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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 07 November 2004

As the most expensive Chinese film ever made, Hero was released in Asia back in December 2002.  Inspired by its success, Miramax Films acquired the rights to distribute it in America but held off releasing it until August 2004.  After topping the U.S. box-office in its first week, international markets are now capitalising on Hero’s success and after two years of waiting, it now is being shown in Australia cinemas.

China has an amazing history which we aren’t often exposed to on a big screen.  We continually see tales set in medieval times, American civil war times and World War II times but we don’t often look much further.  Set over 2,000 years ago, Hero is the story of a man who wants to unite the Six Kingdoms of China who are currently at war.  This nameless warrior (Li) has arrived at the doorstep of the King of Qin (Chen) and begins to tell the story of how he has slain the King’s three main enemies, Broken Sword (Chiu Wai), Flying Snow (Cheung) and Sky (Yen).

I can’t say I fully understood all of this intricate story but the film deserves full marks for its visuals.  Director Yimou Zhang uses a beautiful range of colours and crafts some incredible martial arts sequences.  I don’t know if it’s any better than the already successful Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon but suffice to say that if you enjoyed Tiger, you’re likely to enjoy this too.

I’m not often one to comment on sound effects but they are amazing.  One particular scene comes to mind where the Nameless warrior fights Broken Sword on the top of the lake.  We not only hear the “ching” of the sword, but also the gentle “splash” of the water below.  Throw in a haunting melody from Academy Award winning composer Dun Tan and you have one incredible action sequence.

Hero is a film of elegance and a great tribute to China’s history.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 28 October 2004

Richard Condon’s novel was first adapted to a cinematic form in 1962.  Directed by the late John Frankenheimer, The Manchurian Candidate starred Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh and Angela Lansbury.  The film was a success and has aged well over time.  In 1998, the American Film Institute ranked the film 67^th in a list of the greatest films of all time.  Even the public on the Internet Movie Database have it ranked in the top 100.

It’s unlikely that any remake will eclipse its predecessor, so why do filmmakers persist in reviving such classic films?  Surely it must boil down to the heart of any film – its story.  The tale of The Manchurian Candidate is as relevant today as it was 40 years ago, perhaps even more so!  Now, we find it told once again on the big screen and a new audience can leave the theatre thinking and wondering…

It’s been 13 years since Captain Ben Marco (Washington) fought in Operation Desert Storm.  In a night-time gun battle with Iraqi soldiers, Ben was knocked unconscious and the troop was saved by the heroic actions of soldier Raymond Shaw (Schreiber), the son of a leading business tycoon.  Since the events of 1991, Ben has been plagued by a reoccurring dream – one in which he is being brainwashed by staff at an Iraqi medical facility.  Psychiatrists have diagnosed him with a stress disorder but in the back of his mind, Ben’s always believed there’s a reason behind these hallucinations.

Two separate events reignite Ben’s interest in his beliefs.  Speaking at a public engagement, he runs into a soldier who served under him that fateful night in Iraq, Al Melvin (Wright).  In reminiscing, Al speaks of having the same dreams and this unexpected information reignites Ben’s search for the truth.  Not long after, Ben stumbles across vision of Raymond Shaw on television.  Thanks to the support of his political mother, Eleanor Shaw (Streep), the war hero Shaw has secured the Democratic ticket to run for Vice President in the upcoming U.S. elections.  Ben heads to New York to congratulate Raymond but also wants to ask of his own recollection of the events in Iraq…

It may not be the most believable story but the top-notch cast and crew make me want to believe in it.  Academy Award winning director Jonathan Demme (Silence Of The Lambs) has created a sly thriller which keeps you on your toes.  Without revealing too much, this look at corruption in politics of particular interest when you consider the controversy that has engulfed current U.S. President, George W. Bush.  It may not be as controversial as a Bulworth or a Wag The Dog but there’s still food for thought.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 04 November 2004

I’d review this film but thanks to some mysterious space aliens, I’ve forgotten it already.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 25 October 2004

John Clark (Gere) is a simple, inner-city estate lawyer.  He works long hours and doesn’t see as much of his wife (Sarandon) and two teenage kids as he would like.  John has the feeling that he’s just going through the motions – every day offers the same, unchallenging tasks.  He’s happy that he has a great family but he’s finding himself asking the question whether, deep down, he’s happy with himself.

