Silent Heart

2nd Danish Film Festival

Shang Cineplex

What seems like a weekend family bonding in an ancestral house turns out to be 'farewell party' for its matriarch, Esther. The thing is Esther has a debilitating sickness which will soon render her totally immobile so she decides to end her life before she becomes a burden to her family. 

She planned one last weekend together with her immediate family which consists of her older daughter, Heidi, her husband Michael and her son Jonathan. Sanne, her troubled daughter and her boyfriend Dennis. They are joined by Lisbeth, Esther's best friend and Poul, Esther's husband who is also a medical practitioner. 

Esther's decision was made several months ago much to the chagrin of her daughters yet they also respect and accept their mother's dying wish. Esther planned some activities for the weekend like the tradition of singing and dancing around the Christmas tree (even though it is evidently not December) as well as partaking of their favorite dishes during their meals. 

Euthanasia is a very serious topic and to tackle it in a heartwarming film is a tricky affair. Director Bille August handles it well with the use of muted tones set in a quaint wintry Danish town. But there is also enough warmth as manifested by the camaraderie of a family that seem close even though they don't see each other as often they want to perhaps due to distance and obligations. Reminiscing over old photographs and sharing light intimate moments to make the weekend memorable for all of them.

There are also misunderstandings, conflicts and frustrations which surface as they each try to come to terms with dealing with the finality of Esther's desire to end her life. An understandable sense of sadness and contained grief also reigns throughout the film.

I couldn't stop crying (I am such a softie) and it seems I wasn't alone as I could also hear some sobs emanating from some viewers in the quiet, cold and dark cinema theater. But I was also grateful there weren't any over the top hysterical scenes that could turn this poignant film into a melodramatic weepy tearjerker. In my opinion, this film isn't about death because as Esther said we are all headed that way anyhow. It is about living and living our life to the fullest.

The Keeper of Lost Causes

2nd Danish Film Festival

Shang Cineplex 

Nordic noir refers to a genre of crime fiction movies from the Scandinavian countries which usually features dark, complex and bleak story lines. They are not necessarily horror movies but essentially deal with disturbing plots with twists and complex, flawed characters. It is a genre that piques my cinematic interest so this film was right up my alley. 

A previous police operation which Detective Carl Morck headed went horribly wrong, he lost a colleague and his best friend/partner was paralyzed. Taking 3 months off to recover, both physically and mentally, he is back. His superiors feel he is not ready to return to the homicide section just yet. Although he is a good, meticulous detective, he also has an attitude problem.

He is dispatched to Department Q which is the closed cases section located in the decrepit basement of the police HQ. He is also assigned an assistant named Assad, a Middle Eastern born cop whose calm demeanor and genteel personality is the complete opposite of the arrogant, brooding Carl. 

Their main task was to simply categorize and submit 2 page reports for each case. But Carl proceeds to re-open the 5 year old case of Merete Lynggaard, a young female politician whose disappearance from a ferry was deemed a suicide yet her body was never found. 

The film may sound like an average episode of CSI but fortunately it had much more to offer. The unsuspecting twists, the convoluted characters, the dreary locales, the manner the back story of Merete was screened through seamless flashback scenes, the  disturbingly dark yet suspenseful narrative which unfolds from this single cold case is enough to keep you on the edge of your seats. It had all the key elements of a good Nordic noir so it didn't disappoint, at all.

Colonia

German Film Week

Trinoma Cinemas

English is the language they chose to communicate this narrative about a really creepy place known as Colonia Dignidad. This German film which is based on actual events stars an international cast with Emma Watson (Hermione from the Harry Potter films) as Lena, a German stewardess (although nowadays they are called flight attendants) who is involved with Daniel, (German actor Daniel Bruhl) a German political activist/member of a group of young rebels who support President Allende.

Lena is in Santiago for a few days. So they spend it together. They are young, they are in love. But once General Augusto Pinochet overthrows Allende, they find themselves embroiled in the military coup of 1973. Daniel is abducted for his subversive activities and Lena tries everything to find his whereabouts. One day, she hears Daniel may have been taken to the Colonia Dignidad.

This is a camp in the outskirts of Santiago managed by a certain Paul Schafer who is ably portrayed by reliable Swedish actor Michael Nyqvist. It is presented as a charitable organization but in truth it is a cult run by an ex Nazi who enforces a strict code of conduct within the premises.  It was also further proven to enclose torture chambers where enemies of the state were taken during the brutal military dictatorship rule of Pinochet and most of them were never heard from again.

So Lena decides to join Colonia Dignidad in the hopes of finding Daniel. The whole film is focused on the activities within the camp and her desperate attempt to 'rescue' Daniel from a place where nobody has managed to escape.

It is an interesting story as it exposes a cult that was permeated by a sick ex Nazi pedophile although most of the scenes were implied and not explicit. It would have been more extensive had it also lengthily focus on the brutality within the hidden torture chambers. I understand it is a German made film so it concentrated on the activities inside the Colonia Dignidad. 

It also put the German government in a bad light as it was shown that they were well aware of what was really going on inside and were probably in cahoots with the Chilean authorities. A rather controversial point of contention which is still drawing flak from certain sectors.

It was a good vehicle though to showcase Emma Watson in a more mature role, a far cry from her pesky Hermione days. Overall, it had its thrilling moments such as the final minutes towards the conclusion but it is a pretty lightweight narrative as far as political/historical dramas go. 

