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fred-dobbin
Reviews
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
Beware, consummate professionals at work!
Beware, consummate professionals at work! A few words to those whose favourite movie actors are 'pretty' and soft focused in closeups and who fumble and mumble their way through their script, and who possess less talent than a stuffed dodo; Watch this film. Watch it to see a catalogue of the cream of British acting professionals offer a flawless lesson in their craft. The line up includes two Dames (Judi and Maggie), plus Penelope Wilton, Celia Imbrie, Bill Nighy, Ronald Pickup and Tom Wilkinson. These folk have acted week after week, decade after decade since their teenage and it shows! They make the whole 'bitty' business of film performance look effortless. My own definition of acting is 'rehearsed spontaneity' and these marvellous actors-- if the director requests it-- can produce take after take of precision delivery. A quivering lower lip from Penelope Wilton, for example, can bring on the goose bumps. The minor players are well cast and are a worthy match for the seasoned veterans. This film has charm, warmth, wit and wisdom in abundance. Technically too, it is well crafted and the overall 'feel good factor' at the final fade-out, is 10 out of 10 and I hope the awards flood in.
The Man Who Never Was (1956)
A favourite from way back.
I have had this film in my list of favourites since I first saw it as a young lad. The movie sticks closely to Ewan Montague's account of the real events. (I've read his book.) Generally, the acting is fairly wooden, with only Boyd's performance showing signs of realism. Flemyng also shows a comedic flare in his few close-ups. With this film it is the true story that holds our interests and also that most haunting poem, delivered at the opening titles. "Last night I dreamed a deadly dream..." etc.. I will recall all of those evocative words until I die. Overall, a fine film, with some flaws and considerable ageing in style. Nevertheless, true to the period and riveting to the end. Even the romantic interest between Gloria Grahame and William Russell doesn't distract. They both did their best. I like this film very much indeed.
La rivière du hibou (1961)
Absolutely my all time favourite film.
I first saw this unheralded shortish black and white film on the same bill as Hitchcock's 'The Birds'. It was in London 1963. Hitch's film left me unmoved, simply because the preceeding short, 'Incident at Owl Creek', completely overpowered me with its absolute brilliance. With minimal soundtrack dialogue and masterful cinematography and editing technique, it confirmed my intentions, as a 23-year old, to pursue a life in cinematography. It's impact was profound. This is true cinema at its very best. Cinema's language, grammar, syntax, et al, is there for everyone to appreciate. I place it in the same elevated company as 'Battleship Potemkin' and 'Citizen Kane'. Most folk vote 'Citizen Kane' as their number one. For me, Kane must come second to this amazingly crafted, almost silent film. I wonder what Orson Wells made of it. I'm sure he appreciated the pure craftsmanship in every frame. 'Kane' and 'Potemkin" have what it takes, but this simple and almost unheard of film has the top honours, in my humble opinion. Magnificence in simplicity. Somebody please bring it out on DVD.