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AnnaSpanner
Reviews
Weekend (2011)
A pleasant surprise
Well, this film was a little bobby dazzler! I must be honest, I picked it because the cover looked nice and I like a good romance story. But this film is so much more than that.
I liked both the main characters instantly - although for very different reasons. Russell, I just wanted to make him happy - his character is very self contained with an air of sadness and Tom Cullen portrays this really well. Glenn's character, played by Chris New, was really interesting and I watched the first hour of the film wanting to see him soften up and stop playing the cheeky chappie. It's worth the wait for the moment when there's a real intimacy between them (and I refer more to psychological than physical, but both apply) and you get to see Glenn show the sensitivity you always knew was lurking.
I must admit, this isn't a subject matter that I either seek out or avoid, so to me it was interesting to learn a bit more about what gay men deal with and I really felt for both of them, who deal with challenges in very different ways.
This film was real, warm and understated and I really enjoyed seeing the story unfold. I would have liked a to see them walk off into the sunset together at the end... but that's because I'm soppy and like a 'happy ever after' ending!
Forget Me Not (2010)
Gentle and understated - a good watch.
I enjoyed this film a lot, it was more than I was expecting. It's not your standard romantic drama, and it's clear that there was no big budget or fanfare with this - but that's why I liked it. It meant that there was no distraction from the two main characters in the film and I could concentrate on their stories. Tobias Menzies plays his character with an understated confidence, he allows you to understand him and his ways in your own time. Genevieve O'Reilly is also good and plays a very likable character. There's a chapter of her story, involving her grandmother, which felt a little 'shoe-horned' in, and there may have been another way of introducing the subject of memory to the film in a less contrived way. I never saw the end coming (the two have a conversation at the end in which all is revealed), and the final scenes were really good - although nobody warned me this film was a weepy! All in all, a good film and I'm pleased to have watched it.
The Bourne Legacy (2012)
Bit of a let down
I was a little disappointed with this film, not least because I found it quite difficult to follow. Perhaps I've been spoilt with the original trilogy of Bourne films which were smooth and easy to watch. Where the originals lead you through the story at a comfortable pace, this film jumped around and was actually quite hard work.
Rachel Weisz and Jeremy Renner were OK, not amazing, just OK. I think more could have been done with their characters to give them the depth that we've become used to with Matt Damon, Franka Potente and Julia Stiles.
There was plenty of action in this film, and to be fair, the action scenes were just right - not too much of the silliness you can find in some Hollywood films - they were well choreographed and kept you rooting for them.
Overall, this was not a patch on the Bourne Identity, Supremacy & Ultimatum films and I probably wouldn't watch it again.
The Departed (2006)
A film to watch again and again.
Without a doubt, this is one of my all time favourite films. It has everything - drama, action, intrigue and romance. In addition to this, the soundtrack is fabulous - it's not been out of my CD player for years.
Leonardo DiCaprio plays his character brilliantly; he is compelling and warm and from the moment we meet him it's impossible not to root for him. Likewise for Matt Damon; he is easy to dislike, although he adds vulnerable traits to his character that keep you intrigued. And Jack Nicholson... well, as you'd expect, his performance is spot on.
The plot moves quickly, but still has depth and detail. It is unpredictable and at times will have you on the edge of your seat. The violence is raw and there is no 'fluff', just a decent story excellently told.
I could watch this again and again - and have!
Blue Valentine (2010)
Subtle and honest
Whilst not a cheery film, I still really enjoyed this. Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling play their characters brilliantly - both completely believable with traits that all can relate to. The film portrays both the highs of a new relationship and falling in love, to the time at the end when a couple has simply grown apart. A very truthful story that will resonate with many. Both sides of the story are portrayed fairly making it easy to empathise with both characters. The film has none of the glamour that can alienate an audience (isn't it frustrating to watch a film where the leading lady is always immaculate?!) which also enables the viewer to relate to the characters. I'd certainly watch it again.