It's been a good week for my film viewing! I've watched, Full Frontal, In Bruges, Slumdog Millionaire, The Wrestler, and Choke. These were all fantastic!
Choke lacked the dirt and grime of the book, while Sam Rockwell did an excellent job, I don't think he really captured the sleaze of the protagonist, moreover the direction lacked the build-up that the book had; In the book the tension builds as Victor's digestion gets more and more backed up, leading to a moment of great release with the death of his mother and the inevitable exit of the missing anal-bead. It was a moment of real transformation in the book, which the director failed to capture.
The Wrestler is a fascinating tale. It was shot superbly in hand-held like camerawork, to make it seem a little voyeuristic. A real triumph of both great writing and excellent direction. As a wrestling aficionado I wasn't shocked by the revelation of the grimy truth about professional wrestling - the blades hidden in wristbands, the careful crowd manipulation, the orchestration, the drugs, the politics... but it was an interesting angle to show the struggling aging wrestler, lonely, living in a trailer, estranged from his family - pushing himself to continue in the only thing he knows and the only thing he has. Beautiful.
Slumdog Millionaire was astounding. Incredible sets, visions of the gorgeous and grotesque, fantastic editing - Richard Curtis move over, Danny Boyle is the new British superstar! Ultimately, this was a heartwarming tale, but it's very different. Never letting up, it keeps you jumping from story to story, unfolding the memories of one lad, showing the harsh conditions, but never wallowing or showing bias and just as you think you might shed a tear, reflects of some happier aspect, culminating in a lovely fuzzy ending and a random piece of Bollywood dancing at the credits!
In Bruges I watched on a recommendation of a friend having dismissed it originally, after hearing the words "hit-men" and "Colin Farrell" in the same sentence. Taking black humour to a new level, it sets up this truly bizarre comedic situations, which are masterfully executed by Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. The writing is what really stood out from this film - amazing dialogue, it even had some superficial unnecessary conversations which gave the film a sense of realism and believability to be able to pull of some of the crazier plot twists. Martin MacDonagh is a very gifted writer.
Continuing my way through Soderbergh's back catalogue I watched Full Frontal. usual Soderbergh mind-fuck, breaking forth wall, interviews throughout that turn into scenes that turn out to be on a film that's being shot by another character... Surrealism and mocumentary fun, unfortunately with no real plot. the story gets lost and culminates in an ending that doesn't really fulfill. Soderbergh is a film-maker, no film he makes is in the same genre or style, he seems to draw upon a wealth of knowledge of techniqu and use different ones appropriately and unreservedly. This film wasn't as good as others, but I still love Soderbergh.
I also watched Burn After Reading - it was shit. Worst film I've seen in ages.
If I had to suggest one of these films over all the others, I would say In Bruges, which surprises myself being a huge Aronofsky fan. The Wrestler is a very close second.
