Maps to the Stars

Directed by David Cronenberg and written by Bruce Wagner that is based on his own book Dead Stars, Maps to the Stars is a story set in Hollywood revolving around an aging actress dealing with her career as well as the presence of her late mother while a therapist tries to get his young son to return to the world of celebrity culture. A film that explores the world of celebrity and its emphasis on Western culture, it’s a film that is satirical as well as having commentary on a world lost in fame. Starring Julianne Moore, John Cusack, Mia Wasikowska, Robert Pattinson, Olivia Williams, Evan Bird, and Sarah Gadon. Maps to the Stars is a visceral and ominous film from David Cronenberg.

The film is an exploration into the world of fame and celebrity culture through a multi-layered narrative involving a young child star trying to return to the world of celebrity culture while an aging actress copes with painful memories as she is haunted by the presence of her late mother. It’s a film that plays into people trying to be part of a culture where there’s a lot of expectations and demands in order to succeed. At the middle of this is a young woman named Agatha (Mia Wasikowska) who arrives from Florida as she would work for the aging actress Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore) as an assistant. Segrand is coping with demons as she seeks the help of self-help therapist Dr. Strafford Weiss (John Cusack) whose son Benjie (Evan Bird) is a teen child-star that is trying to remain sober while dealing with the pressures of stardom as he endure strange hallucinations.

Bruce Wagner’s screenplay definitely plays into not just people’s desire to wanting to make it in Hollywood but also how far they will go to the point that they lose elements of their sanity as well as their own identity. While Agatha is just an outsider who would befriend a limo driver named Jerome (Robert Pattinson) who is trying to make as an actor and a writer. She is someone that manages to have some connections to be part of that world yet is more of an observer who has an element of innocence but with a dark edge as she wears gloves and lots of clothes as she is a burn victim with a past of her own. By working for Havana Segrand, she gets access to the world of productions and places but is also aware that there is a lot more going on. Especially as Havana is a woman living in the shadows of her late mother Clarice (Sarah Gadon) who was a famous star until she died of a car crash when Havana was a child.

In the hopes to star in a remake of a film that her mother did years ago, Havana is hoping for a comeback but Clarice’s presence haunts her. By going to Dr. Weiss, she tries to exercise her demons as well as get a role in order to fulfill her own ego. The Dr. Weiss character is also a representation of egotism as he is a man that is making money through is own self-help books as well as exploit his own son while his wife Cristina (Olivia Williams) is Benjie’s manager as she does whatever to get him a part in a sequel for a film that made him a star. Benjie however, is struggling with trying to stay sober as well as be out of the public eye as he is succumbing to peer pressure as well as the need to be this teen sensation as he starts to see strange hallucinations involving the dead. It’s a film that features a lot of characters who are despicable while the Jerome character is the most normal as he is also an outsider who is just trying to get his break no matter how humiliating things are. Though there’s aspects of Jerome that makes him unsympathetic, it’s only because he has to do things in order to be part of this very turbulent and troublesome world.

David Cronenberg’s direction is very mesmerizing for the way he depicts the world of Hollywood as this place of conformity and expectations that seem unreal. While a lot of it is shot in Los Angeles and Hollywood with a few interior scenes set in Toronto, it does play into a film that has a very warped view of what Hollywood is as many of the characters, with the exception of Agatha and Jerome, live in these spacious mansions and are invited to the biggest parties around. While there’s some wide shots in the direction, much of Cronenberg’s approach to the compositions are simple in terms of close-ups and medium shots. Especially in scenes involving Agatha where her close-ups play to how she looked with her burned scars around parts of her head to play into a sense of realism that she has while everyone in Hollywood is trying to look young or be part of that culture.

The direction is also full of dark humor that plays into aspects of satire such as the commercials that Dr. Weiss has as well as his approach to therapy which is quite odd. Even as it’s clear that he’s just a man that will do anything to be famous and use his son’s stardom to become famous. Once there’s some revelations about his own past as well as his family starts to emerge, it adds to the sense of drama that emerges as well as to the issues that Havana is going through. Havana’s story has elements of surrealism as it relates to the presence of her own mother which is similar to the hallucinations that Benjie would go through. All of which play into demons that they face with Agatha being caught in the middle as this observer as she is connected to these people in some ways while keeping herself at a distance. Overall, Cronenberg creates a very captivating yet harrowing film about celebrity culture and people dealing with their demons in that world.

Cinematographer Peter Suschitzky does brilliant work with the film‘s cinematography to play into the sunny look of the locations in Hollywood along with some straightforward lighting for some scenes at night including some of the interior shots. Editor Ronald Sanders does excellent work with the editing as it‘s straightforward while using some unique rhythmic cuts to play into some of the surreal moments of the film. Production designer Carol Spier, with set decorators Sandy Lindstedt and Peter P. Nicolakakos and art directors Edward Bonutto and Elinor Rose Galbraith, does fantastic work with the look of the homes of the Weiss family as well as Havana to play into their personalities as well as the offices to showcase that world of celebrity culture.

Costume designer Denise Cronenberg does terrific work with the costumes from the long leather gloves that Agatha wears to the different array of clothes that the other characters wear as it‘s very posh in its look. Visual effects supervisor Jon Campfens does nice work some of the film‘s minimal visual effects which includes a chilling scene late in the film that plays to the drama. Sound editor Michael O’Farrell does superb work with the sound to play into the atmosphere of the party scenes as well as the smaller moments such as the screams that Havana would endure in her moments where she‘s tested. The film’s music by Howard Shore is amazing for its mixture of somber orchestral music with a mixture of eerie electronic pieces that play into the sense of dread and dark drama that looms over the film.

The casting by Deirdre Bowen is phenomenal as it features some notable small roles from Carrie Fisher as herself, Jayne Heitmeyer as a rival actress of Havana, Domenic Ricci as that woman’s son, Kiara Glasco as a young girl Benjie visits at the hospital as she would haunt him later on, Gord Rand as a director that Havana hopes to work with, Sean Robertson as a young co-star of Benjie whom is seen as a threat, and Dawn Greenhalgh as Havana’s agent who tries to get Havana the role that she is coveting. Sarah Gadon is terrific as the ghost of Havana’s mother Clarice who is a manifestation of the bad memories that Havana has. Olivia Williams is superb as Benjie’s mother Cristina who also manages her son’s career as she tries to make sure he stays sober while dealing with some demons of her own. Robert Pattinson is excellent as Jerome as a limo driver that Agatha befriends as he tries to make it as an actor/writer as he tries to find ways to make it where he does things that he knows he isn’t proud of.

