Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris and written by Simon Beaufoy, Battle of the Sexes is about the legendary 1973 tennis match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King that was televised and held at the Houston Astrodome. The film is a dramatic account of the events where the legendary Riggs challenges King, who was then the top champion in tennis, as a publicity stunt as a way to get women more respect in the world of sports with Steve Carell playing Riggs and Emma Stone as King. Also starring Andrea Riseborough, Elisabeth Shue, Austin Stowell, Bill Pullman, Natalie Morales, and Sarah Silverman. Battle of the Sexes is a compelling yet exhilarating film from Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.
The film is a dramatic re-telling of the 1973 Battle of the Sexes tennis match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King from the events prior to the match as well as its set-up and outcome. It’s a film with a simple premise where King is the top tennis player of her time but feels that women aren’t being treated fairly in comparison to the men as she feels like women deserve equal pay or more money. Simon’s Beaufoy’s script opens with King’s sudden rise to fame in 1970 as a top tennis player but is upset that an upcoming tennis tour will have her and several other women players be paid much less than the men. This forces King and former tennis player/magazine publisher Gladys Heldman (Sarah Silverman) to create their own tournament with eight other players as they would gain a sponsor in Virginia Slim cigarettes though they would struggle early on to draw an audience despite being banned by legendary tennis player/promoter Jack Kramer (Bill Pullman) from the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association.
The first act is about King and her attempt to get equal pay for herself and other players as well as establish what Riggs was doing at the time as a man who loves to gamble much to the dismay of his wife Priscilla Whelan (Elisabeth Shue) who would kick him out of their home. Riggs who plays tennis to win cars decides to challenge the women as a publicity stunt where he would immediately challenge King who would turn him down as Riggs would challenge Australian tennis champion Margaret Court (Jessica McNamee) and defeat her prompting King to accept Riggs’ challenge. Beaufoy’s script also touch upon King’s affair with hairdresser Marilyn Barnett (Andrea Riseborough) despite the fact that King is married to a man named Larry (Austin Stowell) as it is a key part of the second act that would also play into King’s determination to beat Riggs unaware that he’s really playing a character for show.
The direction of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris does have its elements of style in recreating the world of the early 1970s as it is shot mainly in Los Angeles where much of the film is set. There are some wide shots in establishing the locations as well as in the film’s climatic tennis match set at the Houston Astrodome. Yet, much of Dayton and Faris’ direction is more on the characters and their situations as well as their need to win. Particularly in the usage of close-ups and medium shots that play into the drama and some of the humor where the latter relates mainly to Riggs and his life including the things he would do in playing tennis for money. The direction would show that for all Riggs’ faults as a man, the persona as this chauvinist was really for show as he was someone that was devoted to his family including his wife. Dayton and Faris’ direction also showcase the growing air of sexism towards women’s tennis not just from men but also women as Margaret Court is more of a traditionalist who would glance at King’s relationship with Barnett with disapproval.
The direction also play into this tension between King and tennis organizations who don’t want to succeed nor want any kind of change in the world of tennis unaware that women are paying to see women play tennis. The climatic match at the Astrodome is shown in a massive scope to play up into how large the event is as well as this air of showmanship before the match is to commence. There is this air of excitement but also dramatic tension as the stakes are high while its aftermath show a sense of relief but also realization that things are to change. Overall, Dayton and Faris create an exhilarating yet engaging film about the real-life tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs and the events preceding this landmark tennis match.
Cinematographer Linus Sandgren does brilliant work with the film’s cinematography as its usage of colors for some of the exterior scenes as well as using grainy film stock to recreate the look of 1970s television coverage is a highlight of the film. Editor Pamela Martin does excellent work with the editing as it has bits of montages as well as some stylish moments that play into the energy of the tennis matches. Production designer Judy Becker, with set decorator Matthew Flood Ferguson and art director Alexander Wei, does amazing work with the look of the hotel/motel rooms the women players stayed in as well as the home of Riggs along with the look of the tennis court inside the Astrodome. Costume designer Mary Zophres does fantastic work with the design of the clothes of the 1970s including some of the uniforms the women tennis players chose to wear as well as some of the costumes that Riggs wear for his publicity tour.
