November 17th
She Said
Millie Lies Low
The Velvet Queen
On the Line
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (streaming on Netflix)
I review four new releases coming to cinemas, along with one Netflix feature I finally caught up with. I'm having misgivings about my whole scoring system and the subtleties of ranking one genre of film againt another. In fact most here are great viewing, and well worth giving some of your time to.
She Said
Dir: Maria Schrader
Length: 122 mins
 |
© Universal - doggedness and integrity
in journalism exposed Harvey Weinstein |
In 2017 two New York Times investigative journalists Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan) and Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan) wrote an article on sexual harrassment of women by men in positions of power. Like bloodhounds, the journos then started following long-standing rumours of harrassment by Harvey Weinstein, powerful media mogul and head of Miramax pictures. This powerful feature film, based upon the book the reporters wrote, details the in-depth investigation that led to the downfall of Weinstein, and kickstarted the #metoo movement. This is solid film-making that both honours the hard slog that is journalism, and exposes the vileness and exploitativeness of many men in power over the years. The film never sensationalises facts; rather it makes great use of effective filmic devices as empty rooms (scenes of the crimes) with voice-overs of the women who suffered at Weinstein's hands. An understated and detailed approach is a great strength in the telling of this heinous but vital tale. The two leads work in total synergy and are well supported by Patricia Clarkson as senior editor Rebecca Corbett, and Andre Braugher as Dean Baquet, executive editor. Jennifer Ehle and Samantha Morton are also notable as two of Weinstein's victims. With a gripping score, palpably mounting tension throughout, and a deeply emotional sensibility, the film is both thrilling and chillingly sobering, and bears historic witness to an expose that heralded major changes in the gender wars. 4 - highly recommended
Millie Lies Low
Dir: Michelle Savill
Length: 100 mins
 |
© Rialto - anxiety, self-loathing, lying and
humiliation - all a part of Millie's journey |
Millie (Ana Scotney) wins a prestigious internship with a New york architectural firm but a panic attack as the plane is about to depart sees her off the flight and back in New Zealand. Too embarassed to confess to her friends and family what has happened, she sets up a massive pretense on Instagram that she is safely esconsed in New York, while she tries to scrounge up enough money for another flight. This film is far more layered than it initially appears. The first half relies heavily upon humorous and cringeworthy situations in which Millie digs herself a progressively deeper hole. As the plot progresses we discover much more about a young woman with basic feelings of worthlessness, and although she is a compulsive (and very creative) liar, we feel strongly for her. Scotney's performance is a carefully balanced and telling portrayal of the crippling results of anxiety, and feelings of displacement. The incessant use of Instagram by Millie, her best friend Carolyn and ex-boyfriend Henry also highlights the damaging mental effects social media can have on young insecure people today. Familiar New Zealand actor Patricia House is noteworthy as Millie's Mum. The ultimate humiliation for Millie rounds out what is a most unusual, entertaining and refreshing film.3.5 - well recommended
The Velvet Queen
Dir: Marie Amiguet and Vincent Munier
Length: 92 mins
 |
© Madman - nature at its most
raw and beautiful |
Warning: multiplex-going popcorn munchers will not enjoy this film! Stark magnificent wilderness, captivating rare animals, and two intrepid friends feature in this outstanding award-winning French documentary. Renowned wildlife photographer Vincent Munier takes writer Sylvain Tesson high into the Tibetan wilderness, to film and photograph rare animals, to commune with nature and hopefully to spot a rare snow leopard. (La panthere de neige, meaning The Snow Leopard, is in fact the better French title of the film). Immersing in this ravishingly beautiful film is akin to a meditative experience, as the two men traverse the landscape, speaking in hushed reverential whispers, appreciating the nature that surrounds them. Tesson speaks poetically of all he sees, making insightful observations about how he feels living life close to nature as opposed to his life in Paris. The arresting close-up photography of birds and animals, along with the timeless landscapes, allows the whole to take on a spiritual quality, augmented by a haunting soundtrack by our own Warren Ellis and Nick Cave. A most worthy winner of Best Documentary at the French Cesars (among many other awards). 4 - highly recommended
On the Line
Dir: Romuald Boulanger
Length: 104 mins
 |
© Icon - fun and silly in
a tense, Gibsonesque way |
Elvis Cooney (Mel Gibson) is a late night talk show radio host. He is brash, abrasive, and seemingly not popular with his co-workers. When intern Dylan (William Mosely) arrives, Elvis plays a cruel trick on him. But then a call comes in from a listener, Gary, claiming to have taken Elvis's wife and daughter hostage, and threatening to kill them both, plus blow up the building in which the radio station is housed. So begins a tortuous game of cat and mouse, with Elvis trying to both stall and track down the killer, with help from his crew of co-workers. I've never read so many low-scoring reviews of a film, that actually does what it sets out to do - provides some tense and distracting fun, with Mel doing his schtick that he does so well. Yes, it's a bit too long, not really credible, but it certainly generates tension, and has a twist that quite surprised me. Sometimes you need a film like this to switch off from the woes of the world. 2.5 - maybe
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Dir: Chiwetel Ejiofor
2019
Length: 113 mins
Streaming on Netflix
 |
© Netflix - an inspiring story,
credibly and beautifully told |
William Kamkwamba (Maxwell Simba), was thirteen in 2001 when drought and famine hit his village in poverty-stricken Malawi. Forced to drop out of his beloved school to help his father plough, he remained convinced he could invent a device to power a pump and bring irrigation to the parched land. This is the true story of a young inventor with a passion, and the battle he had with his father Trywell (Chiwetel Ejiofor) to bring his vision to reality. This is a beautiful glimpse into a life we seldom see - an African village that feels real, not Hollywood-ised, but an authentic family, struggling, and betrayed by corrupt government. The film champions the importance of education in developing countries. But at its heart it is a moving story of determination and surmounting the odds. Very absorbing viewing (and a reminder of how fortunate our lives are).3.5 - well recommended
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