Film Review: The Shape of Water

Guillermo del Toro’s sci-fi fairy tale The Shape of Water is at times beguiling, at times surprising, and a joy to watch.

Eliza is a cleaner at a high security government facility. She lives a solitary existence punctuated by routine. When a new asset is brought in, Eliza is curious about the creature…

With a screenplay written by del Toro and Vanessa Taylor, The Shape of Water blends a number of genres. First and foremost, the film is fairy tale. It falls within the parameters of this structure, with its character archetypes and plot points. The film distinguishes itself by its setting and the unusual character fulfilling the ‘princess’ archetype.

The Shape of Water places a traditional fairy tale into a science fiction-tinged setting. Dominantly, this comes in the form of the creature itself. However, other markers are there, such as the preoccupation with the space race. The period setting allows for some beautiful production design.

From the first shot of the film, spectacle is almost assured. And the film does not disappoint in this respect. The special effects are excellent, and Dan Laustsen’s cinematography most admirable. There is some beautiful framing in the film, not least the last shot.

The main characters conform to certain archetypes, yet a coloured sufficiently to have their own personalities. It is wonderful to see Sally Hawkins taking the lead in such a big production. The character means she must communicate mostly through expression, and she excels at this. Michael Shannon and Octavia Spencer play the type of roles we have seen from them before, but both a great at this. Richard Jenkins and Michael Stuhlbarg are also on good form.

The Shape of Water is a different kind of fairy tale, but one that offers plentiful spectacle and entertainment.

The Shape of Water is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2017.

Film Review: Call Me By Your Name

Call Me By Your Name manages to balance the tricky task of being simultaneously romantic and realistic. Luca Guadagnino’s film is brilliant.

Elio spends every summer with his family at their summer house in northern Italy. They are joined by his father’s graduate student, Oliver. He is a handsome and confident young man, who grabs Elio’s attention…

Based on the novel by Andre Aciman, Call Me By Your Name is beautifully written and endlessly engaging. The film blends a coming of age story with a classic romance. The film has a universal quality which will resonate with a diverse demographic. Set in the early 1980s, the film does deal with the difficulty in expressing same-sex attractions. Whilst this plays a role, the emphasis is on a burgeoning love story.

Guadagnino manages to get the tone right throughout the film. The film is incredibly romantic, with its picturesque setting, its beautiful protagonists, and its endearing love story. Yet at the same time, the film feels realistic. This is especially true of Elio, in his adolescent awkwardness. It works well that viewers are positioned with this young protagonist. His longing, his tentativeness, his emotion are all recognisable for anyone who has been in love, at whatever age.

The characters in Call Me By Your Name are given sufficient depth and nuance. Oliver’s arch is particularly pleasing to watch, for the most part at least. Elio, meanwhile is talented and inexperienced, nervous and exuberant. Armie Hammer is well cast as Oliver. The actor is authentic and perfectly pitched as the handsome smart and charming newcomer. Timothée Chamalet is brilliant as Elio; he plays the character with such sincerity. Michael Stuhlbarg gives a great performance also, with a stand out scene later in the film.

Part of the film’s beauty is in its telling of the story, the relationship develops gently, with plenty of moments of affection, nervousness, and humour. Call Me By Your Name just might by the most romantic film of the year.

Call Me By Your Name is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2017.

Previews: The Killing of a Sacred Deer Trailer, More!

Plenty to see in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including The Killing of a Sacred Deer trailer, Goodbye Christopher Robin, and more…

The Killing of a Sacred Deer Trailer

The Killing of a Sacred Deer is the latest film from Yorgos Lanthimos. Director Lanthimos follows The Lobster with this horror-thriller. The film stars Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell, and Barry Keoghan. The Killing of a Sacred Deer is out in UK cinemas on 17th November 2017.

IT VR Experience

Adjust your headsets for this frightening journey into the world of IT. This VR experience gives a flavour of the film, which is based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel. It is pretty scary! Starring Bill Skarsgård, IT floats on to UK screens on 8th September 2017.

Goodbye Christopher Robin Poster

Here is the latest poster for the upcoming Goodbye Christopher Robin. The film is about the real life relationship between author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin, whose toys inspired the world of Winnie the Pooh. The film stars Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie, and Kelly Macdonald. Goodbye Christopher Robin is set for release on 29th September 2017.

