The Voices

Directed by Marjane Satrapi and written by Michael R. Perry, The Voices is the story of a mentally-ill factory worker who lives with a cat and a dog as the former wants him to kill while the latter is trying to make him feel normal. The film is an offbeat horror-comedy that plays into a man coping with his illness just as he is trying to maintain a normal life. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, Anna Kendrick, Ella Smith, and Jacki Weaver. The Voices is a chilling yet offbeat film from Marjane Satrapi.

The film revolves around a young man who lives in an apartment above a bowling alley as he falls for a British co-worker at a factory where he asks her out on a date only for things to go wrong due to conversations he has with his dog and cat. It’s a film that is really the exploration of a man who is mentally ill as he’s haunted by childhood memories where he tries to live a normal life in working at a factory in creating bathtubs while he would have frequent visits to a shrink who is making sure he’s taking his medication. Michael R. Perry’s screenplay is straightforward in its narrative as it play into the world that Jerry Hickfang (Ryan Reynolds) lives in as he shares an apartment with his dog Bosco and cat Mr. Whiskers as the former supports Jerry’s desire to fit in and be normal but the latter wants Jerry to kill.

When Jerry befriends the British co-worker Fiona (Gemma Arterton) and sets up a date, he thinks things are going to go well but Fiona unfortunately stood him up to go drinking and do karaoke with other co-workers though she didn’t mean to cancel the date as they later meet as she asks for a ride home where things go wrong. Due to the medication he’s given by his psychiatrist in Dr. Warren (Jacki Weaver), it’s meant to draw out the voices in his head but it would unfortunately have him face reality as well as the memories he had about his childhood. When he doesn’t take his medication, he would have conversations with Bosco and Mr. Whiskers while he sees things that don’t play into the grim ideas of reality even though it would re-emerge every once in a while just as he would befriend another co-worker in Lisa (Anna Kendrick).

Marjane Satrapi’s direction is filled with a lot of quirks but also some striking visuals in the way she portrays small-town American life. Shot largely on location near Berlin, Germany, Satrapi uses the small town locations and woods to play into a world that is sort of isolated from everything else where there is a lot happening but there are also places that have been abandoned such as the bowling alley that Jerry lives above. While Satrapi would use wide shots of the locations including parts of Jerry’s apartment, she does create some unique compositions that play into this element of surrealism with the usage of close-ups and medium shots. Notably in these scenes where Bosco and Mr. Whiskers would talk to Jerry and converse with him as well as a few individuals he would meet and would have these strange conversations with. There is an element of black comedy into what is happening as Satrapi’s scenes showed what Jerry sees in his apartment when he’s not his medications while everyone else would see something very different and disturbing.

Satrapi also play into the film’s flashback scenes to get an understanding of Jerry’s troubled past during its second act where Jerry takes Lisa to his old family home where he plans to do something but bad memories would prevent it. It’s a key moment in the film that would play into Jerry’s mental illness as it is clear he’s getting worse as the ideas of reality and fantasy become blurry as he couldn’t handle the former and what he will face. Even as suspicion would occur over what he does when he’s not at work though it is clear that he’s a man in need of help where Satrapi does emphasize on Jerry’s mental illness as he is someone who unfortunately does bad things even though he doesn’t mean to. Overall, Satrapi crafts a weird yet exhilarating film about a mentally-ill young man who is urged by his cat to kill people.

Cinematographer Maxime Alexandre does brilliant work with the film’s cinematography in creating a usage of heightened colors and lighting for some of the interiors in Jerry’s home to express his idea of fantasy while using more dreary colors to play into the reality that he doesn’t want to face as it would include in some of the film’s exterior shots. Editor Stephanie Roche does excellent work with the editing as it is straightforward with some rhythmic cuts towards some of the film’s suspense and humor. Production designer Udo Kramer, with set decorator Karin Betzler and art director Stefan Hauck, does amazing work with the look of the factory that Jerry works as well as his home in how it looks from his view and how it looks from the view of everyone else. Costume designer Bettina Helmi does fantastic work with the costumes with the look of the factory jumpsuits as well as the clothes that the women wear.

Prosthetic makeup designers Tamar Aviv and Jorn Seifert do superb work with the look of some of the makeup effects that is needed for some of the film’s dark violent moments. Special effects supervisor Uli Nefzer, along with visual effects supervisors Manfred Buttner, Antoine Marbach, and Damien Stumpf, does terrific work with the movements of the animals talking as well as some fantasy scenes from the view of Jerry. Sound designer Christian Conrad does incredible work with the sound as it help play into the atmosphere of the locations as well as some of the sound collages into the things that Jerry hears. The film’s music by Olivier Bernet is wonderful for its music score that feature a few ambient pieces for the playful moments along with orchestral pieces for the suspenseful moments while music supervisor Robin Urdang provide a playful soundtrack of music from Olivier Bernet with Jean Francois Gregoire and the O-Jays.

The casting by Venus Kanani and Mary Vernieu is marvelous as it include some notable small roles from Stephanie Vogt as a news reporter, Valerie Koch as Jerry’s mother in the flashbacks, Paul Brightwell as Jerry’s cruel stepfather in the flashbacks, Gulliver McGrath as the young Jerry, Stanley Townshend as the local sheriff, Paul Chahidi as Jerry’s supervisor, Sam Spruell and Adi Shankar as a couple of co-workers who helped organize a company party, and Ella Smith in a terrific role as Alison as a factory numbers worker who becomes suspicious about Jerry’s behavior and the disappearances in the town. Jacki Weaver is excellent as Dr. Warren as Jerry’s psychiatrist who is trying to understand what he’s feeling while knowing that he’s not been taking his medication prompting her to be concerned about his well-being and his treatment for his illness.

