W.E.
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
Opening in theatres this Friday from director Madonna and the Weinstein Company comes a love story of the ages with “W.E.”.
This film tells the story of Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish), a woman living a life that doesn’t quite fit her with husband William (Richard Coyle). Once she worked in the auction house world and finds herself drawn to it again as the exhibit King Edward VIII (James D’Arcy) and American Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough).
Biding the hours going through the belongings for auction, Wally meets security guard Evgeni (Oscar Issac). Day after day she visits and they become good friends, at the same time the story of King Edward and the woman he gave up the throne for is told.
As their lives intermingle, Wally loses herself in an abusive marriage as Wallis loses herself in one of the greatest love stories the world believes they know.
FINAL WORD: Cornishs’ character is sad with a face that longs for something more than she can bear. Discovering that she isn’t being true to herself and life there is a metamorphosis that happens right before the viewer’s eyes. From beginning to the very end it is a change that the viewer hopes for.
Riseborough is amazing as Wallis Simpson. There are so many mannerisms and characteristics that were interesting to see come to life. She also has a longing that she continually tries to fulfill, always wanting more until more becomes the cage she spends her life trying to avoid.
D’Arcy is charming as Edward until he also looses himself in what he wants and what’s best for his country. Coyle as husband William, is callous and abusive which disguises under his job as a doctor.
Issac is lovely as Evgeni who has the ability to not only love life, but show Wally that it is also possible for her. He made me laugh and smile in the middle of couples both then and now losing the best of themselves.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “W.E.” three tubs of popcorn out of five. This is a lovely period piece with its costumes, hair and surroundings. It is all quite elegant at absolutely adds to the authenticity of the film.
Telling the story of the love and eventual abdication of King Edward was well done and didn’t try to hide all the potential problems he and Wallis faced. It is an interesting interpretation between Edward and his brother Bertie that I hadn’t seen or heard before.
In the end – the truth behind the greatest love story ever told.
A Separation
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
Opening in theatres this Friday from director Asghar Farhadi and Golem Distribucion comes the tension of “A Separation”.
This film tells the story of Nader (Peyman Moadi) and wife Simin (Leila Hatami) a married couple that are in the middle of a dispute about leaving for the United States. Simin believes it the only way their daughter Termeh (Sarina Farhadi) will have educational opportunities.
Nader is against it not wanting to leave his ailing father who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Leila files for a divorce and moves in with family. Putting pressure on Nader, he is forced to hire help to be able to keep his job and take care of his father.
He hires Razieh (Sareh Bayat) who starts out very well. Until one day Nader discovers his father tied his bed. This one event leads Nader down a road of trust and truth that he must come to terms with for his own life.
FINAL WORD: Moadi is intense and focused in his role as Nader. It is interesting how he managed to maintain his “truth” with a straight face. His self righteous anger mixed with the love of his daughter forced him to make choices I don’t think would have otherwise been made. Moadi pulls it off wonderfully.
Hatami as wife Simin is equally as passionate in her role. It is interesting to watch her stand up for herself and her daughter in a country where so much is changing. Hatami feels the pain of separation from a daughter who clearly doesn’t wish to take sides in the divorce.
Bayat as Razieh is a character I didn’t see coming. Knowing her role and her station with her husband causes such a rift in her emotions. Again, riveting to watching her pull off such a struggle on film.
“A Separation” has already won a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film of 2012 and it is the first ever for Iran. The same award has been given by the Broadcast Film Critics Association. There are numerous nominations as well, which leads me to believe we will see it again in the Oscar race.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “A Separation” three and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. This is an interesting look inside the life in a country most of us truly don’t understand yet. Here is a chance to watch amazing performances by a cast that takes a story and turns it into a film that should be on everyone’s list of “must see” films.
In the end – there are ugly truths mixed with sweet lies.
Like Crazy
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
Opening in theatres this Friday from director Drake Doremus and Paramount Vantage is love that tries to be “Like Crazy”.
This film tells the story of Jacob (Anton Yelchin), a young student who falls for British student Anna (Felicity Jones). Knowing that Anna is on a student visa, the two try to make the most of the time they have.
The day before she is due to leave, Jacob agrees that Anna should stay and just forget about the visa. One mistake guided by love changes the course of their lives forever. As Anna tries to reenter the United States, she is denied.
Jacob tries the long distance relationship but neither he nor Anna can deny the strain that waiting for the visa issue to be resolved is causing. As the months go by Jacob begins a relationship with Sam (Jennifer Lawrence) and Anna begins with Elliot (Jamie Thomas King).
But sometimes love isn’t patient, nor is it kind.
FINAL WORD: Yelchin is beautiful as Jacob. He is sweet, giving and creative which makes it easy to believe his character is in love. Yelchin has truly taken chances in his role choices from Chekov in “Star Trek”, and Kyle Reese in “Terminator Salvation” to the remake of “Fright Night” as the new Charlie Brewster. This was a lovely role for him and he treats it tenderly.
