Reviews


Directed by: Gregor Jordan
Written by:Gregor Jordan, Eric Weiss, Nora Maccoby
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Ed Harris, Scott Glen, Anna Paquin, Elizabeth McGovern
Released: August 21, 2003
Grade: A

West Germany, 1989.  Military clerk Ray Elwood (Phoenix) smoothly runs a black market operation from within his quarters at the American Army base.  There’s no war on but Ray couldn’t care either way.  His father forced him to enlist so that he could avoid a six month jail sentence for car theft.  As Ray so eloquently phrases it – “war is hell, but peace is boring.”

Through a supplier in town, he obtains the ingredients and then manufactures drugs in a building on base.  His main customers are his fellow comrades who float around the camp and often perform duties whilst stoned.  The base leader is Colonel Berman (Harris) who is oblivious to what goes on and Ray has him wrapped around his little finger.  When an autopsy on a dead soldier shows traces of everything from heroin to estrogen, Ray still manages to convince the Colonel it’s a rare exception and that he does a stellar job leading the troops.  It’s like something out of Hogan’s Heroes.

At first glance, Buffalo Soldiers looks like an undemanding comedy but a darker layer emerges when Sergeant Lee (Glenn) arrives to straighten things out.  He’s a Vietnam veteran who loves exercising his authority to keep a strict regime of discipline.  Lee immediately suspects Ray of underground activities and his actions provide a stern warning that it’s time to fly straight.

In a moment of innocent stupidity, Ray decides to irritate Lee by lining up a date with his young daughter, Robyn (Paquin).  He’s upfront with Robyn and says that he’s only using her to get back at her father but the two find similarities in each other’s rebelliousness and there’s true romance in the air.  Usually the joker, Ray now finds himself is a position of serious trouble.  An incredibly large drug shipment is due to arrive and it’ll never get past Lee’s unrelenting eyes.  He tries to renege on the drug deal but his contacts threaten death if he doesn’t deliver.  All he wants now is Robyn but he’s stuck in a lose-lose situation that’s spiralling to an inevitable conclusion.

Ray Elwood is a very interesting character and a first-rate decision was made to cast Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator) in the role.  His care-free personality combined with softly-spoken demeanour enable us to see the transformation from a guy having a little fun to a guy having his life shattered.  He’s not the only actor delivering a fine performance.  I’ve become so accustomed to the cliché of hard and demanding military leaders that seeing Ed Harris play the exact opposite provide as a great surprise.  There’s great chemistry between Oscar winner Anna Paquin (X-Men) and Phoenix.  They share two great scenes (one in a nightclub and one on a diving board) that show how to bring realistic freshness to screen romances.

I’m a fan of any film which draws attention to the stupidity of Americans and the screenplay, based on Robert O’Connor’s book, does just that.  The film was made over two years ago but the release was delayed as it was seen to be in bad taste after the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  I should be thankful we’re seeing the film at all because it deserves to be ranked as one of the year’s best.

There’s an Australian connection in that the director is 35-year-old Gregor Jordan.  Jordan’s very first feature, Two Hands, won five Australian Film Industry Awards including best picture, best director and best director.  His overnight success saw him presented with a flood of scripts and he wisely chose Buffalo Soldiers as his anticipated follow-up.  This year’s Ned Kelly (starring Heath Ledger) was his third film but I think we’ll just pretend that never existed.  Two out of three ain’t bad.

    


Directed by: Joe Carnahan
Written by:Joe Carnahan
Starring: Ray Liotta, Jason Patric, Chi McBride, Dan Leis, Lloyd Adams
Released: April 14, 2003
Grade: B+

Narc plays out like most crime dramas – we meet our hero, we see the case that looks impossible to solve, then we se him piece it together rather simply.  That’s pretty much how it goes here but at least it doesn’t advertise this fact.  It’s a dark film (rated R for violence) that isn’t flashy and doesn’t overly gloss up the key scenes.  If you’re looking for an unrealistic razzle-dazzle detective film, might I recommend Hollywood Homicide when released next month.

