Father of the Milky Way Railroad

 Japanese Film Festival 2024

Cinema 4, The Red Carpet
Shangri-la Plaza Mall

Filmed in muted tones and set in an idyllic rural Japanese town, laden with heavy dramatic scenes buoyed by sad instrumental background music, this biopic of Kenji Miyazawa an early 20th century Japanese poet and novelist (said to be the Hans Christian Andersen of Japan) runs for 2 hours and 8 minutes.

The plot centers on the Miyazawa family. In a small town, Masajiro Miyazawa is a wealthy pawn shop owner who lives in a humble abode with his father Kisuke, his wife Ichi and their 4 children. He goes above and beyond what is expected of a typical Japanese father and is really hands on in rearing up his children. 

He dotes on his first born son Kenji who is expected to inherit the pawn shop. After free spirited Kenji is done with his studies in an agricultural school, his flair for writing poetry and short stories is developed. All of these elements clashes with Masajiro's desire to retire so Kenji can take over the family business.

Will Kenji be allowed to pursue his passion or would he be forced to manage the pawn shop?

The answer to this question unfolds in several melancholic scenes that is well acted out by the two lead male characters. An inner struggle develops within both Masajiro and Kenji. Their relationship is tested, but their love for each other never wanes. I had no idea who Kenji Miyazawa was nor am I aware of any of his writings, so it was hard for me to feel invested in his story. 

Yet the universal theme of the power of family and the unconditional love of a father for his son amidst hardships and obstacles make good fodder for any tragic biography.

Collateral Beauty

Will Smith, Edward Norton, Kate Winslet,

Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley, 

Michael Pena,  Naomie Harris

"Connect to the Beauty of Life"

The film opens with Howard (Will Smith), the charismatic co-founder of a successful ad agency giving a pep talk to his team. He asks them "What is your why"? He replies "Time, Love and Death.  They connect with every person in this universe. We long for love. We wish we had more time.  And we fear death". Good points to ponder on.  

Three years later, we again see Howard but this time he has been reduced to an empty shell, a melancholic person wallowing in misery. Yet he has a good reason, he lost his 6 year old daughter to cancer. He still goes to the office but he doesn't talk to anyone, he just spends his days building mazes of dominoes which he eventually 'demolishes' and starts building them again. He hardly sleeps, goes out on his bike being reckless biking on the wrong side of the road. 

His 3 co-partners are worried about him, about the fate of the ad agency which isn't doing well so they resort to hiring actors at a local theater to 'stalk' Howard. This is brought about by 3 letters which Howard wrote to Time, Love and Death. His missives are mostly guilty stricken, longing for answers and deeply emotional letters. 

So Claire (Kate Winslet), Simon (Michael Pena) and Whit (Edward Norton) think the best way to salvage the agency is to prove that Howard is mentally unstable so they can sell the company to another media outfit.

The film is focused on Howard talking with these 3 actors named Rafi, Amy and Brigitte who have been assigned to tackle the persona of Time, Love and Death. 

Time (Jacob Latimore) is paired with Claire, a workaholic who may have wasted time by focusing too much on her career instead of starting a family. Love (Keira Knightley) is paired with Whit, a single dad who is trying to win back his daughter's love. While Death  (Helen Mirren) is handled by Simon, who hides his terminal illness from his family and friends.  In their encounters with Howard and their respective handlers, we see how their interaction slowly make an impact on their dispositions, and their overall attitude towards life.  

Howard also seeks the help of a counselling group whose goal is to help their members cope with grief after losing a child. The group is headed by Madeleine (Naomie Harris) a divorced mother whose daughter succumbed  to a rare form of cancer. At first, Howard is hesitant to join them but slowly inches his way into the group during his frequent 'run-ins' with Time, Love and Death.

Surprisingly, this movie flopped at the box office and the critics lambasted it. The presence of the strong cast could not salvage it but I liked the movie. It deals with profound grief which isn't an easy subject to tackle. Certainly, the plot had some loopholes like that unexpected twist towards the end but I think the cast more than made up for it  with their heartfelt delivery and strong performances.