Hair stylist Frioa S. Aradottir and makeup artist Torsten White do terrific work with the different hairstyles and looks of King and Riggs during that time as well as how they would evolve in those few years. Special effects supervisor Sam Dean and visual effects supervisor Cliff Welsh do superb work with the visual effects in some set dressing for the period as well as what footage looked like on TV. Sound designer Ai-Ling Lee does wonderful work with the sound in its creation of sound effects as well as how rackets sounded like back then and the massive layers of sounds for the film’s climatic game. The film’s music by Nicolas Britell is incredible for its rich and sumptuous music score with its lush piano and string arrangements that help play into the drama and sense of excitement into the climatic tennis match while music supervisor Steven Baker provides a soundtrack that played into the times as it includes music from Elton John, Bobbie Gentry, Ray Wills, Tommy James and the Shondells, Apollo 100, Norma Jenkins, George Harrison, and Hugh Masekala along with contemporary pieces from the Pretenders and Sara Bareilles.
The casting by Justine Arteta and Kim Davis-Wagner is great as it feature some notable small roles and appearances from John C. McGinley as a friend of Riggs, Matt Malloy as Riggs’ therapist, Eric Christian Olsen as Riggs’ friend/trainer Lornie Kuhle, Fred Armisen as Riggs’ nutritionist Rheo Blair, Lewis Pullman as Riggs’ eldest son Larry, and James MacKay as Court’s husband Barry. In the roles of the members of the Original 9 players, Martha MacIsaac, Mickey Sumner, Bridey Elliott, Lauren Kline, Ashley Weinhold, Fidan Manashirova, and Kaitlyn Christian play in their respective roles as the tennis players Jane “Peaches” Bartkowicz, Valerie Ziegenfuss, Julie Heldman, Nancy Richey, Kristy Pigeon, Judy Tegart Dalton, and Kerry Melville Reid while Christian also plays the tennis double of King with Vince Spadea as the tennis double of Riggs. Natalie Morales is terrific as an Original 9 tennis player in Rosie Casals as someone who is outspoken as well as be the one to provide commentary for the game.
Jessica McNamee is wonderful as Australian tennis champion Margaret Court as a tennis player who joins the women’s tour as she is someone that is conservative and would accept Riggs’ challenge. Austin Stowell is superb as King’s husband Larry as a man who is supportive of her while he is aware that she has feelings for someone else yet keeps to himself. Elisabeth Shue is fantastic as Riggs’ wife Priscilla as a wealthy woman who isn’t fond of her husband’s gambling as well as his pursuit to challenge women players only to realize what he’s really trying to do. Alan Cumming is excellent as costumer Cuthbert “Ted” Tinling as an openly-gay designer who supports the women in making clothes for them but also help King out in her relationship with Barnett. Bill Pullman is brilliant as famed tennis legend/organization leader Jack Kramer who doesn’t believe that the women would draw as he gains the ire of King for his sexist comments.
Sarah Silverman is amazing as legendary tennis player/publisher Gladys Heldman as a woman who doesn’t take shit from anyone where Silverman provides some humor but also some grit into someone who is championing this new generation of players. Andrea Riseborough is incredible as Marilyn Barnett as a hairdresser who falls for King as she accompanies her on the tour while becomes concerned whether or not she is a distraction to King. Finally, there’s the duo of Emma Stone and Steve Carell in phenomenal performances in their respective roles as Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Stone brings a charm but also a seriousness as King as someone that is striving to be the best but is also deals with her sexuality as it relates to her relationship with Barnett which she wants to keep as a secret as homosexuality was still considered taboo. Carell brings this energy and wit as Riggs as someone who loves to gamble and have fun while knowing a good financial opportunity when he sees it while playing up this persona as a male chauvinist to help sell tickets. Stone and Carell have this chemistry in the way they deal with each other but also know there is an air of respect between the two tennis legends.
Battle of the Sexes is a marvelous film from Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris that feature great performances from Emma Stone and Steve Carell. Along with its ensemble cast, Simon Beaufoy’s engaging script, gorgeous cinematography, and Nicolas Britell’s rich score. It’s a film that manages to be exciting as a sports film but also provide some deep insights into the world of tennis during the 1970s and how one woman wanted to make things fair by playing against one of the sports’ great champions. In the end, Battle of the Sexes is a remarkable film from Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.
Jonathan Dayton/Valerie Faris Films: Little Miss Sunshine - Ruby Sparks
© thevoid99 2019
Directed by Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone and written and starring Schaffer, Taccone, and Andy Samberg, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is the story of a pop music artist who embarks on a world tour to promote his second album where everything goes wrong as he struggles with trying to be successful and popular. The film is told in a mockumentary fashion as it follows the life of a pop star who shares too much of himself as he does whatever he can to sell records and be in the spotlight unaware of the chaos he’s creating. Also starring Imogen Poots, Sarah Silverman, Joan Cusack, Maya Rudolph, Chris Redd, and Tim Meadows. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is a hilarious and outlandish film from Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone.