Our broken hero is Detective Nick Tellis (Patric).  He worked undercover for a long period trying to bring down major drug operations.  18 months earlier, he chased a key drug dealer through the streets and yes, he did catch his man but he accidentally shot and killed a small baby in the process.  It was turning point in his life - he left the force and didn’t work at all.  He stayed home with his wife and looked after their own baby boy.

The police pension he receives is barely enough to get by on and when Captain Cheevers (McBride) comes to see Nick with a work opportunity, he decides to return.  His wife is furious and Nick knows the best way to satisfy everyone is to get a simple desk job – no risk and a safe paycheck.  That isn’t why Cheevers has come after Nick.  He promises the desk job but first he has to crack an unsolved case that is causing grief within the force.

Another undercover agent, Michael Calvess, was recently murdered and the leads have gone cold.  Calvess’s partner, Henry Oak (Liotta) was initally withdrawn from the case due to the emotional attachment he had with Calvess.  Nick knows that Henry’s going to be his best chance to get a start on this case and asks he be reinstated.  The pair begin their investigation and find many dead ends.  Some they have created themselves but others have been deliberately put in their path.

It’s a decent mystery and speaking from hindsight, the ending is well supported by what precedes it.  There’s no crazy twist or laughable plot development to spoil the suspense.  It’s interesting without being spectacular.  There isn’t enough story to set it apart from other films like it but conversely, there’s not much wrong either.

    


Directed by: Peyton Reed
Written by:Eve Ahlert, Dennis Drake
Starring: Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, David Hyde Pierce, Sarah Paulson, Tony Randall
Released: August 14, 2003
Grade: B+

Set in New York 1962, Down With Love even looks like it was filmed in the 60s.  The film is a tribute to the romantic comedies of that era which I’m sure was the quality which attracted big-name actors Renee Zellweger (Chicago) and Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting) to the project.

Renee is Barbara Novak, a writer.  Her first book, Down With Love, has rocketed to the top of the best-seller list and women all over the world are reading it with keen interest.  With women frequently overlooked in the workplace, Novak’s book teaches women how not to let men manipulate them and by withholding love, they can have any man at their mercy.

Ewan is Catcher Block, a journalist.  Before the book’s release, he was asked to write a feature article on Novak but having not met her, he passed on the chance thinking her to be some old “spinster”.  When Novak throws in a sly remark ridiculing Block during an appearance on The Ed Sullvian Show, he’s not happy.  Further, all the women around town he sleeps with are giving him the cold shoulder thanks to advice in Novak’s book.  It’s time to get even.

As the two have never met, Catcher poses as Zip Martin, an astronaut with a bachelor pad in New York.  He begins his quest to woo Barbara and have her fall in love.  All goes to plan but Catcher too finds himself smitten with Barbara.  Both though have tricks up their sleeve and the question as to who has the upper hand remains open until the very end.

It’s a sweet film which I’m sure will attract ten female patrons for every one male.  Zellweger is ideal for the role with her high-pitched cutesy-poo voice.  She is asked to extend her ability as an actress with several long monologues and she meets the challenge.  McGregor isn’t as strong with more laughs coming from his boss, played by Frasier’s David Hyde Pierce.  There’s also a cameo from Tony Randall but I thought his role would have been much bigger considering his stature.

You can tell the costume designers and set decorators have had fun.  There’s a wild mix of colours on every outfit and in every location.  You’d think we were back in the era when colour movies were first made – when colours were exploited to dazzle the audience.  Hopefully the talented crew responsible for these attributes aren’t overlooked come the next award season.

I took pleasure in the way the story ended with its quick little twist.  Whilst the romance won’t move many patrons (especially men), you have to acknowledge the film’s style and the effort made to create something fresh.  Up with Down With Love.

    


Directed by: Tony McNamara
Written by:Tony McNamara
Starring: Ben Lee, Rose Byrne, Miranda Richardson, Garry McDonald, Christopher Stollery
Released: August 28, 2003
Grade: A

A tired tradition at the Brisbane International Film Festival is that each film finishes with a round of applause from the audience.  There’s always someone who starts it off and the remainder feel obligated to join in.  Mid-way through The Rage In Placid Lake, I knew this would be a film that would be deserve the ovation and come the finale, I reciprocated by putting my own hands together.

