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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 07 March 2002

When it comes to selecting the best of the year, it’s often a fine line and it irks me that films like In The Bedroom, Moulin Rouge, Gosford Park and Mulholland Drive are snuffed into the background as if “inferior” competition.  A Beautiful Mind is an impressive film but in the company of those mentioned above, is nothing special.  I guess this seems like a harsh comment to make to a film worthy of an A- but please do correct me if I’m wrong.

It’s the commercialism of A Beautiful Mind that gives it the appealing edge in the public’s eye.  It’s “based” on the true story of Dr. John Nash, played in the film by Russell Crowe.  In 1947, Nash’s genius earned film a full scholarship at Carnegie University where he developed his talent in the field of mathematics.  On graduating, he then attended the prestigious Princeton University and published a paper on analysing the equilibria in the theory of non-cooperative games.  This theory became a cornerstone in the world of economics and won him the Nobel Prize in 1994.

In the 40 years between the development of the theory and its award-winning acceptance, Nash’s life was not the spectacular one that many envisioned.  Following Princeton, he went to M.I.T. which was where he met his wife, Alicia.  They married in 1959 but soon after it became apparent that Nash was suffering from schizophrenia.  His mind, once his greatest asset, was now his greatest foe and could not be replied upon.  For much of the next twenty years, he spent time in and out of hospital trying to make sense of his delusional theories.  Even today, Nash struggles with this incurable mental disease but his grit and determination has seen him battle the condition and come up a winner.

There’s been conjecture in the press that the film overlooks the important detail that many believed Nash to be a homosexual.  The film’s producers decided against exploring this aspect of Nash as they thought audiences may link schizophrenia with homosexuality.  This insults our intelligence.  Aside, Akiva Goldsman’s (The Client) screenplay brilliant captures the horrors of the disease and the haunting effect it can have over someone.  As director, Ron Howard (Apollo 13) begins slowly with a rather dull introduction but when the film enters the later chapters, it finds its feet and its purpose.

Compare Russell Crowe’s performances in Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind.  Astonishing achievements for a man who is poised to win an Oscar for both roles.  Low-profile actress Jennifer Connolly (Requiem For A Dream) is on a par with Crowe’s dazzling efforts and rounds out a well defined ensemble with Ed Harris and Christopher Plummer.  Specific praise goes to the make-up crew who age our characters over the film’s 50 year time frame, the costume designers for Crowe’s inventive clothing collection and composer James Horner for a career reviving musical score.

A handful of scenes were too melodramatic making it unnecessarily clear a cosmetic brush had given the film a little Hollywood touch up.  Still, the finished product is an important achievement and essential viewing for those looking for a strong, emotional story.  Just why though, did they have to go and spoil it by calling it the year’s best?

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 21 February 2002

Rabbit-Proof Fence is a vehicle to further highlight the topical issue of the “stolen generation”.  Made in Australia, it can expect a world-wide release because of one person - the director Phillip Noyce.  As the director of such films as Patriot Games, Clear And Present Danger and The Saint, Noyce has standing.  He’d have the choice of any project in Hollywood but instead has chosen this small project.  It’s budget is less than 10% of his last film, The Bone Collector.

Set in Western Australia 1931, Mr A.O. Neville (Branagh) is in charge of policing the government’s policy on aboriginal children.  There has been an increase in the number of “half-castes” - those born of a white father and an Aboriginal mother.  To prevent interracial deconstruction, Neville identifies half-caste children and they are taken to the Moore River Native Settlement to be re-educated to the ways of the “white man”.

Molly (Sampi), Daisy (Sansbury) and Gracie (Monaghan) are taken from their mother in Jigalong and forced to live at the Settlement.  Conditions are terrible, they are treated like slaves and all three want to return to their mother.  They escape and begin a 1,200 mile trek to find their home.  They are being chased by the Settlement tracker, the press and the government but somehow these three girls defy the odds.  Sticking close to the rabbit-proof fence that leads them north, the elements soon become their biggest obstacle.

Rabbit-Proof Fence is an intelligently created movie.  It brings to light the shocking treatment of Aboriginal children in the early 20th century but does so by not preaching documentary style.  The story is the key and this simple tale of three girls looking for their mother will tug the heartstrings in the right way.

Noyce’s direction is sensational and the cinematography is amazing.  He has captured the barrenness and desolation of outback Australia with precision - it’s a side of Australia we don’t often see.  There was obvious difficulty in casting the three leading roles.  Over 1,000 girls were auditioned and Everlyn Sampi (11), Laura Monaghan (9) and Tianna Sansbury (7) were those selected.  None had prior acting experience and it does show.  Given their age though, they can’t be criticised.