The film is told in a documentary fashion about the pop star Conner4Real (Andy Samberg) and the release of his sophomore solo release Connquest and its world tour as his attempts to be a bigger star and stay away from the shadow of his old group the Style Boyz. Yet, Conner4Real would endure not failure but also becoming desperate to be in the limelight where he would lose sight of things. Even as he would take part in publicity stunts that went wrong while his opening act in the hip-hop artist Hunter the Hungry (Chris Redd) would overshadow him and more. The film’s screenplay by the Lonely Island trio of Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone doesn’t just play into the world of pop stardom where the individual is too open with his fans but is also so keen on becoming everything to all people that he’s kind of lost touch with reality.
Especially as there are people who are more interested in a Style Boyz reunion but Conner4Real refuses even though he has his former Style Boyz bandmate Owen (Jorma Taccone) as his DJ. The script’s narrative kind of moves back and forth with interviews from real musicians and other celebrity personalities with some such as Nas talk about how great the Style Boyz were and what broke them up as it relates to Conner becoming a bigger star than Owen and the band’s lyricist Lawrence (Akiva Schaffer) as the latter leaves the industry to become a farmer. The film also play into things that Conner does that are outlandish in his attempt to stay in the limelight as his goal is to perform at a pop music awards show.
The film’s direction by Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone is quite straightforward where it does play into conventional aesthetics of a documentary but it’s also not afraid to make fun of everything that is happening. Much of the compositions in the film are straightforward where they also use cellphones as cameras to play into the extreme openness of Conner. The concert scenes definitely have these massive wide and medium shots into how big Conner’s shows are but also have this element of being bloated to express Conner’s own ego and willingness to entertain as it makes fun of the many trends in contemporary music which also include Owen wearing some big prop on his head like other EDM artists. The film also has scenes where it makes fun of publicity stunts and other things where it does have an element of realism that is exaggerated but all for its humor. Especially as it goes into some offbeat moments as well as providing some satire such as a spoof on the celebrity news program TMZ as a lot of it is smacked on. Overall, Schaffer and Taccone create a fun and whimsical comedy about a pop star dealing with failure and his own ego.
Cinematographer Brandon Trost does excellent work with the cinematography as it is largely straightforward with some unique lighting for the concert scenes as well as some of the scenes set at night. Editors Jamie Gross, Craig Alpert, and Stacey Schroeder do terrific work with the editing as it largely feature some montage cutting into Conner‘s rise into stardom and some of the antics he does as well as some jump-cuts that are kind of common with documentaries. Production designer Jon Billington, with set decorator Lori Mazuer and art director Ramsey Avery, does amazing work with the look of the stage that Conner performs at with all of its lights and props as well as his tour bus and lavish mansion.
Visual effects supervisor David Niednagel does nice work with some of the visual effects that include some holograms and other weird shit that Conner uses for his shows. Sound editor George H. Anderson does superb work with the sound in the way the crowd sounds for the shows including that one fan at the upper deck during a non-sell out show. The film’s music score by Matthew Compton is wonderful as it is mostly low-key electronic music while music supervisors George Drakoulias and Randall Poster provided a soundtrack filled with pop and hip-hop include many original songs by the Lonely Island as music for Conner4Real, the Style Boyz, Hunter the Hungry, and other fictional performers.
The casting by Allison Jones is great as it feature some notable small roles and cameos from Danny Strong as a member of Conner’s entourage who is shorter than him, Joanna Newsome as Conner’s steam punk doctor, Bill Hader as a guitar tech, Will Forte as a bagpipes player, Will Arnett as a TMZ reporter, Kevin Nealon as a photographer, Ashley Moore as Conner’s personal assistant, James Buckley as a member of Conner’s entourage, and Weird Al Yankovic as a heavy metal singer. Other cameos with people playing themselves include Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Nas, Questlove, Jimmy Fallon, Snoop Dogg, Seal, Ringo Starr, Carrie Underwood, Usher, Pharrell Williams, Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, Win Butler and Regine Chassagne of Arcade Fire, RZA, and the Roots.
