlikely partnership that is both charming and sincere.

Nominated for four Academy awards including Best Picture, Philomena is storytelling at its finest. Frears is able to share this painfully moving true story without creating too negative a tone or casting blame on anybody other than those directly involved. Judi Dench is an actress in a league few can ever even hope to attain, and Philomena only strengthens that argument.  I beg of you not to ignore or be scared off by the somber nature of the film’s subject matter, Philomena is truly one of the best movies of 2013 and deserves to be seen and appreciated by the widest audience possible.-JL

Grade: A

Edited by-Michelle Zenor
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Blue Is The Warmest Color (2013)

Posted by amateurcinefile on March 16, 2014 in 2013 Film Reviews, Criterion Collection, Foreign Film Spotlight

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Review by-Jarrett Leahy

Adele (Exarchopoulos) is a French high school student who is beginning to explore herself as a maturing woman. Despite dating a young man from school, she struggles with unresolved feelings about her sexuality. One day while walking in the city square, an exotic young lady sporting evocative blue hair catches Adele’s attentive gaze. Instantly infatuated, Adele finds herself vividly fantasizing about this unknown woman, which only adds to her confusion. Noticing this recent internal strife, close friend Valentin tries to help by taking her out to a gay club he often frequents. Bored and awkwardly out of place, Adele leaves her friend and wanders into a lesbian bar where by chance she encounters this same blue-haired girl. After exchanging suggestive glances from across the club, Emma, despite being with another woman, saunters over to Adele and the two share a very flirtatious conversation. As the two begin hanging out more and more, a passionate relationship emerges as their overwhelming attraction becomes too powerful to ignore.

All I can say is what a film! For me there may be no better feeling than being in the presence of truly great cinema. Winner of the 2013 Cannes Film Festival’s top award, the Palme d’Or, Blue is the Warmest Color is one of those rare films that actually lives up to the lofty praise and expectations placed upon it. Adele Exarchopolous and Lea Seydoux who plays Emma, give incredibly fearless and emotive performances. Right from their initial introduction, the viewer is immediately aware of the instantaneous connection between these two. Asked to portray impassioned lovers, their sex scenes are some of the most erotic and lust filled ever conveyed on screen. Director Abdellatif Kechiche, through the an abundant use of close-ups, is able to perfectly capture every emotional nuance shared between these two striking characters.
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Those considering Blue Is The Warmest Color should be aware however it is not free of controversy or complaints from some. Subtitled and clocking in at just under three hours long, Blue is rated NC-17 for its unabashed portrayal of the sexual relationship shared between these two passionate women. Some have taken issue with these very graphic intimate depictions, claiming them to be gratuitous or exploitative. While these scenes are admittedly realistic and uninhibited, they are vital in showing the sensually lascivious connection these two women share along with aiding in the telling of Adele’s exploration and discovery about herself.

Recently released on Blu-ray and DVD by the famed Criterion Collection, Blue Is The Warmest Color joins the likes of Amour and The Hunt as exceptional examples of what modern world cinema has to offer for those open to it. Relative unknown Adele Exarchopoulos is a revelation on screen, adeptly capturing the many confusing emotions brought on by questioned sexuality and from social pressures that surround the idea of living an “alternative lifestyle.” Blue Is The Warmest Color is an excellent yet challenging film that I truly believe most viewers will find is worth the effort.-JL

Grade: A


Edited by-Michelle Zenor
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