Review: Only Lovers Left Alive
Released: 21st February
Certificate: 15
Director: Jim Jarmusch
Cast: Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, Anton Yelchin, John Hurt
Jim Jarmusch delivers a bizarre and delightful experience in this story of Eve (Tilda Swinton) and Adam (Tom Hiddleston), two vampires who have been in love for centuries, possibly millennia.
If we ignore the fact that it’s unlikely that people as old as Adam and Eve (the film is ambiguous about whether these two are the Adam and Eve) would be light-skinned, then Swinton and Hiddleston are impeccably cast. Swinton emanates her characteristic ethereal charm, and brings such a level of grace and gravity to Eve that it’s not a stretch to believe she’s lived for centuries. Hiddleston likewise embodies the dour and reclusive Adam, who unlike Eve can only see humanity’s failings (he mourns the ostracism of Nikola Tesla and the death of an obscure composer in the American civil war), and is blinded to its wonders. The relationship between the two is tender and honest, and well realised by both of the leads.
Jarmusch’s hypnotic direction, all slow rotation and high angled static shots, frames the story perfectly. For Adam and Eve, time is relentless but immaterial, and the camera alternately lingers and shifts to remind us of this fact. Happily, this gives the viewer time to observe the remarkable sets, which are lavish and detailed (full props to the art department). Despite this the pace of the film is by no means languid, and the characters exist in a world of sharp, cryptic dialogue and improbable literary pseudonyms which provide ample and (occasionally exquisitely unexpected) excitement and humour.
The characters’ vampirism is also subtly played out, serving partly as a metaphor for addiction and partly as an examination of how people come to terms with and control (or otherwise, in the case of Mia Wasikowska’s brilliantly played Ava) the baser elements of their nature. The traditional trappings of cinematic vampires are used effectively but with tantalising restraint, and although a mythology is hinted at this remains very much a story about people, rather than plot. Absolutely nobody sparkles.
Although I was enraptured, I suspect this will become something of a ‘marmite’ film. It is undeniably stylised, and one could put forward the criticism that it’s a little too sparse. While the humour is generally sharp and well-balanced, it very occasionally veers into high camp, and bizarrely might have benefitted from taking itself a little more seriously. However, for me these small criticisms did little to detract from what is a wonderfully strange piece.
Verdict: 4.5/5
Quote: “Please feel free to piss in the garden”
Review: Dallas Buyers Club
Released: 7th February
Certificate: 15
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Cast: Matthew Mc Conaughy, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner, Steve Zahn.
Matthew McConaughy continues his career reinvention in the role of Ron Woodroof, a Dallas man diagnosed with HIV in the height of the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. McConaughy cuts a striking figure having shed several stone in order to play Woodroof, and he fully inhabits the role, creating a full complement of physical mannerisms including a limping gait and Cheshire cat grin. Woodroof exists as an electrician and small time grifter in the hyper-masculine fields of manual work and the rodeo. After an accident at work lands him in the hospital, he is diagnosed with AIDS and given 30 days to live.
Dallas Buyers Club does a good job of illustrating the stigma which surrounded AIDS in the 1980s, as early on in the film Woodroof finds himself ostracised once word gets round of his diagnosis of what was then perceived to be a uniquely ‘gay disease.’ Ron’s friendship circle, where words like ‘f*ggot’ are thrown around with impunity, are quick to desert him. Once the physical symptoms become more apparent, Ron begins in earnest to search for treatments for his disease, discovering that the tangled world of FDA approval is laden with money-grabbing and red tape. McConaughy is a solid on-screen presence, handling Woodroof’s character arc deftly. He is more than capable of handling both the film’s comedy and its tragedy; the latter delivered with impact but never mawkishness.
Jared Leto also gives a solid and nuanced performance as Rayon, a transgender AIDS sufferer. The relationship that develops between Rayon and Woodroof is for the most part tender and compelling, however she still bears the brunt of his initial homophobia, and as a character is never really allowed much development beyond what is required to support Woodroof’s arc, which is a shame. It seems a missed opportunity that in a story centred around a disease which disproportionally affected the gay and transgender community, it is a straight man who takes centre stage and a trans woman who must support him.
