Anomalisa DVD Review

(Adult) Toy Story

Released : March 11th 2016

Certificate : 15

Director : Charlie Kaufman, Duke Johnson

Cast : David Thewlis, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan

Plot : A man (Thewlis) who is depressed by the mundanity of his life, finds hope in a chance meeting with a stranger (Jason Leigh).

Famously wacky none mainstream filmmaker, Charlie Kaufman returns with Anomalisa, a film adaption of his play of the same name. Most famous for his writing ability, with a number of his films being Oscar nominated for their screenplay, including Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind and Being John Malkovich. For this film he ventures in directing as well (this being his most famous director role), along with little known film maker Duke Johnson. Anomalisa gained an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film.

Several imaginative qualities are obvious within the framework of this film. Firstly there is the stop-motion animation work, and as well as this how all but two characters, our leads, are voiced by the same actor, Tom Noonan. This latter feature is obviously a clever way to convey how our lead character, Michael, views everyone as the same and finds no variety or pleasure from his interaction with people. A Guardian article (and others) have suggested, due to this voicing effect, the films dream sequences and how the all the character are animated to look alike (apart from our leads), that Michael suffers from Fregoli delusion. This is a delusion where a person believes everyone else to actually be the same person who changes their appearance. Without further research into Kaufman response or inspiration for the film, I am unaware if this theory carries water. But alike many of the Kaufman’s films, they are so jarring and imaginative in their storytelling, that is seems wrong to attempt to narrow it down to one meaning. If Kaufman’s intention here was to convey messages about the nature of mundanity and depression, instead of the delusion, then these effects are very creative.

The script for the film is much less subtle or effective in this respect of conveying meaning. While not all of his films preach about life’s deeper meanings and the human nature, this film and Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, do carry these. Unfortunately ‘Eternal Sunshine…’ far surpasses Anomalisa in richness of dialogue and overall script. The overall negativity and pointless conveyed in the dialogue of Michaels character with everyone else is rather ‘obvious’ and unimaginatively done. People in the hallways of the hotel and always swearing or masturbating. As well as this the dialogue of the romance that ensues between Michael and the shy self-conscious Lisa, who he falls for were lacking in panache . While realistic, the scenes weren’t half as moving or gripping as his previous work which so greatly captured people’s spirits.

As for the story as a whole, without spoilers, the film will likely leave the bulk of the audience feeling unfulfilled. Not that a film is obliged to perform this task, and critiquing of a storyline sometimes feels obtuse, due to its very subjective nature, but I too was left dissatisfied. For those who enjoy and respect ending that rebel against a conventional film ending of boy meets girl, then there may be something here for you. But for a film that examines life and human nature, it would have been nice to have an ending that attempted to answer these questions or approach them a little better.

Anomalisa is alike all of Kaufman’s films, beautifully made, with create creativity and flare. This films approach to the topic matter is a bit more generic and less aesthetically surprising than his other films. But it still packs a lot more heart and craft than many other films of last year, just not up to his regular work.

Verdict : One of Kaufmans weaker films. It’s not quite as entertaining or thought provoking as his other works, but is still a heartfelt well-made study of the human condition.

Verdict : 3/5

Quote : “At last! Another person!”

Inside Out DVD Review

Finding Emo 

Released : July 24th 2015

Certificate : U

Director :  Pete Docter, Ronnie del Carmen

Cast : Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Kaitlyn Dias

Plot : The story of a little happy hockey playing girl Riley (Dias)who has to move across America with her mother and father to a new home, school and life. This has big effects on her emotions, who Joy (Poehler), Sadness (Smith), Disgust (Kaling), Fear (Hader) and Anger (Black) all inside her head.

Disney Pixar’s final instalment before the long awaited and much hyped Finding Dory, for which a trailer dropped a few months after the films release. With the Finding Nemo, Toy Story and The Incredibles, there is a regiments tick box system in order for it to be a Disney Pixar. Firstly you need a topic that has strong childhood themes, not just in the story but equally in message, emotional range and appeal to both adults and children for different reasons. And who better to help meet the film fit that mold, than of the founding sculptors Peter Docter, the writer/director of Inside Out as well small projects such as Monsters Inc and writer of WALL.E and the Toy Story Trilogy (soon to be quadrilogy).