Stations of the Cross

German Film Week 2016

Trinoma Cinemas

As a practising Catholic, I know for a fact the agony which the lead character experiences as she tries to remain true to her faith is very realistic. Yet I also know that what Maria espouses is an extreme form of Catholic devotion. 

In the same manner that Islam has its extremists, Catholicism also has its own fair share of fanatics whose interpretation of the tenets are strictly radicalized and a very drastic form of worship.

Presented through austere frames captioned by the 14 Stations of the Cross, I admit it was difficult to fathom how a young 14 year old girl can feel so conflicted about what her beliefs require from her daily existence. 

Choosing to sacrifice and adhere strongly to her devotion in this modern world is both admirable and depressing. You can be faulted to think that the setting of the story was in the early 1960s, a period when people were still 'naive' and had conservative views, given the sparse cinematography.  

I think what struck me most was the glaring absence of any form of gadgets which could be a valid form of distraction for the current generation. Perhaps because it was set in a small German town. Or the director wanted to eradicate any form of distraction so that the audience can clearly focus on the misgivings of the soulful Maria as she remained steadfastly true to her understanding of her powerfully strong beliefs.

The acting is on point especially for the young actress who portrays Maria. Simple and subtle yet laden with different very expressive reactions to the endless 'challenges' she had to face in her daily evolution. 

"Stations of the Cross" give us a pure and raw narrative that is guaranteed to tug our heartstrings as we begin to question our own devotion to our faith, regardless of any religious denomination. 

Beloved Sisters (Germany)

Cine Europa
Cinema 2, Shang Cineplex

This 170 minutes long German film was its official entry for the best foreign-language category of the 2015 Oscars. A period drama/ biopic about the famous 18th century German writer/poet/ philosopher Friedrich Schiller. It focuses on the 20 year unusual menage a trois he shared with the Lengefeld sisters, Charlotte and Caroline. 

The film begins in Weimar in 1787 where Charlotte, the younger sister has been sent to live with her godmother Frau Charlotte von Stein (Goethe's paramour) in the hopes of finding a husband, preferably a wealthy one. The Lengefelds have fallen on hard times since the untimely demise of their aristocratic father. This forces Caroline to accept a marriage of convenience with Friedrich van Beulwitz to maintain their affluent lifestyle.

The sisters are quite close and even made a pact in their youth to always share everything with each other, shouting their pledge over the roaring sound of a raging waterfall in the German countryside. A pact with dire consequences which neither sister could resist nor escape easily from.

Soon enough,  Charlotte meets the struggling writer Schiller who was the toast of the literary scene based on his highly controversial novel "The Robbers." But he is basically penniless and it takes several long stretched sequences before Mama Lengefeld agrees to their union. Yet it is the more ambitious and flamboyant Caroline, trapped in a loveless marriage that pursues and manages to attract the attention of Schiller and they begin a passionate affair with the 'blessings' of her sister, Caroline.

Set in grandiose mansions located in the idyllic German countryside, the plot unfolds like a complex love triangle tale about loyalty, betrayal, and jealousy taken from the pages of a Jane Austen novel, except this was based on actual events. The eventual rise of Schiller as a literary icon during the Age of Enlightenment era was mostly inspired by his involvement with the two sisters. Both of them quite supportive in their own way of his meteoric rise amidst the backdrop of the brewing French Revolution which threatened their aristocratic existence.

I like the authenticity of the wardrobe as well as the horse drawn carriages, the use of the quill and the frequent letter writing between the characters. They also showed the innovations made in the development of the printing press industry and mentioned the sobering effect of the French Revolution as its ideals started spreading across Europe.

The characters were well developed and multi-dimensional, each of them with their unique personas, traits and characteristics. Contrasting personalities yet they are able to form good rapport and chemistry with each other's individual style.

Yet at over 3 hours long, certain sequences were too cloying like the part where the cast directly addresses the camera and read out loud their correspondences. The distracting voice-over which would appear intermittently throughout the entire film. 

Thankfully the last quarter of the long narrative became a bit more interesting as the two sisters really pour out their long suppressed sentiments about the importance of their unconventional arrangement. A dramatic shouting match added some much needed boost as the film finally winds down and draws the curtain on the very colorful life of Friedrich Schiller.

A Second Chance (Denmark)

Cine Europa

Cinema 2, Shang Cineplex

For those who watch "Game of Thrones", the name Nikolaj Coster-Waldau would be familiar as he is Jamie Lannister in that hit series. I am probably the only human being on this fair earth who DOES NOT watch it so I cannot really comment on his acting in GoT. 

In "A Second Chance", he is Andreas, a police detective who with his partner are called to a house where a domestic dispute has been reported. Tristan, an ex convict and junkie lives in a squalid apartment with his addict girlfriend Sanne. Deplorable conditions abound as exemplified by the sorry state of their little baby boy Sofus who is covered with his own feces and terribly malnourished. Andreas, a brand new parent himself to a baby boy roughly the same age as Sofus is appalled but cannot do anything as Sanne is not willing to file charges against her deadbeat boyfriend, the father of her child.

In contrast, Andreas's sprawling glass enclosed house near a quiet lake is quite impressive. In fact, I was wondering how he could afford to live so opulently on a cop's salary but I'm guessing they are paid relatively well in that neck of the woods. I don't really know for sure. 

He lives there with his emotionally fragile wife Anne who displays all the classic symptoms of postpartum depression. Easily distracted and unable to connect with her own son, she is despondent but Andreas tries his best to make her feel comfortable until a tragedy strikes which shakes both of them to the core.