Evan Bird is brilliant as Benjie as this teen sensation trying to cope with fame and the need to be sober as he also deals with strange hallucinations that play into his fascination with death. John Cusack is amazing as Benjie’s father in Dr. Strafford Weiss as this self-help therapist who is trying to become famous while doing whatever to make sure his son stays famous as he’s a really despicable character. Mia Wasikowska is remarkable as Agatha as this young woman with burned skin who arrives to Los Angeles with some mysterious motives as she finds herself fascinated by celebrity culture as she works for Havana while dealing with things about herself as it’s a performance that is quite engaging but also very dark. Finally, there’s Julianne Moore in an incredible performance as Havana Segrand as this aging actress that is desperate to make a comeback while coping with issues as there’s a sense of vanity and smugness in Moore’s performance that is mixed with high-levels of insecurities as it’s Moore in one of her best performances to date.

Maps to the Stars is a rapturous yet exhilarating film from David Cronenberg. Armed with a great cast led by Julianne Moore and Mia Wasikowska as well as very unique insight into the world of celebrity, its culture, and all of the trappings of fame. Especially as it’s a film with some revelations about people and twists and turns that showcase how much people are willing to sacrifice to be adored only to fall apart by their own undoing. In the end, Maps to the Stars is a riveting and tremendously haunting film from David Cronenberg.

David Cronenberg Films: Stereo - Crimes of the Future - Shivers - Rabid - Fast Company - The Brood - Scanners - Videodrome - The Dead Zone - The Fly (1986 film) - Dead Ringers - Naked Lunch - M. Butterfly - Crash - eXistenZ - Spider - A History of Violence - Eastern Promises - A Dangerous Method - Cosmopolis

The Auteur #26: David Cronenberg: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2

© thevoid99 2014

Anna Karenina (2012 film)

Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina is the story of the titular socialite, who is the wife of a statesman, who begins an affair with an officer in late 19th Century Russia. Directed by Joe Wright and screenplay by Tom Stoppard, the film is a look into the life of a woman as she tries to find love only to be ruined by her affair as Keira Knightley plays the title role. Also starring Jude Law, Aaron Johnson, Alicia Vikander, Matthew McFayden, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly MacDonald, Ruth Wilson, Shirley Henderson, Olivia Williams, and Emily Watson. Anna Karenina is a beautiful yet vapid film from Joe Wright.

Set in 1874 in Imperial Russia, the film is an exploration into the life of this aristocratic woman who falls for a cavalry officer where their affair becomes scandalous. Yet, the film is an exploration into many ideas of love as well as infidelity where the latter showcases a woman’s decision in being with this officer named Count Alexei Vronsky (Aaron Johnson) where they fall in love despite the fact that she’s married to a statesman in Count Alexei Karenin (Jude Law). Yet, Vronsky is notorious for wooing many women including Anna’s sister-in-law Kitty (Alicia Vikander) who is also pursued by Konstatin Levin (Domhnall Gleeson) who tries to deal with his ideas about true love and such. All of which is told in a very broad but messy story that doesn’t hold itself together.

Tom Stoppard’s screenplay has this narrative where there’s a lot of characters involved where it has this unique structure that would play Anna’s fall from grace. Yet, it has these other subplots involving her brother Stiva (Matthew McFayden) trying to help Levin while having his own extramarital affairs as well the stuff involving Levin. The first act explores Anna’s marriage to Count Karenin where it’s one where there’s not much communication yet there is love until Anna meets Count Vronsky. The second act is about Anna and Count Vronsky’s love affair and the scandal that it creates where Karenin becomes embarrassed. The third act is about Anna’s attempt to return to society where she is disapproved by those around her while her relationship with Vronsky starts to fall apart.

Notably as the script reveals a lot about Vronsky’s appetite for women which adds to Anna’s insecurities yet neither character become interesting as they have range of emotions that drags the story. Even as the script would shift into what Count Karenin is doing as he feels humiliated as well as the stuff about Levin who feels lost as he tries to comprehend all of the ideas of love. Notably as there’s people like Stiva’s wife Dolly (Kelly MacDonald) who isn’t sure about wanting Stiva back or Vronsky’s cousin Betsy (Ruth Wilson) whose appearances would raise questions about Vronsky’s devotion to Anna. All of which just adds to the messiness of the script as it gets to the point where there’s too many characters to follow and how important they are to the story.

Joe Wright’s direction is unique in the way he presents the story where he wants to go for something that is theatrical where most of the film is presented in a theater. A lot of which seems to play into a world that seems artificial and sort of removed from reality to portray Anna’s idea of the world where things aren’t cold and such. Even in moments of the film where some of the action takes place backstage or above the stage where people will freeze while she and Vronsky are moving. It all plays to that world where Anna and those around her seem to thrive in where there’s even a horse race that occurs on the stage where Anna is watching from the booth. It’s these moments where the idea of fantasy and reality would collide as many of the moments set in the Karenin home is a mixture of that.

There’s also moments where the fantasy is replaced by reality which plays into the Levin’s plight as he goes to the country to deal with some family matters as well as resigning to the fate that might happen to him. These are moments that are all interesting but it also adds to the confusing nature of the story where Wright wants to do both. It unfortunately creates this idea of style over substance where there’s all of this gorgeous imagery with some amazing tracking shots and moments where everything happens in one take. Yet, it doesn’t do enough to really engage the audience into the story despite its emphasis on the themes of adultery and love where its end result is a bit mixed. Overall, Wright crafts a very lavish but lifeless film about a woman’s affair that led to scandal and the loss of her identity.

Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey does fantastic work with the film‘s cinematography from the gorgeous look of the exterior locations to some of the lighting in the theater stage and some of its interior settings. Editor Melanie Ann Oliver does excellent work with the editing from the use of montages and fast-cuts for the dancing scenes as well as some smooth transitions for the fantasy-reality scenes. Production designer Sarah Greenwood, with set decorator Katie Spencer and supervising art director Niall Moroney, does amazing work with the set pieces from the look of the Karenin home to the look of the stage where a lot of the action occurs.

Costume designer Jacqueline Durran does brilliant work with the costumes from the uniforms that Vronsky wears to the many dresses that many of the female characters wear including Anna. Hair/makeup designer Ivana Primorac does dazzling work with the hair/makeup to complement the different looks of the many female characters. Sound editors Craig Berkey and Becki Ponting do superb work with the sound to capture the intimacy of the theatrical settings as well as the broad sound of the scenes set at the train station. The film’s music by Dario Marianelli is spectacular for its heavy yet effective orchestral score to play out the romance and drama while also using some low-key moments and some themes for the different characters including a humorous one for Stiva.