Joan Cusack is wonderful as Conner’s mother who joins the tour early on as well as be the one to give him his beloved turtle Maximus as a child. Imogen Poots is fantastic as Conner’s movie star girlfriend Ashley Wednesday as someone who goes along for the ride until a marriage proposal publicity stunt goes horribly wrong. Maya Rudolph is superb in her small role as Deborah as an executive for an appliance manufacturer that would sponsor Conner’s tour until a stunt to launch the tour goes wrong. Chris Redd is excellent as Hunter the Hungry as a brash up-and-coming rapper who becomes Conner’s opening act that started off as an ally only to overshadow and humiliate him. Sarah Silverman is brilliant as Conner’s publicist Paula Klein who tries to do whatever she can to get Conner for an appearance at an awards show while being a conscience of sorts who is aware that things aren’t going well. Tim Meadows is amazing as Conner’s manager Harry who also managed the Style Boyz and was a former member of Tony Toni Tone` that is trying to deal with the business and what is happening with Conner and the tour.
Akiva Schaffer is hilarious as Lawrence as a former member/lyricist of the Style Boyz who becomes a farmer as he feels underappreciated for his work while thinks Conner is going the wrong way with the music. Jorma Taccone is terrific as Owen as another former member of the Style Boyz who is Conner’s DJ that is trying to cope with the extravagance of the tour while being the one true friend that Conner has. Finally, there’s Andy Samberg in an incredible performance as Conner Friel/Conner4Real as a pop star who is embarking on a world tour for his second album unaware of how bad the record is as well as surrounding himself with too many people who aren’t honest with him as he loses touch with reality and literally exposes himself in the worst ways as it’s just so funny to watch.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is marvelous film from Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone that is a spot-on spoof on the extravagant world of contemporary pop music. It’s a film that isn’t just entertaining filled with a great cast, funny cameos, and some hilarious songs but it’s also a witty satire that showcases some of the drawbacks of 21st Century stardom. In the end, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is a remarkable film from Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone.
© thevoid99 2017
Directed by Rich Moore and screenplay by Phil Johnston and Jennifer Lee from a story by Moore, Johnston, and Jim Reardon with additional contributions by John C. Reilly, Sam J. Levine, and Jared Stern, Wreck-It Ralph is the story of a titular video game bad guy character who decides he doesn’t want to be the bad guy anymore by leaving his game in the hopes he can get a medal and earn the respect of the other characters from his game. The film explores the world of the arcade video games from the early 80s 8-bit games to the games of the 21st Century where a bad guy becomes the hero as he finds himself in different games and befriending a character who is considered a glitch. Featuring the voices of John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk, Mindy Kaling, Joe Lo Truglio, Dennis Haysbert, and Ed O’Neill. Wreck-It Ralph is a sensational and astonishing film from Rich Moore.
The film is about the titular bad guy (John C. Reilly) whose job in the video game Fix-It-Felix Jr. as all he does is wreck a building while the game’s titular character (Jack McBrayer) fixes it. Ralph does the job for 30 years but feels unappreciated as he decides he doesn’t want to be the bad guy anymore and earn a medal in the hopes he can get respected. When Felix learns that Ralph went to a shooting game called Hero’s Duty to get a medal, he tries to stop him but other circumstances lands Ralph in the candy-based racing game Sugar Rush where he meets and help a young girl named Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) to be in the race despite the fact that she’s a glitch. Yet, there’s something that Ralph had brought that would threaten not just the game but also all of the games in the arcade as he and Felix have to stop it.
The film’s screenplay does have this traditional structure where the first act is about Ralph leaving Fix-It-Felix Jr. after feeling unappreciated by other characters in the game as he meets a character from Hero’s Duty where he learns about getting a medal until an encounter with a cy-bug causes trouble. When Ralph finds himself at Sugar Rush, he meets Vanellope who is this character that is a glitch as he is annoyed by her at first yet decides to help her so he can get his medal and she can become a character in the game. Still, Ralph and Vanellope have to deal with the character King Candy (Alan Tudyk) who believes that if Vanellope becomes part of the game. She will ruin it because she is a glitch and the game will be unplugged leaving all of the characters homeless like another legendary game character in Q*bert and his fellow villains.
The script succeeds in giving characters motivations and such to drive the story where Felix teams with Hero’s Duty character Sgt. Calhoun (Jane Lynch) to find Ralph as well as cy-bug that had entered Sugar Rush as it’s a creature that becomes whatever it eats and create chaos until someone lights a beacon to get rid of them. Felix falls for Sgt. Calhoun as he also tells her about a character named Turbo who was this popular racing game character who got jealous when a new racing game emerged where he hacked into the game and put that and his own game out of commission which adds to Felix’s motivation to get Ralph back in their game or they will be unplugged.