Jones as Anna is equally as sweet. She is creative and tries to keep the vision of her love alive. There are some points where I wondered where her character was trying to go but that doesn’t change her performance.
Lawrence as Sam is a brief character and one I personally felt the most sorry for in all this. She also continues to believe in love but the path isn’t one any of us would want to be one.
The film is beautifully filmed and the story is well told. I’m sure the audience will have a problem with the ending as there were a lot of moans and groans when I screened it.
Director Drake Doremus is also responsible for the Indie film “Douche Bag” and “Spooner”. Speaking with him at the San Diego Film Festival recently it was good to hear his take on the film.
I’m so glad we got a chance to talk about the film “Like Crazy”
Yes, it’s a story about two people who spend a lot of time in a relationship together and fall in love. Its about a long distance relationship and try to get over each other and can’t. Anybody that has been in love and been in a long distance relationship can relate to that.
What made you chose Anton Yelchin?
Anton is the best. Of anyone in his age range he is the best.
Is there anything about him that you thought he could make it character driven? He gives off that sweet persona, is that what you were looking for?
Yes, essentially I was looking for somebody that could exude the charming aspects while being shy and mysterious at the same time. He exudes all of that! That’s what so special about him is because he is so unique.
What drove you to do the film?
There was a lot of emotions and feelings going through a long distance relationship in my life. Going through that was a process for me so this film is really a cathartic experience.
What kind of response have you received about the film?
So far it has been great, people really respond to the film, especially people that have been in a long distance relationship or who ever has been in love.
Did you have a lot of say so in the cast?
Yes, pretty much all of them. Jenny (Jennifer Lawrence) is great and came on second, Felicity gave herself and her flat in London. It all came about really fast.
Do you enjoy making independent films?
Yes, I did one this summer that is bigger but I do enjoy making the smaller ones. Its more intimate and you really can create what you want to create.
Do you like going to the festivals with your film?
Absolutely! It’s the most fun. At festivals people are really hungry and excited to see your work and I get a chance to experience the film with the audience.
What is your next project?
It’s a film with Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones, Amy Ryan and Tom MacLachlan and it’s a love story that meet at the wrong time in their lives.
Do we have a title?
Not yet, we are still working on it. We just finished shooting and it will be ready for the spring release.
Nice to talk to you!
Other cast include: Charlie Bewley as Simon, Alex Kingston as Jackie, Oliver Muirhead as Bernard, Fiona Hughes as Liz, Chris Messina as Mike, Ben York Jones as Ross, and Keeley Hazel as Sabrina.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Like Crazy” three and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. It is a brilliantly told story that guides the audience along before dropping them off a cliff.
In the end – I want you, I need you, I love you, I miss you – like crazy.
Into the Abyss
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
Opening in theatres this Friday from director Werner Herzog and his production company comes a documentary about a small town crime with “Into the Abyss”.
This film tells the story of a small town murder involving Rick Michael Perry, a young man accused of the crime. Along with is his friend Jason Burkett, the two young men killed mother Sandra Stoler, son Adam Stoler and friend 16-year-old Jeremy Richardson for some cars.
Herzog looks at these boys and their insights to their crime and the families who live with the consequences of Rick and Jason’s decision. Kristin Willis, family survivor of the Stoler family constantly looks for answers.
On the opposite side is Jason’s wife Melissa, who fights for the innocence of her husband. She believes he had involvement but had nothing to do with the murder. Not being able to afford an attorney, the family hands all his court documents.
In a moment life changes and last a life time.
FINAL WORD: Herzog asks the questions of the families ‘how do you live with this?’ but there never is truly an answer that will suffice. Willis herself wonders how she managed to come to terms with the loss of her family. She had a hard time with the fact that Perry said he forgive her family for what they were doing to him.
Ricky Perry staunchly admits his innocence even though, at the time, he was eight days away from being executive in a Texas prison. “I must not be comprehending the fact that its that close,” he says, “I can’t believe in eight days the state of Texas is going to murder me.”
Herzog begins the piece with a look at the prison graveyard where there are crosses with no name, just prison identification numbers and ends with a look as a pregnant Melissa and Jason’s life as a married couple with prison bars between them. Also, the pain of Jeremy’s brother Charles, Alan Davis death house guard who left his job now lives each day to stop and watch the birds.
Herzog won the Grierson Award from the British Film Institute in 2011.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Into the Abyss” three tubs of popcorn. This is an interesting look at not only the crime and the victims but the accused as well. No matter how hard their lives were as young men it does not give them permission to commit murder. Herzog managed to find a medium in order to tell the story without prejudice.
Photographed beautifully with haunting music, it is an all around look at the far-reaching effects of a tragic event.
In the end – once an act is committed, it can all falls into an abyss.
