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Film
Lynda
Del Sasso previews this month's new films
Bowling
For Columbine
US 2002, Cert. 15
Director: Michael Moore
Star Rating * * * *
A
topical documentary in the light of the recent random
killings in Maryland and Virginia, investigating gun control
in the USA. Inspired by a high school shooting in the
small town of Columbine, filmmaker Michael Moore takes
a broad look at America's love of guns and culture of
fear, interviewing, among others, the high-profile President
of the National Rifle Association, Charlton Heston.
Written,
produced and directed by Moore, this politically astute
and intelligent film is shaming in its depiction of tragedy
after tragedy caused by the widespread use of weapons.
Perhaps the saddest thing is that most Americans will
never see Moore's work, nor want to.
Duke
of York's from November 15.
Morvern
Callar
UK 2002, Cert. 15
Director: Lynne Ramsey
Star Rating * * *
| Supermarket
assistant Morvern Callar (Samantha Morton) finds her
boyfriend dead. He has left her his unpublished novel
and a compilation music tape. Morvern goes into work
as normal, not telling anyone what has happened. She
puts her own name to his novel and goes on holiday
to Spain with her friend Lanna (Kathleen McDermott). |
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Based
on the novel by Alan Warner, this second feature from
Scottish director Lynne Ramsey (Ratcatcher) opens with
an interesting premise. Why would anyone keep their partner's
death a secret? The answer lies in the submerged personality
of the lead character, played with haunting conviction
by Samantha Morton. Strong cinematography helps as we
watch this woman struggle with bereavement in the only
way she can: clinging on to her lost boyfriend by listening
to his music on her Walkman, wearing his jacket, taking
ownership of his writing. But with little plot development
or significant dialogue, we are offered too little information.
As a character-study it is fascinating, but the meandering
structure weakens the whole and it all leads nowhere.
Perhaps this is an intentional reflection of the lead
character's inner turmoil, but with so many questions
left unanswered and no resolution, emotional engagement
cannot help but decrease.
Duke
of York's from November 1.
AKA
UK 2002, Cert. 18
Director: Duncan Roy
Star Rating * * *
In
Thatcherite London, working-class Romford lad Dean (Matthew
Leitch), kicked out by his brutal and abusive father,
approaches the aristocratic Lady Gryffoyn (Diana Quick)
for a job and quickly builds a new identity for himself
in a new social milieu. He travels to Paris, impersonating
Lady Gryffoyn's son, and integrates well until financial
complications force him home.
Based
on the life experiences of director Duncan Roy, AKA successfully
juxtaposes two very different ways of life during the
Thatcher era. Lindsey Coulson, formerly of Eastenders,
puts in a strong performance as Dean's downtrodden mother,
and the lively pace makes for an entertaining and poignant
social drama.
But
there is a hitch. The film is presented in simultaneous
three frame action, which may have been a good idea in
theory - and does indeed allow the audience a more immediate
insight into character and action - but, given the cinema
screen ratio it means that the frames are small and that
two-thirds of the screen is black throughout the film.
Ultimately this becomes rather annoying, akin to peering
at the action from the back of the upper balcony. Take
your opera glasses.
Duke
of York's from November 8.
Writer-Director Duncan Roy will introduce the 8.00pm screening
of his film on November 9, and take part in a Question
& Answer session afterwards.
Other Highlights
The
London Film Festival, now in its 46th year, takes place
this month with over 200 premieres and special events
over 16 days. Definitely worth checking out. www.rllf.com
Brighton's
Duke of York's Festival of Cuban Cinema continues with
VAMPIRES IN HAVANA (1983) on Nov 2, PORTRAIT OF TERESA
(1979) Nov 3, and LIFE IS TO WHISTLE (1998) on Nov 6.
There's also a short season of Czech animation on Nov
10 and 17. See p22.
Morvern
Callar director Lynne Ramsay's powerful 1999 debut RATCATCHER
is being screened at the Duke's on Nov 24, and will be
introduced by child psychotherapist Leslie Ironside, who
will also lead a post-film discussion.
www.dukeofyorkscinema.com
Odeon Competition
The
Brighton Odeon is offering a pair of cinema tickets to
each of the first three correct solutions to this question:
who was the author of the James Bond novels? Answers on
a postcard please to Odeon Competition at The Insight
office (see elsewhere for address details), by November
15.
copyright The Insight 2002
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