The casting by Dixie Chassay and Jina Jay is terrific for the ensemble that was created as it features some notable small roles from Holliday Grainger as a baroness friend of Vronsky, Michelle Dockery as a friend of Anna, Shirley Henderson as a disapproving madam at a scene late in the film, Raphael Personnaz as Vronsky’s brother, Oskar McNamara as Anna and Count Karenin’s son Serhoza, Alexandra Roach as the Countess Nordstron that Vronsky tries to woo early in the film, and Emily Watson in a chilling performance as the Countess Ivanova who observes Anna’s behaviors as she would eventually tell Karenin about what is going on. Ruth Williams is wonderful as the mysterious Princess Betsy who tries to get her cousin Vronsky to steer him away from Anna while Olivia Williams is excellent as Vronsky’s mother Countess Vronskaya who is very disapproving about her son’s relationship with Anna.

Matthew McFayden is fantastic as Anna’s brother Stiva who tries to deal with the chaos in his own life while helping out Levin. Kelly MacDonald is superb as Stiva’s wife Dolly who deals with her husband’s infidelity while helping out her sister Kitty to find love. Alicia Vikander is remarkable as Kitty as a young woman who is supposed to marry Vronsky only to lose herself in a whirlwind of many prospects while being courted by the more kind Levin. Domhnall Gleeson is marvelous as Levin as a young man who is in love with Kitty only to lose her to her more revered prospects as he tries to deal with his idea of love as well as his family who are dealing with their own troubles. Jude Law is amazing as Count Karenin as a man who is devoted to his service for his country while trying to make time for his family only to learn the truth about what Anna is doing as he tries to comprehend everything as well as make some decisions about what to do for his son.

Aaron Johnson is quite bland as Count Vronsky where Johnson doesn’t do enough to make his character interesting as he spend some of his time being aloof or doe-eyed where it comes across as very uninspiring to watch. Keira Knightley is pretty terrible as the titular character as she spends some of her time either overacting in some of the dramatic moments or just underplaying where she often wears a veil and gaze. It’s a performance that doesn’t allow Knightley to really do more for the character as it has her just being sad and confused most of the time though she’s more effective in the happier moments as it’s not one of her best works.

Despite its amazing supporting cast and technical work, Anna Karenina is a very disappointing film from Joe Wright. Due to the uninspiring leading performances of Keira Knightley and Aaron Johnson as well as Joe Wright’s emphasis on style over substance and Tom Stoppard’s messy script. It’s a film that had all of the tools to be something quite grand and engaging only to end up being dull and flat. In the end, Anna Karenina is a very underwhelming film from Joe Wright.

Joe Wright Films: Pride & Prejudice (2005 film) - Atonement - The Soloist - Hanna

© thevoid99 2013

An Education

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 12/5/09 w/ Additional Edits.

Based on a memoir by Lynn Barber, An Education tells the story of a 16-year old schoolgirl living in a quaint yet disciplined suburban home. The girl's life changes when she meets an older man who would take her away from her restrictive life of school and ambition for a world that is broader only to later be hit with a dose of reality. Directed by Lone Scherfig and screenplay by Nick Hornby, the film is a tale of a girl coming of age in the 1960s as she is introduced to a new world. Starring Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Cara Seymour, Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike, Sally Hawkins, Olivia Williams, and Emma Thompson. An Education is a brilliant coming-of-age drama from Lone Scherfig & co.

It's 1961 in Twickenham, England as a 16-year old schoolgirl named Jenny Miller (Carey Mulligan) is working hard to go to Oxford. She has great grades and is one of the top students of her class. Though she lives a quiet life with her parents Jack (Alfred Molina) and Marjorie (Cara Seymour) as Jack hopes she goes to Oxford to have a great education. Jenny isn't so sure if studying and going to Oxford is the way to go. Even as she's pursued by another young student named Graham (Matthew Beard) who Marjorie likes though Jack felt isn't good enough for Jenny. Then on rainy day following a rehearsal for a youth orchestra, Jenny encounters an older man named David (Peter Sarsgaard) who takes Jenny home to school along with her cello.

Jenny befriends the older yet cultured David who shares a love of French music and films along with books and other fine things. David introduces himself to Jenny's parents whom he charms them while he introduces Jenny to his friends Danny (Dominic Cooper) and Helen (Rosamund Pike). Jenny starts to go into clubs and orchestras as she is having fun. Once she learns what David and Danny does to maintain their posh lifestyle, she is reluctant to leave but stays so she can have fun. Though her grades start to drop much to the concern of her teacher Mrs. Stubbs (Olivia Williams) and headmistress Ms. Walters (Emma Thompson). Jenny continues to live a world of fun with David as he takes to her Paris once she turns 17.

Even Jenny's parents seem to enjoy David's company as Jenny's own academic future becomes troubles as Stubbs and Walters know she has much more to offer. Even Danny becomes worried as David makes a move to the surprise of Jenny and her parents. All of this is changed when David's past starts to catch up with him leaving Jenny pondering about all she had been through.

The film is a coming of age tale based on real life events in the life of its author Lynn Barber. With Nick Hornby, a renowned author in his own right with such works as Fever Pitch, High Fidelity, and About a Boy, taking on the adaptation. It plays up as a coming of age story from the mind of a young girl who is bound for Oxford until she encounters this mysterious yet worldly man. The relationship between Jenny and David seems taboo since she was 16 and he in his early 30s. David's sense of charm and wit manages to win her over as well as her parents despite Jack's supposed anti-Semitic feelings. Even though Hornsby creates a film that centers around this young girl. He creates supporting characters that are just as interesting and all providing some sort of guidance to Jenny whether it's right or wrong.

In David, he's a man interested in Jenny because she's intelligent and isn't like other girls while wanting to show her a world that dreams about going to. Paris is among them while David's friends like to play along though Danny seems to the more cautious while Helen is a bit vapid but fun to be around. The parents are portrayed in a multi-dimensional way as Marjorie is a woman who wants Jenny to do well but also have fun though it's Jack that seems to have more to say. He's a man determined for Jenny to have a great education but after meeting David, he realizes that there might be another alternative for Jenny. Only later to realize she might sacrifice something that she will regret and it will be his fault. Other characters like Mrs. Stubbs and Ms. Walters are authority figures who are more sympathetic though Walters is a bit more hard-nosed as she reveals possible consequences. Mrs. Stubbs meanwhile, is also cautious for Jenny while revealing that life without an education won't really mean anything.

All of these characters Jenny interacts with are crucial to her development in life. She starts out as a young girl wanting a life out of school and studying and end up a young woman trying to figure out what she had just went through. Along the way, she is enamored with all of the excess of a rich lifestyle and begins to question about educated life and at times, becomes ignorant on certain things. It's a character that is truly memorable and certainly wonderfully written in the mind of Nick Hornby.

