Film Review: Marriage Story

Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story is a top-drawer drama with outstanding performances from its leads. The film is heart-wrenching, observant, and very real. 

Charlie and Nicole’s marriage has come to an end. The couple navigate divorce proceedings and custody of their son at a fraught time…

Writer-director Noah Baumbach has made a career of focusing on the relationships of people, be they romantic, familial or friendship. His latest is truly a magnificent film. Marriage Story focuses on a relationship at its end, with a separated couple coming to terms with the end of their marriage and the co-parenting of their son. 

The opening sequence is an excellent introduction to the protagonists, their past relationship, and indeed how the film will play out. Baumbach indicates how the narrative will pan out, with the couple each extolling the virtues of the other. The film remains even handed in its depiction of the two protagonists throughout. Baumbach does not attempt to paint one as the villain and one as the victim. Instead, the film ebbs and flows with Charlie seeming more sympathetic at times, and Nicole at others. 

The beauty of Marriage Story is that the emotions depicted appear wholly authentic. The film focuses on a painful and stressful time in its protagonists’ lives and these feelings bubble to the surface in a realistic manner. Baumbach runs the gambit of tears to laughter in his exploration of what happens once a couple decides to separate. The filmmaker gives no allusions of a fairytale ending. There is anger, bitterness, and sadness. Yet the love, both past and present, remains. In this way, Baumbach illustrates the very essence of complicated relationships.

Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson deliver remarkable performances as Charlie and Nicole. They are completely convincing as a fractured couple, and in their portrayal of sadness, anger, and indeed amusement. Casting in the film deserves to be applauded, particularly in the choice of Laura Dern, Ray Liotta, and Alan Alda as divorce lawyers. Dern in particular is typically great as the firebrand lawyer.

With Marriage Story, Noah Baumbach once again proves to be a shrewd observer of the human condition. The film is intense, touching, and very impressive. This is Baumbach’s strongest film to date.

Marriage Story is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2019.

Film Review: Jojo Rabbit

Taika Waititi’s gentle satire Jojo Rabbit delivers its message with a humour and a surprising amount of heart. 

Young Jojo is a member of the Hitler Youth. Living in Germany towards the end of World War II, Jojo’s best friend is an imaginary Adolf Hitler. When Jojo makes a discovery, he must confront his blind nationalism…

Written and directed by Taika Waititi, based on the book by Christine Leunens, Jojo Rabbit lampoons nationalism and extremism in an entertaining manner. The film focuses on a young German boy during World War II, as he tries to reconcile his loyalty to Hitler with a less extreme view of the world. 

Despite being sold as a satire on hate, the film is rather gentle in its ribbing. This is not a film brimming with razor sharp wit. Instead Jojo Rabbit is primarily a story of a young boy learning his hate is misplaced. The message that the film proffers is certainly one to be applauded. Jojo comes to a slow and natural realisation. Waititi draws the obvious parallels between Nazi Germany and current affairs. 

There is plenty of humour present in Jojo Rabbit. The comedy is mostly gentle, although there are belly laughs to be had. What is surprising about the film is how sad it is on occasion. There are a couple of times when the laughs subside and the picture is quite dark. Waititi presents these moments in a heartfelt manner; they do not feel out of place as the film earns these emotional moments. 

Roman Griffin Davis is good as Jojo. It is the supporting cast who stand out, however. Waititi makes a very humorous Hitler, while Scarlett Johansson brings tenderness as Rosie. Thomasin McKenzie is good, as are Sam Rockwell and Archie Yates. Music is used to get effect, as the filmmaker has done in his previous films. 

Jojo Rabbit is not the cutting satire that some may expect. Nevertheless, it is a warmly humorous and very enjoyable. 

Jojo Rabbit is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2019. 

Previews: Rambo: Last Blood Trailer, Ad Astra, More!

An abundance of film-related goodness in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the Rambo: Last Blood trailer, Ad Astra, Marriage Story, and more…

Rambo: Last Blood Trailer

Here is the latest Rambo: Last Blood trailer. Sylvester Stallone returns as iconic action hero John Rambo. The film, purportedly the last in the series which began in 1982, sees Rambo confront his past and exact revenge on one final mission. Directed by Adrian Grunberg, Rambo: Last Blood will be released in UK cinemas on 19th September 2019.

