Top DVDs for Spring 2009
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The stellar cast of this beautifully shot movie is one of the key driving forces behind it. What is most appealing about it is the story itself and its cinematic value. What hurts the movie most is the unnecessary flashbacks to modern day's heroine on her death bed and lack of obvious chemistry between the two main characters. But first, the story.
Based on a short story by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, the movie is a life story of Benjamin Button who, born as an 80-old man, ages backwards. As he grows younger and his soul gets older, he learns to accept his friends and loved ones passing away. Spanning from 1918 to our days, it's a curious case of heart's time travel. Abandoned by his father due to his odd looks, Benjamin is left at the doorstep of a senior residence in New Orleans. It is by this lucky coincidence, he is accepted and nurtured by people who have lived long and seen much, so he grows into a nice young man vs. a resentful fellow. The old people's home is amazingly a fun place where he learns to play the piano, gets inspired to go on a boat and ultimately leaves to see the world. A nice splice of comedy is provided by a character who retells the story of his being hit by lightning seven times and Benjamin imagines what it looks like in old movie footage - definitely a nice touch. The house is also the place where Benjamin meets the future love of his life, Daisy. When they meet she is just a little girl visiting grandma and he is a child in an old man's body, yet their eyes meet and you know that they know there is something special about their connection. Year after year Daisy visits the house, and they talk and play together. Daisy is a dancer and as she pursues her life's passion, ballet, around the world, Benjamin sets off on a boat trip, doing odd jobs in all kinds of places. They keep in touch but their paths diverge. Benjamin finds himself in the Far East of Russia where he has a fling with a married woman played by Tilda Swinton. It's a special kind of affair that leaves a print on both. Tilda Swinton is brilliant in her part - she never ceases to amaze me how much she owns every character she plays.
Brad Pitt is very strong as Benjamin Button - he perfectly captures the personality of a child in an old man's body and his progression through the years. Every nuance of Button's life story is played with subtle power by Pitt. Since the film is shot digitally instead of on film, many special effects were possible. And while aging make-up is still not completely right/always noticeable in movies, the transformation of Benjamin (Brad Pitt) to his younger days is truly amazing - I was in a state of shock of how Pitt (or rather, digital animation) actually turned the clock. I couldn't say the same about Cate Blanchett, whose aging is still very obviously makeup. Aside from makeup, she is just the right person to portray Daisy, a light on her feet dreamer who lives in the world of dance. When the two characters finally meet as adults, mid-way in their respectful lives, their love story makes the movie stronger. They share a number of happy years together but not until after some personal drama. Their story of staying connected and finally finding each other through the years makes up for the stronger chemistry you wish they had. Many moments are sad but sad in an inspiring way. You wish everyone this kind of love, selfless and complete.
The vibe of the film is what kept me in my seat - the footage of old New Orleans, the streets of Russia and Paris, the people and places that shaped Benjamin Button - all of this makes it a real candidate for Best Cinematography awards of the year. I was completely enthralled by the story. And the little sub-plot about the old clock going backwards was a nice touch. However, it is hard to believe people would keep the clock going backwards in the train station for 80 years before finally replacing it, no matter the sentimental value. There are also a few other inconsistencies in the story. Daisy's daughter being shocked at her mother dancing ballet around the world seems odd since she knew Daisy owned and taught at the dance studio. Benjamin leaving his family when he was still capable of being around for another 10 or so years is also odd.
The flashbacks to modern day New Orleans where Daisy is on her deathbed talking to her daughter and reading Benjamin's diary, all during the fall of Katrina, are perhaps the movie's biggest flaw. If I were to rate this film with stars, as some critics do, I would perhaps have to take the whole star off just for these sequences. They barely contributed to the movie, were hard to understand, added unnecessary running time (total movie run time is close to 3 hours), and were simply annoying. There was really no justice done to how much Katrina affected everyone's lives, it was simply a mention, not a meaningful part of the movie. While there was a special vibe magically present thanks to the way the film was shot, the story and the acting, it was abruptly taken away by these flashbacks. There should have been perhaps a way to transition the narration without this element.
However, when I weigh in the negatives and the positives of the Curious Case of Benjamin Button, I think it is after all a story for the ages and a kind of movie you may want to see again. The story, the special vibe, the memorable acting by Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, the beautiful music score, are all the reasons why I would recommend seeing it in the theater. You will be intrigued.
Burn After Reading
This sly comedy from the Coen Brothers is pure satire and untamed fun. Even the title, which immediately captures your attention, serves as a mockery of intelligence offices that is a theme for the movie. Interestingly, Burn After Reading was written by the Coen Brothers at the same time they penned the Oscar-winner No Country for Old Men, which couldn't be more different. Perhaps, it was the grit and bitter despair, the violent crimes of No Country that inspired them to do something less ostensible, less serious. They definitely don't take themselves seriously with this movie. Nobody can be taken seriously in Burn After Reading - they are meant to be complete idiots, as mundane as they are. And it is the acting that makes this movie one worth seeing in the theater.