Writer/director Tony McNamara created the strangely named Placid Lake but had difficulty in finding an actor who was quirky enough for the role.  Musician Ben Lee grabbed his attention and the chemistry with co-star Rose Byrne landed him the part.  The term “singer turned actor” has become somewhat of a cliché in the wake of Eminem and Jennifer Lopez but McNamara bypassed his initial self doubts and made an inspired decision.  Lee is simply superb in his first acting role.  Girlfriend Claire Danes (Romeo & Juliet) was on set for much of the eight week shoot and would have been a valuable resource of information to him.

Placid Lake (Lee) is an eccentric teenager raised by two hippie parents – Sylvia (Richardson) and Doug (McDonald).  His intelligence, mixed with sarcasm, sees him ostracised and continually picked on at school.  He’s the male equivalent of Thora Birch in Ghost World.  His best friend and sole confidant is a girl he has known almost all his life, Gemma (Byrne).  About to finish their final year of school, Placid talks of back-packing overseas whilst Gemma looks to follow her father’s wishes of studying science.

What develops is an educated look at the pressures teens face in leaving school and McNamara extends the material to make some insightful commentary on today’s corporate society.  Placid decides that it’s time for conformity.  There’s no point being part of the world’s rebellious minority and so he applies and accepts a junior position at a large insurance company.  A nine-to-five desk job is the last thing you’d expect from Placid but he’s does it because he thinks it’s what the world expects from him.  He’s taken a page from Gemma’s book.

Conversely, Gemma starts to lose her way.  The pressures of her father to achieve excellent results have put her on edge.  After years of being the “good girl”, she’s looking to rebel and live life for a change.  She’s taken a page from Placid’s book.

They both learn much from their transformations with Placid providing much of the film’s comedy inside the insurance company.  He knows how to play the game and mocks the system by bullshitting his way up the corporate ladder.  It’s not as hard as he thought to “win friends and influence people”.  A powerfully depressing speech by his boss at seminar tells Placid all he needs to know about the path he has chosen.  It’s the film’s defining moment.

There have been some wonderful Australian released in 2003 and this is the best of the bunch.  I’d go so far to say it’s one of our best ever.

    


Directed by: Jesse Dylan
Written by:Adam Herz
Starring: Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Alyson Hannigan, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Eugene Levy, Fred Willard
Released: August 7, 2003
Grade: A-

Back in 1999, I marked American Pie with a B.  Two years later, I graded American Pie 2 a B+.  Now, I’m awarding an A- to the final instalment of the beloved series, American Pie: The Wedding.  This isn’t to say the films have gotten progressively better.  What I do say is that over time, I’ve developed a greater appreciation for these characters and writer Adam Herz’s distinctive comedy.

The title speaks for itself – this story revolves around a wedding.  Well actually, the film revolves around Stifler.  Since the original film (his screen debut), Sean William Scott has become an icon for his generation and his role in this last film is bigger than any other cast member.  I couldn’t quite understand why he was so despised by his “friends” at the start of American Pie: The Wedding (he was left off the wedding invitation list) but you know that it’ll all work out in the end.

Jason Biggs is another actor who deserves praise for his work both on and off the screen.  The label - “the guy who fucked the pie” - could easily have left a stigma that would impede his career.  Many casting agents saw him as a one-hit wonder.  Those doubters will soon be silenced with acclaimed directors Woody Allen and Kevin Smith (Clerks) selecting him to appear in their upcoming releases.  If anyone has seen Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back (in which he plays himself) or seen a TV interview, you’ll know he doesn’t care what people think about his entrance into Hollywood and is the first person to laugh at himself.