Director Lone Scherfig does an amazing job in recreating 1960s England in its pre-swinging days where things are a bit reserved, calm, and still coming out of the era of World War II with the Cold War still looming around them. A departure from Scherfig's more looser filmmaking style that came from the world of Dogme 95. There is something enchanting of the way Scherfig shoots and composes a scene while presenting the dramatic moments quite intimately while leaving more space for happier, humorous sequences. Scenes like an entire sequence of Jenny and David in Paris is very dream-like as if it gives the audience a feeling they're seeing Paris for the first time while it has a French New Wave feel. Though Scherfig does still employ a hand-held style in more intense sequences where David and Danny do what they do. It's told through an engaging yet intimate style of filmmaking as it is clearly the best work that Scherfig has done so far in her filmmaking career.

Cinematographer John de Borman does a splendid job in capturing the drab yet low-color look of 1960s English suburbia for the film's early sequences with more lighter colors in scenes near London. The work of de Borman works in conveying the mood of the film as it progresses where by the 2nd act, it has a colorful feel only to dim down once the third act begins as the camera work is phenomenal. Editor Barney Pilling does an excellent job with the film's editing with the use of smooth transitions and rhythmic cuts while giving the film a nice, leisurely pace that works overall in its 95-minute feel.

Production designer Andrew McAlpine along with set decorator Anna Lynch-Robinson and art director Ben Smith do a fabulous job in recreating the look of 1960s England. From the look of the cars and shops to the look of the objects at the home of the Millers. Even the recreation of paintings and objects that David has obtained for his rich lifestyle. The costume design by Odile Dicks-Mireaux is truly wonderful in the more conservative, schoolgirl look for Jenny early on to fancy, colorful dresses and hairdos while the clothes that Helen wears are gorgeous to look at. In recreating the look of 1960s dresses and suits, the costume design is definitely a huge technical highlight of the film. Sound editor Glenn Freemantle does an excellent job in the sounds of school halls and ballrooms that Jenny encounters with along with the city of London itself as Freemantle captures the atmosphere of those locations.

The music by Paul Englishby is wonderful in its orchestral feel with flourishing arrangements of strings to convey Jenny's new sense of freedom along with more low-key, dramatic pieces for the heavy drama. The soundtrack features a slew of early, pre-Beatles 1960s pop and classical pieces while the closing song is a track sung by Duffy that she co-wrote with Suede's Bernard Butler.

The casting by Lucy Bevan is wonderful with an amazing ensemble that is truly fun to watch. Small roles such as Matthew Beard as Jenny's friend Graham along with Amanda Fairbank-Hynes and Ellie Kendrick as a couple of Jenny's schoolmates are memorable along with a one-scene performance from Sally Hawkins as a mysterious woman. Rosamund Pike is funny as the vapid, superficial Helen who loves living the high life while wanting to look good throughout. Dominic Cooper is very good as Danny, David's partner-in-crime who is reserved and quiet while being the most cautious as he was wondering when is going to go too far for Jenny. Olivia Williams is superb as Mrs. Stubbs, Jenny's English teacher who sees Jenny going down a troubling path while warning her about what will happen as Williams is wonderfully understated in a very sympathetic authority figure.

In a small but memorable role, Emma Thompson is great as Jenny's headmistress. A stern though sympathetic figure who warns Jenny about the implications of leading a life without an education while reluctantly admitting to the flaws of an educated lifestyle. Cara Seymour is very good as Jenny's mother Marjorie, a woman who is the more sympathetic parent while still a no-nonsense woman who just wants Jenny to succeed but also live a nice life. Alfred Molina is brilliant as Jack, Jenny's strict but caring father who hopes for Jenny to succeed only to be charmed by David into letting Jenny have a carefree life only to realize the consequences and his own faults. Peter Sarsgaard is excellent as David, a charming man who is also mysterious as Sarsgaard plays with him a bit of creepiness but also wit while sporting a fine British accent since he's the only American actor in the film.

Finally, there's Carey Mulligan in a real breakthrough performance as Jenny. Mulligan's performance is definitely the heart and soul of the film as she displays wit, charm, humor, naivete, and vulnerability all in this incredible journey of a young woman coming of age. Early on, she looks like a young 16-year old girl and then ends up a 17-year old woman who had just been through a lot. It's a radiant yet mesmerizing performance for the 24-year old actress and certainly one of the year's best.

An Education is a smart yet brilliant film from Lone Scherfig with a great screenplay by Nick Hornby and a wonderful performance from Carey Mulligan. Featuring a wonderful cast that also includes Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Cara Seymour, Emma Thompson, Olivia Williams, Dominic Cooper, and Rosamund Pike. It is definitely of 2009's best films as An Education is a must-see for anyone that wants to see a coming-of-age story that is worth exploring.

Lone Scherfig Films: (Dogme 12-Italian for Beginners) - (Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself) - (Just Like Home) - One Day

(C) thevoid99 2012

Rushmore

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 5/11/05 w/ Additional Edits & Revisions.

Directed by Wes Anderson and written by Anderson and Owen Wilson, Rushmore is the story of a 15-year old prep school student who befriends a disillusioned millionaire as they both fall for a widowed first grade teacher. The two embark on a feud that becomes troubling as the two deal with their own personal issues. The film is an exploration on youth and the relationships they have with adults as the film does more than just be a high school story. Starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams, Seymour Cassel, Stephen McCole, Luke Wilson, Mason Gamble, Sara Tanaka, and Brian Cox. Rushmore is a lively yet exhilarating film from Wes Anderson.

Max Fischer (Jason Schwartman) is a 15-year old student at the prestigious Rushmore Academy as he enjoys being a student where he forms several clubs and participate in various extracurricular activities that included leading school plays. Despite being ambitious in those activities, he is school's worst student as Max is also a liar where he claims that his barber father Bert (Seymour Cassel) is a neurosurgeon. When the school's headmaster Dr. Guggenheim (Brian Cox) puts Max on academic probation, Max tries to fulfill his duties with friend Dirk Calloway (Mason Gamble) where they meet business tycoon Herman Blume (Bill Murray) at a seminar at the school. Blume's twin sons Donny and Ronny (Keith & Ronnie McCawley) attend Rushmore as Herman finds a friend in Max while Herman is dealing with his own morose life that includes his bratty sons and neglectful wife (Kim Terry). When Max checks out a Jacques Costeau book, he learns that the school's new first grade schoolteacher Rosemary Cross (Olivia Williams) has been checking the book out as Max falls for her.

Wanting to impress her, Max gets Latin back into the school's curriculum while wanting to make plans for an aquarium due to her love for fishes and various sea creatures. Max turns to Blume for help as Blume becomes infatuated with Rosemary during a dinner to celebrate Max's play version of Serpico which becomes a disaster due to the presence of Rosemary's friend Dr. Peter Flynn (Luke Wilson) as Max thinks it's her boyfriend. Due to Max's attempt to create an aquarium near the school, Max is kicked out of Rushmore as he's forced to go to public school where he meets the ambitious Margaret Yang (Sara Tanaka). After an encounter with Scottish classmate Magnus Buchan (Stephen McCole) at Rushmore about Dirk's mother (Connie Nielsen), Max makes a lie that would eventually damage his friendship with Dirk while Blume starts a secret relationship with Rosemary.