It is this very unfortunate incident which pivots the film into a rather bleak and morose atmosphere where intense emotions and melodramatic sequences thrive. Against the background of a wintry setting, a chilly life altering decision by Andreas ruffles all the characters moral fibers. In this regard, the film ably achieves its thought provoking vibe, very effectively.  

The Lady in The Van (UK)

Cine Europa

Cinema 2, Shang Cineplex

This film focuses on the true story of an old lady who parked her van in the driveway of famous English playwright Alan Bennett and stayed there for 15 long years. It is based on a 1999 stage play written by Alan Bennett which starred Maggie Smith in the lead role. 

Little is known of Margaret Shepherd (Maggie Smith) as she shows up in her decrepit yellow van in a quiet Camden neighborhood. Frail yet very loquacious with a wicked sense of humor, her van is piled with all sorts of items and when you engage her in conversation, she comes across as a deeply religious person who always invokes the Virgin Mary.  Is she mentally unstable? Is she a fugitive from the law? Does she have any family? How has she managed all these time living in a messy and quite dirty, cramped vehicle?

Maggie Smith reprises her role as Margaret Shepherd in this film adaption and as usual gives an excellent performance. Shepherd is the complete opposite of her award winning role as the Countess Dowager in the hit series Downton Abbey. Yet Dame Smith's commanding screen presence is the true anchor in this otherwise tedious film.

Alan who recounts the story through an on and off voice over is portrayed in dual role. The real Alan who has to put up with Margaret and his alter ego who is the one who writes the narrative aka as the voice in his head.  I don't really see the purpose behind this type of presenting a character because after a while it just got too creepy for my taste.

Well back to Miss Shepherd, there is only so much crankiness one can tolerate from such a curmudgeon and I think that Alan must have been quite a patient person to put up with her. Perhaps she reminded him of his own mother who was advancing in years and eventually put in a home. Perhaps he pitied the old woman who didn't have much in life. Or maybe as a writer, he found it appealing to have a close encounter with such an intriguing character. She inspired him to write more even though she could be quite disruptive and would often ruin his train of thoughts.

There is so much more to discover about the lady in the van yet we are fed with just enough details without ruining her mysterious aura and at the same time we are not left completely in the dark, either. In that regard, it was an effective narrative about her life.

Louder than Bombs

Gabriel Byrne, Isabelle Huppert,

Jesse Eisenberg, Devin Druid

"Break the Silence"

Contrary to its title, there are no loud explosions or screeching car chases to capture your attention. The drama is drawn out by the intense mixture of emotions exhibited through its three main characters who all happen to be male. A father and his two sons who are still learning to deal with the sudden loss of their wife/mother. 

3 years after war photographer Isabelle Reed's (Isabelle Huppert) death, her family must relive their grief as an exhibit of her work will be displayed together with the launching of a book about her life. The wounds are still fresh as the real cause of the car accident which claimed her life is bound to further create a conflict among the remaining members of her family.

Her husband Gene (Gabriel Byrne) a former actor turned high school teacher still struggles to connect with his youngest son Conrad (Devin Druid), a loner who finds solace in extremely violent video games. While eldest son, Jonah (Jesse Eisenberg), a married professor is overwhelmed with the daunting tasks of being a brand new parent to a baby boy.  

I understand how difficult it must be for men to openly express their true feelings and this film vividly portrays the inner struggles each of them go through in dealing with their profound grief. 

It was good to see Gabriel Byrne again in any film and he doesn't disappoint as his portrayal of Gene is raw and poignant as a father trying his best to keep the fort running, so to speak. 

French actress Isabelle Huppert as the seasoned war photographer is shown through fleeting flashbacks but however little we see of her is still memorable as she commands a strong screen presence.  Her character is more able to connect with her deprived subjects in war torn countries than with her own sons who naturally act and feel distant to their mother. 

The same sentiments that are sometimes manifested through soldiers who come home from fighting overseas yet they can't wait to go back to the war zones. An abrupt disconnect that is sadly quite common and in a way quite painful to those living through it.

For a film that is quite quiet, both in form and dialogue, it still manages to pack in a lot of emotional nuances that is really powerful and thought provoking. For me that is the essential mark of a true dramatic narrative that several films seem to be lacking nowadays so I'm glad I was able to witness a rare gem like "Louder than Bombs".

45 Years

Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay

A blast from a not.so.forgotten past threatens to dampen the simple yet elegant celebration of Kate (Charlotte Rampling) and Geoff's (Tom Courtenay) 45th wedding anniversary. A letter from the Swiss government informs Geoff that they found the frozen intact body of his former girlfriend Katya who died from a fall while they were hiking in the Swiss Alps, several years ago.

This letter throws Geoff off course as all his profound memories of his Katya come flashing back. He is in a daze sneaking off in the middle of the night to watch old videos of their time together. Kate though tries to remain focus on the preparations for the anniversary still enthusiastic even as she observes Geoff's changed demeanor. 

Set in a small English country side town, the film is clearly a vivid portrayal of the poignant breakdown of a seemingly happy marriage between a childless couple. It is painful to watch as long hidden and well suppressed feelings slowly brew to the surface. Kate and Geoff's contrasting reactions and demeanor adding to the tension of their now very fragile union. Would the celebration push through or would they cancel?  

Great subtle acting from veteran actors Rampling and Courtenay give this simple yet very meaningful (especially for couples who have been married for a long time) movie, so much life. 

It is important to observe Rampling's face during the last scene ... excellent performance. This shot alone is worth all the different emotions we, the viewers go through as we watch in awed silence "45 Years".