Now allow me to venture a guess as to why this melancholic film didn't rate high with the critics. I believe it is because it was given the "Hollywood" treatment. Well this isn't necessarily a bad thing, mind you. Yet in certain movies, it can completely ruin the story by veering too far off from the main message by throwing in too many distractions like unnecessary side plots. They tend to confuse complex with complicated and this doesn't bode well for any narrative, no matter how good the cast are. 

I reiterate though that I liked this emotional movie and was deeply touched by its essence.

Moonlight

Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris,

Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders

"This is the story of a Lifetime"

Barry Jenkins directs this chronicle of a man's life from his childhood, his teen years up to a young adult.  The first part shows how "Little" as he was nicknamed faces harassment on a daily basis from bullies in his school. Mocked for his small frame and being taunted as gay, he has no solid support system for guidance as his single mother works all the time. A father figure enters his life briefly in the form of a 'compassionate' drug dealer named Juan (Mahershala Ali) who teaches him how to swim, try to still some confidence and uplift his self esteem. 

The second phase focuses on him as a teenager, now called Chiron (his real name) yet still faces the same harassment from his schoolmates. He also develops an odd friendship with Kevin, his classmate. Meanwhile, Chiron's drug addict mother is always high and hardly around to be supportive of whatever dreams the hapless boy has for his future.

A decade later, 26 years old Chiron is known in the streets as "Black". He is a drug dealer and his physique has changed. Buffed and able bodied from working out while he was in prison for some misdemeanor.  Physically, he looks strong and menacing, but deep inside he is still a reticent man with hardly any social life. He has also suppressed his sexuality until he is reunited with Kevin.

Just when it seems that things and life in general will be a lot kinder for Chiron, the film ends with a significant scene of "Little" frolicking in the beach on a moonlit night. But you can't help but smile as there is a glimmer of hope and a chance of a happily ever after for a troubled person who has gone through many struggles.

It was a good move to cast 3 different and unknown actors to portray the 3 different chapters in Chiron's life. Their acting was highly credible, as they imbibe the hardships that Chiron endured throughout his entire life with such a visceral force.  

"Moonlight" is a deeply poignant film that deals with relevant issues like bullying, drug addiction, sexuality and isolation. It is significant as it features the life of a black person but I think it could be applicable to any race and still have such a powerful impact on its audience. It deserves all its best film awards. 

Fences

Denzel Washington, Viola Davis,

Stephen Henderson, Mykelti Williamson,

Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby

In "Fences" Viola Davis and Denzel Washington play Rose and Troy Maxson, a blue collar married couple in Pittsburgh in the 1950s. Roles they are really familiar with as they enacted them in 2010 in their Broadway revival of August Wilson's 1983 play. She even won a Tony award for her stage rendition.

Well developed and complex characters which give credence to the travails of a working class African American family during an era and in a society where the patriarch always had the last word, no matter if he was right or wrong. Troy Maxson likes to harp on how he was a good baseball player but the color of his skin and his age prevented him from achieving glory. Troy had a very difficult life since childhood and at 53 still labors as a garbage collector trying to make ends meet to provide for his wife, his mentally challenged older brother and two grown sons. 

During that turbulent era, men tend to have a very pessimistic view about the world, their lives and well just about anything and everything. And he is best exemplified through the complex and flawed character of Troy Maxson. Washington is in his elements from his swaggering walk to his eloquently delivered monologues and his depiction made us understand, pity as well as dislike the persona of a man with so much pent up rage, frustration and despair brewing within his egotistical mind.

He is ably matched by Viola Davis as his long suffering yet adoring wife Rose. Her devotion to both Troy and their son Cory is admirable in one sense and also painfully pitiful. She has had a difficult life too and dare I say mostly as a life partner to such an insufferable husband. Yet she still strives and is the glue which keeps that family from self destruction as if their lives is not miserable enough at that stage. Her powerful "What about me? What about my life" soliloquy somewhere towards the end of the film hits you like a ton of brick and pulls really hard at our already broken heartstrings. 