After learning about the relationship, Max exposes the news to Mrs. Blume as a war between him and Blume explodes with Rosemary resigning from Rushmore as Max also dropping out of school due to the war. Working with his dad at the barber shop, Dirk visits with some news about Dr. Guggenheim's stroke where Max also meets Blume at the hospital. Realizing that Rosemary isn't over the death of her husband, Max decides to make amends as he also gets Margaret's help to fix things as he would stage his most ambitious play to date.

While retaining the optimistic innocence that was in Bottle Rocket, Rushmore is more rooted in melancholia and light-hearted humor. Notably of its three central characters, since they all have a sense of sadness around them. Max, is a kid trying to find himself only to be hit with sadness when he doesn’t get what he wants only turning to the grave of his mother. Miss Cross is a sullen woman who remains troubled by her husband's death and how Max reminds her of him. Then there's Herman Blume who is a man that has everything but is so morose by his lifestyle and everything he has, there is nowhere for him to turn to.

The genius of Rushmore really goes to the team of Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson for finding light-hearted sentimentality in the most offbeat places. They create characters that are flawed in their own ways, even in the most sympathetic of places while smaller characters appear for humor or dramatic purposes. It's a very intelligent coming-of-age story with characters developing into something more. With Anderson bringing in great scenery, his direction is very different from his previous film since he uses every eccentric idea for something that is light-hearted and humorous. Even in the scenes with the play, there is a lot of humor and small theatricality to it as it's Anderson's best work as a director so far.

Helping in the directing is longtime cinematographer Robert Yeomen who brings in a colorful look to the films in its interior sequences along with some wonderful, dreamy textures in many of the film's exterior scenes around the Rushmore academy. Production designer David Wasco along with wife and set decorator Sandy Reynolds-Wasco and art director Andrew Laws brings in a lovely, colorful feel to school of Rushmore with its dark yet natural colors while the stage production of Max's plays are a lovely spectacle. With Karen Patch bringing in some nice costume work, notably on Max's plays and the suit that he wears, the film has a nice look. With longtime editor David Moritz bringing in a leisurely-paced editing style that gives the film a smooth, offbeat film, the movie does not lose rhythm.

Another great element in all of Wes Anderson's films is the music with a great, off-kilter score from Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh bringing in a nice, jazzy tone to the film as well as harpsichord like arpeggios to play off the film’s innocence. Then there's film the film diverse soundtrack filled mostly with British rock music with stuff by the Who, the Rolling Stones, John Lennon, the Faces, Creation, the Kinks, Chad & Jeremy, Donovan, and a couple of cuts from Cat Stevens plus jazz musician Django Reinhardt and French singer Yves Montand. All of those tracks are used very well to convey teen angst as well as the film's lighthearted sentimentality.

Then there's the film's amazing cast with some great and small performances from not just Anderson's friends like Stephen Dignan, Dipak Pallana, Eric Chase Anderson, Brian Tenenbaum, Andrew Wilson, and the always hilarious Kumar Pallana with his one-liners. Also memorable were the McCawley teens as Herman Blume's evil twins and Kim Terry as Blume's wife. While Anderson regulars Luke and Owen Wilson (the latter appears as a picture) only had small roles, Luke is generally funny as Dr. Peter Flynn while Connie Nielsen makes a memorable appearance as Dirk's sexy mom. Sara Tanaka is wonderfully exquisite as the sweet Margaret Yang as well as Mason Gamble who gives an excellent performance as Max's best friend. Stephen McCole is amazing as the curse-wielding Scots Magnus with his hilarious one-liners as well. Seymour Cassel is excellent in the role as Max's simplistic father while Brian Cox rules as Dr. Guggenheim with his tough but sympathetic performance as Max's headmaster.

Olivia Williams brings a calm, complex performance as Rosemary Cross with her maternal-like stature and melancholic tone as a woman who is trying to move on but only find her suitors to be like children. Williams really brings the sweetness and sadness of the film that is enriching. Jason Schwartzman is the film's real breakthrough as the precocious and ambitious Max Fischer. While Max may not have some likeable qualities, Schwartzman makes sure that Max is a kid that an audience can relate to in terms of dreams along with a sadness while trying to understand the world. Schwartzman is amazing and is really the soul of the film.

The film's best performance easily goes to Bill Murray. While it's not in the realm of comedy classics like Caddyshack, Stripes, Ghostbusters, Scrooged, and What About Bob?, Murray shows more of the same range as an actor that he did years ago in Groundhog Day. Playing the morose and self-loathing Herman Blume showed what brilliance Murray can do in making a very pathetic character into someone we care about despite his flaws. It's no surprise in why Anderson wanted to work with Murray all the time and it's his performance in this film is really a precursor to his greatest performance in Sofia Coppola's 2003 masterpiece Lost in Translation. It's Murray's approach to subtlety and offbeat comedic timing that makes the Herman Blume character one of the most memorable as he brings in great chemistry with Schwartzman and Williams in their respective scenes.

If there’s one film from Wes Anderson to start with, Rushmore would be the film to see first. The film is truly one of Anderson's most touching and entertaining films of his career as it features a truly outstanding ensemble led by Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, and Olivia Williams. The film is also among one of the best high school movies that strays away from its typical class formula as well as having an energy that is truly intoxicating to watch. In the end, Rushmore is a brilliant film from Wes Anderson and company.

Wes Anderson Films: Bottle Rocket - The Royal Tenenbaums - The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou - Hotel Chevalier - The Darjeeling Limited - Fantastic Mr. Fox - Moonrise Kingdom - Castello Cavalcanti - The Grand Budapest Hotel - Isle of Dogs - The Auteurs #8: Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson Soundtracks: Bottle Rocket - Rushmore - The Royal Tenenbaums - The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou - Seu Jorge-The Life Aquatic Sessions - The Darjeeling Limited - Fantastic Mr. Fox - (Moonrise Kingdom)

© thevoid99 2012

Hanna

While 2005’s adaptation of Pride & Prejudice and 2007’s Atonement made Joe Wright one of the hottest rising British directors. He went to America in 2008 to helm The Soloist with Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx. The film was delayed and pushed to an early 2009 release. Disappointing box office and lukewarm reviews hurt the film as it was also Wright’s most expensive at $60 million only drawing half of its budget through its worldwide box office gross. After some time off, Wright returns to Europe as he also decides to take on a different genre for a cat-and-mouse revenge thriller simply called Hanna.