Ad Astra Trailer

Above is the new trailer for Ad Astra. Starring Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, and Ruth Negga, the film is about an astronaut who is sent to the outer edges of the solar system. The film’s success may be the bellwether for the direction that Disney takes 20th Century Fox, after some box office failures. Ad Astra will hit UK screens on 18th September 2019.

Marriage Story Poster

The first poster and teaser trailers for Noah Baumbach‘s Marriage Story are here. The film is about the breakup of a marriage and the impact on family. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver lead the cast, which includes Laura Dern, Alan Alda, and Ray Liotta. Marriage Story will be released in selected cinemas and on Netflix this Autumn.

Underwater Trailer

Underwater is a new disaster movie about a group of underwater researchers who must scramble to safety after an earthquake hits their subterranean station. The cast is lead by Kristen Stewart, and also includes T.J. Miller and Vincent Cassel. Underwater is scheduled for release in UK cinemas on 10th January 2020.

Stardust First Look

Here is the very first image from the upcoming Stardust. The film is about a young David Bowie, who is about to embark on his first road trip to America. Johnny Flynn stars as Bowie, and is joined by Jena Malone and Marc Maron. Stardust does not yet have a release date.

Previews: Wonder Woman Trailer, Baby Driver, More!

A plethora of film-related goodness in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including Wonder Woman trailer, Baby Driver, Atomic Blonde and more…

Wonder Woman Trailer

Here is the latest Wonder Woman trailer. The film is something of an origins story for one of the most famous female superheroes. Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine and Connie Nielsen, the film is directed by Patty Jenkins. Wonder Woman hits the big screen on 2nd June 2017.

Baby Driver Trailer

Here is the trailer for Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver. The film is about a young getaway driver who wants to ditch his criminal life. The film stars Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Kevin Spacey and Jamie Foxx. Baby Driver arrives in UK cinemas on 16th August 2017.

Transformers: The Last Knight Clip

This new clip does not reveal too much about the plot of the latest Transformers movie. Transformers: The Last Knight sees humans at war with the machines from another planet. Michael Bay’s film stars Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Hopkins. Transformers: The Last Knight is set for release later this year.

Life Poster

The latest poster for Life focuses has a suggestion of Gravity about it. Life is about a group of scientists aboard the International Space Station who discover a new life form. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, and Ryan Reynolds. Life is out in UK cinemas on 24th March 2017.

Atomic Blonde Trailer

Charlize Theron is deadly in this trailer for Atomic Blonde. She plays an MI6 agent tasked with delivering a priceless dossier. She is joined by James McAvoy and John Goodman. Atomic Blonde will hit UK screens on 11th August 2017.

Lady Macbeth Trailer

Lady Macbeth is the debut feature film from theatre director William Oldroyd. The film is about a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage to a man twice her age. The film stars Florence Pugh and Cosmo Jarvis. Lady Macbeth will be released in UK cinemas on 28th April 2017.

Rough Night Trailer

Rough Night is about a group of former college friends who accidentally kill a male stripper. The film looks like a cross between Very Bad Things and Weekend at Bernie’s. The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Kate McKinnon, and Zoë Kravitz. Rough Night will hit UK screens on 16th June 2017.

Previews: Alien: Covenant Clip, Atomic Blonde, More!

Lots of big films in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including an Alien: Covenant clip, Atomic Blonde, Beauty and the Beast, and more…

Alien: Covenant Clip

This Alien: Covenant clip gives viewers an insight into the crew and personalities in Ridley Scott’s latest film. Michael Fassbender returns in the sequel to Prometheus, and is joined by Danny McBride, Katherine Waterston, and James Franco. Alien: Covenant is set for release in May 2017.

Atomic Blonde Poster

Charlize Theron is striking in this poster for Atomic Blonde. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the film is about an assassin who is sent to retrieve a priceless dossier. The film also stars James McAvoy and John Goodman. Atomic Blonde hits UK screens on 11th August 2017.

Beauty and the Beast Clip

Emma Watson shows of her singing ability in this clip from the upcoming Beauty and the Beast. From this brief look, it seems as if a lot will be replicated from the original film, but it won’t be a shot-by-shot remake à la 1998’s Psycho. Dan Stevens and Luke Evans join Watson in heading up a enviable cast. Beauty and the Beast is out in UK cinemas on 17th March 2017.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Trailer

After success with Sherlock Holmes and its sequel, director Guy Ritchie turns his attention to another British fable. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword tells the familiar story of Arthur’s rise to power, albeit in an action-packed way. Starring Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword launches on to UK screens on 12th May 2017.

