marekj66 Reviews

Le jardin qui bascule (1975)

Interesting, atmospheric, Seyrig superb

[7/10 · 10 March 2007]

This is an interesting film that the public and fans of Delphine Seyrig should seek out. She is given a substantial role and makes the most of it. The film is genuinely odd in that it feels like two unrelated tales; Karl (a hit-man) dispatches his victims coolly. Then he enters the tranquil world of Kate and falls in love, with tragic consequences. The film is beautifully shot and well observed, its complex characters interacting and developing.

For no apparent reason Jeanne Moreau appears and sings a song by Stephane Grappelly. There are shades of Rohmer and painterly influences. The French countryside has rarely appeared lovelier. At times the camera simply lingers on a tree or glass which creates an atmosphere. The performances are terrific, Guy Bedos, usually a comedian, plays it straight here with great success. However, the film belongs to Seyrig, one of the most totally underrated and truly great actress' of theatre and cinema.

End of the Road (1970)

Time this road started again

[17 December 2006]

The End of the Road, is probably Terry Southern's most personal work for the cinema. One over which he had most input and control. Southern's presence is felt throughout the film, from the use of his own East canaan home as a location, to Keach holding a pair of Terry's legendary 'Bono' fly style shades, to Terry's own cameo appearance as a patient.

The film is superbly acted by all concerned, Keach especially and the film is shot and edited as a subversive assault on the psyche and hypocrisy of America at the end of the sixties. Family life and alienation are to the fore, and a profound sadness for the end of the sixties.

The film often goes too far and screams too loudly its in gags and cleverness, but it is genuinely moving and totally unique. One can also say that the ill judged inclusion of the protracted and unwatchable abortion scene, killed any chances the film had of success. Which is a great shame, as this is a film which deserves a wider audience beyond its status as a cult oddity. The End of the Road is one hell of a unique ride if you can stay on board and a great insight into the mind of one of cinema's greatest screenwriters, Terry Southern.

Melinda and Melinda (2004)

Best in ages from Woody

[10/10 · 22 May 2005]

Okay, so Woody Allen's 'Melinda & Melinda' borrows heavily from the structure of Kieslowski's 'The Double Life of Veronique' and 'Sliding Doors (Which itself took off Kieslowski)or even 'Dead Ringers', but this film stands up in its own right. One wishes that Woody would make fewer films, so he could write more into the characters as he has done here. The central premise, is life a tragedy or a comedy? Or more likely both. Just depends how you look at it i guess.

This film also reheats some ideas from 'Hanna & Her Sisters'such as 'best friend' steals boyfriend etc. Woody does not appear himself but again somehow he always manages to possess an actors physical form, in this case Will Farrell. We look laugh at Will but we know he is Woody. If you follow. Radha Mitchell turns in a great performance playing two very contrasting characters. The pill popping, depressive and untogether Melinda (surely yet another Woody stab at Mia Farrow)and the sober and breezy Melinda. Good support and fine performances all round from the likes of Peet etc.

The film manages to be both light and dark, a good balance is struck between the laughs provided by Ferrell/Woody and the more serious aspects. I hate to say this, but this is really a perfect date movie, no violence, no guns, no big bangs.

I think Woody Allen has used the doppleganger conceit to very good effect here and made his best film in ages. If only he felt he had enough time to spend longer on a project... But hey, one day there will be no more new Woody Allen films so we should enjoy them while they last, like life- be it a comedy or a tragedy.

Touch Me (1997)

Important Aids based drama

[8/10 · 9 May 2005]

Touch me is a very interesting film as it takes on the topic of aids in a sympathetic and sensitive manner. Indeed, the first third of the film looks just like a listless stock t.v. romance. The film is distinctly clunky along the way and the substance of Vartan's character is the same as that of the Cutty Sark.

