January 24th 

Spencer

Macbeth

The Lost Daughter (streaming on Netflix)

Three gems on SBS World Movies

The royals are in the spotlight this week, with an unconventional biopic on Lady Diana, plus a new  version of Macbeth, featuring Denzel Washington. Netflix continues to present most worthy films, while it is always worth checking SBS for what's on their World Movies and On Demand. They may be oldies, but they are goodies!

Spencer

Dir: Pablo Larrain

Length: 117 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lagauhb5GyY

© Universal - Stewart totally captures the
nuances of Diana's style

Larrain is known for his rather unconventional depictions (think Jackie, the story of Jackie Kennedy, 2016). So don't expect a factual account of Princess Diana's life; in fact don't expect her life story at all. Rather, this is three imagined days over Christmas, spent at Sandringham Castle, at the point in her life when Diana realises it's time to end the marriage to Charles. We see the princess in all her psychologically disturbed glory - causing ructions at stuff-shirt family meals, vomiting up her food, having emotional meltdowns one after the other, and seeming only relaxed and happy in the company of her beloved sons William and Harry. Visually this film is ravishing, with German castles standing in for the British ones, indecently opulent beyond belief. The outfits worn by Diana are stitch-perfect, but it is Stewart's capturing of every tiny nuance of the tormented princess that is a tour de force - the tilt of the head, her deer in the headlights eyes, her idiosynchratic walk. Every member of "the firm" comes across cold as ice, Charles especially so, generating much audience sympathy for the unfortunate Diana. Her only friend in her royal prison is lady-in-waiting Maggie (an excellent Sally Hawkins). Even though aspects of the plot are created and fantastical, even whimsical at times, the whole gives a powerful glimpse into a life that must have been hell.

4 - highly recommended

The Tragedy of Macbeth

Dir: Joel Coen

Length: 105 mins

In cinemas and also Streaming on Apple + 

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptqe7s6pO7g

© A24 - a worthy addition
to the Macbeth collection

I doubt I need to tell any of you the plot of Macbeth, but I do need to say I am not the ideal reviewer for this, never having been much of a Shakespeare buff. According to Wikipedia there are more than 20 film versions - so far. Several things set this version apart. The choice to shoot in black and white is inspired, bringing an unsettling brooding look to the film, its sparseness and impressive use of light and shadow somehow underscoring the heartlessness and coldness of Macbeth and his steely wife. Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand as the murderous couple bounce powerfully off each other, as each goes through their arc of ambition, doubt, guilt and ultimately inner torment and near insanity. They both eschew loud  histrionics, using a measured approach that makes them feel like real people we could relate to. The film's imagery is inspired, from the use of wheeling birds and foggy landscapes to the chilling depiction of the witches, whose predictions set Macbeth upon his path of treachery. All the cast are top-notch, while the timeless story reminds us yet again of the dire consequences of overreaching, a human trait that has always brought personal and widespread grief to the world. Advice: watch it with subtitles if you can. 

4 - highly recommended

The Lost Daughter

Dir: Maggie Gyllenhaal

Length: 121 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNq9YOfL0Zs

© Netflix - Coleman, as always, is brilliant as
a troubled  woman haunted by her past 

Literature professor Leda (Olivia Colman) takes a solitary Greek holiday, which is disrupted when a rowdy American-Italian family turns up. Leda becomes fixated upon the relationship between mother Nina (Dakota Johnson) and her little girl, Elena. Dark memories of Leda's own struggles with motherhood and a broken family rise up. It's best not to reveal too much of this complex plot, which in fact challenges viewers to make their own interpretations of character's motivations, and even of actual events. The film is a psychological insight into life's frustrations and regrets, particularly for women struggling with motherhood. Young Leda, seen in many flashbacks, is superbly portrayed by Jessie Buckley, and needless to say Colman, is, as always, flawless in her nuanced performance. Ed Harris makes a welcome appearance as Lyle, manager of the holiday apartments. The film won't be for everyone; its slow and steady pace belies the depth of the turmoil for Leda (and Nina) who harbor secrets and inner challenges. It's great to absorb in a film which, though confined in its physical scope, is broad-reaching psychologically.

4 - highly recommended

Gems on SBS World Movies

Adam: An understated beautiful story of
compassion, set in a Moroccan bakery

In case you don't have streaming services, and feel reluctant to venture into the cinema, remember SBS is always awash with wonderful films - for free!! On my regular SBS newsletter, my attention was drawn to three films which I reviewed in the past, all highly recommended and showing this week. (They are usually to be found On Demand if you miss them.) 

You can revisit my reviews in the blog archive for:

Adam: August 1, 2019 - MIFF reviews

Blinded by the Light: August 16,  2019

Woman at War: April 5,  2019