Following events relating to Spider-Man, Doctor Steven Strange encounters something from another universe who chases a young woman in America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) who is also from another universe as Strange and Wong (Benedict Wong) learn that something is happening in the different multiverse relating to Chavez’s power where Strange asks Wanda Maximoff for help. It is a film that play into many multiple universes as it also relates to a book that is the opposite of a book that Maximoff has from her own previous adventure as it brings hope to the multiverse. Michael Waldron’s screenplay does manage to showcase what is at stake but doesn’t really do much in doing more with the motivation of some of the characters with Maximoff being a major reason as her possession of the Darkhold has her wanting to find her sons Billy and Tommy Maximoff (Julian Hillard and Jett Klyne, respectively) in the multiverse as she believes Chavez is key to finding them.
Maximoff becomes an obstacle for Strange, Wong, and Chavez where Strange and Chavez travel through the multiverse where they meet a variation of Strange’s former friend Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who is part of a mysterious organization known as the Illuminati. Strange also meets a variation of his former flame in Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) who is a scientist who works for the Illuminati and isn’t fond of any version of Strange due to his own commitments to his work as a Master of the Mystic Arts. The different versions of characters is a key component of the film but it does get confusing and for audiences that aren’t aware of Maximoff’s own adventure in WandaVision do get lost. There’s a lot of exposition that Waldron creates that is overwhelming but also confusing when it comes to the concept of dream-walking where a character dreams about being in another world and uses that variation of that character to do things. It is among the elements of the film that does drag the story and make it nonsensical at times along with some stories relating to the multiverse including a version of Doctor Strange who was working with the Illuminati and what he did to kill their version of Thanos.
Sam Raimi’s direction definitely bear some of his own visual style in terms of the zooms he uses as well as these set pieces that are elaborate. Shot largely on location in Britain including the Longcross Studios at Longcross, Surrey, Raimi does create a film that showcases a world that has different versions as the version of New York City that Strange lives in is different from the New York City that he and Chavez would go to where they would learn that a variation of Strange had died. The world-building that Raimi does through the usage of wide and medium shots not only showcase the different universes the characters are in but also these worlds that are unique such as a montage where Strange and Chavez travel through different multiverses that include a 2D animation bit as it showcase these variations of worlds that are all unique. It is among these lavish sequences where Raimi does play into the adventure and action but also with elements of humor as it relates to Strange’s interaction with Chavez as well as the rules of the multiverse.
Then there’s Raimi’s approach to horror as it relates to Maximoff’s own desire to find her sons through the multiverse as she is intent on using the Darkhold book as it is a MacGuffin of sorts as well as the opposite book known as the Book of Vishanti that Chavez and a version of Doctor Strange are trying to get in the film’s first sequence that also involves a gigantic one-eyed monster known as Gargantos. Raimi also play into some of the gory elements in horror but not overtly gory as there are some major deaths as well as moments such as a scene where Strange, Chavez, and Palmer are running away from a version of Maximoff as it has all of these scary moments expected from horror. The film’s climax does involve Strange having to go into places that is against the rules imposed on other masters of the mystic arts yet it all has to do with Chavez and her own powers to travel through the universe even though she is unable to control it. Yet, it also shows exactly what Strange has learned and what he has to do to save the universe while also coming to terms with the sacrifices he’s made in his own life. Overall, Raimi crafts an exhilarating and chilling film about a sorcerer traveling through the multiverse to stop a threat from destroying his own universe.
Cinematographer John Mathieson does brilliant work with the film’s cinematography from the vibrancy of the alternate version of Earth as well as some stylish lighting for a few interiors including the usage of red for Maximoff’s own world, and the dark colors in the world that Strange would encounter. Editors Bob Murawski and Tia Nolan do excellent work with the editing with its stylish usage of montages, jump-cuts, and other cuts to play into the suspense and horror. Production designer Charles Wood, with set decorator John Bush and supervising art director Thomas Brown, does amazing work with the look of the Kamar-Taj base in Nepal where Strange and Wong do their training as well as the base of the Illuminati and a secret palace that holds a dark secret. Costume designer Graham Churchyard does fantastic work with the costumes from Wanda’s Scarlet Witch costume as well as the different costumes of the different variations of Strange including the Cloak of Levitation that has a mind of its own as well as the casual look of America Chavez with her denim jacket with a LGBTQ pride pin on it. Hair/makeup designer Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou, along with prosthetics makeup designer Barrie Gower, does terrific work with the look of the different variations of Doctor Strange as well as the two different looks of Maximoff in her different hairstyles as it all play into the many variations of the multiverse.
Special effects supervisor Alan Roberts and visual effects supervisor Janek Sirrs do incredible work with the visual effects from the design of Gargantos as well as other magical effects that Strange and Wong uses along with some of the massive set pieces as the effects work is a major highlight. Sound editors Addison Teague and Katy Wood do superb work with the sound in the way some of the creatures sound as well as the way objects sound including the atmosphere of a location. The film’s music by Danny Elfman is phenomenal for the bombastic music themes that are created with its usage of orchestral elements for its suspense and action along with themes that do intensify the sense of horror while music supervisor Dave Jordan cultivate a soundtrack that feature different themes from other films and TV shows from Marvel for some of the characters in their alternate variations.
The casting by Sarah Haley Finn is wonderful as it feature some notable small roles from Bruce Campbell in a hilarious cameo as a pizza vendor from an alternate universe, Ross Marquand in a voice role as Ultron drones who work for the Illuminati, Ako Mitchell as Palmer’s new husband Charlie, screenwriter Michael Waldron as a guest at Palmer’s wedding, Momo Yeung and Daniel Swain as two masters who respectively run the Hong Kong and London sanctums, Ruth Livier and Chess Lopez as Chavez’s mothers from her memory as a child, Sheila Atm as a Mystic arts master who works closely with Wong at Kamar-Taj, Adam Hugill as the minotaur Mystic arts master Rintrah, and Michael Stuhlbarg in a terrific small role as Strange’s former surgeon rival Dr. Nic West who laments over being killed during the Blip and returning back only to deal with loss of his own as he and Strange both feel uncomfortable at Palmer’s wedding.
In the roles of the members of the Illuminati, Patrick Stewart’s performance as an alternate version of Charles Xavier/Professor X as well as Hayley Atwell as Captain Carter, John Krasinski as Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four, Lashana Lynch as an alternate version of Maria Rambeau/Captain Marvel, and Anson Mount as Blackagar Boltagon/Black Bolt are fun to watch although it is largely fan-service as they play into people who decide Strange’s fate as they also carry a secret about their own version of Doctor Strange. Julian Hillard and Jett Klyne are superb in their respective roles as Billy and Tommy Maximoff as the sons of Wanda Maximoff whom Wanda believes are alive as they’re just kids who already have a mother and are unaware of what Wanda is doing. Chiwetel Ejiofor is fantastic as an alternate version of Karl Mordo as a former colleague/mentor of Strange who is the Sorcerer Supreme in an alternate universe who believes Strange is dangerous and is up to no good.