An important film in Australia’s own cinematic landscape, Rabbit-Proof Fence needs to be seen for not only its entertainment but for its education.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 28 February 2002

Wearing his dark sunglasses, Prot (Spacey) is arrested at a train station for odd behaviour and his lack of identity sees him placed in a mental institution.  There, he talks of his origins on an distant planet named K-Pax and his travels across the universe.  His placid behaviour is a mystery to the medical staff.  There’s no sign of brain damage, no sign of drug use, and yet he talks nonsense which no one believes.

Called in to help, psychiatrist Mark Powell (Bridges) meets Prot and soon becomes fascinated by his story.  Naturally hesitant, Mark soon finds himself believing more and more in Prot’s story and he’s starting to question his ability to look at Prot’s condition objectively.  His wife, Rachel (McCormack), is already frustrated by her husband’s long work hours but now is legitimately worried by his talk of alien life.  Just who is Prot?

Iain Softley (The Wings Of The Dove) has directed a sleepy film that begins ordinarily but then becomes something much deeper.  Spacey and Bridges shares some emotional scenes late in the flick when Prot undergoes hypnosis to dig into his past.  As the patient audience, we’re just as interested as Mark to know the truth.  I was a tad disappointed by the finale’s easy resolution but will say no more as not to spoil it.

The strange title is easy to forget but K-Pax is a solid movie that keeps you alert and builds your curiosity.  Not perfect but the wisdom offered by Prot is valid and worthy of further thought. 

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 21 February 2002

Ali was drafted by the U.S. Army but refused to do his service on the grounds of his Muslim beliefs.  He was sentenced to five years jail but thanks to the American appeals process, he never actually served any time behind bars.  Just as important though, his boxing licence was revoked and he could no longer compete in the sport that had made him the “champ”.

Still the outspoken one, Ali’s wealth dried up and his marriage failed.  All he wanted was a chance to prove himself again in the ring and thanks to heavy lobbying and the help of sports journalist Howard Cosell (Voight), he would get his chance.  Under the management of Don King, a fight was set up in Zaire against the new undefeated world champ, George Foreman.  It would become known as the “rumble in the jungle”.

It chokes me up to say this but Will Smith is the best aspect of Ali.  Until this point, I have loathed Smith’s acting ability.  After a lucrative start to his career in Six Degrees Of Separation, he has fallen with a series of unintelligent roles requiring nothing more than an occasional unfunny sarcastic remark.  Those looking for examples should watch Bad Boys, Independence Day, Men In Black, Enemy Of The State and Wild Wild West.  Notably, Smith’s accent is on the money in Ali and it’s evident he spent much time in the ring to mimic his style to that of the man himself.  I can no longer deny that Smith is worthy of an Oscar nomination.

Jon Voight is the other of the cast to be nominated this year but his performance is short and limited.  Sure he’s unrecognisable (a job he’s good at ala: U-Turn) but just because he wears a silly toupee does mean he’s acting well.  Jamie Foxx the real standout of the supporting cast.

Having loved Heat and The Insider, I expected more from director Michael Mann.  The boxing scenes are not exciting and the film’s dramatic moments are not passionate.  The fragmented screenplay (to which Mann was a co-writer) is also a huge let down.  The film tries to tell too much of Ali’s story and much of the middle resembles a muddle of events.  And what was with all those long musical numbers?

By the 2 hour mark, I was ready to knock myself out but sadly had to sit there until the full 156 minutes had expired.  I am not disrespecting the achievements of Mohammed Ali because I know he has done much positive for this world.  Rather, I am trashing this interpretation of his life that tells us nothing at all about a man who is so intriguing.  The Academy Award winning documentary, When We Were Kings, is an undeniably better film to watch if your looking for the real Ali story.  It makes this film look vastly inferior.

Details

Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 28 February 2002

When Bobby loses patience with Jessica’s line of work, he sees Max and gets the opportunity he has been hoping for.  Max asks him to travel to New York City for a money-laundering pick-up and he will be rewarded handsomely for his efforts.  Bobby asks if best friend Ricky (Vaughn) can accompany him since Ricky once bailed Bobby out of a tight spot and Ricky is also hard-up financially.  Max does not like Ricky but allows him to go since Bobby vouches on his behalf that he can do the job.

The fun then begins and Made becomes an hilarious black comedy.  Ricky is an annoying dimwit - the kind of person who always says the wrong thing in the wrong situation but keeps getting away with it.  Vaughn has the persona down to perfection and if it’s possible to both cringe and laugh at the same time, then I was doing it.

Vaughn and writer-director Favreau have worked together before in 1996’s cult hit Swingers.  Favreau wrote this film for both himself and Vaughn to reunite on screen and the two play off each other hilariously with their ideally different personalities - they’re the new “odd couple”.  Keep your eyes peeled for the cameo of the year from ex-Saved By The Bell star Dustin Diamond (ala Screech) - inspiring comedy.

It’s a simple 90 minute comedy with some great individual scenes.  Shot for just $5m, I’m glad the film had the opportunity to be released in Australia so it can be seen by those with an appreciation for a darker sense of humour.