Film Review: A Little Chaos

Alan Rickman’s romantic period drama A Little Chaos is pure escapism. As such, it ticks the boxes despite some flaws.

Sabine is a talented landscape designer. When she is commissioned to work on one of the gardens at Versailles for King Louis XIV, Sabine is thrown out of her comfort zone with the politics of court, and a burgeoning relationship…

A Little Chaos offers wonderful imagery in its polished vision of a period drama. Visual aesthetics work more successfully than narrative aspects, although viewers should be sufficiently entertained. Director and star Alan Rickman appears to favour gloss over grit in this period piece.

A Little Chaos moves at a suitable pace, with romance occupying the main strand of the film. There is the requisite chemistry between the two main characters, although the script’s attempts to provide friction falls a little flat.

The characterisation of protagonist Sabine is weak. The back story in A Little Chaos suffices only to illustrate why the character would show restraint. Other than this, Sabine is drawn a little too perfect, particularly highlighted by the fact that she is surrounded by imperfect characters.

Humour in the film is entirely welcome. Rickman knows exactly what he is doing with the comedic elements; revelling in the absurdity of it all. As such, A Little Chaos has a strange tone; the deep sighs and corsetry meshing oddly with the pseudo-parody of the period drama. The film touches on the issues of high society of the day, even if some attitudes feel too evolved for the era. Social dynamics are discussed, but not over indulged.

A Little Chaos‘s costumes, sets and styling are marvellous. Cinematography is strong for the most part, although a few shots break with the overall style of the film. Kate Winslet is good as ever in the strong female role she often occupies. Rickman and Stanley Tucci appear to enjoy hamming up their parts.

Entertaining but not wholly satisfying, A Little Chaos is amiable enough viewing. Rickman attempts to reach beyond a straightforward period drama, although it is not clear exactly what he is aiming for.

Stuff To Look At

This week we have plenty of clips and trailers for next year’s releases, including Inherent Vice, Jupiter Ascending and A Little Chaos…

A Little Chaos

Period drama A Little Chaos is about the unlikely landscape architect of the Palace of Versailles. Directed, co-writtend and starring Alan Rickman, the film focuses on Kate Winslet’s Madame Sabine de Barra. A Little Chaos is out in cinemas on 17th April 2015.

Inherent Vice

Here is a brief clip from the upcoming Inherent Vice. Paul Thomas Anderson’s film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, and Reese Witherspoon among others. Inherent Vice is released in UK cinemas on 30th January 2015.

Mad Max: Fury Road

This Mad Max: Fury Road trailer caused quite a storm when it was unleashed last week. From the trailer at least, the film is striking on a visual level. Starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult, Mad Max: Fury Road hits the big screen on 15th May 2015.

Hot Tub Time Machine 2

Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry and Clark Duke return for time-travelling comedy sequel Hot Tub Time Machine 2. After the success of the first film, the group venture into the future, as well as the distant past in this instalment. Hot Tub Time Machine 2 is released in UK cinemas on 10th April 2015.

Jupiter Ascending

Here is an extended V spot for upcoming science fiction blockbuster Jupiter Ascending. I can’t get over Channing Tatum’s ears. Also starring Mila Kunis and Eddie Redmayne, Jupiter Ascending hits UK screens on 6th February 2015.

The Last Five Years

Based on the theatre show, The Last Five Years is a musical which tells the story of a five-year relationship. Anna Kendrick once again shows off her vocal skills, following Pitch Perfect and the upcoming Into The Woods. The Last Five Years is scheduled for release in Spring 2015.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Sequel The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel sees the cast from the first film reunited, along with newcomer Richard Gere. This follow-up sees Dev Patel’s Sonny open a second hotel. The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is set for release on 26th February 2015.

Film Review: Gambit

Written by the Coen brothers and directed by Michael Hoffman, Gambit does entertain despite being a little lacklustre.

Tired of dealing with his abusive boss, art curator Harry Deane hatches a plot to con him into buying a fake Monet painting. To pull off his scheme, Harry requires the help of Texas rodeo queen PJ Puznowski…

A remake of the 1966 film starring Michael Caine, Michael Hoffman’s Gambit changes significant details of the plot and characters. What it retains is the premise of an elaborate rouse.  In this version, Harry Deane is determined to scam his boss; it is more about revenge than benefit.

Gambit is a crime caper with a dollop of comedy. The film pivots around the character of Deane, a bumbling art curator who faces ridicule from his awful boss. The film takes the time to construct Harry Deane’s character; painting him as someone who is intelligent yet awkward. It is because of this depiction throughout the film that the ending does not quite ring true. It is easy to see why the Coen brothers decided to conclude the film in such a way, but it does not correlate with what has come before.

Gambit harks back to the original in terms of style. This begins with the animated credit sequence which has a 1960s feel, and continues with styling in the film and choice of soundtrack. Feeding into this, the film accentuates a sense of Britishness with the locations and costumes.

Performances from the cast feed into the stereotypes that they play. Alan Rickman plays the caricature Lionel Shahbander with the villanous zeal audiences have come to expect from him. Cameron Diaz is suitably chipper as PJ Puznowski, while Colin Firth plays the type of character he became famous for.

There are certainly better crime capers, but Gambit is suitably enjoyable. It is just not a classic.

Stuff To Look At

A veritable feast for the eyes this week, with the new teaser trailer for The Lone Ranger, excellent posters from the upcoming Frankenweenie, and more besides…

The Lone Ranger

The teaser trailer for 2013’s The Lone Ranger was released this week. Starring Johnny Depp, directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, it is unsurprising that the teaser is reminiscent of Pirates of the Caribbean. Also starring Armie Hammer as the title character and Helena Bonham Carter, The Lone Ranger is due for release next year.

Frankenweenie

Frankenweenie will be released in the UK on 17th October 2012, and will open the London Film Festival on 12 October 2012. To promote the release of Tim Burton’s new film, these fantastic retro-style posters have been released. The others can be viewed here. They are entirely in keeping with the style of the stop-motion animated black and white film. To coincide with the release, the exhibition The Art of Frankenweenie will open at the BFI Southbank during the festival.

The Master

One of this year’s most anticipated films will be released in the UK on 16th November 2012, with a special run at the Odeon West End from 2nd November 2012. Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master has been receiving critical acclaim and recently broke the takings per screen record when it opened in the US. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams.

The Hobbit

Several images and features from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey have been released in the last few weeks. These include new posters featuring the dwarves and new Hobbit-related apps. But what I want to know is where are the Gollum posters and apps? Until this time comes, here is an image from the film to sate Gollum fans. The first film instalment of The Hobbit will be released on 14th December 2012.

Gambit

Written by Joel and Ethan Coen and directed by Michael Hoffman, Gambit looks like a lot of fun. Starring Colin Firth, Alan Rickman and Cameron Diaz, Gambit is a remake of the 1966 film of the same name. The film will be released in UK cinemas on 21st November 2012.