Rachel McAdams is excellent as Christine Palmer as Doctor Strange’s former flame who gets married to another man while an alternate version of Palmer is a more stern scientist who isn’t willing to put up with Strange’s bullshit though she becomes protective of Chavez when it comes to a major threat as she is also far more capable of taking care of herself. Benedict Wong is brilliant as Wong as the Sorcerer Supreme who helps Strange in dealing with some of the chaos involved as he also has to contend with some dark forces as well as what Strange had to do to save everyone. Xochitl Gomez is amazing as America Chavez as a young teenage girl who has the power to travel through different multiverses but doesn’t know how to control her powers as she deals with being a source of power that people want as she is also someone who has a hard time trusting people for valid reasons.
Elizabeth Olsen is outstanding as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch as a woman with her own powers as she is convinced that her sons are in another universe while realizing another version of her is with her sons where Olsen brings a dark sense of humor and terror to her performance of a woman ravaged by loss and the need to control things. Finally, there’s Benedict Cumberbatch in a sensational performance as the titular character as a former surgeon turned sorcerer who is dealing with images from an alternate universe as he struggles with these revelations but also versions of himself and their faults with the need to not just save the world but also to help this young girl he’s grown to care for despite his own arrogance at times.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a marvelous film from Sam Raimi that features great performances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, and a break-out performance from Xochitl Gomez. Despite the messy elements in the film’s screenplay and its emphasis on exposition that does drag the story, the film does succeed in its stake as well as the work from its supporting cast as well as its visuals, emphasis on suspense and horror, exploration of the multiverse, and Danny Elfman’s thrilling score. In the end, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a remarkable film from Sam Raimi.
Sam Raimi Films: (It’s Murder!) – (Clockwork) – (Within the Woods) – The Evil Dead - (Crimewave) – Evil Dead II - (Darkman) – Army of Darkness - (The Quick and the Dead) – (A Simple Plan) – (For the Love of the Game) – (The Gift (2000 film)) – Spider-Man - Spider-Man 2 - Spider-Man 3 (Drag Me to Hell) – (Oz, the Great and Powerful)
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Infinity Saga: Phase One: Iron Man - The Incredible Hulk - Iron Man 2 - Thor - Captain America: The First Avenger - The Avengers
Phase Two: Iron Man 3 - Thor: The Dark World - Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Guardians of the Galaxy - The Avengers: Age of Ultron - Ant-Man
Phase Three: Captain America: Civil War - Doctor Strange - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Spider-Man: Homecoming - Thor: Ragnarok - Black Panther - Avengers: Infinity War - Ant-Man and the Wasp - Captain Marvel - Avengers: Endgame - Spider-Man: Far from Home
Multiverse Saga: Phase Four: Black Widow (2021 film) - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - Eternals - Spider-Man: No Way Home - Thor: Love and Thunder – Werewolf by Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Phase Five: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The Marvels – (Deadpool 3) - (Captain America: Brave New World)
Phase 6: (Thunderbolts) – (Blade (2024 film)) - (Fantastic Four (2024 film)) – (Avengers: The Kang Dynasty) – (Avengers: Secret Wars)
© thevoid99 2022
Based on the novel by Robert C. O’Brien, Z for Zachariah is the story of a nuclear holocaust survivor who finds another survivor as she takes him in where their quaint life is disrupted by the arrival of another survivor. Directed by Craig Zobel and screenplay by Nissar Modi, the film is a look into people dealing with their own emotions as they all try to survive the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust and restart their lives. Starring Margot Robbie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Chris Pine. Z for Zachariah is a riveting and somber film from Craig Zobel.
The film revolves around the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust as a young woman who had survived the event as she would meet an engineer who would help her get electricity in her home as they form a friendship that is later disrupted by another survivor who had lurking around. It’s a film that explore three people dealing with loneliness as well as being the possible survivors of a nuclear holocaust where there is very little land where they can be safe as there’s areas around this young woman’s family farm where it is contaminated with nuclear radiation. Nissar Modi’s screenplay doesn’t have much of a plot as it’s more about the need to survive and start all over as the protagonist Ann Burden (Margot Robbie) spends much of her time planting seeds and creating crops as well as pick up whatever she needs wearing a gas mask and such to contaminated areas.
When she encounters John Loomis (Chiwetel Ejiofor) in a radiation suit as he arrives to the non-contaminated area until he swims onto a contaminated pond with a waterfall is where Ann helps him get better despite his leg injury. Much of the first act is about Ann and her time with John as the latter sees the waterfall as a way to create a water wheel for a power generator that Ann has but in need of repairs. The second act prompts the arrival of Caleb (Chris Pine) who would lurk around until Ann’s dog had sniffed him as he would be taken in despite John’s reluctance. It would set the tone for what is happening during the course of the film as John is suspicious of Caleb but does realize that Caleb is still a helpful man who had endured his own experience with the nuclear holocaust.
Craig Zobel’s direction is quite straightforward in terms of the setting and compositions though there are some stylistic shots that do pay homage to the films of Andrei Tarkovsky. Shot mainly on location in New Zealand with some of the small town locations shot in West Virginia, Zobel’s direction does have some wide shots to establish the location as well as the sense of isolation the three characters are in as if they are the only survivors left. Much of the direction would be simple in the way Zobel would frame the characters as well as build small moments of suspense including the scenes in the second half where there is tension between John and Caleb but it is very restrained. Zobel would hint into some of the sexual tension that is looming within the three but have the characters remind themselves that there is so much more at stake as it relates to survival as well as what to do to stay alive. Even in the usage of close-ups and medium shots to play into the drama where the third act is about building this water wheel for the power generator as well as what Ann wants in her life. Overall, Zobel crafts a gripping yet evocative film about a trio of people trying to live their lives following a nuclear holocaust.
Cinematographer Tim Orr does brilliant work with the film’s cinematography with its usage of natural lights for many of the exterior scenes as well as candle lights for some of the interior scenes at night. Editor Jane Rizzo does excellent work with the editing as it is straightforward for much of the film with some rhythmic cuts for the suspenseful moments. Production designer Matthew Munn, with set decorator Amber Richards and art director Ken Turner, does fantastic work with the look of the home that Ann lives as well as a gas station nearby with thing she hasn’t taken and a church that her father used to run.
Costume designer Bob Buck does nice work with the costumes as it’s mostly casual with the exception of the radiation suit that John wears early in the film that Caleb would wear later on in creating the water wheel. Visual effects supervisor John Bair does terrific work with the some of the film’s minimal visual effects as it’s mostly set-dressing for some of the exteriors such as the trees and clouds. Sound editor Rich Bologna does superb work with the sound in creating some unique textures for some of the exteriors that play into the air of silence as well as these quiet moments that add to the dramatic suspense. The film’s music by Heather McIntosh is wonderful as it’s mainly an ambient score that play into the sense of isolation and uncertainty while music supervisor Laura Katz provides a soundtrack that mainly feature bits of religious music as well as some early 20th Century jazz.