Gemma Arterton is brilliant as Fiona as a British office worker at the factory who befriends Jerry though she didn’t mean to stand him up on their date where she is someone that is flawed although is still a decent person. Anna Kendrick is amazing as Lisa as an office worker in the factory who later goes out with Jerry as she would discover aspects of Jerry’s past but also a disturbing discovery. Finally, there’s Ryan Reynolds in a phenomenal performance as Jerry Hickfang as a well-meaning but troubled factory worker who is mentally-ill as he hears voices where he tries to fit in but finds himself in places that makes him unhinged as Reynolds sells that air of innocence and anguish while he also does the voices of Bosco in an old-man accent and Mr. Whiskers in Scottish accent as they are hilarious in what they say.

The Voices is a sensational film from Marjane Satrapi that features an incredible performance from Ryan Reynolds. Along with its offbeat premise, study of mental illness and childhood trauma, gorgeous visuals, and a top-notch ensemble cast. It’s a film that explores a man dealing with his illness as well as the need to connect where he ends up doing some bad things and try to cope with it. In the end, The Voices is a remarkable film from Marjane Satrapi.

Marjane Satrapi Films: Persepolis - Chicken with Plums - (Gang of the Jotas) – (Radioactive (2019 film))

© thevoid99 2018

Picnic at Hanging Rock

Based on the novel by Joan Lindsay, Picnic at Hanging Rock is the story of schoolgirls and their teacher having a picnic at the geological formation known as Hanging Rock in the Victoria state of Australia where several of them don’t return. Directed by Peter Weir and screenplay by Cliff Green, the film is about an event on Valentine’s Day 1900 where a community is rocked by this event. Starring Anne-Louise Lambert, Helen Morse, Rachel Roberts, Vivean Gray, Jacki Weaver, and Dominic Guard. Picnic at Hanging Rock is an evocative and haunting film by Peter Weir.

The film revolves around a simple picnic near the geological formation of Hanging Rock where a trio of schoolgirls from an all-girl’s college and a teacher of theirs suddenly disappear as a town and the school try to figure out what happened. It’s a film with a simple story about a disappearance on a day where nothing could go wrong yet many wonder what happened as one of the missing is eventually found as she has no idea what happened. Cliff Green’s screenplay starts off with the day of the event as it plays as if it was a normal day where a group of girls go to have a picnic with one of them being forced stay at the school due to her behavior. During this picnic, three of the girls in Miranda (Anne-Louis Lambert), Irma (Karen Robson), and Marion (Jane Vallis) would explore Hanging Rock with another classmate in Edith (Christine Schuler) who would return from the exploration screaming in horror as one of the school’s teachers in Miss Greta McCraw (Vivean Gray) would also disappear.

During this picnic, two young men in the young Englishman Michael Fitzhubert (Dominic Guard) and his valet Albert (John Jarratt) would notice the four girls crossing the creek before the disappearance as Michael becomes obsessed in Miranda whom he’s enchanted by as he would go on a search of his own where Albert would later make a chilling discovery. The script doesn’t just play into people baffled by this disappearance where a police sergeant and a constable try to figure out what happened where the local town is asking lots of question. The script also show how the disappearances of three girls and a teacher would change the environment of this all-girl’s college as students would leave as well as other things prompting a sense of change where its headmistress Mrs. Appleyard (Rachel Roberts) is dealing with the incident and the effect it’s had on the school.

Peter Weir’s direction is just ravishing in every sense of the word from the way he shoots everything on location at Hanging Rock as well as the Martindale Hall which plays the school and locations in Mintaro and parts of Adelaide. Weir’s usage of the wide shots would play into the beauty of these locations as well as create compositions that have this look and feel of a painting for a scene where the schoolgirls and their adult chaperones would be as Weir would have the actors in one part of the location and someone else in another part. It all plays into this quaint world of turn-of-the-century Australia where everyone is still trying to maintain certain etiquettes of the ways of the world yet these young girls are entranced by things that are new where three of them would go to Hanging Rock out of curiosity where they have no idea what they’re doing or getting themselves into. There is a dream-like quality to these scenes where Weir’s usage of superimposed dissolves would help play into these strange things these young ladies encounter as well as what Michael would dream about which leads him to try and find the girls during the second act.

Weir would use some close-ups and medium shots for some of the intimate moments as it relates to the environment of the school from Sara becoming more troublesome as she copes with losing her friend Miranda to Mrs. Appleyard losing students at the school. The direction has Weir showcase a growing sense of decline of 19th Century values and etiquette for something that is new as there’s a scene in the third act of people picnicking and doing other activities at Hanging Rock while still continuing to do the search. Even in scenes where the police sergeant is forced to close the door at his home because has no answers where it does have this sense of changing times where there are no answers for why three people disappeared. Overall, Weir creates a rapturous yet eerie film about a school picnic that turns to tragedy following the disappearance of three schoolgirls and a teacher.

Cinematographer Russell Boyd does incredible work with the film’s very ravishing and gorgeous cinematography with its usage of natural lighting to play into the film’s dreamy tone for many of the daytime exteriors as well as some natural light for the scenes at night. Editor Max Lemon does brilliant work with the editing with its usage of jump-cuts, montages, and dissolves as it help play into the drama as well as some of the mystery that looms throughout the film. Art director David Copping does excellent work with the interior designs of the school as well as the home of the sergeant as well as the home of Michael’s uncle.