Rich Moore’s direction is dazzling not just in the way he presents the world of the arcade games but also for the fact that it’s set in an arcade where many characters meet at the plugging board to interact and be at other games after closing time at the arcade. Even the games themselves are set in a world that is unique where characters are seen drinking at Tapper’s where on the screen, some of the game characters are shown in high-definition or in 8-bit animated style. With the help of supervising animator Doug Bennett, Moore’s direction has these very broad and sprawling images where the animation also helps out in the look of the characters as Tapper and most of the minor characters in Fix-It-Felix Jr. all have this jerky look to their movements since they’re programmed in an 8-bit animated style.
The animation also features a lot of video game references where there’s numerous cameos from many great characters in the film such as an early scene where Ralph attends a video-game bad guys anonymous meeting with villains from Pac Man, Street Fighter, Super Mario Bros., and Sonic the Hedgehog as well as many others. It adds to this very unique world that is very appealing to audiences that grew up playing video games as well as the evolution of video games from 8-bit to high-definition animation. Overall, Moore creates a truly exhilarating and imaginative film about a bad guy’s desire to be good and do good in the world of video games.
Editor Tim Mertens does brilliant work with the editing with its use of stylish rhythmic cuts as well as play into the energy of the action and humor that occurs in the film. Art director Ian Gooding does amazing work with the look of video game world from the sugary-confection of Sugar Rush to the dark world of Hero‘s Duty. Sound designer Gary Rydstrom and sound editors Frank E. Eulner and Marshall Winn do fantastic work with the sound with the way some characters move to the sound effects that is used in the games that the characters go to. The film’s music by Henry Jackman is superb for its mixture of orchestral-based music to play into the action along with some electronic and 8-bit music to help create that world of the video games while the soundtrack features contributions from Rhianna, Skrillex (who makes a cameo in the film), Owl City, Kool & the Gang, AKB48, and the video game novelty duo Buckner and Garcia doing the film’s theme song.
The voice casting by Jamie Sparer Roberts is incredible for the voice ensemble that was used as it features some notable voice work from Edie McClurg, Rachael Harris, and Raymond Persi as characters from Fix-It-Felix Jr. with Persi also voicing a zombie at the Bad-Anon meeting. Other noteworthy small voice roles include contributions from director Rich Moore as King Candy’s assistant Sour Bill/Zangief from Street Fighter, Horatio Sanz and Adam Carolla as the Sugar Rush police officers, Joe Lo Truglio as the drunk Hero’s Duty soldier Ralph meets at Tapper’s, Dennis Haysbert as the general at Hero’s Duty, Mindy Kaling as the Sugar Rush racer Taffy Muttonfudge, and Ed O’ Neill as the arcade owner Mr. Litwak whose character is sort of based on the Twin Galaxies arcade founder Walter Day.
Alan Tudyk is excellent as the Sugar Rush ruler King Candy who tries to get rid of Vanellope in the hopes that she doesn’t ruin the game while there’s an added layer to the character that makes him far more intriguing. Jane Lynch is fantastic as Sgt. Calhoun as a no-nonsense bug killer who helps Felix find Ralph and the cy-bug that entered Sugar Rush as she is baffled by Felix’s attraction towards her. Jack McBrayer is brilliant as Fix-It-Felix Jr. as a game hero who fixes everything with his magical hammer as he tries to find Ralph and get him back or else he and the other characters in the game become homeless.
Sarah Silverman is amazing as Vanellope Von Schweetz as this glitchy character who just wants to be in the race as she befriends Ralph where Silverman adds an energy to the character. Finally, there’s John C. Reilly in a remarkable performance as the film’s titular character where he brings that sense of humility and determination to his character making it one of Reilly’s best performance that is crucial to making Ralph a very unforgettable character.
Wreck-It Ralph is a phenomenal film from Rich Moore and Disney Animation. Featuring some dazzling visuals, a superb music soundtrack, and a brilliant voice cast, the film manages to do more than just be a kid’s film as it appeals to gamers as well. Largely as it features the world of the arcade as well as the different kinds of video games that has endured for more than 30 years. In the end, Wreck-It Ralph is a spectacular film from Rich Moore.