The casting by Kerry Barden, Allison Estrin, and Paul Schnee is great as it mainly feature its three principle actors with Chris Pine in an incredible performance as Caleb as a drifter who arrives during the film’s second act as he would formally appear as someone that had seen the outside world as he finds himself attracted to Ann while being aware of John’s suspicions. Chiwetel Ejiofor is remarkable as John Loomis as an engineer who is dismissive towards ideas of religion yet he tries not to say much about it to Ann as he is a man of science where he tries to help her fix things as he also copes with his own sense of loss and longing. Finally, there’s Margot Robbie in a phenomenal performance as Ann Burden as a young woman trying to rebuild her family farm to sustain herself with the things she needs as she finds herself tempted by the presence of two men who have feelings for her knowing that she needs them to help her out.
Z for Zachariah is a marvelous film from Craig Zobel with top-notch performances from Margot Robbie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Chris Pine. Along with its minimalist script, gorgeous visuals, and themes on survival and isolation, it’s a film that explore a trio of people dealing with the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust and see if they can live with one another without any problems. In the end, Z for Zachariah is a remarkable film from Craig Zobel.
Related: Compliance
© thevoid99 2017
Based on the comic series by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Doctor Strange is the story of a surgeon who learns he has mystical powers as he tries to hone them for the good of the world against evil. Directed by Scott Derrickson and screenplay by Derrickson, Jon Spaihts, and C. Robert Cargill, the film is an exploration of a man whose life changes following an accident as he is given powers that would bring a broader viewpoint of the world as the titular character is played by Benedict Cumberbatch. Also starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt, and Mads Mikkelsen. Doctor Strange is a dazzling yet thrilling film from Scott Derrickson.
The film is an origin story of sorts about a surgeon whose life changes following a life-threatening accident where he seeks a way to heal himself where he gains mystical powers through the mysterious teachings of a sorcerer. It’s a film that explores the mystical and spiritual world that surrounds the real world where good and evil try to balance things yet the latter starts to take matters into its own hands as an evil sorcerer steals a text from a book to open up a dimension in the hopes for eternal life. For the titular character of Dr. Steven Strange, he would have a lot to learn as his willingness to learn the arts as well as his determination makes him a promising student to the sorcerer known as the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). Still, Strange has to deal with the fact that he can’t control everything as well as be humbled as he faces off against Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) who is a former student of the Ancient One as he hopes to summon an evil figure of a dark dimension to grant him eternal life.
The film’s screenplay doesn’t just explore the development of Strange as this brilliant but arrogant surgeon who thinks he knows more than anyone as he does a lot to save lives as if it’s nothing only until he is nearly killed in an accident that leaves him unable to use his hands to perform surgeries. He is crushed as someone who is often in control suddenly has no control as he pushes away those who care about him and becomes desperate to fix himself until hears the story of a man who is paralyzed with no chance to walk again suddenly walking again.
It leads to Strange to go to a small town near Kathmandu, Nepal as he learns about what the Ancient One does where he goes there to fix his hands but ends up getting something more. Especially in what the Ancient One and another sorcerer in Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) would teach him as he wouldn’t just travel to worlds instantly but also learn about parallel worlds as he would be able to go against Kaecilius and his troops. The script does succeed in fleshing out Strange, the Ancient One, Mordo, and Kaecilius as well as a librarian in Wong (Benedict Wong) though another character in Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) is somewhat underwritten as plays a love-interest of sorts for Strange.
Scott Derrickson’s direction is definitely stylish for the way it plays into the usage of the spiritual world. While it’s shot on several locations including New York City, London, Hong Kong, Kathmandu, and parts of Los Angeles. It does play into a world that is quite unique where it has aspects that are definitely from the world of psychedelic culture of the 1960s in terms of the imagery of how the dimensions would mesh up in the world and such as if planet Earth is a labyrinth for these sorcerers. While Derrickson would use a lot of wide shots for these massive moments involving vast visual effects along with some medium shots. There would be moments that are intimate as it relates to Strange’s life as a surgeon as well as going into lessons to learn how to transport into other worlds and use his powers. The direction also play into elements that are quite intense as it relates to some of the action including the first face-off between Strange and Kaecilius.
The direction also has Derrickson provide some humor in the way Strange would use his powers such as a way he would get books at a library as well as some of the way Strange is as a person as he is an asshole. There are also moments that are quite dramatic as it play into Strange’s development as well as the realization of his role in the world. Notably as well as the kind of power that Kaecilius uses and why the Ancient One has been hiding it as it play into some of the uneasy decisions people have to do for good. The film’s climax isn’t just about the powers that Strange has become accustomed to but also what he has to do to confront Kaecilius and the mystical figure he believes will give him eternal life. Overall, Derrickson creates an exhilarating and whimsical film about a man who learns what it takes to save the universe and be grateful for what he has.
Cinematographer Ben Davis does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography from the usage of filters and lights for some of the scenes at night as well as the way some of the daytime interiors are lit. Editors Wyatt Smith and Sabrina Plisco do brilliant work with the editing as it is very stylish with some jump-cuts as well as some rhythmic cuts for the action and comedic moments in the film. Production designer Charles Wood, with supervising art directors Ray Chan and Michael Manson as well as set decorators John Bush and Laura Gaffin, does fantastic work with the look of the libraries for the sorcerers as well as Strange‘s home in New York City and at the hospital where he works. Costume designer Alexandra Byrne does nice work with the costumes from the clothes of the Ancient One and the other sorcerers as well as the clothes of Strange when he embraces his role including the red cape that has a mind of its own.
Hair/makeup designer Jeremy Woodhead does terrific work with the makeup from the way Kaecilius looks when he embraces the dark spell as well as the look of the Ancient One. Visual effects supervisors Richard Bluff and Stephane Ceretti do amazing work with the visual effects from the look of the way the powers are presented including the way the cities becomes twisted and shaped by the sorcerers as well as the dark world that Kaecilius wants to present. Sound designers Nia Hansen and David C. Hughes, with sound editors Daniel Laurie and Shannon Mills, do superb work with the sound as it play into some of the sound effects that occur as well as in the intense moments for action and suspense. The film’s music by Michael Giacchino is remarkable for its sweeping and playful orchestral score that also feature some low-key somber moments for the drama as well as some moments that are just fun while music supervisor Dave Jordan creates a very fun soundtrack that features music from Chuck Mangione, Earth, Wind, & Fire, Beyonce, and Pink Floyd.
The casting by Sarah Finn and Reg Poerscout-Edgerton is marvelous as it features some notable small appearances from the trio of Zara Phythian, Alaa Safi, and Katrina Durden as Kaecilius’ zealots, Benjamin Bratt as a once-paraplegic man who learned to heal himself through the teachings of the Ancient One in Jonathan Pangborn, Scott Adkins as another of Kaecilius’ zealot in Lucian, and Michael Stuhlbarg as a rival surgeon of Strange in Nicodemus West. Rachel McAdams is terrific as Christine Palmer where despite being under-written and not given much to do other than be frustrated and later confused by Strange’s powers does have her moments where she does bring something to the story. Benedict Wong is superb as Wong as a master of ancient relics who is also the librarian who protects all of the books as he is someone that doesn’t have much of a sense of humor but it is still a fun character to watch.