But where the film really starts to kick in and grab you, is when Peet's character finds out she might be infected by a previous boyfriend. This subverts the misguided stereotype that Aids is not a heterosexual issue and takes us into new territory. People in films want to see something new, something truthful and this film does this. Wow, what a challenging role this is for Amanda Peet to take on, few actors would have done this role. The somewhat cheesy romance is put on the back burner which is for the better while we focus on Peet and her experience of trials and tribulations of medical examinations and support groups.

The way the support group is introduced is terrific and the acting of the members of the group is great, particularly Irene Cara (remember her?) who is really ballsy. Peet's character was isolated but now is no longer alone. After passing through every possible tortured emotion, she reaches some kind of acceptance of her condition. Vartan's character loves her and has learnt there is more to life than money.(Cheesy, but hey)

If someone thought they might have aids or who knew someone who did, and they saw this film it would be of great benefit. And this is why this movie is worth seeking out.

King of Hearts (1966)

Sleeping French Culty

[9/10 · 8 May 2005]

When will this film be available to buy? This moving and surreal film deserves to be seen. One of the late Alan Bates' finest roles. The lunatics do not just take over the asylum, here they take over the town! Some find the themes of this film trite, yes it may be termed simplistic, but this is its great charm. It moves and engages, and its final scene with Bates choosing to return to the asylum and his friends over his military life is heartbreaking. The film is able to question notions of alienation and what is 'mental illness'? Who is REALLY crazy? The generals or the inmates? Who decides who is free and who is locked up? A very interesting cult 60's film which along with 'Morgan!' takes a serious look at humanity, war and society.

Dog Day (1984)

Bonkers but oddly moving

[8/10 · 8 May 2005]

Canicule or Dog day is completely bonkers. It is a cartoon really, but a pretty violent and ludicrous one. Lee Marvin in one of his final roles is not given enough screen time, only at the climax of the film is he terrific, really giving his all as the dying gangster (he was probably ill himself then). In the rest of the film he looks on in disbelief and looks like he would rather be elsewhere. There is a lot of 'business' going on inside the farm which is not worth going into and much of the film would be seen a French Farce or as being like 'Carry on' or 'Benny Hill'- if it was not so violent or just plain nasty in its depiction and abuse of its characters.

The film is violent towards women and negative about humans and sexuality in general. The film collapses into the absurd as the body count mounts up as the crazy inhabitants of the farm, police and nearby innocents are all brutally wiped out and the best remaining parts are between the small boy in his surreal 'boat' shaped den and the great Marvin. Ne actor has looked this dislocated from a film since Terence Stamp in 'Theorem'. Lee Marvin was a great actor, but this film is not worthy of him and is only worth a look if you want to see Marvin in this piece of weird French surrealism.

Topkapi (1964)

A timeless masterpiece

[10/10 · 8 May 2005]

One of the greatest early 60's colour pro-to caper movies. Yes, we had the Ealing films but nothing like this glam, very European creation. Hugely influential on films such as 'The Italian Job', 'The Hot Rock' right through to 'Oceans 11'on. Perfect casting, top drawer acting, sparkling innovative direction, great photography. The great shot (among others) of the camera coming down the rope with Schell and how did they shoot those dangerous high rooftop scenes with the real actors?! Mercouri was really luminous here, she is terrific, crackling with energy and that rare thing in a film, a full-on, fully formed mature female character. The film is full of 'characters' because these actors lived a life outside and before acting and it shows. Making this movie must have been a gas! I first saw this film a child and it has stayed with me ever since. I recently saw it again on telly and i knew i had to buy it at once. This film just gets better and better with ever single viewing. The perfect film for a Sunday afternoon, like seeing an old friend. Pierce Brosnan is working on a remake? Boo hoo! Remakes come and go, a reflection of the artistic bankruptcy in much of Hollywood (But not all). Being second is nowhere. It is being first that counts and nothing can detract from this the first, and one of the best caper movies of all time. Merci, I don my cap to you M. Dassin!