Previews: On Chesil Beach Trailer, Death Wish, More!

Plenty in this week’s preview attractions, including the new Yardie trailer, Death Wish, Yardie, and more…

On Chesil Beach Trailer

Here is the latest On Chesil Beach trailer. Based on the novel by Ian McEwan (with a screenplay also written by McEwan), On Chesil Beach is about a young couple’s wedding day in the early 1960s. The film stars Saoirse Ronan, Billy Howle, and Anne-Marie Duff. On Chesil Beach will be released on 15th June 2017.

Yardie Trailer

Above is the trailer for Idris Elba’s directorial debut Yardie. Set in 1970s Kingston and 1980s Hackney, the film tells the story of a young man who grows up under the wing of a Kingston don and music producer. Starring Aml Ameen, Sheldon Shepherd, and Shantol Jackson, Yardie will be released later this year.

Death Wish Poster

Here is one of the new poster for Death Wish. The new Eli Roth movie is a reimagining of the 1974 film. The film stars Bruce Willis as a surgeon who is confronted by violence when his family are attacked. Also starring Vincent D’Onofrio and Elisabeth Shue, Death Wish will hit UK screens on 6th April 2018.

A Gentle Creation Trailer

Here is the trailer for the Palme d’Or nominated A Gentle Creature. Directed by Sergei Loznitsa, the film is about a woman with an incarcerated husband. When her parcel to him is returned, she begins on a quest for justice. A Gentle Creature will be released in UK cinemas on 13th April 2018.

A Quiet Place Featurette

John Krasinski explains a little about the concept of A Quiet Place in the above featurette. Directed, co-written, and starring Krasinski, the horror is about a family who must stay quiet in order to evade detection. Co-starring John Krasinski’s wife Emily Blunt, A Quiet Place will hit the big screen later this year.

Mary Magdelene Trailer

Mary Magdalene is a biblical biopic. The film tells the story of the title character as she meets Jesus of Nazareth. Rooney Mara plays Mary, with Joaquin Phoenix playing Jesus. The film also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Tahar Rahim. Directed by Garth Davis, Mary Magdalene is out in UK cinemas on 16th March 2018.

Film Review: The Informant

Based on an autobiographical memoir, The Informant is a fascinating story. Unfortunately this is let down by its execution.

Living with his young family in Gibraltar, bar owner Marc Duval is struggling to make ends meet. When he is offered an opportunity to earn money as an informant for the French boarder control, Marc is reluctant, but the lure of financial stability is too great…

Julien Leclercq’s The Informant is interesting in that it is based on real events, despite how far-fetched they may seem at times. The story is well constructed. The narrative builds tension as the film progresses, and there is sufficient mystery and drama to keep viewers engaged.

Nonetheless, there is a lack of flair to Leclercq’s direction. At points during The Informant, aspects could have been made more dramatic or engrossing than they actually are. Music in the film veers into the melodramatic at times. Limiting the use and intensity of the score would have helped with this.

Given that the story originates from the viewpoint of the protagonist, it would not have been surprising if the film had been wholly one-sided. However, the depiction of Marc in The Informant is more nuanced than this. There are moments when the audience will feel for his predicament, and others which exhibit his shortcomings.

The Informant does lose its momentum slightly as the plot continues. Later scenes which should be wrought with tension, are merely perfunctory. Although the film dominantly concerns Marc, it would have been more satisfying if the supporting characters had been fleshed out more. Gilles Lellouche delivers a competent performance as Marc. Tahar Rahim is also decent as Belimane.

With The Informant, an important story has not been translated into an important film. The Informant is certainly watchable, although it feels like a missed opportunity.