All these praises for the excellent acting of Davis and Washington (as well as the credible performances of the supporting cast) does not make this film, perfect. Denzel's 3rd directed film still has quite a stage play vibe, limiting most of its scenes to the house and backyard area where Troy likes to spew his rants. The last 25 or so minutes of the film felt rushed, cramming in some side plots which were only mentioned in passing during the first half. Perhaps wanting to give more 'air time' to August Wilson's loquacious and dialogue driven script through Troy Maxson's 'outbursts'. 

I can safely say that Viola Davis and Denzel Washington are actors' actor(s) so to watch them act together and opposite each other in a highly moving film is mesmerizing and worth every single penny and minute of our precious time.

Manchester by the Sea

Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams,

Lucas Hedges, Kyle Chandler

Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is a quiet loner with no social life who works as a janitor/handyman in an apartment block. One day, he is informed his elder brother Joe has died and appointed him as legal guardian of his 16 year old nephew, Patrick.  

Reluctantly, he is forced to return to his hometown Manchester to make funeral arrangements and reconnect with Patrick (Lucas Hedges), a popular high school student.  As he sorts through things in his brother's house, certain aspects of his painful past are revealed through flashbacks. Happy bonding times with Joe and a much younger Patrick as well as a very heartbreaking personal tragedy which explains the withdrawn, sad nature of Lee. A life altering incident which marred Lee's demeanor forever.

Filmed in a quiet New England town where fishing is the main source of livelihood for its inhabitants, the setting provides an appropriate backdrop for a film that tackles grief, depression and the state of moving on with a firm silent resolute. The somber, morose music though, in my opinion was too loud and dramatic for an already desolate story. 

An original script which was written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan (Margaret), the germ of the idea was pitched to him by his close friends actors Matt Damon and John Krasinski. Matt Damon was supposed to star and direct it but due to a conflict in his busy schedule (he was filming The Martian), he offered the role to Casey Affleck, the younger brother of his best friend, Ben. 

A good choice as Casey Affleck was able to dig deep into his character to deliver a moving and touching performance as Lee. Struggling to suddenly cope with being a 'parent' to a teenager with big plans as well as resettling in a town that reminds him of his painful past, his nuanced depiction is on point.

He has good rapport with Lucas Hedges, the actor who plays Patrick. Although I admit there were times I felt like slapping him for being a petulant and insolent teenager, it just shows how effective Hedges was in his role. I'm surprised that Michelle Williams was nominated as best supporting actress. Her role as Randi, Lee's ex wife was really brief and she had this exaggerated Boston accent which was irritating.

Manchester by the Sea is one of the poignantly sorrowful movies I've seen in a long time. It has just the right amount of drama, a bit of humor and a sound coping mechanism for its main characters. Highly recommended, just keep the tissues close by, you'd need it.

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. 

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.  

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".

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.

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.

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.

The Revenant

Leonardo di Caprio, Domhnall Gleeson,

Tom Hardy 

Cinema 4, Shang Cineplex

"Blood lost. Life found."

I admit that despite being a movie buff, I hardly venture into the dark confines of a cinema theater, nowadays. 

First of all, movie tickets prices are exorbitant. An expense I deem as a 'want' rather than a 'need'. Secondly, I would wait for the films to be available online so I can just watch at my own pace within the comforts of my home usually as I am propped up with pillows in my bed. That way I can rewind, pause and wear earphones to better hear the audio/dialogue.

So it takes someone or something really special for me to head on to the cinema. In this case, my sister was in town and she paid for my ticket hehe. And also I wanted to see Leonardo di Caprio in a role which may clinch for him, the elusive Best Performance by an Actor at upcoming Academy Awards aka the Oscars. 

