December 4th 2025
Nuremberg
Twiggy
Careless
One Shot with Ed Sheeran (streaming on Netflix)
An excellent week to be a movie lover! Powerful performances and history in Nuremberg, the delightful story of Twiggy, the challlenges facing older Aussies who wish to age in their homes, and a streaming treat for music lovers.
Nuremberg
Dir: James Vanderbilt
Length: 148 mins
 |
© Madman - Crowe and Malik play psychological
games in a disturbingly powerful piece of history |
The landmark Nuremberg trials, lasting for one year after the end of World War II, saw an international tribunal prosecute high level German officers for crimes against humanity. Prosecutor Robert Jackson (an excellent Michael Shannon) argued that individuals, not only states, could be responsible for war crimes, and helped create a new framework for international law. US army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek) was tasked with examining 22 Nazi war criminals to see if they were fit to stand trial. Most notable among the defendants was Reichsmarshall Hermann Goering (Russell Crowe), and it is the relationship between him and Kelley that underpins much of this gripping film, which combines courtroom drama, psychological thriller, and war history. It's great to see Crowe back in such a powerful performance. Both he and Malik create an intriguingly weird chemistry, as the relationship between the men wavers between adversarial and at times borders on friendship. The film's setting is austere and subdued, being mostly prison and courtroom based, but one shocking scene will sear into viewers' memory, as five minutes of real Auschwitz footage is screened during the trial. Despite the disturbing nature of such a film, it is important viewing, reminding us how easily countries can veer into dictatorships, and why world-wide vigilance and calling governments to account is so critical.4 - highly recommended
Twiggy
Dir: Sadie Frost
Length: 94 mins
 |
© Transmission - a life that is so much
more than a 60s modelling icon |
You may never have heard of Lesley Hornby, but you no doubt know the world-famous model she became. In 1966, at the age of 16, the world discovered the wafer-thin girl with the big eyes, trendy hairdo and androgynous looks. She was declared the face of 1966, and went on to have an amazing life of modelling, acting and singing (Golden Globe Awards, Tony nominations and a Damehood included!) This delightful documentary traces that life, with many nostalgic archival clips, interviews with Twiggy then and now, and much commentary from people who have known her: Dustin Hoffman, Joanna Lumley, Paul McCartney, Brooke Shields and more. The film has a casual, relaxed feel, with Twiggy coming across as a really "nice" person, still true to her lower class roots and with little artifice. Director Frost also helmed the recent film about 60s fashion designer Mary Quant, and this doco similarly captures an era, while reflecting much about British society and class structure at the time. This is an uplifting, happy film to enjoy, and remember that not all fashion and fame has to be uppity or exclusive.4 - highly recommended
Careless
Dir: Sue Thomson
Length: 88 mins
 |
© The Backlot Films - ageing but still full
of life |
Most people don't want to dwell on the topic of growing old, but the truth is, all of us will probably be old one day, and that's the way we want it (better than the alternative!) royal commissions we have, aged care is never made a priority, and for several decades now it has been outsourced to private industry who see it as a money-making enterprise rather than a caring one. This sobering doco focuses on several individuals wanting to grow old in their own homes, and navigating the bureaucratic maze known as My Aged Care. Focus is on Margaret, the 89-year-old mother of the director, as well as Beverley who has regular in-home care, Olivia, whose daughter has come from England to help her mother, and happily married Italian couple Luciana and Mario. The director never stereotypes old age; we feel keenly the human side of these people, we see photos of them in their youth, and we hear from them their memories, feelings and fears. Nor does Thomson let governments off the hook; without lecturing she makes it very clear that the powers-that-be have never done the right thing by their ageing populaton. There is enough humour to offset possible gloom, and a cute device of having several young kids narrate emphasises again that age awaits us all. The film won the Audeince Award at this year's MIFF. 4 - highly recommended
One Shot with Ed Sheeran
Dir: Philip Barantini
Length: 61 mins
Streaming on Netflix
 |
© Netflix - spontaneous and joyful -
a musical treat with exceptional filmmaking |
Short and sweet - oh so sweet, and stunningly impressive in terms of the filmmaking techniques employed to make this documentary. For those of you who watched the impressive four-part series Adolescence, you may recall each episode was done in one shot. And here again the same director, Barantini, films for one hour, with one continuous shot. This inspired doco features singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran as he does a sound check for an upcoming gig, then heads into the streets of New York, playing his guitar, singing his top hits, surprising people at birthday parties and impromptu marriage proposals and climbing onto a New York bus for a singalong with delighted passengers. This is a privileged insight into a genius songwriter, and there is something so warm and natural in the way he relates to his delighted fans, that you feel you are along for the ride. But it took meticulous planning and a team of thousands (crew, police and more) to make this naturalistic documentary. I suggest you watch the film with subtitles on to get true insight into the depth of emotion and creative genius of Sheeran's lyrics. This is an absolute joy to watch - a happy doco - and testament to the possibilities of the art of film-making.5 - Unmissable
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