© thevoid99 2013
Written and directed by Sarah Polley, Take This Waltz is the story of a married freelance writer who meets a rickshaw driver/artist as she falls for him while dealing with the fact that she’s also in love with her husband. The film is an exploration into a woman trying to find herself in love as she struggles with the possibility of having relationship with this man she just met or be with the man who’s been devoted to her for five years. Starring Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Luke Kirby, and Sarah Silverman. Take This Waltz is an extraordinary film from Sarah Polley.
The film is about a woman named Margot (Michelle Williams) who meets this artist named Daniel (Luke Kirby) during a trip to Nova Scotia where they meet again at the airport on their way back to Toronto where they realize they’re neighbors. Yet, Margot is happily married to Lou (Seth Rogen) for five years as she finds herself attracted to Daniel where the two have some chemistry together where Margot becomes torn between the man she’s falling for and the man that she loves. What Sarah Polley creates in the story is this conflict in a woman who is in love with two different men that each have something to offer. While Lou is sort of a goofball, he’s someone that is very kind and devoted to Margot. Daniel is a more mysterious individual who is a rickshaw driver but also an artist who has this sense of unpredictability around him. For Margot, there’s this sense of confusion and conflict that she’s dealing with where she has no idea what to do as well as the outcome where she knows that one of these men will be hurt.
Polley’s direction is definitely filled with some gorgeous imagery and unique compositions where she keeps things simple while making the city of Toronto a character in the film. Yet, Polley also employs some stylish shots to play up the sense of wonderment that Margot is going through while infusing it with some humor in some scenes. There are also shots do play into Margot’s relationship with Lou and how they interact with one another while there’s also that sense of uncertainty and fantasy that plays into Margot’s attraction towards Daniel. There’s also moments where Polley isn’t afraid to shoot things like a shower scene with naked women that is a mixture of young and old to establish the idea something new will be old again. Even as the decision that Margot would eventually make would have some repercussions about what she’s doing. Overall, Polley creates a very compelling yet mesmerizing film about love and womanhood.
Cinematographer Luc Montpellier does amazing work with the film‘s colorful cinematography from the use of natural lights some of the film‘s daytime exteriors and interior scenes to more stylish uses of yellow for some scenes at night and some scenes at Daniel‘s home. Editor Christopher Donaldson does fantastic work with the editing where he utilizes a few jump-cuts for some key dramatic scenes as well as some montages in a sequence in the third act while a lot of it is very straightforward. Production designer Matthew Davies, with set decorator Steve Shewchuk and art director Aleksandra Marinkovich, does wonderful work with the sets from the more simpler look of Margot and Lou‘s home to the more arty look of Daniel‘s home.
Costume designer Lea Carlson does nice work with the costumes where it‘s mostly straightforward for the men though the clothes that Margot wear are very colorful to play up the different moods she‘s in. Sound editor Jane Tattersall does terrific work with the sound where it‘s mostly low-key in some intimate moments as well as more layered in some of the more livelier moments. The film’s music by Jonathan Goldsmith is superb for its low-key score that is mostly a mixture of ambient music with some folk arrangements while music supervisor Jody Colero creates a soundtrack that consists of folk and indie music that includes pieces from Feist, Charles Spearin, Jason Collett, the Buggles, and Leonard Cohen whose title song is the inspiration for the film’s title.
The casting by John Buchan and Jason Knight is brilliant for the ensemble that is created as it features some notable small roles from Graham Abbey as Lou’s brother-in-law, Vanessa Coelho as Lou and Margot’s niece, and Jennifer Podemski as the family friend Karen. Sarah Silverman is excellent as Lou’s recovering alcoholic sister Geraldine who is also Margot’s best friend as she is intrigued by Margot’s attraction towards Daniel. Luke Kirby is amazing as Daniel as an artist who has this quirky sensibility and charm that fascinates Margot as they have this strange chemistry that is unique. Seth Rogen is fantastic as Margot’s chef husband Lou as a man who is absolutely devoted to her while being a goofball as Rogen also displays some dramatic range in the film’s third act to reveal that there’s a lot to him which adds a sense of heartbreak to his role.
Finally, there’s Michelle Williams in a dazzling performance as Margot. Williams brings a complexity to a woman in deep conflict over the two men in her life while bringing something very different in those relationships. Williams is quite playful and comedic in her scenes with Rogen while more low-key and serious in her scenes with Kirby. Williams makes Margot a unique woman where she is bound to make a decision where she’s not afraid to be judged but also admit that it could be the wrong decision that makes her character far more engrossing to watch as it’s definitely one of Williams’ finest performances of her career.