I was a bit apprehensive because I've read a lot of articles about the dark and gruesome theme of the film. The fact that it was set in the early 1800s in the vast American wilderness (a period that doesn't pique my interests) was another factor. Yet no way would I miss the chance to watch Leo essay what they say is his hardest role yet in his wide arsenal of movies. 

Not only was I blown away by the vivid cinematography, I was also true to form deeply impressed by di Caprio's acting talent. His sheer endurance to persevere both as the character he was playing as well as survive the insurmountable tasks assigned upon him by his director, Alejandro Inarritu was praiseworthy.

Although I'd say the film was too long and there were several scenes which should have been edited, this tale of survival in the face of so many obstacles will tug at your heartstrings. The able direction, the gorgeous cinematography and the determined look on Leo's face + the poignant narrative about survival  - all contribute to make "The Revenant" a must see epic!

The Immigrant

Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix,

Jeremy Renner

There is no doubt that America is a land of immigrants. This film tried to envision the struggles the early immigrants went through after they set foot on Ellis Island, fresh from the boat, so to speak.  

It is the year 1921, two sisters from Poland, Ewa (Marion Cotillard) and Magda are in the queue to be processed. Magda is sickly (she is stricken with tuberculosis) and is immediately separated and put in quarantine. Faced with uncertainty in a foreign land, Ewa is 'taken in' by a glib talker named Bruno (Joaquin Phoenix) who promises her shelter and a job. Sadly, the job turns out to be in the flesh trade but Ewa is a brave, feisty girl so she bears the humiliation as she desperately needs the money to buy medicines for her sick sister.

"The Immigrant" is a bleak narration of the ills of society and its innocent victims. It is set during the depression years yet we all know that human trafficking is still very rampant in this day and age.  A societal menace that preys on the depraved who are stripped of their dignity and are caught in the never ending cycle of human slavery. Tragic, to say the least.

The good cast composed of Cotillard, Phoenix and Renner do their best to add some depth to their characters. Cinematography is realistic as it depicts the grim reality of the mean streets of Manhattan back in the 1920s, as well as the seedy vaudeville shows prevalent during that period. Wardrobe is also authentic as displayed through the costume pieces worn by Cotillard.

Yet there is something lacking in the plot or the way the narration unfolded which made it pretty staid and static. It failed to appeal to my emotions and as the film progressed I kept expecting it to somehow change its perspective, yet sadly it did not. I felt it didn't offer anything new to the table, this type of sob story has been done over and over again and also with more passion and conviction.

One more thing, the fact that Magda was able to get out of quarantine despite being diagnosed with tuberculosis doesn't make sense. Back in those days, there was still no cure for this severe respiratory sickness.  It seemed that it just wanted to have its happy ending  ... never mind that it wasn't believable, at all.

A SEPARATION

Asia on Screen
2015 Film Festival

Cinema 4, Shang Cineplex

I still have qualms that Iran is part of Asia but that's just me. Geographically, it is part of what is known as the South Western Asia region. Yet, I am grateful it is because it gave me an opportunity to catch this suspenseful family drama from Iranian director Asghar Farhadi. 

As the title suggests, the film commences with the shot of a couple trying to convince a judge to grant them a divorce. The wife, Simin pleads for a dissolution of the marriage as their visa to Canada will expire in 40 days. But her husband, Nader refuses to leave behind his Alzheimer stricken father. The request is denied so Simin moves out to stay at her parents' house while their only daughter, Termeh decides to stay with her father. Trouble ensues when Razieh, the ultra religious caretaker that Nader hires to assist his sick father is accused of stealing money as well as abandoning the old man under her watch. 

Things pretty quickly unfold once this side plot is thrown into the already chaotic arrangement in the household. Accusations fly, lies abound and all of the characters' lives are in a turmoil. Shifting between scenes in a small court room where a judge is trying to determine the truth behind the accusations to scenes set in the abode of Nader and Termeh where the 'crime' happened. Simin also intervenes as she was the one who recommended the caretaker in the first place. 