The story structure of Inside Out is filled with features that echo the settings of Monsters Inc, from theme to structure. The way that the emotions of the day are filed away like the scream canisters and of Monsters Inc and the employment like setting that both the emotions and Monster share. For poignant meaning and message, Inside Out carries enough to match all of the past Pixar films. It could be argued that the fact the stories characters are actual emotions makes this easier than to do so with abstract characters such as Toys and Monster as your dealing with inner thoughts from the start, which is true. But this by no means take away from the skill and talent that has gone into the script of Inside Out. From the relationship that the child has with the parents, to the relationship between the emotions characters all of which is a relish to watch. Providing sampling of high quality laughter and tears in the right balance for the film to provide the perfect feel good film. And if this wasn’t enough the film can be praised for its tackling of the most universal topic, in a way that children can enjoy, and maybe even learn from.

Second to Docter work on the funny and moving script, is that of his directorial work. For the sake of hyper criticism, the world that is created inside Riley mind, isn’t quiet as entertaining as that of the Monsters worlds, despite its simplistic metaphorical construction. Some sections of the mind seeming slightly overly dramatic (huge islands of life sections collapsing over minor issues), but for the sake of the children, this wont be noticed. And due to the strong script, the entertainment is plentiful via that of the interactions of sadness and joy through this world. This joined with the aurora of the Monsters Inc universe, with the field memories, the construct of a professional environment within her mind and the scope makes it hugely enjoyable. And besides, a film about emotions doesn’t hugely rely on the setting. Docter construction of the outside world with that of the inside world is handled beautifully, particularly in the more emotion scenes of the film. Allowing for the message of conflicting emotions to be clearly conveyed to the target younger audience. The literally fight conflict between the emotions proves for particular pleasure.

As for the emotions themselves the voice casting is outstandingly well done, with many of the actors persona’s matching the emotions they portray. With an ensemble of good characters, no doubt that each family member will walk out saying which was there favourite. In the name of fun Bill Harder’s voice as Fear supplied me personally with the most fitting voice for the emotion and supplied the most entertainment. But the main selling point character wise is that of the chemistry between Joy and Sadness. Due to the extreme of emotions and brilliant nature of the script, the actors jobs were almost effortless. It is for this reason why the two create yet another total mesmerizing and unforgettable character friendships of a Disney Pixar film, able to stand tall next to Buzz and Woody, Mike and Sully. Through Joy and Sadness will never likely gain the same iconic stature as these cinema duo’s, they certainly deserve their spot as character duo’s across both the animated and non-animated greats. As well as this the interactions of all the emotions in front of the screen seeing Reilly’s world is both brilliant as it is simplistic in concept, hence Inside Out carries a huge punch of character quality to stand out this year in cinema. Perhaps not for complex or flawed nature, but purely in terms of entertainment.

Inside Out is without doubt the best feel good film of the year, there are some who might resist due to the huge critical consensus, shown by its 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. But for a slight degree, with an animated Pixar film critic viewing can be allowed to be toned down. As these film in essence are for the entertainment of children, and the simplistic telling communication of some important metaphorical messages. As long as the film is aiming to please these two demands, then it is only a questioned of how enjoyable the film is found to be. And Inside Out passed with flying colours as quite possible the most touching film Pixar has made. Audiences will laugh as like children with a perfect tone of comedy that deals with all the emotions flaws equally. And a simplistic yet moving message that can act as comfort for both adults and children. Which is that sometimes you have to feel something, and this is something that you shouldn’t resist or be afraid of, and that it isn’t your fault.

Verdict : No Pixar film has pleased both of its audiences, adults and children, in such equal measurements. Full of warmth and humanity, an imaginative storytelling treat.

Verdict : 5/5

Quote : “Okay, I’m positive that you’ll get lost in there!”

Mini Review: The Boxtrolls (2014)

Released: Available on DVD, Blu-Ray and on demand 26^th January 2015

Certificate: PG

Directors: Graham Annable, Anthony Stacchi

Screenwriters: Irena Brignull, Adam Pava

Cast: Ben Kingsley, Jared Harris, Dee Bradley Parker, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Ellie Fanning

In a pseudo-Victorian city perched precariously on a mountaintop, the residents are plagued by night-time invasions of marauding trolls out to steal their possessions and their children- or are they? The latest stop-motion animation from Laika studios (Coraline, Paranorman) rattles along gleefully, bringing a cast of plucky youngsters, dastardly villains, and preoccupied, cheese-obsessed aristocrats along for the ride. The worlds above and below ground are well thought out and eye-poppingly detailed, and the gags are good. Any kids with a predilection for the macabre will be thrilled with the grottier-than-average rendering of the world of the titular beasties. Unfortunately, the film’s message of tolerance is marred somewhat by a failure to challenge the stereotypical association of male-to-female cross-dressing with deception and villainy. This is a great disappointment in a picture which is otherwise warm-hearted, funny and visually arresting.

Verdict: 3/5

Quote: “The unspeakable has happened. We must speak of it at once!”

Image credit: theboxtrolls.co.uk/gallery