Mads Mikkelsen is excellent as Kaecilius as a sorcerer who is a former student of the Ancient One that craves eternal life as he has some big revelations of what some will do to keep themselves from aging as Mikkelsen is quite fun to watch. Chiwetel Ejiofor is fantastic as Karl Mordo as a master sorcerer who would teach Strange how to use some of his powers as well as reveal what it takes to be a powerful sorcerer as well as try to maintain some morality about the ways of the world. Tilda Swinton is brilliant as the Ancient One as a powerful and wise sorcerer that teaches Strange the means to be meaningful as well as realize his potential to do something good while also admitting to things that she had to do for the good of the world. Finally, there’s Benedict Cumberbatch in an incredible performance as the titular character as a man of arrogance and great skill who becomes desperate to find a way to heal where he learns about the mystic arts as he brings some charisma as well as some humility as it’s one of Cumberbatch’s finest performances to date.
Doctor Strange is a sensational film from Scott Derrickson that features great performances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Mads Mikkelsen. Along with dazzling visual effects, a top-notch score, and a fascinating premise, it’s a superhero origin film that has something different to offer but also be very entertaining for those unfamiliar with the character. In the end, Doctor Strange is a phenomenal film from Scott Derrickson.
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Infinity Saga: Phase One Films: Iron Man - The Incredible Hulk - Iron Man 2 - Thor - Captain America: The First Avenger - The Avengers
Marvel Phase Two Films: Iron Man 3 - Thor: The Dark World - Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Guardians of the Galaxy - The Avengers: Age of Ultron - Ant-Man
Marvel Phase Three Films: Captain America: Civil War - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Spider-Man: Homecoming - Thor: Ragnarok - Black Panther - Avengers: Infinity War - Ant-Man & the Wasp - Captain Marvel - Avengers: Endgame - Captain Marvel - Spider-Man: Far from Home
Multiverse Saga: Phase Four: Black Widow (2021 film) - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Eternals – Spider-Man: No Way Home – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Thor: Love and Thunder – Werewolf by Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Phase Five: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The Marvels – (Deadpool & Wolverine) - (Captain America: Brave New World) - (Thunderbolts*)
Phase 6: The Fantastic Four: First Steps - (Avengers: Doomsday) - (Avengers: Secret Wars)
Related: MCU is Cinema: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 – Pt. 4 – (Part 5) – (Part 6) – (Part 7) - The MCU: 10 Reasons Why It Rules the World
© thevoid99 2016
Based on the novel by Andy Weir, The Martian is the story of an astronaut who is accidentally left for dead on Mars during a manned mission where he struggles to survive in the planet while the people at NASA discover he’s alive as they try to figure out how to get him back home with the man’s crew dealing with guilt of leaving him behind. Directed by Ridley Scott and screenplay by Drew Goddard, the film explores the world of science where people on Earth find a way to try and bring this astronaut home as the man himself would try to find ways to survive on the planet using what he has in his head. Starring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kristen Wiig, Benedict Wong, Michael Pena, Sebastian Stan, Kate Mara, Mackenzie Davis, Askel Hennie, Sean Bean, Donald Glover, Eddy Ko, Chen Shu, and Jeff Daniels. The Martian is an adventurous and engaging film from Ridley Scott.
During a manned mission to Mars where an attempt to leave during a strong dust wind where an astronaut is struck by debris and is unfortunately left for dead by his crew. The film revolves around this astronaut who finds himself stuck on Mars aware that it is likely that it will take four years for another spaceship to come in and rescue him with the little rations he has where he is forced to find ways to survive. Meanwhile back on Earth, NASA who for two months believed the man to be dead make a discovery that he is alive through satellite photos as they try to find a way to get him back home but a lot of things are happening where they don’t even tell his crew for months. It’s a film that isn’t just about survival but also the need to rescue a man stranded on Mars where he is forced to left to his own devices yet would unveil what he is able to do to try and survive for the next few years.
Drew Goddard’s screenplay has a very unique narrative that moves back and forth in not just what astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) does to survive on Mars where he would grow potatoes and make water in the planet thanks to his skills as a botanist. It also showcases what is happening in NASA where they try to figure out how long he can survive as well as how to create a rescue mission. The Earth portion of the narrative also play into the world of politics as NASA’s director Teddy Sanders (Jeff Daniels) ponders the financial cost as well as the risks while he also has to tell the truth to the public that Watney is alive after declaring him dead during the botched mission months earlier. For NASA, the news of Watney being alive has become a public relations nightmare for the company where it also shows what is happening behind the scenes where they also need to get help from other sources including rival space exploration companies.
At the space vessel Hermes, there is a subplot that involves Watney’s crew led by Commander Melissa Lewis (Jessica Chastain) who, along with the crew, are consumed with guilt as they’re returning home to Earth where they play a key part in the film’s third act as it relates to the rescue. While they’re aware that the journey back to Mars will take another 18 months with a special booster created by this rival company. Commander Lewis and the crew prefer to take that risk knowing that if it goes wrong, they will all die. Especially as their mission director Mitch Henderson (Sean Bean) gave them the option as he is aware of the risks not just in space but also the financial risks where he finds himself sparring with Sanders since Henderson wanted to tell Lewis and the crew about Watney once the news broke. It all play into that world of politics and when Watney who would finally communicate with NASA’s Mars mission director Vincent Kapoor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who revealed what has been going on. Not surprisingly as there’s frustration where Kapoor and several other scientists try to find solutions where it would be a young astrodynamicist in Rich Purnell (Donald Glover) who would create what the Commander Lewis and her crew have to do as does Watney.
Ridley Scott’s direction is definitely quite vast for the world he creates not just in Mars but also outer space while also maintain a sense of ground for the fact that the film is also set on Earth. With many of the exterior scenes on Mars shot at Wadi Rum in Jordan with several interiors shot in Hungary, the film plays into a world that is quite large where Scott used a lot of wide shots for these exteriors in Mars as it has this air of mystique. Even in the some of the interiors in the base where Watney would have to live in and grow crops as Scott would also use small video cameras such as the Go-pro cameras to document everything Watney is going through. It has this air of the documentary in the film where it plays into what happens if a man is stranded alone in Mars having to survive by what he knows.
The direction is also intimate not just for the scenes inside the Hermes vessel but also on Earth where there’s a lot of discussion and squabbling going on about what to do. Scott chooses to keep things simple throughout the film by not going for anything flashy though he would utilize bits of style in some tracking and dolly shots but keep it to a minimum. The scenes at the Hermes vessel are quite entrancing to play into the world of this space vessel but also to show everyone trying to move on despite carrying this weight of guilt. While Scott is aware that it’s a sci-fi adventure film with a lot of drama, he knows that it’s a film that shouldn’t take itself too seriously by displaying the fact that Watney is kind of goofy. Even as there’s a recurring gag to the fact that the only thing playing at the base on Mars is 70s disco music that Watney hates yet it was chosen by Commander Lewis. All of which plays into a film that is about doing what is right no matter how complicated it can be. Overall, Scott crafts a riveting yet sprawling film about a man accidentally stuck on Mars and trying to survive as he awaits rescue.