Take This Waltz is a remarkable film from Sarah Polley that features a phenomenal performance from Michelle Williams. Along with top-notch supporting work from Seth Rogen, Luke Kirby, and Sarah Silverman. It’s a film that explores the idea of love and its complications where it’s told from the perspective of a woman without being too sappy or complicated. In the end, Take This Waltz is a riveting film from Sarah Polley.
Sarah Polley Films: Away from Her - Stories We Tell - Women Talking
© thevoid99 2013
Directed by Richard Linklater and written by Mike White, School of Rock is the story about an unemployed rock musician who pretends to be a substitute teacher for a prestigious prep school as he decides to teach the children rock n’ roll and form a band so he can win a battle of the bands contest and pay his rent. The film is a comedy that explores a man’s desire to do right for his friend while teaching young kids the power of music and how it can shape their minds. Starring Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Miranda Cosgrove, and Sarah Silverman. School of Rock is a rocking and fantastic film from Richard Linklater.
The film is just a simple story about an unemployed rock musician named Dewey Finn (Jack Black) who has just been kicked out of his band and needs to pay the rent or else he’s going to be kicked out by his friend Ned Schneebly (Mike White). By pretending to be Ned after hearing a message to be a substitute teacher for a prestigious upstate New York elementary prep school, Dewey deals with its strict rules until he learns about that the kids in his class are also in a music class. By teaching them the etiquettes of rock n’ roll, he finds the idea to make them his new band so he can win an upcoming battle of the bands contest and pay his rent. While it’s a story that might seem formulaic and silly, what makes it so engaging is the fact that it’s about a guy who bonds with some kids over not just music but also finding reasons into the idea of learning.
Mike White’s screenplay is actually far more interesting than what its premise suggests as it’s not just a film about rock n’ roll but also a film about a guy trying to find his role in life to mean something but still maintain that sense of love and passion for music. While Dewey Finn is sort of a man-child who doesn’t want to grow up and refuses to give up his rock n’ roll dreams. He becomes a much more well-rounded person by taking on this job as a substitute teacher where he not only helps out kids who feel stifled by the upbringing they’re in. He also gives them a reason to have some fun and act like kids while being able to learn along the way.
It’s not just the character of Dewey and the kids that really help the script be engaging. There are supporting characters like Dewey’s friend Ned and the school principal Rosalie Mullins who are just as interesting as well. Ned is someone who used to play rock n’ roll but had to give it up in order to get a real job as he’s constantly berated by his girlfriend Patti (Sarah Silverman). There’s a moment late in the film where Dewey admits to his actions and feels bad about what he does but he tells Ned that he couldn’t give up on his dreams like Ned did. What Ned reveals is that his sacrifice to give up music wasn’t easy as well into why there’s a bit of melancholia to his character. The Mullins character might seem like a typical figure of authority who has to run things but there’s more to her as she’s a woman who wants to change things for the school to make things better and actually make it less stifling for the children.
Richard Linklater’s direction is definitely lively in the way he explores the world of rock n’ roll as well as prep school life where he adds this element of fun into the entire story. While there are moments where things can get wild, it is told with some restraint in which Linklater is able to get his actors to tone things down a bit while having the kids just act naturally. Since it’s also a kids film, Linklater has the story be told from the perspective of kids as they’re being taught by Dewey who is sort of a child. Yet, Dewey knows that kids can go into the wrong places where Dewey has to play the adult of sorts.
The direction has Linklater also creating some compositions that are simple and direct but also have this sense of being very energetic and lively. Even in some of the more low-key dramatic moments where Linklater knows where to put the actors in the frame. The film climax is the Battle of the Bands concert where there are elements of humor but it’s more about a sense of celebration and all of the good aspects about what rock n’ roll is all about. Having fun. Linklater not only does that but he makes it so much more where it’s not just a film that rock fans can love but also a film that families can enjoy where it’s both educational but also entertaining. Overall, Linklater crafts a very exciting and exhilarating film about rock n’ roll and learning about the music that will make any kid do Pete Townshend windmill guitar power chords.
Cinematographer Rogier Stoffers does excellent work with some of the lighting where it‘s very straightforward for many of the film‘s interior and exterior scenes with the exception of the lighting display for the climatic concert. Editor Sandra Adair does amazing work with the editing to not just capture the energy of the comedy and the rock n‘ roll moments but also in creating a montage to display rock n‘ roll‘s rich history. Production designer Jeremy Conway, along with set decorator Karin Wiesel and art director Adam Scher, do wonderful work with the set pieces from the look of the prep school and Battle of the Bands stage to the apartment Dewey and Ned live in.