Recently, he’s become transfixed by a solemn girl standing in the window of a 2^nd story dance studio.  He passes the studio on the train ride home from work each day.  Then one day, in a moment of spontaneity, John disembarks at the station opposite the studio and climbs the stairs to find out who the beautiful girl was by the window.

Her name is Paulina (Lopez) and she is one of the studio’s dancing instructors.  Next thing, John has signed up for a beginner’s guide to ballroom dancing.  He’s not quite sure why he’s doing what he’s doing but John soon finds excitement in the art of dancing.  He’s finally doing something different with his life, he’s interacting with new people and even his daughter has noticed an improvement in his personality.

Not quite sure how his wife would react, John keeps the details of his new hobby a secret from Beverly, his wife.  She has become suspicious however of John’s late Wednesday nights and suspecting him to be having an affair, she hires a private detective to investigate.  Suffice to say, she will be surprised by what he uncovers…

Shall We Dance is a sweet romantic comedy that I found myself falling for.  Richard Gere is the key here in that he plays an ordinary character looking for a spark in his life, something we perhaps are all searching for.  An elder audience might relate more to his story but there’s something for everyone in my opinion.  It is Gere who delivers the best lines of the film with his voiceovers so eloquently phrasing the work that he does and the correlation with his own life.  Gere must also be developing a love for dancing having shot this film of the back of the Academy Award winning Chicago.

The film is directed by Peter Chelsom who directed another romantic comedy I enjoyed – Serendipity with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.  Both films have a certain class to them and rely on quality acting to get the job done.  The screenplay is based on a 1996 Japanese film of the same title.  This story does sadly suffer in the in the final half hour with the improvement in the dancing ability of the characters a little too difficult to believe.  Still, it’s a nice story and bound to please most romantics.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 02 November 2004

I am struggling to find the right words in which to phrase this review.  In My Father’s Den steps into that realm of filmmaking where even the best adjectives don’t do it justice.  The intricate characters are movingly real and the plot unfolds like a classic novel.  Like any good book, you’ll find yourself transfixed.

Paul Prior (MacFadyen) is an award winning photographer who has travelled the world and gained notoriety.  Hearing news that his father has passed away, Paul has returned to his childhood home in a small New Zealand town for the funeral.  Intending only to stay a few days, he soon finds himself accepting the position as a fill-in teacher at the high school where he once studied.  The longer he stays, the more he remembers of an upbringing long forgotten.

Befriending Paul is a girl her final year of school.  Celia (Barclay) dreams of becoming a writer and is drawn to Paul’s travel stories and adventures.  Paul is reluctant to reciprocate attention of a naive teenage girl but after reading some of her works, he realises she is immensely talented.  The two spend more time together with Paul fostering Celia and helping to develop her ability as a writer.  Her thoughts have Paul realising that he was once very similar to young Celia.

The film enters a much more intriguing, darker chapter in its second act.  The easy-going friendship between these two people will be upset by townspeople of both the present and the past.  By the end of it all, Paul Prior will be a changed man.

In My Father’s Den is drama at its very best.  At a time in which Australian cinema is floundering, New Zealand filmmakers are providing a showcase for the world to enjoy.  At this year’s lucrative Toronto Film Festival, In My Father’s Den was awarded the top prize by the international critics who praised it for its “emotional maturity, striking performances and visual grace.”

Giving an incredibly profound performance is Emily Barclay, a student from Auckland University.  Her sudden notoriety will surely draw parallels with fellow New Zealander Keisha Castle-Hughes (who earned an Oscar nomination for last year’s Whale Rider).  Barclay was in Brisbane last Wednesday for the film’s Queensland premiere and I’m disappointed I didn’t get a chance to meet an actress who I believe has a strong future.

Overshadowing all of the great performances though is the precision of the story.  In adapting the novel by author Maurice Gee, writer-director Brad McGann inter-laces the current day narrative with flashbacks of Paul’s past.  The emotional climax is expertly written and the film finishes on a beautifully poignant note.  Too often I am critical of film’s which drag once the finale has been reached.  Here we have an example of a perfect ending.

There’s a common perception that over the past few years, films have gotten worse and worse.  I believe in this but only so far as it applies to the rubbish emanating from Hollywood.  The lack of blockbuster quality has driven the public away from the usual hype and instead towards smaller films in more boutique theatres.  In My Father’s Den fits this bill and adjectives aside, this is one of the year’s must see films.