Not everyone returned for the third film.  Chris Klein (as Oz), Tara Reid (as Vicky), Mena Suvari (as Heather), Natasha Lyone (as Jessica) and Shannon Elizabeth (as Nadia) are not seen here.  All were rumoured to have been asked but turned down the opportunity.  In all honesty, the film loses very little from their lack of appearance.  It’s also the third different director of the series but the key, in my opinion, is keeping original writer Adam Herz who knows the heart of the story better than anyone.

With Jim (Biggs) and Michelle (Hannigan) getting ready to tie the knot, the fun begins.  All Stifler (Thomas) can think about is a bachelor party and hot bridesmaids.  Paul (Thomas) and Kevin (Nicholas) stand by Jim and help plan proceedings as the joint “best man”.  The parents from both sides of the wedding party find themselves part of crazy misadventures to keep the event running smoothly.

No other film this year has generated such a physical response from the audience.  People were roaring with laughing, cringing with horror and generally wriggling all over the place at some of the jokes.  These jokes are never overplayed – it may be toilet humour but director Jesse Dylan as the impeccable sense of timing and knows exactly when to move on to the next scene.

For sure, this will be the last in the American Pie series.  It’s been a fun ride and these films will have a permanent place in DVD collections across the world.  As I’ve said before – they have both humour and heart.  When you think about it, few films have this valuable combination.

    


Directed by: Marc Gracie
Written by:Dave O’Neil, Mark O’Toole
Starring: Vince Colosimo, Stephen Curry, Rose Byrne, Nathan Phillips, Matthew Dyktynski
Released: August 14, 2003
Grade: B

Back in 1997, there was documentary made called McLibel.  I remember it from the hilarious video cover which had a picture of a Ronald McDonald dancing down the street with his thumbs in the air.  The film followed the story of two British people who took on McDonalds.  Despite losing the case on a technicality (it’s currently being appealed), the judge stated his that the multinational corporation exploits children, produces misleading advertising, is cruel to animals, is against unionisation and pays staff low wages.

I do have sympathy for McDonalds since their successes have made them an easy target.  Like Microsoft, the fact that they have overly excelled in their business has left them open for bad press.  However, I do see the negatives that arise from such monopolistic competition and accordingly, I really did enjoy watching the new Australian film, Take Away.

Tony (Colosimo) and Trev (Curry) run two take away shops on the same block.  Tony is a man of class.  He motivates himself with Anthony Robbins tapes, prides himself on his marketing and service ability, and entices customers with daily fish specials.  Trev is the exact opposite.  His store is filthy and his appearance leaves much to be desired but he’s still got the best burgers in town and the people still keep coming in.  Tony and Trev compete friendly with each other but they’re soon to become allies when a much bigger player moves in.

Opening their latest chain on the empty block next door is Burgies.  The store has the all the characteristics of McDonalds – the soggy fries, the 10-year-old staff, the cute jingles.  At a community meeting, the Burgies manager proclaims his delight in that his company donates money to junior sport and has a centre to care for sick children.

Within days of opening, Tony and Trev see their businesses faltering.  They are no match for the marketing juggernaut and their anger is growing.  The last straw comes when Burgies steals Trev’s idea of “beef nuggets”.  For some reason, they didn’t try his idea of “dim sim on a stick”.  Still, it’s all about survival and in this David and Goliath comedy, we know who’s going to come off best.

The jokes weaken in the final half hour of the film which indicates there wasn’t enough material to pull the story off.  The alluring Rose Byrne (Two Hands) is wasted in a role which should have been bigger given her talent.  In what must be a record though, Take Away marks the fourth time I have seen her in five weeks.  She’s been busy with I Capture The Castle, The Rage In Placid Lake and The Night We Called It A Day currently in cinemas.  Another supporting actor to watch in the future is Nathan Phillips.  He plays Trev’s assistant in Take Away and he’s already been cast in a string of upcoming films following his starring debut in last year’s Australian Rules.

You probably don’t realise it but July through September each year is always the season for seeing good Australian films.  Their release is timed so that they are fresh in the minds of members when casting their votes for the Australian Film Industry Awards (announced in November).  Not since 2000 have we had such an exciting crop of Australian releases and with so many  in major cinemas at the moment, take the time to support our own industry.  You’ll be surprised.