Mostly dialogue driven (it was interesting to hear the Farsi language - it kind of has a melodious tone to it) and delivered by a believable ensemble cast. It can be daunting too as you try to wrap your head around the amount of accusations, lies and revelations that suddenly pop out. But the narrative is complex with layers upon layers of information that are 'released' appropriately. 

You feel like you are on a roller coaster ride from all the tumultuous problems that besets the hapless family. Just when you have settled down a bit, you are hit with a vague ending which will have you pondering on the infinite consequences of that ambiguous yet final decision. In short, it is a 'thinking' film and I don't mind it one single bit. It was riveting, to say the least.

"A Separation" is very well directed buoyed by good acting from the entire cast against a very engaging narrative. It shows us a glimpse into the everyday life of a middle class Iranian family dealing with the beyond normal pitfalls of life. Such as caring for an aged parent, raising a child in a repressive society, earning a decent living and trying to find good help. 

Highly recommended!

JAGTEN(THE HUNT)

(DENMARK)

CINE EUROPA 17

Cinema 2, Shang Cineplex

The title of this Danish film implies raw pursuit and violence which I'd have to add eventually does ensue in the middle part of the film. Yet it unfolds in a silent, creep.up.behind.you manner that although you expected it, it can be quite unnerving. Perhaps the idyllic background is to blame as it manages to shield your mind. The low key atmosphere of a small town, the silent snow as it envelops the scenery, and the simple nature of the life of its inhabitants. 

Lucas (Mads Mikkelson) is a teacher at a kindergarten going through a bad divorce and custody battle. He is content with his job and is sociable enough to have a good set of friends. His world is turned upside down when one of his pupils, 5 year old Klara accuses him of inappropriate behavior. 

The audience is immediately made aware that Klara is lying and is merely acting out her anger. But in a quick flash, Lucas' simple life is shattered - his friends turn their back on him, he is shunned in social gatherings with the whole town siding with the little girl solely on the premise that children never lie!

It is quite disturbing to watch as Lucas who enjoys shooting deer during weekends becomes a hunted man. A pariah in a society that is quick to judge without giving someone a chance to defend himself and proclaim his innocence. 

Throughout the entire incident, Klara doesn't fully comprehend what is happening and is protected from any form of scrutiny. Her single lie taking a life of its own, way beyond the normal parameters of good judgement. Unknowingly she herself becomes a victim just like Lucas.

As usual, Mads Mikkelsen is brilliant in his role as Lucas. His haunted, gaunt face really expressive as he struggles to maintain his innocence. And in the final yet pivotal scene where Lucas is shown in the woods during hunting season, it shows that he is stuck in a nightmare that never seems to end.  

"Jagten" was one of the 5 films nominated for the Best Foreign Language Picture in last year's Oscar awards. It lost to the Italian film "La Grande Belleza" about a man living a hedonistic lifestyle. But Denmark's entry rightfully deserved to be recognized as one of the best foreign films for 2014.

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY

Meryl Streep, Margo Martindale, Julia Roberts, 

Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Sam Shepard,

Julianne Nicholson, Dermot Mulroney, Juliette Lewis, 

Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch

"Misery Loves Family"

The only thing I believe I have in common with this film is the scorching hot weather that permeates during the unfolding of this heavy handed drama about a dysfunctional family. I could commiserate with the characters as they were sweating from the intense heat and humidity of an Oklahoma summer.

The film is based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning Tracy Letts’ play and is an insightful experience, funny with all the absurdity of life, sad with its irreversible drive towards death.

It is the month of August, the Weston family is grieving as they mourn the sudden death of its patriarch Beverly Weston (Sam Shepard) through an apparent suicide.

The Weston family is led by his widow Violet (Meryl Streep), an over medicated, foul mouthed, heavy drinker who is also battling mouth cancer.  Her estranged daughters come home, each of them carrying their own emotional baggage. As they all gather for the funeral, long buried and hidden secrets are revealed and explosively expose their vulnerability and frailty as a family as well as individuals.