Directed by Joe Wright with a story by Seth Lochhead and screenplay by Lochhead and David Farr. Hanna tells the story of a young girl who lives alone in the forest with her father as he trains her to be an assassin. When he takes a leave to Berlin, she is finally captured by the CIA where a corrupt agent goes after her following an escape. A change of pace from Wright’s previous period-drama films, Wright reunites with his Atonement co-star Saoirse Ronan who plays the title character as they go for a different kind of action film. Also starring Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett, Olivia Williams, Jason Flemyng, Jessica Barden, and Wright regular Tom Hollander. Hanna is a thrilling yet exciting action-suspense film from Joe Wright and company.

Living alone in a forest, Hanna has been taught by her father Erik Heller (Eric Bana) to kill and fight for her own survival. Erik also teaches his 16-year old daughter different languages though she is still curious about who she is and the world outside as she has no idea about what music is and such rather in their definitions. On a particular day, Erik brings a transmitter as it would reveal their location to the woman who killed Hanna’s mother (Vicky Krieps) named Marissa Wiegler (Cate Blanchett). Hanna turns on the transmitter while Erik leaves to go to Berlin as he hopes to meet her later.

Hanna is eventually captured by Wiegler’s associates as she is interrogated by a decoy (Michelle Dockery). Instead, Hanna deposes the decoy and other soldiers as she escapes the high-tech prison as she learns she is in Morocco after being found by a young girl named Sophie (Jessica Barden) who is traveling with her family. Hanna eventually catches up with Sophie and her family as she hides in their van as she finds herself introduced to a world that is very different from what she knows. Marissa meanwhile, goes on the hunt for Erik Heller as she also hires a mercenary named Issacs (Tom Hollander) to find Hanna.

With Hanna traveling with Sophie, her little brother Miles (Aldo Maland), and their parents (Jason Flemyng and Olivia Williams). Hanna finds herself drawn to them as she finds her first real friend in Sophie but wondering about the mysterious presence of Issacs. With Hanna wanting to go to Berlin as Sophie’s parents help her, Hanna sees Issacs as she tries to get them away from Sophie and her family. After evading Issacs, she travels to Berlin to find her father as the address that Erik has given her leads her to a home owned by a man named Mr. Grimm. While Hanna wonders about her own identity based on a DNA sheet that she took from the prison, she learns who she is as she confronts her father and eventually, Marissa.

The film is about this young girl who for all of her life has been trained to be an assassin of sorts while living with her father somewhere in the middle of a forest. She’s trained to become a super-soldier while every word she’s taught is only by its actual definition. The only idea of love that she has is in a picture of her mother and a book of fairy tales by the Grimm Brothers. Upon her capture and escape, Hanna is introduced to the real world where it’s different from everything she’s known. When she meets Sophie and her family, she gets a look of what family life is along with what music is and what it’s like to kiss someone.

There is something very innocent in a girl like Hanna who is just curious about this new world she’s in and when she’s confronted by people who want to get rid of her. She finds a reason to protect this new family she finds herself being accustomed to and learns to care for them. Even as she tries to find something about herself while wondering why this woman named Marissa is going after her and her father.

Eventually, there is a reason why Marissa is going after Hanna and Erik as she is a woman that is a corrupt CIA agent has a very sick demeanor. From the way she brushes her teeth to the shoes she wants to wear as she is kind of a traditional fairy tale villain. Then there’s Erik Heller who is a guy that is just wanting to protect Hanna from Marissa and her henchmen. Yet, he is also someone carrying a secret about Hanna and who she is.

Screenwriters David Farr and Seth Lochhead do a great job with character study on Hanna and Erik though the character of Marissa isn’t as developed. Yet, there isn’t a need since she is a slimy villain. Even as they use flashback for what Marissa did the night Hanna’s mother died. The screenplay definitely does an excellent job in mixing character study, action, drama, and also comedy. Even as it features moments that is very natural with the humor being strange but natural to who Hanna is.

Joe Wright’s direction is definitely marvelous as he definitely goes for a stylistic approach to the action where he does go into convention but also play along with it. Notably a great tracking shot that follows Erik from a bus to a subway where he’s followed and surrounded by men into a fight scene that is all in one take. Even as he has the action play to rhythms and such while creating great compositions to the confrontation scenes and action sequences. For the rest of the film including for the dramatic scenes in Morocco and Spain, it’s straightforward but also engaging since it’s shown from Hanna’s perspective.

Even as she is hiding in the van where she watches Sophie and her family singing David Bowie’s Kooks from Hunky Dory. There’s also some great humor to the film as includes a scene where Hanna and Sophie are hanging around with boys as a boy is trying to get closer to Hanna hoping to kiss her. It’s a very simple, comedic approach that recalls the era of silent films it plays off natural to the awkwardness of it. While all of the action stuff that happens mixed in with the more character-driven study does make the film a bit uneven. Still, Joe Wright does step up his game in terms of presentation and composition as he creates what is definitely a fun action-thriller.

Cinematographer Alwin H. Kuchler does a superb job with the film‘s photography from the snowy scenes in Finland to the varied locations in Morocco, Spain, and Berlin. Kuchler’s photography definitely captures a vibrancy to each location along with interiors including a scene of Hanna in her hotel room to dark lights of the Spanish docking bay where she’s being chased by Issacs and his men. Kuchler’s work is definitely the film’s big technical highlight.

Editor Paul Tothill does an excellent job with the film’s editing from the kinetic rhythm of the action scenes while maintaining a leisured pace for the more dramatic moments. Tothill’s cutting is straightforward while doesn’t lag in its pacing while continuing to keep up with the suspenseful tone of the film.

Production designer Sarah Greenwood, along with set decorator Katie Spencer and art director Niall Moroney, does a wonderful job with the set designs that includes the cabin home that Erik and Hanna lives to the slick world that Marissa lives in. Even as the real highlight of the art direction is Mr. Grimm’s home that is filled with lights and such as it’s definitely plays up to Hanna’s childlike fascination. Costume designer Lucie Bates does a very good job with the costumes from the rugged clothes that Erik and Hanna wear early to the slick, business-like suits that Marissa wears. Even to the bohemian-like clothes that Sophie’s parents wear as the costumes play up to Hanna’s growing curiosity with the world.

Sound designers Craig Berkey and Christopher Scarabosio do a phenomenal job with the sound work from the sparse world of the cold forest to the chaos in the cities and places that Hanna encounters. Particularly with the technology that Marissa surrounds herself with to communicate with other officials along with the intimacy in her world which is very cold.

The film’s score by the Chemical Brothers is a hypnotic yet frenetic score with its array of electronic textures and intense beats. Featuring some great themes that plays up to Hanna’s innocence as well as Marissa’s demeanor, the Chemical Brothers’ score is definitely a real highlight of the film. Even as the soundtrack includes pieces of flamenco, Eastern music, and pop music including David Bowie’s Kooks.