Ghost in the Shell Poster

The artwork for Ghost in the Shell certainly is striking. Scarlett Johansson stars as Major, a cyber-enhanced human who is tasked with stopping the world’s most dangerous criminals. Based on the Japanese manga of the same name, Ghost in the Shell hits UK screens on 31st March 2017.

Their Finest Trailer

Lone Scherfig’s latest film is about a female screenwriter tasked with writing a film to lift spirits during World War 2. Their Finest stars Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy. Based on Lissa Evans’ novel, Their Finest will be released in UK cinemas on 21st April 2017.

Previews: Ghost In The Shell, The Fits, More!

This week’s preview of coming attractions includes the Ghost in the Shell TV spot, Beauty and the Beast, and more…

Ghost in the Shell TV Spot

Here is the Super Bowl TV spot for Ghost in the Shell. A live-action version of 1995 animated film, it stars Scarlett Johansson, Michael Pitt, and Juliette Binoche. Johansson plays The Major, a cyborg counter-cyberterrorist commander. Ghost in the Shell is out in UK cinemas on 31st March 2017.

The Fits Trailer

The Fits is a portrait of eleven year-old tomboy who assimilates to a dance group. Things are going well until the group is hit by an outbreak of fainting spells. Starring Royalty Hightower, The Fits is released in UK cinemas on 24th February 2017.

Beauty and the Beast Trailer

Here is the final Beauty and the Beast trailer. It shows us a bit more of the film’s supporting characters, such as Luke Evans’ Gaston. What I, and many others I’m sure, want to know is how a live-action ‘Be Our Guest’ is going to be pulled off. Starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, Beauty and the Beast is released in cinemas on 17th March 2017.

John Wick: Chapter Two Clip

This clip from the upcoming John Wick: Chapter Two shows us just how the title character manages to avoid the onslaught of bullets. Keanu Reeves returns as the once-retired hitman in this sequel to 2015’s John Wick. John Wick: Chapter Two hits UK screens on 17th February 2017, with special previews on Valentine’s Day.

Film Review: Sing

Musical comedy Sing takes on that well-known product of the TV talent show to create a suitably entertaining animated feature. Although the film is perfectly watchable, it is not particularly memorable.

Buster Moon is a theatre impresario struggling to stay afloat. He decides to stage a singing contest, hoping that the popularity will be sufficient to restore the theatre. But there is just the small matter of the prize fund…

Directed by Christophe Lourdelet and Garth Jennings (from Jennings’ script), Sing offers viewers a world populated by anthropomorphic animals and the recognisable device of a talent show. This functions to introduce a host of diverse characters who compete in the show.

Protagonist Buster Moon is fleshed out sufficiently. The central premise of saving the theatre offers the character the opportunity to show drive, and some questionable tactics. The deception is forgivable, as most viewers can get behind Buster’s cause. However, the other characters have less depth. The film gives some backstory to the main competitors, however these are fairly formulaic. Johnny’s struggle between pursuing his dream and doing what his father wants is played out in a very predictable fashion.

There are some funny moments in the film, which often derive from the smaller supporting characters. Sing moves at a suitable pace, and feels the right duration for the type of film it is. Conclusions are reached for all of the film’s narrative strands, and these are predictable in their outcomes. Music in the film is used to good effect, with a soundtrack filled with popular songs. Matthew McConaughey is well cast as the voice of Buster, and Scarlett Johansson shows off her singing chops as Ash.

The main problem with Sing is that it fails to do anything to distinguish itself from other features of its ilk. Compared to recent animated features like Zootropolis and Kubo and the Two Strings, this film is easily forgettable.

Previews: Beauty and the Beast trailer, Moana, More!

This week’s preview of coming attractions includes the new Beauty and the Beast trailer, plus Live By Night, Moana and more…

Beauty and the Beast Trailer

Here is the first Beauty and the Beast trailer. The first thing that stands out is the accents of the cast; those familiar with the animated classic may find it strange to hear well-known characters with British accents. The second notable thing is how much the sets, props, and costumes resemble the animated film. The film features new songs, as well as the original score. Starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, Beauty and the Beast is set for release on 17th March 2017.