Costume designer Judith Dorsman does fantastic work with the look of the dresses of the girls and women as well as the clothes of the men including Michael’s suit. Sound recordist Don Connolly does superb work with the sound in capturing many of the natural elements as well as the chaos into people’s reaction over what happened. The film’s music by Bruce Smeaton with pan flute music by Gheorghe Zamfir is amazing for its mesmerizing score with Smeaton’s music largely consisting of eerie piano and orchestral strings with Zamfir’s music creating some dream-like themes for the girls.

The film’s wonderful cast feature some notable small roles from Peter Collingwood and Olga Dickie in their respective roles as Michael’s uncle and aunt, Tony Llewellyn-Jones as gardener, Frank Gunnell as the head gardener, John Fegan as a doctor, Garry McDonald as the police constable, Wyn Roberts as the local police sergeant, Christine Schuler as the student Edith who would join the girls in exploring Hanging Rock only to be scared, and Jacki Weaver in a terrific performance as a young maid named Minnie who is concerned for the well-being of the students as well as Mrs. Appleyard. Kirsty Child and Vivean Gray are superb in their respective roles as the teachers in the prim and loyal Miss Lumley and the mathematics teacher Miss McCraw as the latter would suddenly disappear. Karen Robson and Jane Vallis are fantastic in their respective roles as Irma and Marion as two of the schoolgirls who would explore Hanging Rock and suddenly disappear. John Jarratt is terrific as the valet Albert as a local who is at first dismissive about what happened to the girls until he makes a chilling discovery as he also copes with his own troubles with his family.

Dominic Guard is excellent as Michael Fitzhubert as a young Englishman who is visiting relatives in Australia where he is entranced by one of the schoolgirls who had disappeared as he becomes obsessed in finding her. Margaret Nelson is brilliant as the troubled student Sara Waybourne as a young woman who is a close friend of Miranda as she has trouble fitting and meet the expectations of Mrs. Appleyard. Helen Morse is amazing as Mademoiselle de Poitiers as a young French teacher who is the most concerned as she tries to help the students anyway they can in coping with the disappearance as well as be aware that things won’t be the same. Rachel Roberts is remarkable as Mrs. Appleyard as a headmistress keen on maintaining some control and a stature of the school as she copes with the disappearance of three of her students and her best teacher as well as the emergence of change happening. Finally, there’s Anne-Louis Lambert in a radiant performance as Miranda as a student whose beauty entrances Michael as she is the most concerned about what she sees at Hanging Rock that would lead to her disappearance.

Picnic at Hanging Rock is a magnificent film from Peter Weir. Featuring a great ensemble cast, gorgeous visuals, a mesmerizing story, and a hypnotic score, the film is truly one of the finest stories about disappearances and its effects on a school and a community. In the end, Picnic at Hanging Rock is an outstanding film from Peter Weir.

Peter Weir Films: (3 to Go-Michael) – (Homesdale) – (Whatever Happened to Green Valley?) - (The Car That Ate Paris) – (The Last Wave) – The Plumber (1979 TV film) - Gallipoli – The Year of Living Dangerously – (Witness) – (Mosquito Coast) – Dead Poets Society - (Green Card) – (Fearless) – (The Truman Show) – Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World - The Way Back

© thevoid99 2017

Magic in the Moonlight

Written and directed by Woody Allen, Magic in the Moonlight is the story of an illusionist in the late 1920s who try to disprove the work of a clairvoyant while being charmed by her. The film is an exploration into Allen’s love for magic as it plays into a man who doesn’t really believe in magic while falling for a woman who might prove that he’s wrong. Starring Colin Firth, Emma Stone, Hamish Linklater, Simon McBurney, Jacki Weaver, Erica Leershen, Eileen Atkins, and Marcia Gay Harden. Magic in the Moonlight is a delightful and charming film from Woody Allen.

Set in 1928, the film plays into an illusionist’s attempt to expose a young clairvoyant as a fraud as it’s part of a job he is known for yet would be intrigued by her and eventually fall for her. It’s a film that plays into this conflict over cynicism and spirituality as the character of Stanley (Colin Firth) is a man of rational thoughts as he doesn’t believe in God or anything. Spurred by a friend who is convinced by the powers of this young clairvoyant named Sophie (Emma Stone), Stanley travels to the French Riviera to see if Sophie is real or is a fraud. Along the way, things become weirder as Stanley wonders if Sophie is really faking it or did she find a way to crack into his cynical view of the world. While Woody Allen’s screenplay does follow a predictable and formulaic storyline, it does manage to create situations that are funny but also engaging into Stanley and Sophie’s growing friendship.

Though Stanley is engaged to another woman and Sophie is in a relationship with a young rich man, there is an attraction that is electrifying to watch where Stanley is often baffled by Sophie while Sophie tries to figure who what Stanley is doing. Even as Stanley becomes conflicted in exposing Sophie as a fraud while being in love with her that would play a key part into the film’s second act. While a twist does get unveiled into the third act where it’s not entirely successful, it does play into Stanley’s own view of the world and this growing confusion he has in just believing something that might not be real or just stick to the ideas of reality.