Cinematographer Dariusz Wolski does brilliant work with the film‘s cinematography in creating some filters for the exterior scenes set on Mars as well as providing distinctive looks for the scenes at the Hermes space vessel and on Earth. Editor Pietro Scalia does excellent work with the editing as it‘s mostly straightforward with a few stylistic cuts for the big action sequences as well as a stylish montage sequence about the rescue planning. Production designer Arthur Max, with supervising art director Marc Homes and set decorators Celia Bobak and Zoltan Horvath, does amazing work with the look of the moon base and many of the interiors in that base as well as the space vessel interiors and rooms at NASA. Costume designer Janty Yates does nice work with the costumes in the way the astronaut suits look as well as the clothes of the people on Earth. Hair/makeup designer Tina Earnshaw and hair/makeup supervisor Csilla Blake-Horvath does terrific work with the look of Watney late in the film as he struggles to survive with the limited resources he had.
The visual effects work of Chris Lawrence, Anders Langlands, Richard Stammers, and Steve Warner is fantastic for the look of outer space as well as the Hermes space vessel along with some set dressing for the Mars exteriors. Sound designers Michael Fentum and Oliver Tarney do superb work with the sound in the way the dust winds sound in and out of the base as well as some of the computers and such along with the sparse and more natural sounds for the scenes in Earth. The film’s music by Harry Gregson-Williams is wonderful for its orchestral-based score that has some bombast in some of its intense moments while being low-key in its somber moments. The film’s soundtrack is definitely a joy to listen to not just in the fact that it consists a lot of classic 70s pop and disco music from the likes of ABBA, the Hues Corporation, Donna Summers, Thelma Houston, the O’Jays, Gloria Gaynor, and Vickie Robinson as well as inspired usage of David Bowie’s Starman.
The casting by Carmen Cuba and Nina Gold is incredible as it features some notable small roles from Eddy Ko and Chen Su as key officials from the Chinese Space program, Donald Glover as the astrodynamicisist Rich Purnell who comes up with an idea for the Hermes to travel back to Mars, Benedict Wong as a Jet Propulsion Laboratory director who tries to come up with ideas in saving Watney, and Mackenzie Davis as the NASA satellite planner Mindy Park who would be the one to discover that Watney is alive through satellite photos. Other notable small roles as members of the Ares III team includes Askel Hennie as the team’s navigator/chemist Dr. Alex Vogel, Sebastian Stan as flight surgeon Dr. Chris Beck, Kate Mara as the system operator Beth Johanssen, and Michael Pena as the team’s pilot Rick Martinez who is Watney’s closest friend.
Chiwetel Ejiofor is superb as the Mars mission director Vincent Kapoor who would be the first to communicate with Watney as he realizes with the severity of what is happening as he tries to figure out what to do to save him. Sean Bean is fantastic as the Ares III mission director Mitch Henderson who wanted to tell his crew that Watney is alive as he spars with Sanders about what to do. Kristen Wiig is terrific as NASA’s media relations director Annie Montrose who tries to smooth over all of the bad publicity NASA is facing as well as figure out how to save face for NASA. Jeff Daniels is excellent as NASA’s director Teddy Sanders who is trying to see anyway NASA can save money but also wanting to do what is right with caution. Jessica Chastain is amazing as Commander Melissa Lewis as the Ares III leader who deals with guilt of leaving Watney behind as she would later try to figure out every scenario into getting him back as a way to do what is right. Finally, there’s Matt Damon in a phenomenal performance as Mark Watney as the astronaut who is accidentally stranded on Mars following a freak accident where he manages to find a way to survive with his expertise on botany and wit while also providing some charm, humor, and humility to his role as it’s one of Damon’s finest performances.
The Martian is a spectacular film from Ridley Scott that features an incredible performance from Matt Damon. Along with a strong ensemble supporting cast, dazzling visuals, compelling themes on science, and a fun music soundtrack. The film isn’t just a sci-fi adventure film that doesn’t play dumb as well as reveal what might happen on a manned mission to Mars. It also showcases how someone is willing to survive with a positive attitude despite his hatred for disco. In the end, The Martian is a magnificent film from Ridley Scott.
Ridley Scott Films: (The Duellists) - Alien - Blade Runner - (Legend) - (Someone to Watch Over Me) - (Black Rain) - (Thelma & Louise) - (1492: Conquest of Paradise) - (White Squall) - (G.I. Jane) - (Gladiator) - (Hannibal) - (Black Hawk Down) - (Matchstick Men) - (Kingdom of Heaven) - (A Good Year) - (American Gangster) - (Body of Lies) - (Robin Hood) - Prometheus - (The Counselor) - (Exodus) - (Alien: Covenant) -All the Money in the World
© thevoid99 2016
Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 7/7/07 w/ Additional Edits & Revisions.
Directed by Stephen Frears and written by Steven Knight, Dirty Pretty Things tells the story of a Nigerian doctor who drives a cab by day and works at a hotel at night. His best friend is a Turkish immigrant who is trying to evade the immigration services while working odd jobs. When he learns about a secret operation over kidney sales from immigrants in exchange for passports, he is in shock over what is happening and what is at stake. The film is an exploration into the world of black market operations where people sell body parts for money and passports as it is set entirely in London. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Audrey Tautou, Sophie Okonedo, Benedict Wong, and Sergi Lopez. Dirty Pretty Things is a suspenseful yet harrowing film from Stephen Frears.
The film is an exploration into the world of black markets where illegal immigrants are forced to swap kidneys to gain passports so they can work in London. Yet, it revolves on a Nigerian immigrant in Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a German doorman in Ivan (Zlatko Buric), a hooker named Juliette (Sophie Okonedo), and a Turkish maid named Senay (Audrey Tautou) whom he's roommates with as they work in a hotel run by Juan (Sergi Lopez). Upon finding a human heart in a toilet, Okwe learns that there is something going on in the hotels as Senay is being targeted by immigrant officials for being an illegal immigrant. With Okwe trying to help her, his past as a doctor who worked for the Nigerian government comes back to haunt him as he learns about who is running the black markets operation as it plays into this complicated world where people have to survive and live a better life without trouble from the law or from people who are more concerned than profit than human lives.
All of which explores a world that is very dark as Steven Knight's screenplay relies on the structure of suspense as the momentum is built on what's going to happen. The script is really the film's high point in creating characters who aren't stereotypes and such but real people as there's also an unconventional love story of sorts between Okwe and Senay even though they aren't lovers. It adds to something that makes the story feel different in terms of what is expected in a genre film like this while it is clear that the characters in the film are quite flawed. It's often due to the fact that they're driven by the instinct to survive through dire means in a world that doesn't treat immigrants very lightly as Knight's script showcases a part of London that is diverse but also quite chaotic.