Since it is a play, most of the scenes are set in one location - the ancestral home. But it also incorporates the local landscapes of the real Osage County in northern Oklahoma.  Wide, open spaces that bear silent witness to the loud, in-your-face melodramatic moments at the Weston household composed mostly of strong willed women.

The storyline is quite dark and intense, and to a certain extent really tragic. It is mostly dialogue driven and it really helps that the lines are delivered by a cast of well trained actresses.

Meryl Streep is highly overbearing as Violet but at the same time, you feel her 'pain'. And even if we refuse to acknowledge it, we somehow understand why she is so bitter. Julia Roberts as the eldest daughter Barbara is in one of her most unglamorous roles - without any make up, she is able to relay her antagonistic attitude quite brilliantly.  For me, Margo Martindale was quite a revelation as the highly judgmental Mattie Fae, the sister of Violet.  She was basically the 'string' that held all the characters together.  Each of them fully immersing themselves in their roles with aplomb.

Most of the time, it is quite hard to watch as people are very mean to each other. Spewing vitriol, being very critical and using demeaning words like it was a natural thing to constantly dampen other people's feelings without any tinge of remorse.

People being harsh to their own flesh and blood is a highly foreign concept for me. Family should always come first and be treated with much deserved respect irregardless of our flaws and weaknesses as individuals.

The movie is also quite compelling to absorb as towards the end ... you sense that self awareness, redemption and remorse is actually possible. Never mind that there is such a tiny window for it to creep in. The fact remains that there is still a very small glimmer of hope even for such torn and conflicted characters.

IN A BETTER WORLD (DENMARK)

Cine Europa 2012

Cinema 2, Shang Cineplex

The opening scenes of this film from Denmark is in a remote African refugee camp.  Anton is a doctor and he treats villagers who are mostly the victims of a brutal warlord known simply as the "Big Man."    A vicious gang leader who hacks open the bellies of pregnant women as he places bets on them by guessing the gender of their unborn babies.   The setting of the vast African land laden with orange sands is quite rustic but quite vivid with the colorful attires of the villagers.  Life is quite dire both for the villagers as well as for the lone Caucasian surgeon.

But Anton does on occasion return to Denmark for some R & R.  A place you like to believe is a better world but we soon find out, it isn't exactly the case. Anton's marriage is on the rocks as his wife is seeking a divorce while his son Elias is constantly bullied in school.   Enter Christian, a new student in Elias' school. He  along with his father recently relocated to Denmark from London after Christian's mother died of cancer.

The young boys soon become friends after Christian rescues Elias from the school bully.  The two boys have contrasting personalities.  Elias is meek and mostly keeps to himself while Christian is a fighter who likes to stand up for people who cannot defend themselves.  In their idyllic Danish town, their odd friendship thrives but soon enough a conflict arises which will test the true mantle of their friendship. 

"In a Better World" is a realistic portrayal of the tribulations that  plague modern society. Bullying, the use of violence as retribution for revenge, the widening communication gap, and the effects of divorce on young children. It also clearly exposes the estranged relationship that develops between parents who work too much and their children who grow up with an aching sense of isolation and in some rare cases, a sense of abandonment. These very troubling ills of society lead to a gamut of problems both for the parents and the kids. 

The film tackles all these sensitive issues well within its range that spans for almost 2 hours. An ideal cinematography aids in the narration of the inner conflicts faced by the young boys as well as their distant parents. Desperate parents who try their best to reach out to their kids but much to their chagrin, they fail with every feeble step. Their anguish is gut wrenching as the children cannot seem to properly communicate what really troubles them without coming across as failures. 

Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier specializes in melodramas that manifest profound depths of emotion. She gets the audience to identify with her ordinary characters who are suddenly thrust into moral quandaries from everyday occurrences.  She also has a penchant to depict international stories in 3rd world countries such as her other noteworthy film "After the Wedding" which featured an orphanage in India.

No wonder "In a Better World" won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2010, it has all the key elements of a high quality film.