Costume designer Karen Patch does fantastic work with the costumes from the look of the school uniforms to the clothes the kids wear for the climatic show. Sound editor Jacob Ribicoff does nice work with the sound to capture some of the intimacy of the classrooms as well as the atmosphere of the rock concert. The film’s music by Craig Wedren is terrific as it‘s low-key with its emphasis on rock while the film‘s soundtrack that is assembled by music supervisor Randall Poster is a mish-mash of all sorts of music ranging from acts like the Ramones, Kiss, AC/DC, the Clash, David Bowie, Stevie Nicks, Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, the Velvet Underground, and Led Zeppelin. The soundtrack also features some original music by Jack Black in collaboration with Mike White and Craig Wedren to capture Dewey’s passion for rock n’ roll.
The casting by Ilene Starger is brilliant for the ensemble that is created including the young kids that appear in this film. The film features cameo appearances from Frank Whaley as a battle of the bands director and the Mooney Suzuki as a band auditioning for a spot as well as small performances from Adam Pascal and Lucas Babin as Dewey’s former bandmates. Notable performances as the kids in Dewey’s class that include Cole Hawkins, Angelo Massagli, James Hosey, Zachary Infante, Brian Falduto, Aleisha Allen, and Caitlin Hale where they all play a part in helping with the look and style of the band. In the role of the School of Rock band, there’s Maryam Hassan as the soulful Tomika aka Songbird, Robert Tsai as the shy keyboardist Lawrence aka Mr. Cool, Rebecca Brown as the bassist Katie aka Posh Spice, Kevin Clark as drummer Freddy “Spazzy McGee” Jones, and Joey Gaydos Jr. as virtuoso guitarist Zack “Zack-Attack” Mooneyham as they all give great performances.
Miranda Cosgrove is wonderful as the school brainiac Summer “Tinkerbell” Hathaway as the student who helps Dewey out in handling some of the business stuff as well as being his organizer. Sarah Silverman is terrific as Ned’s bitchy girlfriend Patti who hates Dewey as she constantly bullies Ned into being an adult. Mike White is excellent as Ned Schneebly as a guy who loves to teach but has a hard time dealing with Dewey’s inability to grow up while admitting to the sacrifices he’s made in being an adult. Joan Cusack is superb as Principal Mullins as a woman who wants to create an environment for kids to learn but also not make it stifling as she is trying to deal with all of the restrictions she’s working while finding a chance to loosen up during a meeting with Dewey.
Finally, there’s Jack Black in a marvelous performance as Dewey Finn where Black is full of energy and charisma as a man-child who loves to rock where he takes his friend’s substitute teacher gig and finally finds a place where he can grow up but also still be a kid. It’s a performance where Black is not only funny but also shows that he does have some range as an actor where he can be a bit serious. Plus, it’s a performance where Black can show his love for rock while being the kind of guy that kids and adults can just love to watch as it’s definitely one of his career-defining performances.
School of Rock is an outstanding film from Richard Linklater that features a monstrous yet exciting performance from Jack Black. Along with notable supporting performances from Mike White and Joan Cusack as well as smart script from White and a fun soundtrack. It’s a film that doesn’t just capture the energy of rock n’ roll but also make it engaging enough where it appeals to the hardcore rock fans as well as kids and their parents. It’s a rare family film that isn’t afraid to be a bit educational but also make it compelling enough for kids to enjoy. In the end, School of Rock is a magnificent from Richard Linklater that takes it up to 11 and have kids bang on the drums like Keith Moon or Neil Peart. Rock out the guitar like Jimi Hendrix or Angus Young. Slappin da bass like Geddy Lee! Belt out those vocals like Aretha, Janis, or Freddie Mercury! It’s a film that displays what rock n’ roll is all about!!!! Having a good time and giving salute to those that love to rock!!!!
Richard Linklater Films: It’s Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books - Slacker - Dazed & Confused - Before Sunrise - subUrbia - The Newton Boys - Waking Life - Tape - Before Sunset - Bad News Bears (2005 film) - A Scanner Darkly - Fast Food Nation - Me and Orson Welles - Bernie (2011 film) - Before Midnight - Boyhood - Everybody Want Some!! - The Auteurs #57: Richard Linklater Pt. 1 - Pt. 2
© thevoid99 2013