Stephen Frears' direction is top notch in creating suspense and intrigue for the story. While it's a bit flawed due to the pacing early in the film, it does pay off with the way it builds momentum as well as the question of morality. Notably, the character of Okwe who is definitely the conscious of sorts in the film which is kind of rare for a protagonist. Even as he is surrounded by a strange group of people including a laid-back hooker, a philosophical doctor, a lively doorman, and Senay. Senay is also interesting since she's a character who has a dream but is often clashing with reality as she realizes how far she has to go. Overall, it's Frears' observant yet stagy direction that creates a very solid drama.
Cinematographer Chris Menges brings a variety of looks to the film from the grayish, desolate look of the film's exterior sequences, notably the immigration, ethnic communities as well as the film interiors. To the more stylish, staged lighting in the film's hotel interior scenes which adds style to the film's unique look. Production designer Hugo Luczyc-Wyhowski and art director Rebecca Holmes create a unique look to the film's locations from the working-class, colorful look in the immigration slums to the polished, posh look of the hotel rooms and hotel lobby. Costume designer Odile Dicks-Mireaux create a nice look to the hotel suits that Juan, Okwe, and Ivan wears as well as the clothes that Juliette wears that isn’t overly revealing or vastly conservative.
Editor Mick Audsley does some excellent work in the film's editing to create suspense and terror that is expected in a genre like a thriller. Yet, Audsley's editing works to convey the manic energy that happens during the third act. Sound editors Mark Auguste and Peter Joly help create suspense with the film's sounds from the cars outside to the noise of the slums with the people surrounding the place. Music composer Nathan Larson creates a chilling score that just doesn't play to the film's suspense but also the drama with collages of guitar melodies and keyboards. The soundtrack mostly consists of Larson's score plus Turkish folk music and a song by David Byrne, formerly of the Talking Heads.
The film's cast is wonderfully assembled, notably for the fact that it's very diverse with people who aren't mostly English actors but rather people from other countries or a certain ethnicity. Smaller roles ranging from Darrell D'Silva as an immigration officer, Kehan Hudaverdi as a cafe` owner, and Barber Ali as the sweatshop owner are memorable in their performances. Benedict Wong is good as Guo Yi, Okwe's hospital friend who often talks forms of philosophy including chess and how the roles of life are often played. Zlatko Buric is brilliant as the comical Ivan who often talks about the good things that are in the hotel world while trying to protect his friends from immigration officers. Sophie Okonedo is good as the hooker Juliette who often flirts with Okwe while letting him know that there's things in the hotel that aren't right as she ends up helping him in his crisis of conscious.
Spanish actor Sergi Lopez is wonderful as Juan aka Sneaky. Lopez doesn't act like a conventional villain but rather a man who believes what he's doing is good, not just for himself but also the people whose lives he claims are saving. It's a wonderfully diabolical role from Lopez who brings charm and wittiness to his character. French actress Audrey Tautou, known for her work with Jean-Pierre Jeunet, is wonderful as Senay. Tautou is amazing in capturing Senay's desires to live a different world while dealing with the realities of what it takes to live a new life. It's a brilliant performance for the French actress who makes her English-language debut in the film as she proves that she can play characters that are dark as opposed to something as light-hearted as in Amelie. Finally, there's Chiwetel Ejiofor in a brilliant performance as the moralistic Okwe. Ejiofor gives a performance that isn't overly dramatic but rather subtle in how he observes everything around him and how tries to do what's right. Though he does wrong in taking stimulants and not being open, it's because his character is trying to evade secrets that won't expose him to authorities as it is Ejiofor at his best.
Dirty Pretty Things is a phenomenal film from Stephen Frears that features great performances from Chiwetel Ejiofor, Audrey Tautou, and Sergi Lopez. The film is definitely one of Frears' finest films in terms of its suspense and exploration into characters in the situations they're in. Especially as it focuses on people who are on the fringes of society as it is told with great respect by screenwriter Steven Knight. In the end, Dirty Pretty Things is a remarkable film from Stephen Frears.
Stephen Frears Films: (Gumshoe) - (Afternoon Off) - (Bloody Kids) - (Walter) - (Walter and June) - (December Flower) - (The Hit (1984 film)) - (My Beautiful Launderette) - (Prick Up Your Ears) - (Mr. Jolly Lives Next Door) - (Sammie and Rose Get Laid) - (The Grifters) - (Hero (1992 film)) - (The Snapper) - (Mary Reilly) - (The Van (1996 film)) - (The Hi-Lo Country) - (High Fidelity) - (Liam) - (Fail-Safe (2000 TV film)) - (The Deal (2003 TV film)) - (Mrs. Henderson Presents) - The Queen (2006 film) - (Cheri) - (Tamara Drewe) - (Lay the Favorite) - (Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight) - Philomena
© thevoid99 2014
Based on the autobiography by Solomon Northup, 12 Years a Slave is the true story of Northup’s life where he was a free black man living in the North until he is kidnapped in Washington, D.C. where he is sold as a slave as he endures hardships for 12 years. Directed by Steve McQueen and screenplay by John Ridley, the film is an exploration into a man who endures the worst kind of cruelty towards humanity as he deals with the world of slavery as Northup is played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Also starring Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Sarah Paulson, Alfre Woodard, Lupita Nyong’o, Michael K. Williams, Scott McNairy, and Brad Pitt. 12 Years a Slave is a harrowing yet visceral film from Steve McQueen.
The film is this simple story about a man named Solomon Northup who lived a decent life in Saratoga, New York in 1841 where he is asked by two men to play for a show in Washington, D.C. where he accepts the offer until he wakes up in chains as he’s sold to slavery where he endures cruelty under different masters for 12 years. It’s a film that explores a man who had this very good life in the North where he finds himself in a world that is very different in the South where blacks are treated as a form of property by their masters. The 12-year journey that Northup encounters where he’s called Platt, he doesn’t just see the cruelty of slavery but also how dangerous he is as he’s a man that is educated where slaves tell him to keep his head down and just do your work so there won’t be anymore trouble. Still, he just couldn’t comprehend the atrocities that he sees and endures in the 12 years of being a slave.
John Ridley’s screenplay definitely explores the 12 years of Northup’s life where its first scene is Northup as a slave cutting down sugar canes for another master as he then reflects on the life he had. Much of the film’s first half showcases bits of Northup’s life as a free man while revealing how he had been tricked by two men (Scoot McNairy and Taran Killam) into doing a show for them where he wakes up the next morning in chains. Ridley’s script is largely told from Northup’s perspective as he watches the world he’s in as he has to see a woman named Eliza (Adepero Oduye) be separated from her children as they’re also sold to slavery. Northup’s encounter with slavery has him endure the supervision of different masters where the first is this Baptist preacher in William Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch) who is much kinder to his slave though he’s unaware of the cruelty that his slave overseer in John Tibeats (Paul Dano) who always undermine things and treats Northup with disdain.