Allen’s direction is quite straightforward while it does employ elements of style such as the opening scene of Stanley performing as it shows his mastery in illusion. At the same time, it shows exactly how much of a pain in the ass he is as he’s egotistical and craving for perfection behind the scenes. Allen’s usage of wide shots not only help make the locations in the French Rivera quite beautiful but it also plays into the wide divide between Sophie’s love of mysticism and Stanley’s own cynicism. Allen’s usage of close-ups and medium shot not only play to the film’s humor but also in the growing attraction between Stanley and Sophie that is filled with a sense of joy along with some dramatic tension. Though things do get clunky in its third act as it relates to a twist in the film, it does play into Stanley’s own resolve about everything he had thought about in the world and what should he accept. Overall, Allen creates an enjoyable though flawed film about a man trying to disprove the credibility of a young clairvoyant.

Cinematographer Darius Khondji does brilliant work with the film‘s cinematography to capture the beauty of the French Riviera locations as well as the gardens in some of the houses while using some unique lighting schemes and textures to play into the film‘s look. Editor Alisa Lepselter does excellent work with the editing as it is straightforward with a few dissolves and rhythmic cuts to play into the film‘s humor. Production designer Anne Siebel, with set decorators Jille Azis and Fanny Landsberg, does fantastic work with the look of the homes that the characters live in as well as Stanley’s stage show and the places the characters go to. Costume designer Sonia Grande does amazing work with the costumes from the period clothes of the men to the gorgeous dresses that the women wear.

Visual effects supervisor Andrew Lim does nice work with one of the film‘s minimal visual effects sequence that involves a scene where Stanley and Sophie look at the sky at night inside an observatory. Sound editor Robert Hein does terrific work with the sound to create something that is sparse and low-key while capturing the exuberance in a few of the party scenes. The film’s music soundtrack consists of different genres of music from jazz to classical as it plays into the period of the time as it is one of the film’s highlights.

The casting by Juliet Taylor, Patricia Kerrigan DiCerto, and Stephane Foenkinos is superb as it features a few small performances from Catherine McCormack as Stanley’s fiancee Olivia, Lionel Abelanski as a doctor late in the film, Jeremy Shamos and Erica Leershen in their respective roles as George and Caroline who are amazed by Sophie’s gift, and Eileen Atkins in a wonderful performance as Stanley’s Aunt Vanessa whom he is fond of as she is impressed by Sophie. Jacki Weaver is fantastic as Grace as a family matriarch who asks Sophie to communicate with her late husband as she brings a lot of spark to her character. Marcia Gay Harden is terrific as Sophie’s mother who would accompany Sophie on a few of these things while trying to prove to Stanley that she is the real thing.

Hamish Linklater is excellent as Grace’s son Brice who is deeply in love with Sophie as he falls under her spell as he brings a lot of humor in just being intentionally bland and singing awful love songs to Sophie. Simon McBurney is fantastic as Stanley’s friend Howard who is also an illusionist as he wants to see if Stanley can prove that she is a fraud as he provides some delightful supporting work in his performance. Emma Stone is amazing as Sophie as this young woman who has the power to see the future and such as she deals with Stanley’s snide attitude where Stone brings a lively presence to her performance. Finally, there’s Colin Firth in a brilliant performance as Stanley as a renowned illusionist and psychic debunker who finds himself baffled by Sophie as he struggles with his feelings for her and his job where Firth brings a lot of humility and humor into his performance.

Magic in the Moonlight is a stellar film from Woody Allen that features great performances from Colin Firth and Emma Stone. While it is a flawed film, it is a still an enjoyable and fun film that explores the world of magic and spirituality. In the end, Magic in the Moonlight is a wonderful 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 - Melinda & Melinda - 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 - Irrational Man - (Cafe Society)

The Auteurs #24: Woody Allen Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 - Pt. 4

© thevoid99 2015

Stoker

Directed by Chan-wook Park and written by Wentworth Miller with additional contributions by Erin Cressida Wilson, Stoker is a teenage girl who gets an unexpected from her uncle following the death of her father. The film is an exploration into the world of family as it goes into very dark places as it relates to a man’s relationship with his teenage niece where it goes into harrowing territory. Starring Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode, Nicole Kidman, Dermont Mulroney, Lucas Till, Alden Ehrenreich, Phyllis Somerville, and Jacki Weaver. Stoker is a mesmerizing yet chilling film from Chan-wook Park.

The film is about a young teenage girl named India Stoker (Mia Wasikowska) whose life is shaken by the death of her father (Dermont Mulroney) as the only person in her life is her mother Evelyn (Nicole Kidman) whom she doesn’t have much of a relationship with. The arrival of her uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode) whom India had never known about shake things up even more as he raises a lot of intrigue for both India and Evelyn as the latter clings to Charlie for companionship. Still, something doesn’t feel right for India as mysterious disappearances involve people she knows start to happen while she becomes entranced by Charlie’s charm. After learning more about Charlie, India would also uncover more dark secrets about what really happened to her father as well as why she never heard about Charlie in the first place.

Wentworth Miller’s screenplay does explore the life of this young woman who is quite detached from reality in some ways as she is known to be gifted in art, piano-playing, and being a very skilled hunter. Yet, she’s also a loner as she always wears these schoolgirl shoes since childhood as she is very close to her father but her relationship with her mother hasn’t been easy. Notably as Evelyn is an unstable individual who seems to envy India over her relationship with her father while she has always been lonely. By the time Charlie comes to the house, Evelyn wants to be with him until she learns that Charlie is more interested in India that increases the already troubled relationship between the two women. Once India learns more about Charlie, she is both repulsed and fascinated by his secrets.

Miller’s script allows the mystery to unfold slowly while playing with the tropes of what is expected in a suspense/thriller. There are small characters who only appear briefly as they seem to know more than what India and Evelyn might realize. Yet, it does add to this element of mystery where it gives India a chance to piece things out where the third act has her not only making some realizations about herself but also why her father has never said anything about Charlie. Miller’s script also has some stylish dialogue that includes a few voice-overs and monologues including a very chilling one from Evelyn towards India that reveals a lot of the jealousy a mother has towards her daughter.

