Saturday I got to see 45 Years starring Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenoy. Great acting, super cinematography, smooth editing, appropriate music. The movie opens and closes with Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. Definitely a message song. Excellent use of soft focus during close-ups. A couple of times the speaker was blurred with the listener in focus. Lighting was excellent. This was a very poignant film about past and present loves. I gave it top marks in the festival viewer rankings.
My next film was James White starring Cynthia Nixon and Christopher Abbott. The film is about a young man heavy into drugs and trying to deal with his father’s death and be a caretaker for his mother who is dying from Cancer. Another low budget film, it was shot almost entirely with a hand held camera. Not effective at all. Some of the close ups had the camera an inch from the actors face – totally inappropriate. Excellent performance from Nixon. Abbott’s character is totally unstable and has been for some time. He carries it off well. A heavy movie with some real meaning that was poorly handled by the director.
Sunday opened with Hector about a homeless man who decides he wants to see his brother and sister after ten years. The movie takes the viewer in the life of the homeless on the street, getting rides across the country and in a shelter. We also see the family members trying to deal with the pain and anger from their brother just disappearing, no contact and then popping up at their door. There is humor and pathos both in controlled amounts. The film is definitely British.
I had picked the Japanese Sweet Bean as the sleeper of the festival when I was purchasing my tickets. It came through as that with flying colors. An absolutely beautiful film in story, acting and cinematic treatment. Very poignant with humor at the right time that stops things from getting maudlin. The film conveys some strong life messages with a deft touch and aplomb. Great cinematography with close-ups that grab the viewer into the shot. The actors nailed their characters. Could be Best of Festival easily.
The second Japanese film of the day for me was Kakekomi. Shot beautifully, this film told the tale of 3 young women who escape their brutal husbands to a Temple. By staying in the Temple for 2 years they earn the right to a divorce. Editing was top notch as was the acting. I am ashamed to admit that i was so engrossed that I didn’t really catch the music. Again some clear life messages presented without preaching.
Also included in the day’s viewings was Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks. I was underwhelmed. Will discuss this film further upon general release.
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