The Little House

Eiga Sai 2016

Japanese Film Festival

Cinema 2, Shang Cineplex

Upon the death of his grandmother Taki, Takeshi discovers the last few pages of her memoirs. In fact, he was the one who encouraged her to write about her colorful life as a maid in an affluent household. These are shown in flashbacks as a young Taki assumes her duties in the little house. A bungalow with a distinct red roof in Tokyo, whose owners are a manager in a toy company and his stay at home wife, Tokiko together with their young son.  

The flashbacks cover the period before and during the second World War and are shot mostly inside the abode. These scenes are presented with a pinkish tone probably to give it a nostalgic vibe of  highly volatile era.

It is only when the subject of adultery enters the picture when this predictable film pulses beyond its averagely low key tone. Although the adultery is merely implied, the impact on Taki's conscience is I believe the pivotal point of the film. This is manifested through an older Taki who gets quite emotional when she recalls that secret she had to hide for all those years.

Good acting from the female leads uplift the multi-dimensional layers of their characters. But the sanitized approach of tackling the political and historical elements of the story is quite disappointing. It fails to capture the essence of that era as depicted through the eyes of an upper middle class Tokyo family living in their little red roofed house.

The Emperor in August

Eiga Sai 2016
Japanese Film Festival

Cinema 2, Shang Cineplex

August 1945 was a very important month in Japan's war history. After the leaders of the Allied nations met in Potsdam to negotiate for the end of the second World War, they issued a declaration. This statement known as the Potsdam Declaration basically sealed the deal for Japan. They were given an ultimatum to unconditionally surrender and withdraw their troops from nations which they occupied during the entirety of WWII.  

This film shows the perspective from Japan's side as the authorities from the Emperor himself to the members of his Cabinet weigh in on their proper response to the Potsdam Declaration.

Shown through short yet comprehensive scenes of various scenarios from the Cabinet meetings, to the audience with the Emperor as well as the growing coup brewing among the young officers (who wanted to fight till the very end and not surrender at all), this film offers a good behind.the.scenes narration of that important time in history.

All those endless footage of the numerous Cabinet meetings were necessary to portray the dilemma which Japan found itself in after the issuance of the Potsdam Declaration yet I figure a closer view of the impending coup d'etat being orchestrated by the young commissioned officers would have given the film a good balance to sustain the momentum. 

Even though the title mentions the Emperor, I believe this film did not do enough to delve into a deeper introspection of his character. He is portrayed as being compassionate and pensive about the future of his citizens after the war. How Japan would rebuild its nation after the devastation. These are all valid sentiments, naturally. 

Yet this is in stark contrast to the numerous atrocities which the Japanese army committed during the war which was waged in the Emperor's name.  I understand that the Japanese basically worship him and regard him as "God" so perhaps the writers didn't want to tarnish his 'image'?

An interesting piece of narration but there were some missing elements which could have given the film a solid edge in its portrayal of a definitive event in a nation's war history.

Bridge of Spies

Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance

"In a World on the Brink,
the Difference between War and Peace 

was one Honest Man"

Having Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks in a film is certainly a good combination and "Bridge of Spies" doesn't disappoint in any aspect. This espionage drama is an authentic narrative about the testy and frosty relationship between the USA and the USSR during the height of the Cold War. 

It specifically focuses on the behind closed doors negotiations which ensued to ensure the safe release of a US spy pilot shot down over Russia in exchange for the extradition of a suspected Russian spy caught red handed in America. In short, one spy for another spy so everyone is happy and the Cold War doesn't escalate into the 3rd World War!

The film is well made with tension filled moments combined with funny scenarios spiced with good values. The kind of values which sadly is firmly lacking nowadays in a world where terror attacks is slowly becoming the norm. 

But the film had a tendency to give this America.is.the.greatest.nation vibe. I refer to the last few scenes where Tom Hanks is back in the US on board a train and the background scenes are of children playing safely in the streets and it is interspersed with a flashback scene of Hanks in a tram in East Berlin and the prevailing shots are bleak surroundings with barbed wires on buildings. That shot right there didn't sit well with me, it wasn't really necessary. Overall though the film was an enjoyable viewing experience.

Woman in Gold

Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds

"Justice is Priceless"

This true story of Maria Altmann, a Jewish American (of Austrian descent) woman's journey to reclaim her family's cherished possessions taken by the Nazis is highly poignant. It can be faulted to sometimes feel like a Hallmark movie of the week yet its main message is very relevant. Surely, the injustice committed during the second World War by the Nazis against the Jews is a very broadly sensitive subject. 

"Woman in Gold" though doesn't aim to highlight the atrocities and simply presents the lengths that Maria (Helen Mirren) went through to claim what is rightfully hers. Flashbacks of her younger days in Vienna are shown in between scenes of present day as she braces herself for a dragging courtroom battle both in the US and in Austria which is ably championed by her young rookie lawyer named Randy Schoenberg (Ryan Reynolds). 

Both Reynolds and Mirren do well in their respective roles and even though the film had a tendency to drag on a bit, it was still an effective narrative. It was quite an eye opener when it comes to the millions of art works which were confiscated during World War II.

Most interesting was the story behind the painting by Gustav Klimt "The Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer" who just happens to be Maria Altmann's aunt. The famous painting which was also known as "The Woman in Gold" due to her glittery attire in the portrait was one of the national treasures of Austria given that Klimt was a much celebrated Austrian artist. So I could understand how difficult it must have been for the Austrian government to simply relinquish this famous painting to its rightful owner. 

This film was much more informative than the disappointing "Monuments Men" which merely wasted the acting talents of its ensemble cast headed by George Clooney.