Chan-wook Park’s direction is very stylish though not in its look as Park is able to keep some of the visual elements a bit simpler where it’s shot on location in Nashville, Tennessee. Yet, Park is able to infuse a lot of interesting images to present this mixture of family melodrama with some suspense where he plays into the world of death as well as family. Park’s direction does have him using a lot of interesting framing devices to play into the sense of detachment between mother and daughter and how someone like Charlie could be placed in the middle of this lingering tension. Even where Park is intrigued by the mother-daughter tension where not a lot is revealed yet it is clear in the acting that these two women don’t really like each other but they still want something from another.

Park also creates some very interesting images to not just play out the suspense and melodrama but also do with a large degree of style. Notably in the tracking shots where his camera is often moving to capture the sense of movement such as India wandering around the house to observe Charlie. There are also images that play out the sense of style where Park would re-create images to explore India’s mind as she is pondering about her own persona that is dark at times but also girlish. Things do get unveiled in the third act where it goes into very dark territory that does play into Park’s fascination with violence as well as sexuality where it shows India becoming more of a woman to the surprise of her mother that adds more tension between the two. Overall, Park creates a very entrancing yet visceral film about family and the dark secrets that lurk in them.

Cinematographer Chung Chung-hoon does excellent work with the film‘s photography to play out some of the beautiful look of some of the location exteriors as well as some beautiful lighting schemes for some of the scenes at the Stoker home including its dark basement. Editor Nicolas de Toth does spectacular with the film‘s very stylized yet seamless editing that is filled with an array of jump-cuts and dissolves including some montages and match cuts that are just exquisite in its imagery and impact. Production designer Therese DePrez, along with set decorator Leslie Morales and art director Wing Lee, does amazing work with the look of the Stoker home as well as some locations around the area including the Stoker garden.

Costume designers Kurt and Bart do brilliant work with the costumes from the clothes that Charlie wears to the stylish yet clean-cut dresses and shoes that India wears to display her transition from teenager to womanhood. Sound designers Chuck Michael and John Morris do superb work with the sound to capture the atmosphere of some of the exterior locations including some scenes set in the house to play up that air of suspense. The film’s music by Clint Mansell is phenomenal for its eerie yet intoxicating score that is filled evocative piano pieces and brooding orchestral pieces as well as additional piano duets by Philip Glass along with songs by Lee Hazelwood with Nancy Sinatra and Emily Wells.

The film’s cast is just marvelous as it includes some noteworthy appearances from Ralph Brown as a sheriff, Lucas Till as a classmate who constantly harasses India, Alden Ehrenreich as another classmate who is interested in India, Judith Godreche as a doctor, Phyllis Somerville as the Stoker family maid, Dermont Mulroney as India’s father Richard, and Jacki Weaver in a terrific appearance as India’s great aunt Gin who definitely knows a lot about some of the Stoker family secret. Nicole Kidman is great as Evelyn as a woman seemingly trying to put on a façade to deal with her grief as she clings to Charlie for companionship while harboring some resentment towards her own daughter over Charlie and her late husband Richard.

Matthew Goode is superb as Charlie where he has this very clean-cut look where he is handsome and charming but also has a very dark demeanor that is very intoxicating to watch as he later unveils more and more about who he really is. Finally, there’s Mia Wasikowska in a remarkable performance as India Stoker where Wasikowska displays a chilling restraint to her role as well as a low-key dark humor to her role as she just commands every scene she’s in by doing so little while also being quite confrontational as it’s definitely one of Wasikowska’s finest performances.

Stoker is an incredible film from Chan-wook Park that features top-notch performances from Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode, and Nicole Kidman. While it’s a very stylized thriller with some unique images and themes on family, it’s also an interesting one that plays into some of the dark traits about families. For fans of Chan-wook Park, the film definitely serves as a reminder into why he’s one of the best filmmakers working today where he infuses the film with a lot of exotic imagery and heavy themes. In the end, Stoker is a tremendous film from Chan-wook Park.

Chan-wook Park Films: (The Moon Is… the Sun’s Dream) - (Trio) - Judgment (1999 short film) - JSA: Joint Security Area - Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance - (If You Were Me-Never Ending Piece and Love) - Oldboy - Three Extremes-Cut - Sympathy for Lady Vengeance - I'm a Cyborg but That's OK - Thirst - (Night Fishing) - (Day Trip) - The Handmaiden - (The Little Drummer Girl (2018 TV Series)) - Decision to Leave

© thevoid99 2013

Silver Linings Playbook

Based on the novel by Matthew Quick, Silver Linings Playbook is about a man who returns to his family following a breakdown caused by misfortune and his wife’s extramarital affair. In hopes to get his life back in order and reclaim his wife, the man meets a young troubled woman as they team up to help each other. Written for the screen and directed by David O. Russell, the film is an exploration into people troubled by their own dysfunctions as they hope to get back in the world. Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Tucker, Jacki Weaver, Julia Stiles, Anupam Kher, Shea Whigham, and Robert de Niro. Silver Linings Playbook is a charming and whimsical film from David O. Russell.