Brad Pitt is hilariously empty headed as Chad, the always wired Hard Bodies gym trainer. He is a biking around, listening to his ipod, jamba juicing, and naively upbeat person who would not touch tap water. He just nailed this part. George Clooney is perfect as a married womanizer, with a few affairs and interesting activities behind his belt. Frances McDormand is another trainer who is searching for herself, dating on the web and dreaming of a perfect plastic surgery, since she's "done what she could with that body". Together with Brad Pitt they make quite a quirky team, though Linda Litzkie (McDormand's character) goes way above the expected norms. McDormand really knows how to get to the bottom of such an unpredictable person (she did that in Fargo). She seems calm and friendly on the surface but moves to her goal like a tank, and would not even blink going to the Russian embassy.
The plot of the movie revolves around a stolen and lost (believe it or not by different people) disk with some intelligence information that Linda and Chad quickly try to use to their advantage as blackmail. The poor "victim" is Osbourne Cox, brilliantly played by John Malkovich. This is not the person to be fooled around with. He just had to quit his cushy job as an analyst at CIA and accused of having a drinking problem. Which he does have... Cox's anger is hilarious; he thinks everyone is a moron and his ego gets him into some serious trouble. But it wouldn't be a comedy if he had to suffer for it. I wouldn't want to give away the story... Tilda Swinton as Cox's wife is good, but a bit predictable. Malkovich completely steals the show; and even though at first I thought he was overacting, I was laughing out loud by the second half. My favorite character in Burn After Reading by far was J.K.Simmons as a CIA Supervisor. You just can't resist his casual attitude and easy-going humor. Some of the funniest one-liners in the movie I think happen in his office.
I always appreciate a movie that is fun to watch. I didn't even notice the first hour of the movie pass (total run is 96 minutes). Though it does get a bit gritty towards the end and there are a number of adult moments, I would recommend it for those that want to have some good time at the theater. Just the irony that runs through the plot is worth it. As the tagline states, "Intelligence is relative" and here you have proof.
Cassandra's Dream
Writer/Director Woody Allen's latest release, Cassandra's Dream is a story that flows well. There's plenty of suspense, and the twists and turns keep the viewer entertained. But this film lacks a special Woody Allen touch evident in his better works. It doesn't match up to his 2005 release ″Matchpoint″, which is a compelling murder plot also set near London. Ultimately, I believe Cassandra's Dream leads to a somewhat predictable and disappointing ending. Overall this is good, but not great, Woody Allen material. It has its moments, and that's enough to merit a recommendation here.
Watching a new Woody Allen film is typically a special treat. He's one of the great writers of our time, and a living legend. We are lucky the 72 year-old artist remains active. His influence on American cinema will forever be recognized by the industry. At this particular screening for example, a preview was shown for the upcoming The Bank Job. It obviously borrows its story from Allen's 2000 release Small Time Crooks. He maintains a rather loyal fan base. Either you like him or you don't, and that's the way it's always been. I happen to like him.
Ewan McGregor (Ian) and Colin Farrell (Terry) are brothers in search for better lives. Terry fixes cars while Ian runs his father's restaurant. Ian wants to invest in L.A. hotels, drive fancy cars, and cater to his actress/girlfriend Angela (Hayley Atwell). He's absolutely crazy about her. When Uncle Howard (Tom Wilkinson) visits, the brothers ask him for financial help. Terry needs money to settle a huge gambling debt, and Ian needs money for the hotel investment. Uncle Howard also happens to have connections in the entertainment industry, which could benefit Angela. Turns out, the uncle is being investigated and there's a potential star witness named Martin Burns, who could put him away for good. He convinces the boys that Burns must be killed, and the brothers are the only ones to do it. After all, Uncle Howard has always been there when they needed help. He assures them that if they succeed, they won't be sorry. Ian and Terry's dreams of a more prosperous life can come true, once they get rid of Martin Burns.
Most Woody Allen films feature a character resembling Woody Allen, even when Allen also has an acting role. Edward Norton in 1996's Everyone Says I Love You and Jason Biggs in 2003's Anything Else come to mind. In Cassandra's Dream, there are Woody Allen mannerisms in both McGregor and Farrell's characters. Both actors have a nice chemistry in this picture. Tom Wilkinson, who was up for a best supporting Oscar for 2007's Michael Clayton, also adds real substance to his role as the uncle.
Cassandra's Dream is the name the brothers give their boat. This movie is all about pursuing dreams, but we're foolish to expect things go exactly as planned. As Angela says in one scene, Life is anything, if not totally ironic.