Mientras Duermes(Sleep Tight)

Cinematique of FDCP

This closing film of the Spanish Thrillers series was terrifying and quite creepy. It evolves around Cesar, a doorman/concierge at a Barcelona apartment building who seems normal at first glance yet when you examine his personality, he is a sick psychopath who has an aversion towards 'happy, cheerful' people. 

Perhaps genetically inclined after years of mental abuse from his mother or some hidden dark childhood, the film doesn't really reveal his motives/demeanor. His true persona manifests through his snooping around the residents' places at odd hours as he has the master key to all of their apartments. 

He develops an obsession over Clara, the young single lady in apartment 5B who is always in a good mood with a ready smile for everyone. She is a 'tough nut' to crack so Cesar is challenged and puts all his concerted efforts into breaking her down both mentally and emotionally and ruin her 'perfect' life.

Set in mostly dark tones, the film succeeds in emitting an eerie vibe and this is best exemplified through the excellent performance of its lead actor Luis Tosar (one of the best dramatic Spanish actors) who portrays Cesar with a facial scrawl that is guaranteed to give you goosebumps.  And it gets more disturbing when we witness the lengths he goes through to make life miserable for the poor unsuspecting Clara. 

This edge of your seat thriller is well executed. The twist towards the conclusion is shocking and I didn't see that coming at all. This film will surely satisfy your scary (mentally not gory type) movie fix.

Big Eyes

Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz

"A True Story about Art

and the Art of Deception."

I have to say that you would not think that this biopic would be directed by esteemed director Tim Burton. Probably because it doesn't feature any eccentric characters nor delve into any quirky story line. 

It is based on the true story about the celebrated painter Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz) who gained fame in the late 1950s and 1960s for his vivid portraits of waifs with big eyes. He transformed the art world as he also commercialized popular art by selling replicas of his paintings in postcard forms which were way cheaper than his original paintings. But as it turns out, it was his long suffering wife Margaret (Amy Adams) who was the real artist behind those enigmatic paintings but she kept it a secret as his success meant they would live comfortably.

Early in the movie, she is portrayed as a single mother who left her abusive husband and to make ends meet, she would sell her paintings. Her explanation as to why she painted that way is because the eyes are the windows to one's soul so she wanted to emphasize their relevance. She meets and falls in love with a struggling street artist/realtor named Walter Keane who it turns out is really a fake and merely copies or forges paintings.

Yet Margaret continued to stay in the background even as Walter takes all the credit for her hard work. Keeping it a secret even from her own daughter until she has had enough of their tumultuous marriage and she files for divorce. The truth eventually prevails and she is rightfully unveiled and acknowledged as the real artist behind those "Big Eyes".

A story of vindication, awakening and the value of self worth that is well acted by reliable actors like Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz. Although there are several loop holes in the plot, it is still inspirational and the theme of women empowerment shines through and through.

Mon Roi(My King)

French Film Festival 2016

Greenbelt 3 Cinemas

I'd admit, this melodrama that focused on the destruction of a marriage was difficult to watch. It felt like you are on a freaky roller coaster ride that will leave you breathless yet at the same time also quite exhilarated from the fervor!

Toni and Giorgio were united by their strong attraction to each other. Toni, a successful lawyer is fiercely independent while Giorgio a renowned restaurateur is well basically a jerk for want of a correct word to describe his colorful personality. 

After a lovemaking session, Toni asks him if he was a 'good person' and he replies "Nah on the contrary, I am the king of the jerks" thus the film is titled "Mon Roi" or My King referring to her term of endearment for him.

Both of them are strong willed individuals who have contrasting demeanor yet somehow their marriage for the most part thrive amidst several conflicts and imperfections. Because no marriage is perfect, right?

We witness the ups and downs of their union as Toni is recovering in a rehab/therapy facility as she fractured her knee in a skiing accident. Well we can say that perhaps it wasn't really an accident as it appears Toni deliberately injured herself so she could have some days off from their very toxic relationship.

Seamless flashbacks of their first meeting, to their wedding and the birth of their son weave in and out of scenes from her rehab sessions. She sticks out as a sore thumb as the other patients are mostly younger and from different ethnic backgrounds. But she quickly makes friends even as she reflects on the sad state of her marriage to Giorgio. 

Vincent Cassel as Giorgio is a delight to watch even as he is mostly a jerk in this role. For me, he has always been such an steady actor who really immerses himself in any role and as Giorgio his intensity still shines through even though he has visibly aged, physically.

I am not familiar with the actress who plays Toni but based on what I've read, she is an accomplished scriptwriter cum actress. Her characterization of the beleaguered Toni was spot on complete with expressive facial connotations and meaningful body language which added so much depth to her role.

As I've mentioned earlier, it is an highly emotional film so it might not please certain viewers but I'd recommend it as a valuable lesson on how not to ruin your marriage.

Grand Central

French Film Festival 2016

Greenbelt 3 Cinema

"Grand Central" is set far away from the sleek and cosmopolitan Parisian environs. It occurs in a small industrial town where blue collar workers are the main characters in this drama. The local nuclear power plant is the place where most of the town folks irk their living. A highly dangerous workplace where the the risk to radiation exposure is a daily concern.

Out of this menace, an illicit romance develops between Gary, a drifter working for pittance at the plant and Karole (who also works there but in another department), the fiancee of Toni who happens to be one of Gary's co-workers. 

Both characters risk both their career and their moral fiber by having a passionate affair in such a closely knitted community. Tensions arise both from the hazards of their demanding work as well as from the torrid copulation they are desperately trying to hide. 