The casting by Jina Jay is amazing for its array of memorable appearances from actors (whose names can’t be found) for roles such as Hanna’s grandmother and the whimsical Mr. Grimm. Other notable small roles include John MacMillan as Marissa’s colleague Lewis, Michelle Dockery as the fake Marissa, Mohamed Majd as a hotel owner in Morocco, and Vicky Krieps in flashback scenes as Hanna’s mother. Aldo Maland is very good as Sophie’s little brother Miles while Jason Flemyng is also good as Sophie’s dad. Olivia Williams is excellent as Sophie’s mother who helps Hanna while being a bit of the lost maternal figure that Hanna never had.

Jessica Barden is superb as Sophie, a teenage girl who befriends Hanna as she helps introduce to a new world while being a bit snotty towards her parents over their bohemian lifestyle. Tom Hollander is great as Issacs, a slimy mercenary who can be a badass but also play it cool from the clothes he wears to his slick blond hair. Eric Bana is brilliant as Erik Heller, Hanna’s father who tries to prepare for a world where she’s chased as he is also a man that can kick ass but also has a warm side to him. While it’s a mostly serious role from Bana, he also allows him to be funny through subtle moments as it’s a fantastic role for the actor.

Cate Blanchett is phenomenal as Marissa Wiegler, a devilish CIA official hell-bent on capturing Erik and Hanna while doing anything she can to get the job done. With Blanchett sporting a Southern accent of sorts, it’s a very stylish yet fun role that Blanchett plays as she also makes her character cool and also, kind of likeable despite how bad she is. Finally, there’s Saoirse Ronan in a magnificent performance in her role as the titular character. Ronan truly sells the idea that a little 16-year old can be a supreme badass from the stunts she does along with her combat skills. Yet, Ronan manages to balance that dangerous side with someone who has a childlike fascination with things that are new to her while showing some subtle humor to how she does things. It’s a very remarkable performance for the young actress who is definitely becoming an actress to watch out for in the years to come.

Hanna is a fun, smart, and hypnotic action-thriller from Joe Wright that features a great cast led by Saoirse Ronan along with some amazing technical work and a brilliant score by the Chemical Brothers. Audiences wanting a different kind of action film that has some conventional ideas but something more will definitely want to see this. Fans of Joe Wright will be relieved to see the young British director refining his tricks while taking on something different as he broadens his range as a storyteller. In the end, Hanna is an excellent yet entertaining film from Joe Wright.

Joe Wright Films: Pride & Prejudice (2005) - Atonement - The Soloist - Anna Karenina

© thevoid99 2011

The Ghost Writer

After making a major comeback with 2002’s The Pianist which won Roman Polanski an Oscar for Best Director as well as the Palme D’or. Polanski was on top as he took a break and returned to filmmaking for 2005’s adaptation of Oliver Twist. After contributing a short for 2007’s To Each His Own Cinema, Polanski was preparing a project about Pompeii that fell apart due to the actor’s strike in 2007. Yet, the strike gave Polanski a chance to create another project that was in line with some of his other films in a political thriller called The Ghost Writer.

Based on Robert Harris’ novel The Ghost, The Ghost Writer tells the story of a ghostwriter hired to write and complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister. During the process, the ghostwriter uncovers a dark secret relating to the prime minister as well as what happened to the previous ghost writer. Directed by Roman Polanski with a screenplay written by Polanski and the book’s novelist Robert Harris. The film recalls all of Polanski’s themes of fear and intrigue while bringing humor to his own imprisonment situations including the recent troubles he had in 2009 over his 1977 statutory rape charge in the U.S. Starring Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Williams, Kim Cattrall, James Belushi, Timothy Hutton, Robert Pugh, Eli Wallach, and Tom Wilkinson. The Ghost Writer is a chilling and entertaining suspense-thriller from Roman Polanski.

An unnamed ghost writer (Ewan McGregor) is called upon by publishers to help write and complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister named Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan). Under the instructions of publisher John Maddox (James Belushi) and Lang’s lawyer Sidney Kroll (Timothy Hutton), the ghost writer travels to Martha’s Vineyard in the U.S. to meet with Lang about the memoir. The ghost writer meets Lang’s assistant Amelia (Kim Cattrall) who gives him details about where to stay nearby and what to do with the copy of the memoirs. Even as the six-hundred page memoir proved to be a challenge for the writer as he also meets Lang’s wife Ruth (Olivia Williams).

Knowing that the previous writer had died mysteriously while his body was found washed ashore at a nearby beach. After meeting Lang and discussing with him about what to write, Lang is suddenly hit by a scandal relating to war crimes as he’s targeted by former colleague Rycart (Robert Pugh). Forced to stay in the U.S. and not go anywhere where he’ll be arrested, Lang goes to Washington D.C. to meet with the vice-president as Amelia and Kroll join him while trying to handle the scandal. The ghost writer reluctantly moves into the Lang home where he finds photos and documents relating to Lang‘s years in Cambridge. After finding some clues about when Lang really joined the Labour party, the ghost writer wants to know more about the man who previously worked on the memoir as he went around the island where he meets an old man (Eli Wallach).

Realizing that the old man’s clues about the currents along with Ruth’s stories about her early years with Lang. The writer learns about the pictures that the previous writer had and what happened to him the day he died. He decides to go into Massachusetts to meet with Lang’s old Cambridge schoolmate Paul Emmett (Tom Wilkinson) about Lang and the previous writer who went to meet him. Instead, Paul claims he didn’t know Lang that well as well as not meeting the previous writer. The writer suddenly realized he’s up to something as he’s being chased while he calls the mysterious number in the back of one of the pictures. What he learns from the man revealed to be the caller is someone who knows what is happening as the writer pieces on what is really going on and why Lang is targeted for crimes he supposedly committed.

The film is about a man hired to complete the memoirs of a politician only to find some things in this man’s life that doesn’t make any sense along with the death of his predecessor. That plot description does bring ideas of what a thriller or suspense film could be if its told in a conventional manner. Yet, in the hands of a master like Roman Polanski. He plays with the conventions but also allows those conventional ideas to be toyed with while he’s most interested in what this man is trying to discover.

Polanksi and co-screenwriter Robert Harris create a thriller that allows this unnamed character to enter the world of a politician that is being caught up by a scandal. At the same time, he meets associates such as an assistant who is possibly having an affair with the politician along with the politician’s icy, burned out wife. There’s also individuals outside of the Lang home that the writer meets that are very mysterious such as a man revealed to be a war veteran who lost his son and an old associate of Lang who claims to have never really known Lang. What happens is that with the possible exception of Lang’s assistant, the people that the writer interacts with are people who are very mysterious.

