Tag: Lesley Manville

QUEER (2024)

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Directed by: Luca Guadagnino

Written By: Justin Kuritzkes

Based On The Novel By: William S. Burroughs 

Cinematography: Sayombhu Mukdeeprom 

Editor: Marco Costa 

Cast: Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, Ariel Schulman, Andra Ursata, Omar Apollo, David Lowery

In 1950s Mexico City, an American immigrant in his late forties leads a solitary life amidst a small American community. However, the arrival of a young student stirs the man into finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone.

This is director Luca Guadagnino’s second film released this year and while not making its mark as strong as his previous film of the year CHALLENGERS. It does offer another look into relationships and the destructive characters within them. It’s also another random adaptation for the director. Making a film from a legendary cult writer and book.

It was like going on a trip that ends up more as a journey and never quite knowing where it will Lead. Then being a guest in this limited epic. While witnessing a love story you want to see work, but ultimately see the cracks and the doom, but still holding out hope.

This film seems to be like the author of the book William S. Burroughs’s writings that could be episodic linear more stream of consciousness at times and little short stories that didn’t really have plots and were more like chronicles, but with all the names changed.

As the film works in different stages, either way, we get to know the lead character played by Daniel Craig, and the fact that he just seems lonely in various ways he tries to rectify that through the company of others, both physically emotionally, and socially. With excessive alcohol and always a pistol by his side, truly his only constant companion. He is also a functioning junkie in the first part of the film. We see his romance with a young man and all his longing for this young man and how it plays out it’s truly beautiful how he tries to court him when we see vague images of what he wishes, he could do to him alone like touching his face in a movie theater or stroking his hair.

The next part of the film seems to focus more on the drug addiction of the character. Now he has fallen in love with this young man, and the young man seems somewhat interested in him, but is emotionally absent to him that’s deepening his drug addiction. 

The next part is when they decide to take a trip together on the search for an elusive flower, and that journey into the jungles and Amazon, and how once it does, it provides quite a unique experience that deepens both of them, but also the rest of the film is more Jumps around and it truly starts to get into the more surrealistic images and hallucinogenic images where it goes more for the visuals and at this point either you’re with the film or you’re not.

This is an easy film to try and break down and explain you can bring up certain plot points, and things that happen and still never quite get to the point of the film or what you’re watching those films as an audience member you have to experience it and come out with your own meaning like it or not. As with its author and his writing, it’s not easily explained.

The film just seems to go along on its own journey, never rushed and never quite on the path you expect but at heart it is a love story that no matter what is timeless and easily identifiable.

The soundtrack includes a lot of the music of NIRVANA and PRINCE. One wonders if it is partially because of the past collaborations between the author of the book and the film is based upon William S. Burroughs and NIRVANA lead singer Kurt Cobain, but also a way to show they art can be timeless. Especially if it evokes a certain mood and atmosphere that is personal, identifiable, and universal in a sense.

Just like the title most of us know what Queer means to most, but here while it has its brushes with what most believe. It also goes out of its way to not be easily definable. It can be a title but never quite an entire identity. As so many have their own definitions of it. So just like the characters this film refuses to be one thing or ride along one wavelength. 

Grade: B 

BACK TO BLACK (2024)

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Directed By: Sam Taylor-Johnson

Written By: Michael Greenhalgh

Cinematography: Polly Morgan

Editor: Laurence Johnson and Martin Walsh 

Cast: Marisa Abela, Eddie Marsan, Jack O’Connell, Lesley Manville, Juliet Cowan, Sam Buchanan, Anna Daras, Spike Fearn, Therica Wilson-Read 

A celebration of the most iconic – and much missed – homegrown star of the 21st century, BACK TO BLACK tells the extraordinary tale of Amy Winehouse. Painting a vivid, vibrant picture of the Camden streets she called home and capturing the struggles of global fame, BACK TO BLACK honors Amy’s artistry, wit, and honesty, as well as trying to understand her demons. An unflinching look at the modern celebrity machine and a powerful tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent.

I was probably always going to be harsh on this film as I am such a huge Amy Winehouse fan and I feel like the documentary. AMY is a definitive and informative statement when it comes to her life.

When it comes to biofilms the best, don’t try to tell the whole story they pick a certain period of the person’s life and fill the drama, even if the drama comes from their past. As Amy lived such a short life there might’ve been room to fit in from birth to her unfortunate death at 27

Even after all these years, it still feels too soon for a biofilm as the scars are still there. So I will say the film isn’t as bad as I thought.

Marisa Abela is the best thing about this movie. She is amazing and mimics her vocal style impressively. There are no problems with her performance.

What hurts the film? Is that even at just a little over two hours? It still feels rushed half the time where you can’t tell what part of her career she’s at times. It would also help the love interest at least the film. Would Moore sweep her off her feet and you could understand why she is so attracted to him other than similar interest. as it plays here, he always constantly seems like a walking red flag, even if he might have some raw sexuality or a danger about him, but it never comes across as convincing that she would just give herself so to this character

Another problem in the film is that we see that she gets depressed over the death of her grandmother and the volatile relationship she has with Blake, but it still never quite explains the other parts of the downward spiral. Yes, we can say depression, but it helps if we’re given more evidence instead of kind of just being told in one scene, or constantly being lonely, we need a little more to flash out and to believe in this more.

Sam Taylor Johnson directed the John Lennon bio film NOWHERE BOY, so this isn’t new territory for her she lands the plane so to speak when it comes to this film, but it is quite a bumpy ride with plenty of turbulence that is more not the adventure of the story or characters, but more in the way the story is told it tries to have a smoothness where it feels like it’s not even trying Standard something a little bit more a TV production than a cinematic vision.

