danieljfarthing

In stunning musical "Wicked" (the origin story of The Wicked Witch Of The West from "The Wizard Of Oz") Cynthia Erivo (excellent) is the young 'witch', bullied for being different (born with green skin) particularly by nemesis / friend Ariana Grande (outstanding) as she finds her way to her true calling via the likes of Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey (terrific), and Jeff Goldblum (as 'The Wizard'). It's deliciously clever (props to Winnie Holzman & Dana Fox's screenplay) and looks / sounds incredible (props to director Jon M Chu). 2hrs 41mins of musical is a lot to take (especially for only the first half of a duology as this film is) but it is still an undeniably spectacular movie.

Low-budget Brit period drama "On The Line" tries aping the real-time one person / one room style of the likes of "Locke" or "Buried", and although it falls way short of them its intent is admirable. The only person on-screen is 1960's Alderney Island switchboard operator Victoria Lucie, whose role with the technology of the time was to connect telephone callers with each other - which on this occasion puts her at the center of an ongoing abduction & possible murder. Credibility is stretched thin, but it's just about engaging enough, with twists, and wraps up early at 1hr 14mins. Though it's mediocre fare, Oliver Pearn's writer / director debut still makes him one to keep a look out for.

In downbeat Greek mythology drama "The Return" King Odysseus (Ralph Fiennes) secretly returns to his Ithica home island 20yrs after leaving to lead the victory of the battle of Troy. In his absence Queen Penelope (Juliette Binoche) has waited with their son Telemachus (Charlie Plummer) as thuggish suitors (inc Tom Rhys Harries, Marwan Kenzari & Chris Corrigan) gather to replace him, while Ithica deteriorates into depression. Uberto Pasolini's direction is basic to the point of cheap, and his screenplay (co-written with John Collee & Edward Bond) is sluggish & ambiguous. An interesting choice of tale to tell - but one not interestingly told, sadly.