Sad to say, there is no deeper meaning or deeper purpose to their relationship. It is merely spurred by lust and nothing else. There is no lengthy  discussion about the future of their relationship. Even as they are thrown a major curve ball, the manner in which they both react is a study in contrast. Both of them visibly affected yet each of them sticking to what they know is right and learning to accept life and everything it offers, differently.

Lea Seydoux (one of the latest Bond girls) is luminously perfect for the role of Karole and her chemistry with Gary (Tahar Rahim) is palpable. Both Karole and Gary strike as tragic characters who might need our sympathy more than we are willing to admit. 

Towards the ending, there seems to be a tiny bright spark of hope for  Karole and Gary as the loud deafening sound of a potential meltdown at the plant reverberates through the entire town. No matter how tiny it might be ... the key word is hope. 

But, you see for me, in every love triangle there are always three people involved, obviously! I tend to feel a lot more sympathy for the one who gets cheated on than the ones who through some fluke of nature feel like it is justified to pursue the affair ... but that's just me, heh!

Bird People

French Film Festival 2016

Greenbelt 3 Cinema

Of all the films I watched in this year's festival, "Bird People" is the most quirky, eccentric and really quite strange.

It evolves around 2 people whose lives are explored in the same setting - the Hyatt hotel located beside the Charles de Gaulle airport in the French capital. 

Gary (Josh Charles) is an American on business in Paris before proceeding to Dubai for more meetings. He communicates mostly in English and through a local who translates for him during his business meetings. Out of the blue, he decides to quit his job, end his marriage, lounge in his hotel room and just stay in Paris, indefinitely. All this he does in an eerily calm demeanor, sans hysterics, no explanation. 

The other one is Audrey, a young chambermaid at the hotel. Practically invisible to hotel guests as she diligently does her tasks, she is visibly stuck in a rut, bored and a loner. One day as she explores the rooftop of the hotel which has a bird's eye view of the airplanes parked at the tarmac of the airport, she flies! Yes, she turns into a little sparrow. No magic, no flash lightning effect ... nothing at all to indicate she would literally become a bird!

So she is all over the place, exploring the hotel grounds, flying high up in the air,. Sometimes she is talking, other times she is quiet and just flying all over. The camera zooms in and out of places, giving us a literal bird's eye view from Audrey's perspective as a sparrow.

Perhaps this transformation implies she is totally fed up with her routine life, she takes flight, literally. No further explanation is also given for Gary's sudden life altering decision to just quit everything without any sense of what he wants to do from that moment on. 

It can be frustrating as I tend to overthink and over analyze but I'd deem it is best to just let things be as they are and not turn it into something it isn't.  Either that or I just tuned myself out as soon as she started her flight as a little sparrow.

Towards the end, when the two characters briefly encounter each other in the lobby of hotel (by the way, she is back as Audrey!) there are hints that something just might come out of it or maybe not. Who knows?! We are left to form our own conclusions but the question is ... do we have to or do we even care?!

Belle Familles(Families)

French Film Festival 2016

Greenbelt 3 Cinema 

When Jerome makes a side trip to Paris (before he heads to London for a business venture) to visit to his family, he learns that the sale of their ancestral mansion has encountered a bureaucratic problem between city hall and a potential buyer. 

Jerome who has lived and worked in Shanghai for a decade is accompanied by his Chinese fiancee whom he wishes to introduce to his family. But soon enough, his involvement in the sale of their house entails him to stay much longer than he expected to as he discovers the secrets attached to his childhood manor. In the process it affects his business trip, his relationship with his fiancee as well as his filial duties.

This farcical comedy boasts of a great ensemble cast (I'm familiar with a few of the actors as I've seen them in other movies) who portray a myriad of high strung characters who act out a very energetic and fast paced story line. 

It is a typical French milieu with the provincial town of Ambray providing the picturesque setting to a complex narrative about  family secrets, strong childhood ties, nostalgia and also throw in an unexpected romance to the mix. All the ingredients needed to make it a watchable movie without any nagging existential questions clouding your mind.

It is an entertaining but somewhat predictable movie that is so French that you can't help but think of the hashtag #BourgeoisProblems!

La Caja 507(Box 507)

Cinematique of FDCP

I took a break from the French Film Festival to catch this Spanish movie at the Cinematique all the way in Kalaw, Ermita Manila. Every Saturday for the month of June at 4 P.M. you can watch Spanish thrillers with English subtitles. It is a first-come, first-based basis so better get there early.

In a small southern Spanish town, a group of criminals tie up and drug Modesto Pardo, the manager in a bank. They ransack the safety deposit boxes to steal loose gems and diamonds. After gaining consciousness, Modesto discovers a document in box 507 that implicates a major crime syndicate organization which may have caused a fire, 7 years ago. A fire which sadly claimed his only daughter's life.

He sets on a crusade to uncover the truth and this leads him to an intricate web of corruption involving local government officials and a powerful mob boss. His vengeance is fueled by his desire to seek justice for the murder of his daughter, an  innocent victim in a maelstrom of corruption, extortion, violence and crime.

Action packed with violent scenes as well as very dramatic moments, the film is fast paced and peppered with well developed characters. All of them on a relentless mission to protect their own interests. "La Caja 507" uses a visceral approach to portray events which are still prevalent in today's society, unfortunately!

This 2002 film was indeed a thriller! 