As in the end, it plays more like a sad romantic, love story. That is almost one-sided, though there was definitely passion and emotion somewhere in there. 

One believes that if you are a Die Hard true fan of Amy Winehouse, you do not need to see this film. You should’ve already seen Amy but if you’re just curious as to ask her just a bio seems to be a trend. This feels more like a student rather than, someone who cares about getting the story straight and the facts down

Grade: C

MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS (2022)

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Directed by: Anthony Fabian 
Written By: Anthony Fabian, Carroll Cartwright, Keith Thompson and Olivia Hetreed 
Based On The Novel Written By: Paul Gallico 
Cinematography: Felix Wiedemann
Editor: Barney Pilling

Cast: Lesley Manville, Isabelle Huppert, Lambert Wilson, Alba Baptista, Jason Issacs, Lucas Bravo, Ellen Thomas, Rose Williams, Anna Chancellor, Christian McKay 

A widowed cleaning lady in 1950s London falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress and decides that she must have one of her own.

I can’t say what made me want to see this film. As I will admit I was smitten as soon as I saw the poster and the trailer. I am glad that neither lets you down. As they pretty much preview the spirit of the film.

This is a good comfort movie. What I would call a perfect Sunday film. It’s entirely predictable and charming. Leaving the audience with a smile and managing to stay inoffensive throughout. 

This is the type of movie you go to in theaters to come out smiling or the ones you would wait to see at the discount theaters at least. 

This film even starts or predicts attitudes changing in the past that only started to happen recently.

It manages to set up what looks to be a whirlwind romance for a character that eventually fails, yet brings the character and movie down to earth. So that it isn’t a complete fantasy. Though later rewards the characters with something much more stable, sweet, and stronger. Luckily It’s not the main focus of the film.

Amazed by the character actress Lesley Manville who usually plays villains, especially you love to hate. Here she is so sweet and winning. 

It’s a film full of lessons that eventually are taught, shown, or learned. Where food usually prevails. Mean characters are shown to have other sides. 

The film never quite feels like something special. Though constantly puts you in a good mood. Good movie to watch with family.

Almost like a children’s Fantasy film made for adults only without the fantasy, but keeps the mood. 

It’s one of those films where a sensible nice person upsets the jet set but then makes them realize the errors of their ways and reminds them that there are regular and pure people in the world.

As usual, the film seems Like everything is going to go along dreamily for the lead character except for some challenges laid her way. Though the film does at turns keep you second guessing and makes the lead truly have to either work to get to her happy ending or has it taken away and the hanks to her strength of character get it rectified or helped along the way by others. 

This comes from her learning lessons about her nice nature at times and that those who you try to care for and protect Don’t always feel the same way it have the same intent in their hearts.

Grade: B

LET HIM GO (2020)

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Written & Directed By: Thomas Bezucha
Based On The Novel By: Larry Watson
Cinematography: Guy Godfree
Editor: Jeffrey Ford & Meg Reticker

Cast: Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Lesley Manville, Jeffrey Donovan, Kayli Carter, Booboo Stewart, Will Brittain, Greg Lawson, Ryan Bruce, Adam Stafford, Connor Mackay 

A retired sheriff and his wife, grieving over the death of their son, set out to find their only grandson.

The first half of the movie is more slow-burning, moving family drama built around a tragedy. That is better than one expects.

The film works as a new western. As it is a period tale with plenty of scenery of undisturbed landscapes. That slowly develops into a thriller of morals and honor. It even includes a Native American character. Who becomes a surrogate son for the main characters far away from home. 

Kevin Costner, we are used to this type of fun and role. As he more or less recently takes to roles that are more western influenced. So much so you wonder if he Is the new John Wayne or is he trying to be. Only less racist and a little more sensitive. Not to mention modern. Here he takes more of a back seat to Diane lane. Who is the true powerhouse throughout. Taking over scenes with a quiet dignity but ferocious spirit and manner. Costner ends up becoming her backup.

What Is interesting is that this is the type of film that Kevin Costner would usually Star in and direct back in the day. So while his appearance here isn’t surprising, which is how much he stays in the backseat rather than commanding scenes. Even if he becomes more active in the third act. 

They both display a fair amount of quiet acting that says so much and comes out of body language, facial gestures, and manners. 

Part of the interest In the first half is once they hit the road the people they meet along the way. Showing a kind of Americana. When it was changing and going dark. Hardening to a time of classical American values and idealism and their perversion of it. 

It’s also a nice reunion of sorts for Kevin Costner and Diane Lane last seen together in MAN OF STEEL. As the parents of Clark Kent/Superman making them the all-American mid-west couple. Here they are the same only as grandparents and their son went this time around.

Lesley Manville is deep in character and over the top memorable as the mama hen and main villain of the dangerous Weboy clan in this film and amongst the leads, she makes her mark and her presence felt. 

In fact, it might have been a little more interesting to see if the lebouf clan and how they operate. Their day-to-day operations and influence, but as they are talked about and built up as some kind of phantoms. They maintain an air of mystery and live up to their reputation and it makes the slow journey to them worth it. Even if they have mroe the unlikeable elements of the crime family in the film ANIMAL KINGDOM only less suggested incest. 

We barely get to know them personality-wise other than the matriarch and the family uncle, her consigliere of sorts. Who stands out. The uncle played by Jeffrey Donovan Whose character always offers a smile and a threatening manner. 

The film has many memorable scenes. Like the dinner scene at the weboy compound and we meet the family and it seems more a battle for power and strength over one another. Not necessarily physically but by implication. 

The Hotel room ambush is another striking scene that has shocking violence. That shows that this film is traditional but also kind of dark.

The film offers an ending that isn’t the massacre you might be expecting and still plays off not as satisfying as you might have hoped.  

GRADE: B