Jamie passion and passionfruit!

A small, poignant and thoughtful drama based on an acclaimed novel and about a young Bangladeshi woman sent to Britain as a child bride of 17 to a man 20 years her elder, physically unattractive and miles from her in interests.  We take up the story 17 years later as she becomes curious about the world, meets a younger man she has feelings for and wonders if her daughters will suffer the same fate.  11 September is around the corner with a rise in Muslim activism and her husband finally wants to take the family on that long awaited journey home.  Nazneen (very effectively played by Tannishtha Chatterjee) has mixed feelings about all this and the film beautifully portrays this period of doubt and growth.  Satish Kaushik makes the unattractive Chanu an interesting character who, though trapped in Muslim macho attitudes, does have a heart. Lovely photography and music as well.  Most of all it is a good movie about marriage.

* * * *

Impressive recreation of period in this thriller about the July 20 plot to kill Hitler by a bunch of high ranking Nazi officers.  It’s an incredible story too.  But as a film it hardly set me on fire despite a great selection of top Brits in supporting roles.  Why?  Well, part of it has to do with Tom Cruise in the lead role who acts in a restrained way but just can’t pull off this sort of part.  He is too American and does nothing to hide his accents.  The homogenized non-Germanic nature of the supporting actors all using a variety of accents and styles is a mess compared to many films that have pulled off the accent issue (if Meryl can do it …). And in the end there is something leaden about the storytelling and something largely undramatic.  Good photography and music help save the show but I left this film wanting a good laugh and I am sure that was not intended.

* * +

Low-key and harsh drama penned by the excellent Hanif Kureishi about a mother who visiting her children in London, loses her husband and then for fear of returning to her home stays on and brings things between her daughter and she to a head by bedding the daughter’s boyfriend!  It may seem sensational but is in fact a tense and awkward drama about dysfunctional families, the lack of respect for others and where people put the blame for their unsatisfying lives.  It is also about the right of senior citizens to have a sex life.  Great acting from Anne Reid and Daniel Craig in particular, well photographed, directed and scored.  Maybe not a fun night out but definitely a thought provoking and rewarding film.

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The second feature by Argentina’s Celina Murga, this is relatively minimalist in plot and action but rich in subtlety of meaning as she explores a week in the life of a bunch of rich teenagers in a gated community.  Their parents are away and they try to keep themselves amused like breaking into houses or joy riding or simply playing at play station.  Through small incidents, looks and comments we discover how they perceive the outside world, their lives and the people like guards and maids who work for them.  It is a strange existence and they have contradictory behaviour, defending the ‘prison rules’ to others but striving to break them whenever possible and expecting impunity!  Nothing you could call great in it, but far richer than you would first think. Juvenile actors like sisters Magdalena and Sofia Capobianco shine, especially the latter as the sensitive younger girl who delivers a lovely song at the local concert.

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As the days go by since seeing this modern morality tale by Mike Leigh, it rises in my estimation.  Seeing how people react when confronted by an extremely optimistic person is fascinating.  Leigh’s film lags a little in places but delivers lots to chew over.  Sally Hawkins as Poppy, the optimist in question performs a tour-de-force managing to be engaging just when we thin she will be unbearable.  Eddie Marsan as Scott, the manic driving instructor is a little over-the-top but credible all the same and London does its bit for the backdrops.  Cracking script and some funny scenes.

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Gus Van Sant plays it relatively straight in this biopic of slain gay councillor, Harvey Milk.  No great frills or inspiration, just a solid recounting of his eight year rise to fame in San Francisco and his murder at the hands of a jealous/crazy colleague.  Somehow this film for all its correct retelling of the events fails to ignite any great sparks and often comes across as a well-made telefilm.  Van Sant is capable of much more.  Sean ‘Meryl Streep’ Penn creates another highly credible if dullish character, Josh Brolin and Emile Hirsch show their chameleon stripes in good supporting roles while James Franco does little and Diego Luna is miscast as Jack his final lover.

* * * * (just)