While Northup would also work briefly under the supervision of Judge Turner (Bryan Batt) during a seasonal break, Northup would endure the worst under Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender). Epps is this very unique individual whom Ford describes as a man who is willing to break slaves to the core as he has a very sick fascination with the slave Patsey (Lupita Nyong’o) whom he seduces much to the chagrin of his wife (Sarah Paulson) who loathes Patsey. It all plays to Northup dealing with Epps as well as the harsh conditions he endure as a slave picking cotton where if he picked less than the day before. He will get whipped as it’s just one of the many punishments he has to deal with yet clings to some sense of hope as he desperately tries to write a letter to his family and friends in the North but the presence of Epps has him feel uneasy. The film’s third act doesn’t just play into Northup’s sense of hopelessness but also the things he has to do where he does find some hope in a Canadian carpenter named Samuel Bass (Brad Pitt) who learns about Northup’s situation as he would be a key proponent into Northup getting his freedom.
Steve McQueen’s direction is very evocative in the way he presents a world that is beautiful but has this air of ugliness that is prominent throughout for the fact that it’s a film about slavery. A lot of McQueen’s direction is filled with these intoxicating images that mixes beauty and horror while knowing how to put an actor in a frame or to use a close-up to express something by doing very little. Shot on location in New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana, McQueen’s portrait of the American South is very seductive in its beauty yet has this sense of harshness where it’s a place where a slave’s attempt to runaway is more treacherous where Northup would attempt that only to see what will happen as he would never do it again.
There’s also some intimate moments in McQueen’s direction such as the scene of Northup being chained inside a prison cell where it’s very dark with little light to showcase the horror that is to come. Even as McQueen doesn’t shy away from the brutality of the whippings and such where there’s some very chilling scenes that includes one of the most brutal sequences of whipping where it’s the sound of a whip hitting flesh that is the most unsettling. McQueen’s framing and some of the long shots he creates are just a marvel to watch in not just some of the drama that plays out but also some of the sense of terror that occurs. Though there are bits of humor in the film, it’s only just small bits as it plays into the drama and turmoil that Solomon Northup endures as the film’s ending is an absolute tearjerker. Overall, McQueen creates a very exhilarating yet haunting film about a man who endures the cruelty of slavery.
Cinematographer Sean Bobbitt does some amazing work with the film‘s photography from the look of the Louisiana swamp landscapes and scenes set in the forest with its use of natural lights to some of the shadings and lighting schemes he uses for some of the film‘s interiors as well as the scenes set at night. Editor Joe Walker does brilliant work with the editing with its use of jump-cuts, rhythmic cuts, and dissolves to play into that sense of horror and drama that Northup endures. Production designer Adam Stockhausen, with set decorator Alice Baker and art director David Stein, does fantastic work with the set pieces from the plantations that Northup works at to the look of the homes and places that Northup lived before his capture.
Costume designer Patricia Norris does superb work with the costumes from the dresses the mistresses wear as well as the suits that the men wear as well as the rags the slaves have to wear. Sound editors Ryan Collins and Robert Jackson do excellent work with the sound work from the way dialogue is meshed in certain scenes to some sound effects that occur in the film such as the whippings and such to play into the sense of power in those moments. The film’s music by Hans Zimmer is phenomenal for its mixture of low-key orchestral music to some tremendous pieces that mixes some haunting percussions and string arrangements that play into the terror that occurs in the film.
The casting by Francine Maisler is incredible for the ensemble that is created as it features some notable small appearances from Quvenzhane Wallis and Cameron Zeigler as Northup’s children, Kelsey Scott as Northup’s wife Anne, Michael K. Williams as slave Northup meets early in the film, Garret Dillahunt as a drunkard who works with Northup picking Cotton, Dwight Henry as a slave Northup befriends in Uncle Dwight, Bryan Batt as the fair-minded slave master Judge Turner who would get Northup a job at a party, Liza J. Bennett as Ford’s wife, Chris Chalk as a slave Northup meets who tells him to not act too smart, and J.D. Evermore as Ford’s overseer Chapin who is forced to watch the action of Tibeats.
Other noteworthy performances include Scoot McNairy and Taran Killam as the two men who would trick and drug Northup into a job that would lead to his enslavement while Alfre Woodard is wonderful as a plantation mistress whom Patsey likes to drink tea with. Paul Giamatti is terrific as the slave trader Theophilius Freeman who does things to sell the slaves and presents them in the most cruel ways. Adepero Oduye is superb as the slave Eliza who deals with being separated from her children as she reminds Northup of the cruelty he has to face as a slave. Paul Dano is excellent as the slave master John Tibeats who sings a very horrific song while feeling threatened by Northup for being someone who can speak his mind and please Ford. Brad Pitt is amazing in a small yet cruel role as Samuel Bass who works with Northup during his time with Epps as he learns about his plight.
Sarah Paulson is brilliant as Mrs. Epps as a woman who loathes Patsey as she treats her with the worst kind of cruelty as she someone who proves to be just as extreme as her husband. Benedict Cumberbatch is marvelous as the kind William Ford who is intrigued by Northup as he gives him a violin while dealing with the cruelty of Tibeats as he makes an uneasy decision about giving Northup up. Lupita Nyong’o is tremendous as Patsey as this young slave woman who becomes this object of desire for Epps as she faces some of the most horrific moments a slave has to endure as it’s a performance that is just unforgettable to watch.
Michael Fassbender is remarkable as the cruel yet twisted plantation owner Edwin Epps who is a man that is just extreme in the way he treats his slaves as well as having this sick desire towards Patsey. There’s also this very haunting presence that Fassbender presents as a man who could probably kill someone as well as being ignorant about his ideas of the world. Finally, there’s Chiwetel Ejiofor in an outstanding performance as Solomon Northup. Ejiofor brings a sense of grounding to a man who faces a world that is different from the one he had lived in as he tries not to do anything yet is aware of how much of a threat he is. There’s also that sense of sadness and determination in Ejiofor’s performance to display a man who deals with not just loss but also the hopelessness of not being able to return home as it’s really a performance for the ages.
12 Years a Slave is a magnificent film from Steve McQueen that features a tour-de-force performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor. Along with a great supporting cast and some amazing technical work from cinematographer Sean Bobbit and music composer Hans Zimmer. It’s a film that explores not just the horrific atrocity of slavery but also from the perspective of a free black man who is captured and endures this horror for 12 years as it’s told by McQueen and screenwriter John Ridley at its most visceral. In the end, 12 Years a Slave is a massively astonishing film from Steve McQueen.