After being institutionalized for eight months following a violent breakdown due to the affair of wife Nikki (Brea Bree) where he loses his home in the process. Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) returns home to his Philadelphia Eagles-obsessed father Pat Sr. (Robert de Niro) and mother Dolores (Jacki Weaver) in hopes to re-start his life and win back Nikki. Though he’s reluctant to attend therapy sessions with Dr. Cliff Patel (Anupam Kher), Pat is hoping to do whatever to win his wife back despite the restraining order she’s put on him. Invited to dinner by his friend Ronnie (John Ortiz) and his wife Veronica (Julia Stiles), Pat meets Veronica’s younger sister Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) who is dealing with her own issues as the two get together as they’re both in need of people to talk to. Particularly as Tiffany is still reeling from the death of her husband several months ago.

When Pat wants to send a letter to his wife through Tiffany, Tiffany reluctantly decides to do it only if Pat would help her get ready for a dance competition she wants to participate in. Pat agrees though neither of them are accomplished dancers as they get a bit of help from Pat’s friend Danny (Chris Tucker) who had just been released from the same institution Pat was just in. The two become close as Pat’s father needs Pat to come to attend a game with Pat’s older brother Jake (Shea Whigham) thinking that Pat is good luck and hopes the Eagles win against the Giants so he can win a bet and get the money he needs to open a cheesesteak sandwich restaurant. Instead, things go wrong only until Tiffany comes to the Solitano home that inspires Pat Sr. to make a bet that will help everyone. Yet, Tiffany becomes concerned whether Pat will participate in the dance as he becomes more obsessed about reaching his wife.

Starting over after a breakdown is a hard thing to do. Especially when it concerns a man who had lost everything as he begins to wonder why his wife would cheat on him as he becomes obsessed with winning her back. When he meets a young widow who is just as troubled as he is, the two form a bond as they would participate in a local dance competition in the hopes that the man can show his wife that he’s changed. That’s the premise of the film as it explores the world of two people who feel like no one understands them as they’re trying to find some way for their family and friends to understand and support them. While they both have families who mean well and want to know what’s wrong with them, they have no clue in how to approach them.

David O. Russell’s screenplay definitely captures a lot of truth about people who feel out of sorts with the world as they’re on medication, having to attend therapy, and do things that most people wouldn’t understand. Pat is a guy who likes to go jogging while wearing a trash bag over his sweater in order to get in shape. He’s also reading books that his wife had put on her syllabus where he is just amazed at all of the negativity he finds in those books. Pat is also someone that is deeply troubled as hearing Stevie Wonder’s My Cherie Amour becomes a trigger for his outbursts as his behavior would cause a lot of worry. Then there’s Tiffany who is a bit anti-social as she’s not interested in being around her sister or her family while can also go crazy if she’s being pushed. She’s also very confrontational and admits that she’s a bit of a nymphomaniac.

Having Pat and Tiffany together gives the two of them a chance to finally understand themselves and the motivation to improve their lives where they delve into dancing. Though Pat is reluctant about dancing, it manages to help him as it even takes notice of his family, friends, and Dr. Patel. While Pat’s father is a die-hard Eagles fan who is so obsessed about them winning as he’s unable to attend the games since he’s banned from the stadium over some fights. He’s also a caring father who just wants his son to be there for good luck as he hopes to win money so he can start a cheesesteak sandwich shop. Once he realizes the benefit of Pat and Tiffany’s time together, it gives him the chance to make the ultimate bet that he hopes would give everyone a chance to win something. It’s not just the premise that makes the story so intriguing but also the characters as they’re just real people who are trying to understand these two very damaged yet good-hearted souls.

Russell’s direction is very engaging for the way he mixes humor and drama as it let it all play out naturally. Notably as he uses a lot of close-ups and medium shots to capture the actors in a frame while shooting it entirely on location in Philadelphia. Russell makes Philadelphia and its nearby small towns as characters where people talk a certain way and live a certain life where they have a love for the Eagles and the Phillies. Notably in a scene during an Eagles game where it’s a very wild atmosphere where the camera is in the middle of all of this craziness where people of all sorts come together just to have a good time. It’s not just the craziness of that world that Russell captures but also the Solitano home where Pat Sr. wants his son watching the game while Dolores is in the kitchen making food. It’s a bit chaotic but it plays to the atmosphere that Russell wants.

The direction also is very intimate in the way he presents the relationship between Pat and Tiffany where Russell keeps things simple. Notably in the scenes in Tiffany’s mini-dance studio where it’s just very sparse and it’s all about these two people trying to learn to dance. It’s a world that they can be comfortable in and that their family know about but don’t have to come in there. The film’s climax is the dance where Russell creates a great mix of humor and drama as it all unfolds where it’s not just about the dance but the reaction of those who are watching them. The outcome isn’t just about them winning a contest but to see who is willing to cheer for them as they’re finally ready to emerge from the dark hell both of them have been through. Overall, Russell creates a very winning and heartwarming film about two people in need of help as it’s real, sad, and very funny.

Cinematographer Masanobu Takayanagi does excellent work with the photography from the more naturalistic look of the daytime exterior and interior locations to more stylish lighting styles at night including the climatic dance scene. Editor Jay Cassiday does amazing work with the editing by creating unique rhythmic cuts for the film‘s dancing and dramatic moments along with more stylish cuts in the scenes at the Eagles tailgate party. Production designer Judy Becker, along with set decorator Heather Loeffler and art director Jesse Rosenthal, does nice work with the set pieces such as Tiffany‘s studio, Ronnie and Veronica‘s posh home, and the more middle-class home look of Pat Sr. and Dolores‘ home.