Call Me By Your Name Trailer

Based on the novel of the same name, Call Me By Your Name is a drama from director Luca Guadagnino (A Bigger Splash). The film is about an Italian-American teenager whose head is turned when a twenty-four year old intern comes to stay with his family for the summer. Starring Armie Hammer, Timothée Chamalet, and Michael Stuhlbarg, Call Me By Your Name hits UK screens on 27th October 2017.

The Death of Stalin Trailer

The Death of Stalin is the latest film from writer-director Armando Iannucci. The film is a dark comedy which takes place in the days after the collapse of Soviet leader Stalin. The film features an enviable cast that includes Steve Buscemi, Paddy Considine, and Andrea Riseborough. The Death of Stalin is out in UK cinemas on 20th October 2017.

Film Review: Steve Jobs

Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs is a compelling drama. Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay provides excellent material for the director to work with.

In 1984, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is getting ready to unveil the Macintosh computer to the world. Behind the scenes of the launch, things are frantic with glitches in the demo, and the mother of Steve’s daughter demanding to talk to him…

Danny Boyle’s pseudo-biopic Steve Jobs is set behind the scenes at the launches of three products by the title character. Given this premise, the film should not be enthralling. However, Steve Jobs bucks this assumption thanks to some brilliant writing by Aaron Sorkin.

The film has a very simple set up, choosing three pivotal periods to tell the story of the protagonist’s life and career. Each segment takes place backstage at a product launch, in the time immediately before a public unveiling. There are also a handful of brief flashback sequences to fill in some of the backstory. It is disputable how much of this resembles real events. Nevertheless, the action that takes place is tense and dramatic.

The ticking clock device works really well in the first segment of Steve Jobs. The pressure of the situation is clear, yet Sorkin piles on a multitude of elements to tell the protagonist’s tale. The more personal aspects of Jobs’ life come through the interactions with his daughter Lisa and her mother Chrisann, as well as conversations with John Sculley. Career and work points are highlighted by Steve Wozniak and Andy Hertzfeld. Meanwhile, marketing executive Joanna Hoffman holds it all together, acting as supreme confidant in the film. Steve Jobs has been carefully crafted to not only take place at important junctures in Apple’s history, but to highlight the changing relationships Jobs has with the main characters.

Michael Fassbender delivers an assured performance as the title character. Michael Stuhlbarg stands out among the supported cast, whilst Kate Winslet is as solid as ever. Music is a great accompaniment, changing to reflect the different eras depicted in the film. The scoring for the first segment is particularly good.

Steve Jobs exhibits what a great screenwriter Sorkin is. The ending  may not please all, but overall the film is immensely engrossing.

Steve Jobs is closing the London Film Festival in October 2015.

Film Review: Blue Jasmine

Woody Allen’s comedy drama Blue Jasmine is a treasure trove of great writing, direction and performances.

Former New York socialite Jasmine is used to a lavish lifestyle. Following the loss of her fortune, Jasmine arrives in San Francisco to stay with her modest sister Ginger. Despite looking the part of a  well-adjusted lady, Jasmine is anything but…

Blue Jasmine is more serious than a lot of Woody Allen’s previous films.  Nevertheless, the humour is still present in this latest effort, and it is still effective.

The neurotic character is a common component of Allen’s films. In Blue Jasmine, this attribute is taken to the extreme. Jasmine is a fantastic and compelling central character. Viewers are unable to look away, even when watching is painful.

Other characters in Blue Jasmine are just as well-crafted. Ginger and Chili appear three dimensional. The various relationship dynamics at play are engineered for humour and drama. The ilm is successful in both these respects.

The themes that transpire in Blue Jasmine age old, yet this rendition feels most contemporary. At times, situations or characters can feel almost caricature; yet the absurdity is a plus as it adds to the humour of the film.

Woody Allen has a knack for drawing fascinating characters. Blue Jasmine is no exception. None of the film’s main characters are redeemable overall, but this does not make them less gripping. Allen’s dialogue is on point, as ever.

Cate Blanchett offers a maginificent performance as the protagonist. She is so convincing as Jasmine that her performance almost feels too heady in its resplendence. Sally Hawkins and Bobby Cannavale are great, as is Michael Stuhlbarg in a minor role.

With Blue Jasmine, Woody Allen has made a great return to form following the lacklustre To Rome With Love. It will be interesting to see what the prolific director does next.