Notably the character of Ruth who is this neglected wife that is starting to unwind due to the home she’s living in along with the chaos of the scandal her husband is dealing with. When she and the writer are alone together with only a few people working at the house including security, there is definitely an idea of what is going to happen. Yet, the way Polanski presents the situation is through some subtle humor knowing it’s a cliché of what is going to happen. The screenplay also includes some witty dialogue including an exchange between Ruth and Amelia about who is to meet Lang first. Lang is also a complex character as a man dealing with scandal while wanting to give the public a story that will put him a place in history. The overall screenplay is truly superb from Polanski and Harris.

Polanski’s direction is truly mesmerizing in every scene he creates from a simple dramatic moment where not much is happening to the feeling of terror when something is about to happen. It is clear that from the first shot of the film where it’s all about an abandoned car in the middle of a ferry that it’s a Polanski film. Polanski makes it clear that objects such as the 600-page manuscript of Lang’s memoirs play an important part to the story. Even as it brings clues to the mystery of who Lang is as well as what all of Lang’s connection with the war crimes he’s accused of along with what the writer’s predecessor discovered. The way Polanski plays the mystery is by creating a sense of dread but play around with what is expected in the genre. He also doesn’t go for any tricks to scare people while doesn’t underplay the drama.

While the film is set in London and parts of Massachusetts, it’s all shot mostly in Germany where it plays both London and the towns of Massachusetts while there are some exterior shots on location in Massachusetts by a second unit group. Still, Polanski allows the locations to help set a mood of where the characters are trapped in a place inside of an island not really knowing where they are. It’s also a chance for Polanski to bring humor to his own situations of being imprisoned and not being allowed to travel to certain places. For its mixture of humor and light drama, Polanski still brings suspense and intrigue to the film right to its ending which is a surprising moment. Yet, it’s done in a Polanski fashion since the mystery is finally solved and that’s it. Overall, Polanski’s direction is truly hypnotic and entrancing as the famed Polish director proves once again that he’s a master in the world of filmmaking.

Cinematographer Pawel Edelman does an excellent job with the film’s eerie yet cold cinematography as there is not a lot of sunlight in the film. Even as it’s dominated by rain and gray skies for many of the film’s daytime exterior settings along with more chilling nighttime scenes where the look is about where the character is. The interior shots are truly wonderful from the lush look of the inn that the ghost writer was staying to the spacious though broader look of the Lang estate as Edelman’s work is superb.

Editor Herve de Luze does a wonderful job with the editing of the film by creating an effective yet leisured pace for the entirety of the movie. Even as de Luze creates suspense in the editing by maintaining a rhythm that builds up the chills without doing any fast cutting. Even as he slows things down for the drama while creating subtle moments in the cutting for the little moments of suspense. Production designer Albecht Konrad, along with set decorators Bernhard Henrich and Ulli Isfort, does an amazing job with the art direction. Notably in recreating Berlin as London along with the small towns as Martha’s Vineyard including the natural look of the inn that the writer stays along with the posh look of the Lang estate. Costume designer Dinah Collin does a very good job in the costumes from the casual clothes that the writer wears to the long clothes that Ruth wears.

The visual effects by Jens Dunkel along with various team members is brilliant for the minimal use needed to create the look of the towns as if it’s shot in Martha’s Vineyard . Sound editor Thomas Desjonqueres and mixer Jean-Marie Blondel do a superb job with the film’s sound work from the cool air of the locations they’re in to the sounds of helicopters and cars all over the location. Even in the sparse moments when the writer is looking around the house. The film’s score by Alexandre Desplat is definitely one of the film’s highlights. Featuring Desplat’s trademark chime flourishes and soothing string arrangements, the score plays to some of the film’s light-hearted moments with its mid-tempo pieces. For the film’s suspenseful and heavier scenes, it has a bombastic approach to the score as Desplat creates another superb score that belongs with his already rich catalog.

The casting by Fiona Weir is amazing for the memorable performances from actors big and small. Notable small performances include Soogi Kang and Lee Hong Thay as the Langs’ servants, Tim Faraday as Ruth’s bodyguard Barry, Morgane Polanski as the inn receptionist, Jon Bernthal as the writer’s agent Rick, and David Rintoul as the stranger whom the writer encounters at the inn. Other notable appearances from more well-known actors include James Belushi as publisher John Maddox, Robert Pugh as Lang’s old friend Rycart, Timothy Hutton as Lang’s lawyer Sidney, and Eli Wallach in a great cameo as an old man who reveals something to the ghost writer.

Tom Wilkinson is superb as Paul Emmett, a mysterious professor who went to Cambridge with Lang as Wilkinson brings a calm yet cool approach to the character who is very evasive. Though it’s a small role from Wilkinson, he definitely creates a memorable performance from the veteran actor. Kim Cattrall is very good as Amelia, Lang’s assistant who shows the writer what to do with the manuscript while bring some witty humor through the dialogue she’s given. Olivia Williams is excellent as Ruth Lang, the neglected wife of Adam Lang who is dealing with her diminished role along with the chaos surrounding her husband as she befriends the writer.

Pierce Brosnan is really good in a small but crucial role as Adam Lang. While it’s a character that features elements of former British prime minister Tony Blair, Brosnan definitely brings some charm to a shady man who is also evasive but also willing to play the role of somebody famous. Brosnan also succeeds in the fact that he can be very ruthless during a confrontational scene with Ewan McGregor as it’s definitely Brosnan at his finest. Ewan McGregor gives one of his best performances to date as the unnamed title character. McGregor delivers an everyman quality of a writer unsure of what he’s doing while realizing he’s entering into some serious trouble. McGregor definitely sells the fear and determination of a character that just wants to find the mystery while knowing that he is going to make stupid decisions. It’s definitely McGregor giving a performance that is needed for a film like this.

The Ghost Writer is an engaging, entertaining, and masterfully-crafted thriller from Roman Polanski. Featuring a great ensemble cast led by Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan along with wonderful supporting performances by Olivia Williams, Kim Cattrall, Tom Wilkinson, and a cameo by Eli Wallach. It’s a film that definitely plays to the ideas of what a suspense-thriller should be and how it emphasizes on characters and intrigue without any of the tricks in a lot of mainstream films. For fans of Roman Polanski, this is a chance to see a master do what he does best as he creates a film that definitely lives up to his legendary career. In the end, The Ghost Writer is a smart, thrilling, and entrancing film from Roman Polanski.

Roman Polanski Films: Knife in the Water - Repulsion - (Cul-de-Sac) - The Fearless Vampire Killers - Rosemary’s Baby - Macbeth (1971 film) - (What?) - Chinatown - (The Tenant) - Tess - (Pirates) - Frantic - Bitter Moon - (Death and the Maiden) - The Ninth Gate - The Pianist - Oliver Twist (2005 film) - Carnage - (Venus in Fur) - (Based on a True Story) - (J'Accuse)

© thevoid99 2011