Un Homme Ideal(A Perfect Man)

French Film Festival 2016

Greenbelt 3 Cinema

Mathieu Vasseur, a wanna be writer who works for a moving company has hit a snag. After several rejections from publishers, he has lost his writing mojo. One day in the course of his work as he sorts through the belongings of a guy who died and whose things are being vacated, he discovers a diary. 

An extensive personal account about the guy's stint as a soldier in the Algerian war. With no known relatives, Mathieu decided to pass the diary as his own original novel and publishes it as a fiction entitled "Black Sand".  It is a huge hit and he is celebrated all over town as a best selling author. 

3 years later, he is engaged to a wealthy PR publicist and although being hounded by his editor for his second novel, his life is basically all nice and cozy. Until his dark secret catches up with him through a blackmail and the lengths he goes to to make sure his lies are kept hidden is what gives the film a gritty edgy factor.

This suspenseful thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat as the drama unfolds through sleek, flawless editing and the credible acting skills from the cast. Set in the picturesque French Riviera, I admit there are some loopholes in the plot. 

Yet the decent twist towards the end helps to mark him as a sad and lonely character with enough drama conveniently buried in his dark past to certainly last the rest of his earthly lifetime. 

Toute Premiere Fois(I Kissed a Girl)

French Film Festival 2016

Greenbelt 3 Cinema

34 year old Jeremie wakes up in bed with a Swedish woman after a drunken one night stand. Only problem is ... Jeremie is gay and has a partner named Antoine, a mild mannered doctor. They have been together for 10 years and are engaged to be married. Yet Jeremie finds himself getting obsessed with Adna and even hires her in his polling company which he co-owns with his childhood friend, Charles.

It is quite rare that a same sex relationship is fully explored in a film. Same sex marriage has been legal in France for almost 2 years now so this romantic comedy doesn't aim to shock nor exploit this type of relationship. 

I'm amazed though that Jeremie begins to doubt his sexuality after he meets Adna. He manages to hide his 'true' identity from her through a web of lies and deceit. Although it is presented through comedic scenarios and is pretty light weight, the fact remains that yes, indeed ... it is possible to simply 'switch' back to one's original sexuality ... just like that.

Relying heavily on the ridiculous and silly antics of the lead actor and his very heterosexual best friend to draw in a few laughs, this film is pretty absurd and not to be taken seriously. Specifically since it seems to be based on the Katy Perry song "I Kissed a Girl" which is the English title of the film even though the literal translation is "First Time Ever".

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

Nia Vardalos, John Corbett.

Elena Kampouris, Michael Constantine

"People change.

Greeks don't."

Would you believe it has been over 14 years since the first movie was shown? So I was eager to see what the Portokalos family were up to since Toula (Nia Vardalos) married Ian (John Corbett) her non-Greek boyfriend.

It seems that nothing much has changed as Toula still works at the family's restaurant, she's still as plain as before her make-over and still a pushover when it comes to her overbearing family and extended family.

Unfortunately, this time her teen aged daughter Paris (Elena Kampouris) has to bear the whole brunt of the intervention of the whole clan. From finding her a Greek boyfriend to which college she will attend after her high school graduation. Throw in another Greek wedding (this time of Toula's parents who it turns out were never married) and expect things to be as chaotic as ever.

While the first movie was fun and hilarious as far as mismatched pairings go, this sequel went way overboard to be appreciated for its own merit. It is still peppered with the same eccentric characters and they were still up to their annoying peculiarities and strange customs and traditions.

Sadly the novelty has worn off and it failed to grab my attention as much as I intended it to do. My only consolation is the cast - they all did good despite having a redundant, run-of-the-mill story to interpret. 

Spectre

Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz,

Lea Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes,

Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris

"The Dead are Alive"

I've always been an avid fan of the 007 Bond movies. My fascination began when Roger Moore portrayed the debonair spy with a fine combination of charm, wit and humor in the 1980s.

I still believe the Bond films are relevant and quite current even with stiff competition from other franchises like the Bourne series and the action-packed Mission: Impossible features that crop out every now and then.

This time Bond (Daniel Craig) has gone rogue after an encrypted message from the departed M (Dame Judi Dench) leads him to pursue a huge criminal syndicate named Spectre headed by his arch nemesis Ernst Stravo Blofield (Christoph Waltz) who it turns out has a deep connection with Bond.

I'd say that Spectre's nefarious aim which is to control all the information data available worldwide and use surveillance to propagate mayhem and destruction is a bit feeble. Yet it is current as we live in an information age and certainly technology has advanced since the first Bond movie was released.

The signature action scenes are abundant with car chases, helicopter crashes and spectacular hand to hand combat stunts filmed in exotic locales - those are the moments worth watching out for.

Daniel Craig, craggy faced but extremely fit both physically and mentally as James Bond still exudes the traditional suave and charming wit of the character and at the same time he still manages to remain as elusive and secretive as ever by adding more layers of mystery to his intriguing persona. 

It is also good to note that since he took over the role, he has been surrounded by strong willed Bond girls who are no longer the damsels in distress types of previous years. 

As for the villain, I felt that Christoph Waltz as the head of Spectre wasn't as menacing enough, well not only physically but as a megalomaniac as well. Granted that he and Bond share a well hidden history together, his character was underdeveloped and too one dimensional.

"Spectre is officially the 24th James Bond film and by mixing an old school Bond with modern day elements that keeps his character relevantly fresh, it still hasn't lost its touch and delivers on every point of a standard Bond flick. 

Mother's Day

Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson,

Jennifer Aniston, Timothy Olphant,

Jason Sudeikis

Cinema 4, Shang Cineplex

"Celebrate the one Day that
Connects us All."