Live By Night Trailer

Ben Affleck directs and stars in Live By Night. The crime thriller is based on the Dennis Lehane novel. From the trailer at least, Affleck seems to emulate the classic Warner Bros gangster movies. Also starring Zoe Saldana and Elle Fanning, Live By Night hits UK screens on 13th January 2017.

Moana Clip

Here is a clip from the upcoming Moana. The film features the voices of Auli’i Carvalho and Dwayne Johnson. It will be interesting to see if directors Ron Clements and John Musker can recapture their earlier magic. Moana launches on to UK screens on 2nd December 2016.

Ghost in the Shell Featurette

Ghost in the Shell is based on the manga series of the same name. This featurette goes behind the scenes on the making of the film, speaking to director Rupert Sanders and others. Starring Scarlett Johansson, Ghost in the Shell is scheduled for release on 31st March 2017.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Trailer

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is the latest film from filmmaker Luc Besson. Benson follows Lucy with another sci-fi film, albeit a futuristic, space-set one. The film stars Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is out in UK cinemas in Summer 2017.

Film Review: Captain America: Civil War

Anthony and Joe Russo’s Captain America: Civil War is an entertaining continuation from the excellent Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The tone of the film is an asset, as is some fantastic action.

After another incident involving the Avengers results in unintended damage, there is pressure on the team to install a system of accountability. This results in a rift between the Avengers, as Steve Rogers’ wish for the Avengers to be free from political administration contrasts with the view of Tony Stark…

After the success of its predecessor, Captain America: Civil War had much hype to contend with. Overall, directors Anthony and Joe and Russo have done well to meet expectations. The film benefits from the built history. Previous instalments of the Marvel franchise have shaped these characters, making their actions and motivations convincing. The development from the previous films appears natural.

The introduction of new characters is not so overwhelming given that they are fairly minor. Most of the numerous superheroes have appeared in previous Marvel films. The appearance of Spider-Man is welcome, and bodes well for any stand-alone film. Black Panther is introduced in a similarly engaging fashion.

The directors build pace in a modest way. There is a lot of setting the scene for the third act, and this is handled ably by Joe and Anthony Russo. Action sequences are well executed, although they lack the fizz of the previous instalment. The theme of accountability and the constraints of power is one that has featured in many comic book films. Captain America: Civil War uses this not as the main theme, but to facilitate the story which unfolds from it.

Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan reprise their roles with energy. Anthony Mackie and Scarlett Johansson are always welcome additions to this franchise. Tom Holland has an appealing spark which suits his character well.

Captain America: Civil War feels like the conclusion of a series, despite the leads for subsequent films. Not quite the revelation of its predecessor, it is nevertheless an enjoyable blockbuster.

Previews: Rogue One Trailer, David Brent and more!

Plenty in this round-up of trailers and posters from this week, including the Rogue One trailer, David Brent: Life on the Road, Ben-Hur and more…

Rogue One Trailer

Here is the Rogue One trailer. The film is the first in a series of stand-alone Star Wars movies. Taking place before the events of Episode IV, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story certainly has the look of the original franchise. Starring Felicity Jones, Forest Whitaker and Riz Ahmed, Rogue One hits UK screens on 16th December 2016.

David Brent: Life on the Road Trailer

The trailer for David Brent: Life on the Road is just as cringe-inducing as you would imagine. Ricky Gervais resurrects his famed character from The Office for this film about Brent’s time on the road as a salesman and amateur rockstar. David Brent: Life on the Road is out in UK cinemas on 19th August 2016.

Ben-Hur Poster

Here is the latest poster for Ben-Hur. The film is a remake of the 1959 epic. Starring Jack Huston and Morgan Freeman, the film is about a falsely accused Jewish nobleman who survives years of slavery. Ben-Hur gallops on to the big screen on 26th August 2016.

The B.F.G. Trailer

Here is the trailer for Steven Spielberg’s The B.F.G. The film is based on the Roald Dahl’s classic and features Mark Rylance as the title character and Ruby Barnhill as Sophie. The B.F.G. hits UK screens on 22nd July 2016.

Captain America: Civil War Featurette

Here is a featurette on the upcoming Captain America: Civil War. The video focuses on the film’s main female characters, with Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen and Emily Van Camp discussing their roles in the film. Captain America: Civil War launches onto UK screens on 29th April 2016.