Steve McQueen Films: Hunger - Shame - Widows (2018 film) - Small Axe - (Uprising (2022 film)) - (Occupied City) - (Blitz) - The Auteurs #52: Steve McQueen
© thevoid99 2013
Written and directed by Woody Allen, Melinda & Melinda is the story about two women with the same name who live very different lives as four people discuss about the ideas of life in the form of a tragedy and a comedy. The film is an exploration into the world of how life works in a natural setting whether it’s in the form of tragedy or in a comedy as its titular characters are played by Radha Mitchell. Also starring Jonny Lee Miller, Chloe Sevigny, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Steve Carell, Will Ferrell, Amanda Peet, Larry Pine, Vinessa Shaw, Josh Brolin, Brooke Smith, and Wallace Shawn. Melinda & Melinda is a superb and engaging comedy-drama from Woody Allen.
The film is about the life of two women with the same name as they’re the subject of how life is as two men (Wallace Shawn and Larry Pine) have a discussion with two other people (Neil Pepe and Stephanie Roth Haberle) about how does life work. In the one spectrum, there’s the tragic Melinda who is a woman with a very troubled life as she unexpectedly stays over at a friend’s house where she falls for a musician only for things to get complicated. In other spectrum, there’s the comic Melinda as a woman who unknowingly crashes a dinner party as she catches the eye of an actor whose wife is an independent filmmaker who tries to set Melinda up with other men. It’s all plays to the scheme of things in the way life works out as it raises the question about how life can be defined by tragic or comic circumstances.
Woody Allen’s screenplay does have an interesting concept about the ideas of comedy and tragedy and how they can drive one person’s life. Though there’s parts in the story that does drag things a bit, it does play into the way the two Melindas would go in their life. On the tragic spectrum, there’s Melinda trying to find some idea of happiness in her life as she falls for this musician named Ellis (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who is quite charming as well as sympathetic to Melinda’s own personal issues. Yet, Ellis also wins the attraction of Melinda’s friend Laurel (Chloe Sevigny) who is married to a struggling actor named Lee (Jonny Lee Miller) as she doesn’t want to do something that would send Melinda into a bigger downward spiral. In the comic portion of the film, Melinda is a woman trying to find new love as she seeks the help of her neighbors in Hobie and Susan (Will Ferrell and Amanda Peet) where Hobie falls for Melinda but has no idea how to tell Melinda or Susan.
Allen’s direction is quite straightforward in terms of compositions yet he does manage to create a lot of situations where it would mirror the two different portions of the film. Notably in scenes of how Melinda arrives or her reaction to a certain situation that would play into the two different spectrums about life. Though there’s a few moments that does drag the story in the tragic portion of the film while the comedy aspects of it would lighten things up. It does make the film uneven in some ways though both stories do showcase some compelling arguments of the tragedy of comedy and tragedy where it would briefly cut to the two writers having dinner and discuss their side about how life works. Overall, Allen creates an engaging and enjoyable film about the way life works.
Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography from the low-key yet intimate look of the French bistro the Melindas go to as well as some of the locations in New York City that would play to their adventures. Editor Alisa Lepselter does brilliant work with the editing from the use of transitions that range from smooth to abrupt at times in order to help move the story along with some stylish cuts to play out some of the humor and drama that occurs. Production designer Santo Loquasto, with set decorator Regina Graves and art director Tom Warren, does nice work with the set pieces from the different apartments that the Melindas stay in to some of the places the women go to including the French bistro.
Costume designer Judy L. Ruskin does terrific work with the costumes as it is mostly casual while adding some differences to the different look of the two Melindas where the tragic is more disheveled while the comic is more refined. Sound editor Robert Hein does superb work with the sound to play up the atmosphere of some of the parties that occur including some of the other places the characters go to. The film’s soundtrack is amazing as it features a different array of jazz and classical pieces from Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Igor Stravinsky, Bela Bartok, Duke Ellington, Dick Hyman, Erroll Garner, and some R&B music from Barry White.
The casting by Juliet Taylor is fantastic for the ensemble that is created as it features appearances from Neil Pepe and Stephanie Roth Haberle as the friends in the discussion table along with notable small performances from Shalom Harlow as a dinner guest of Lee and Laurel, Brooke Smith as a friend of Laurel and Melinda in Cassie, Steve Carell as Hobie’s friend Walt, Vinessa Shaw as a woman Hobie meets, Daniel Sujata as a man the comic Melinda meets, Zak Orth as Cassie’s husband, and Josh Brolin as a friend of Susan whom she tries to set the comic Melinda with much to Hobie’s disgust. Larry Pine and Wallace Shawn are terrific as the two writers who drive the discussion of how life works with Pine favoring tragedy and Shawn in favor of comedy as the two have great rapport together.
Chiwetel Ejiofor is amazing as the musician Ellis whom the tragic Melinda falls for as he is very kind to her while he is also attracted to Laurel. Jonny Lee Miller is very good as Laurel’s struggling actor husband Lee who doesn’t really like Melinda as he secretly hides his own affairs from Laurel. Chloe Sevigny is excellent as Laurel as a woman who is trying to help the tragic Melinda while dealing with her attraction towards Ellis. Amanda Peet is wonderful as Susan as a woman who tries to help the comic Melinda find love while dealing with her own issues in trying to get funding for her film. Will Ferrell is brilliant as Hobie as a man who falls for the comic Melinda as he tries to deal with his feelings while Ferrell adds some subtle comedic approach to his character.
Finally there’s Radha Mitchell as Melinda and Melinda where Mitchell brings a complexity to the different personas of Melinda as she is ragged and loose as the tragic Melinda who is likely to fall apart. In the form of the comical Melinda, Mitchell is more relaxed but also pretty funny as she definitely brings to spark in her scenes with Ferrell as it’s definitely one of Mitchell’s finest performances.
Melinda & Melinda is a pretty stellar film from Woody Allen thanks to Radha Mitchell’s dual performances as the titular characters. Along with great supporting work from Will Ferrell, Chloe Sevigny, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, it’s a film that showcases Allen trying to do something new while using old ideas to play out the ideas of comedy and tragedy in the way life works. In the end, Melinda & Melinda is a pretty good film from Woody Allen.
Woody Allen Films: What's Up Tiger Lily? - Take the Money and Run - Bananas - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask) - Sleeper - Love and Death - Annie Hall - Interiors - Manhattan - Stardust Memories - A Midsummer's Night Sex Comedy - Zelig - Broadway Danny Rose - The Purple Rose of Cairo - Hannah & Her Sisters - Radio Days - September - Another Woman - New York Stories: Oedipus Wrecks - Crimes & Misdemeanors - Alice - Shadows and Fog - Husbands and Wives - Manhattan Murder Mystery - Bullets Over Broadway - Don't Drink the Water - Mighty Aphrodite - Everyone Says I Love You - Deconstructing Harry - Celebrity - Sweet and Lowdown - Small Time Crooks - The Curse of the Jade Scorpion - Hollywood Ending - Anything Else - Match Point - Scoop - Cassandra’s Dream - Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Whatever Works - You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger - Midnight in Paris - To Rome with Love - Blue Jasmine - Magic in the Moonlight - Irrational Man - (Cafe Society)
The Auteurs #24: Woody Allen Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 - Pt. 4
© thevoid99 2013