My sister was in town for a short visit so we decided to treat our Mom to an early Mother's Day celeb. What better way than to watch a movie named "Mother's Day".

Veteran director Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman) gathers an ensemble of big stars headed by Julia Roberts along with Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson among others to amuse us with a light comedy to honor Mothers.

Yet watching it, the word 'fluffy' kept entering my mind. Well not the soft, airy term to describe a rabbit but rather the superficial, lacking in substance kind of fluff. 

Sad to say, these big stars had to make do with a mediocre plot of intertwined stories which barely made any significant impact in our lives. While it is good to note that the film portrayed the diversity in the different kind of family so common nowadays in our society, it wasn't really funny that it chose to stereotype Asians and make racist jokes just to draw in some laughs.

Naturally,  one does not and should not expect an in-depth analysis about motherhood from this genre of film which followed the tone of previously released movies that 'exploited' commercialized holidays like "Valentine's Day" and "New Year's Eve" ... for that kind of drama, one should opt for a film festival entry, no?

So although the film was lackluster, it was still a well spent two hours as it has been ages since we watched a movie at the cinema, together. Plus I was able to eat popcorn which is always a great thing, trust me!

The Age of Adaline

Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman,

Harrison Ford, Ellen Burstyn, Kathy Baker

"The World has changed in the Last Century.
Adaline has not."

Through some odd phenomenon, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) has remained 29 years old spanning through almost 8 decades. At the turn of the century, this condition occurs after a freak road accident so due to her ageless spirit, she lives a solitary life and has to constantly move to change her identity.

The film starts with a voice over narration which vanishes as the story progresses then re-appears towards the somewhat predictable conclusion. Certain scenes dragged on even as the film skips from present day setting to Adaline's past through seamless precision.

It is still engrossing enough to keep viewers tuned in to her fate and this is brought about mainly because of the charming performance of Blake Lively as Adaline. An actress who although not really pretty is blessed with a charisma that exudes and also masks her average acting skills.

The whole magic realism gave the film a fairy tale tone where you would root for the hapless leading lady to find her prince charming so they could live happily ever after. Yet knowing Adaline's secret, frustration would ensue. Of course, the film is given the Hollywood spin to strike its magic (pun intended) wand and make sure that Adaline does have her happy ending even though she has to face obstacles and struggles before she achieves it. 

"The Age of Adaline" is a type of film that would pique your interest but doesn't really require too much brain function. A good movie that aims to entertain and succeeds.

Still Alice

Julianne Moore, Kate Bosworth,

Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart

Alzheimer's Disease is a debilitating condition not only for the victim but I believe more so for their family members whose hearts break as they helplessly watch the lively, bright person slowly fade away.

Julianne Moore manifests these fears and apprehensions in her role as Alice Howland, a brilliant linguistics professor married and with three grown children, who is diagnosed with an early onset of Alzheimer's.  At first, it seemed like a case of being forgetful until she seeks medical help and her doctor gives her the bad news.  

As there is still no cure, Alice must prepare herself as well as her family members for the long term care required as she faces the uncertainty in her frightening journey.

The supporting cast here plays a minor role as Julianne Moore carried the entire weight of the film on her able shoulders. She delivers a fine performance without resorting to hysterical and over dramatic antics just to convey the uneasiness felt by her character. She is mostly calm and composed although her eyes do project the quiet sense of panic that overcomes her as the disease progresses and she is unable to make sense of it.

It is quite poignant as Alice records a video of herself giving instructions on what to do, where to find her medicines as she knows there will come a time when she won't be in total control of her senses.

"Still Alice" could easily have taken the movie-of-the-week approach with melodramatic sequences filled with tears flowing down your cheeks and a heavy heart as you watch the character deteriorate but gratefully it didn't. 

A fine screenplay adapted from a novel and a defining performance from Julianne Moore uplifts this movie which tackled a melancholic, poignantly sensitive topic.

While We're Young

Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts,

Amanda Seyfried, Adam Driver

"Life Never Gets Old"

Noah Baumbach's 2014 offering is a comedy that explores the disconnect between generations. The millenials with their sense of entitlement vs those who are now in their middle age period who had to work hard for everything and didn't just wait for things to be handed down to them.

It is presented through the eyes of a 40 something childless New York married couple Josh (Ben Stiller) and Cornelia (Naomi Watts). They start hanging out with their new friends, a much younger couple Jamie (Adam Driver) and Darby (Amanda Seyfried). Soon the older couple feel a renewed sense of energy which seemed to have escaped from their marriage, their career and their lives, in general. But thankfully, the older couple come back to their senses and realize with much disgust, the true nature of the hipster couple.

The first part of the movie offers sharp and though provoking observations about aging. How easily it is for couples who have been together for several years to fall into a rut in their lives. The insights are best presented within the scenes and older characters. Ben Stiller is good in these types of characters  - those who somehow through time become complacent yet complain about every single disenchantment that complicates their lives. As Josh, he fits the stereotype and essays his character with aplomb. Naomi Watts who is a steady actress is equally good as his wife Cornelia.

But for me the interesting part occurs once Josh realizes how disarming Jamie and Darby really are. How he tries to extricate himself from his 'newer' self even though it was a more enjoyable and less boring phase for Josh and Cornelia. Their change in attitude is refreshing yet they should also find a way to still remain true to themselves.

"While we're young" is a relatable comedy that should appeal to any generation. Good writing and a reliable cast add a charming touch to an otherwise contrived conclusion. A nice case study to see the distinction and also the similar appeal between these featured generations.