The pace of the film is well-judged, following Woodroof closely through his days post-diagnosis, then picking up speed as he establishes his ‘Buyers Club,’ a subscription service providing non-FDA approved medicine to HIV sufferers. Good support is also provided by Jennifer Garner playing a young doctor uncomfortable with her involvement in the drug trial for anti-retroviral AZT. Her story arc offers a fascinating glimpse into hospital politics and healthcare’s relationship to big pharma during the AIDS crisis, and it’s unfortunate that this isn’t further explored.
Verdict: 3.5/5
AES
Authors note: although the character of Rayon is referred to as ‘he’ by other characters in the film, several trans* commentators have pointed out that this is a case of misgendering that feeds into the wider issues of transphobia in Hollywood and society generally. As all evidence in the film indicates that Rayon identifies as a woman, I have used female pronouns (she/her/hers) to refer to her throughout this review. For more information on this, please read these articles.
Out Of The Furnace Review
A Lot Of Crazy Hearts
Released : January 29th 2014
Certificate : 15
Director : Scott Cooper
Cast : Chritian Bale, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck
Plot : Set in pre-Obama America, ex-solider Rodney Baze Jr (Affleck) finds it hard to fit back into society, and due to his service to his country refuses to work for a living through a common job despite encouragement and support from his brother Russell (Bale). As a result Rodney get involved in bare-knuckle boxing, where he counters with mobster Harlan DeGroat (Harrelson). When Rodney goes missing and the police seem inept to react, Russell is forced to take matters into his own hands.
So has you can read above on the basis of story line, there’s not much originality, as it is the old famous story of a man forced into becoming a vigilante. Although this is been made many time before, its still entertaining to see, and by none other than Batman himself. But story is not where the film excels.
The film is really held together by outstanding performances from the likes of Bale and Affleck, and from the good work from Scott Cooper, in creating an grey atmosphere to suite the story line (he would do considering that he wrote the film). Bales second none Batman performance is as nearly outstanding as his last. In OOTF he plays a common trodden down american, who endures manslaughter, prison, break up, and family loss (so hes skillful at having a good cry). But Bales all round believable and moving performance is outstanding.
Also a another surprisingly (for me) performance from Affleck as an ex-veteran who cant quite fit in after his fourth tour of Iraq. As playing the angry, aggressive, little brother, his character comes across as very much the runt of the litter. This is where the film packs it emotional punch for me. The story of the two brothers very different, but still very much care for one another. Affleck paying the injured aggravated little brother, and Bale playing the brother that does what he can to keep his little brother on the straight and narrow. But no matter what he does the little brother cant help but dig a hole for himself. Its a story depicted many time in films, but due to the outstanding performance from both partners, the relationship is very believable and touching when put into the context of the story.
Harrelson character reminded me much of Fassbenders 12 Years A Slave. What I mean by that is both are almost very cartoon like in there acting of being your common bad guy of the film, but with that comes a very scary and actually impressive performance. Harrelson walked the fine line between cartoon typical bad guy, and scary threatening performance, and Woody came up on top. But with this came a story that has been made a lot before, and almost b-movie goodie and badie story, who are destined for a battle. But that does not hinder the performances.
Cooper showed again his skills in showing depraved american setting and grey atmospheres to suit he always melancholy story lines, and like with Crazy Heart, has a gift for bringing out outstanding performances from his main, and on the hole supporting, actors. For this film had fitting supporting performances from the likes of Oscar nominated Sam Shepered, William Defoe and also Forest Whitaker. Cooper also was skilled portrayed the more tense scenes of the film, such as the ending and the purchasing of the drugs from the enemy. The film also features very Crazy Heart style music which is well fitted and enjoyable. The only area where the film lacks is in unoriginal and square story line and in this loses some of its emotional punch.
Verdict : Its doesn’t quite contain the melancholy, moving story line of Crazy Heart but it is very well made and with outstanding performances all round, but some where it loses its memorable piety that we want from a Scott Cooper film. Its a poor story, but its undeniable well made.
Verdict : 4/5
Quote : “Whats it done for me!”
Stuck in the Cheap Seats 
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