Costume designer Mark Bridges does wonderful work with the costumes from the stylish clothes that Tiffany wears to the more casual look that most of the characters wear including those Eagles jerseys. Sound editor Olda Benitez does terrific work with the sound from the intimacy in Tiffany‘s studio to the more raucous atmosphere in the Solitano living room whenever the game is on. The film’s music by Danny Elfman is a delight for its low-key yet plaintive piano-driven score to play out the drama and some of the humor that occurs. Music supervisor Susan Jacobs creates a brilliant music soundtrack that is a wide mix of music from acts like the White Stripes, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan with Johnny Cash, Eagles of Death Metal, Stevie Wonder, Alabama Shakes, Jessie J, and many others along with different types of ballroom dancing music.

The casting by Lindsay Graham and Mary Vernieu is incredible for the ensemble that is created as it features some noteworthy appearances from Dash Mihok as Officer Keogh, Matthew Russell as a nosy neighbor, Patrick McDade and Cheryl Williams as Tiffany’s parents, and Brea Bree as Patrick’s wife Nikki. Paul Herman is very good as Pat Sr.’s friend Randy who is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys while Shea Whigham is wonderful as Pat’s older brother Jake who tries to get Pat back in the world by going to an Eagles game. Julia Stiles is very good as Tiffany’s materialistic older sister Veronica while John Ortiz is terrific as Veronica’s husband and Pat’s friend Ronnie who goes to Pat over his issues with Veronica.

Anupam Kher is great as Pat’s shrink Dr. Patel who tries to steer Pat into a place that can help him while proving to be a very lively Eagles fans. Jacki Weaver is superb as Pat’s mother Dolores who is baffled by Pat’s behavior while dealing with all of the craziness as it’s very low-key yet charming performance from the actress. Chris Tucker is amazing in a very subdued yet engaging performance as Pat’s friend Danny who helps Pat with his issues while proving to be a good luck charm for Pat’s family. Robert de Niro is marvelous in what is a return-to-form of sorts as Pat’s father in the way he obsesses about the Eagles while showing a sense of craziness but also a tenderness to man who just wants to watch the game with his son.

Finally, there’s the duo of Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in their respective roles as Tiffany and Pat. Lawrence’s performance is definitely vibrant for the way she deals with her emotions and outbursts while being very nonchalant about certain things as it’s a performance that allows Lawrence to be direct and to the point while slowly revealing herself. Cooper’s performance is definitely the best thing he’s done as he reveals many layers to a man that is troubled by his illness while seeking ways to redeem himself where Cooper can be very wild but also restrained in some of the moments. Lawrence and Cooper have a very electrifying chemistry where they’re able to play each other out and do things just adds to their work as they’re a real highlight for the film.

Silver Linings Playbook is a remarkable film from David O. Russell that features phenomenal performances from Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. Along with strong supporting work from Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher, Jacki Weaver, and Robert de Niro. The film is definitely a comedy with lots of hearts, lots of realism, and a story that is very engaging in the way it deals with mental illness as well as redemption. In the end, Silver Linings Playbook is an exhilarating film from David O. Russell.

David O. Russell Films: Spanking the Monkey - Flirting with Disaster - Three Kings - I Heart Huckabees - The Fighter - American Hustle - Accidental Love - Joy (2015 film) - The Auteurs #70: David O. Russell

© thevoid99 2012

Animal Kingdom

Written and directed by David Michod, Animal Kingdom tells the story of a young man who is forced to live with his estranged grandmother following the drug overdose death of his mother. During his stay, he learns that his grandmother and uncles are part of a crime family that gets involved in all sorts of things as they’re evading the police. Based on real life Pettingill crime family from Melbourne in the late 1980s, it is a study of a young man’s discovery of the dark underworld. Starring Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, James Frecheville, Sullivan Stapleton, Luke Ford, Jacki Weaver, and Guy Pearce. Animal Kingdom is a haunting yet compelling crime drama from David Michod.

After his mother dies of a heroin overdose, Joshua “J” Cody (James Frecheville) is picked up by his estranged grandmother Janine “Smurf” Cody (Jacki Weaver) to live with her and his uncles. The eldest Andrew “Pope” Cody (Ben Mendelsohn) is missing while Craig (Sullivan Stapleton) and the youngest Darren (Luke Ford) are living with their mother as they do crime with their friend Barry “Baz” Brown (Joel Edgerton). J knew what they were doing as he got a glimpse of what his family does. When Pope finally makes an appearance one night to meet with Baz, Baz reveals that he’s been watched by two detectives at his house asking for Pope’s whereabouts.

A further private meeting between Pope and Baz about what is next leads to disaster when the family is unsure what to do. J turns to his girlfriend Nicky (Laura Wheelwright) for help as Pope and his brothers decide to launch an attack on the two detectives who are looking for Pope. J decides to be involved as well by stealing a car for his uncles so they can launch the attack. The next day, J and his uncles were arrested as J is interrogated by a detective named Nathan Leckie (Guy Pearce). J goes to Nicky and her family to stay the night as he’s later picked up by Darren and Pope to talk with their lawyer (Dan Wyllie) who gives J some instructions in case he’s questioned again.

J would have another interrogation with Leckie following another incident as Pope is aware that J is becoming a liability who will say anything to Leckie. Pope decides to get rid of some loose ends while J realizes how much trouble he is as he turns to Leckie. With Darren and Pope in trouble, it’s up to Smurf to settle things with help from corrupt officials as J is now a target. Yet, J has plans of his own to settle everything else that is going on.

The film is essentially a noir-like crime drama about a young man entering into this dark underworld where he has an idea of what his uncles do. Yet, he has no idea how eerie it is as he’s surrounded by uncles who are more troubled than he is. Even as his girlfriend is getting a chance to see what this underworld is while he’s being watched by a non-corrupt, good-hearted detective. Amidst all of this is his grandmother, a woman who is a maternal figure for all the people involved as she is just as corrupt and organized as her sons are. Though she isn’t a dangerous person, she is someone who can slime her way into getting what she wanted.

Writer/director David Michod definitely creates a soothing yet chilling mood with his script as it weaves it way into creating tension and chaos whenever something goes wrong. Even as it’s told early on from the perspective of J that includes some voice-over narration just to give an idea of what the family does and who they are. Michod’s direction is very stylish in terms of its mood and how he can create scenes that involve three or four actors. Notably an intimate moment between Detective Leckie and J where Leckie gives this great monologue about what J should do.

The direction also succeeds in how violence is portrayed. It’s not done in an overly-gore approach with a lot of films though it is intense and at times, bloody. Yet, it’s a bit more restrained due to what the characters are doing as they either go for revenge or just to take someone out of the picture. Michod creates something that is intriguing while allowing the audience to follow this young man as he becomes a liability for a world his late mother never wanted him to see. Overall, Michod creates an eerie yet captivating crime film that is really nothing like anything else.

Cinematographer Adam Arkapaw does an excellent job with the film‘s photography that is a bit de-saturated for its look. Yet, it works to maintain a noir-like style for the film including some eerie nighttime scenes around Melbourne. One of the best shots of the film is a scene near a desert during a confrontation between Craig and the police that is beautiful to watch. Editor Luke Doolan does a fantastic job with the film’s stylized yet hypnotic editing from some straightforward cutting montages and transitions. Even in some slow-motion yet enchanting montages to create the dark mood for the film as Doolan’s work is a real technical highlight.

Production designer Josephine Ford and art director Janie Parker do some really good work with the look of the homes and places that the characters live in. Notably the home of Smurf with its middle-class look with some really nice things. Even the museum where J and Smurf meet with a couple of lawyers in a great scene has something that is truly wonderful to see. Costume designer Cappi Ireland does an amazing job on the costumes from the casual-like clothing the men wear to the dresses that Smurf wears to complement her motherly personality.

Sound designer Sam Petty does a phenomenal job with the sound work in the film from the violent scenes to some location setting including the places in Melbourne. Even in scenes with cars and what goes on at home as Petty’s work is truly another of the film’s technical highlights. Music composer Antony Partos does a great job with the film’s brooding yet mesmerizing score. Notably with a plaintive piano and ambient textures to create a noir-like feel for the film as it is definitely a score that is really captivating to listen to. Even as the soundtrack includes a mixture of rock, dance music, and pop as it features a video of Air Supply’s All Out of Love.

The casting by Kirsty McGregor is superb with its array of memorable performances from its cast to its leading actors to smaller roles. Notable appearances in fantastic performances include Anna Lise Phillips as J’s barrister, Justin Rosniak as a corrupt cop that Smurf knows, Anthony Hayes as Leckie’s associate, Susan Prior as Nicky’s mother, Clayton Jacobson as Nicky’s father, and Mirrah Foulkes as Baz’s wife. Dan Wyllie is great as the family lawyer who is just as slimy as the Cody family with his ideas of what J should do. Laura Wheelwright is good as Nicky, J’s girlfriend who finds herself going deep into the dark world of his family unaware of how dark it is.

Joel Edgerton is superb as Baz, the family friend and organizer who is being watched as he suggests about what the family should do. Though it’s a small role, Edgerton really stands out as the least corruptible member of the crime team. Sullivan Stapleton is phenomenal as Craig, the most outgoing Cody family member who runs a drug thing on his own as he is also the most vulnerable in what is a fantastic performance. Luke Ford is very good as Darren, the youngest Cody brother who is also the least experienced as he tries to get J away from what is happening though is often in shock of what is going on.

Guy Pearce is amazing as Leckie, a good-natured detective who tries to get J to talk while reminding him of the dangers he is in as Pearce really plays the man just trying to what is right for everyone. James Frecheville is wonderful as J, the soft-spoken young man whose innocence is shattered once he enters into a dark underworld. Frecheville’s understated yet entrancing performance is really powerful as he plays a boy who just doesn’t want to be into this dark world. Ben Mendelsohn is great as Pope, the eldest Cody brother who is very quiet but also the most ruthless in how he does things. Even as Mendelsohn is someone who acts like a fraternal figure but his methods are very discomforting as it’s definitely a mesmerizing performance.

Finally, there’s Jacki Weaver in what is definitely an outstanding performance as Smurf. Weaver has this maternal soul in her in the way she loves her boys and the way she kisses them. Even when they’re in trouble, she charms her way into making sure they get out as if she’s the unsung leader of the group though she doesn’t do anything. It’s a superb performance from a woman known as a star in Australia as Weaver really brings a sense of warmth to a woman that is corrupt and dark.

Animal Kingdom is a magnificent and chilling crime film from David Michod featuring a phenomenal ensemble cast led by Jacki Weaver, Ben Mendelsohn, James Frecheville, and Guy Pearce. Audiences who enjoy gripping yet exciting crime films will definitely see this as something different but entrancing to watch. Even in the way Michod presents his characters and their setting in a noir-like fashion. In the end, Animal Kingdom is one of 2010’s finest films as help remind audiences why Australian cinema can still brings surprises to an unsuspecting audience.

David Michod Films: The Rover (2014 film) - (War Machine) - (The King (2019 film))

© thevoid99 2011