Reviews
Gladiator
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Ridley Scott |
| Written by: | David H. Franzoni, John Logan |
| Starring: | Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Richard Harris, Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, Oliver Read, Connie Nielsen |
| Released: | May 4, 2000 |
| Grade: | A- |
The 2000 American filmgoers summer kicks off with Gladiator. Following in the likes of Twister, The Lost World, Deep Impact and The Mummy, this film becomes the first blockbuster of the new year.
Categorised as an “epic”, Gladiator is from director Ridley Scott who’s no slouch at meeting the demands of a massive budget. His previous works include Blade Runner, Alien, Thelma & Louise and the upcoming Hannibal. No expense was spared in this recreation of Rome 180AD.
The Roman Empire is in a time of conflict. The war has recently been won against Germania but the people of the Rome are suffering. The aging emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Harris) wants the Empire to become a republic and to do so will turn over control to the Senate, as a voice of the people.
General Maximus (Crowe) has served his Emperor in battle for over two years and has become the highly respected leader of the Empire’s powerful army. Marcus Aurelius asks Maximus to help give the Senate it’s power and wipe out the corruption that has taken over the Capital.
When heir to the throne, Commodus (Phoenix), discovers his father is not going to declare him as the new Emperor, he murders his father and orders Maximus and his family to be executed. From there he returns to Rome with his sister Lucilla (Nielsen) and her son Lucius (Spencer Treat Clark) to take his reign and begin the process of dismantling the Senate.
Maximus’s wife and son are killed but Maximus escapes his executioners and vows to seek revenge on Commodus. Captured by hunters, he is enslaved and sold to Proximo (Reed), who runs gladiator contests as a source of money and entertainment. When he discovers Maximus’s immense talent, he travels to take on the best Rome has to offer. A date at the Colosseum with a 50,000+ crowd and the Emperor himself in attendance.
Well cast, Gladiator is a film that takes its time to build but the ending is most satisfying. The action scenes provide the film’s highlights although at times Scott’s quick cutaways and fast direction make it hard to figure out what is actually going on although I feel this may have been his intention. Not to be overlooked are the great costumes from Janty Yeates and an incredible film score from Hans Zimmer and Australian Lisa Gerrard.
Oliver Reed in his final role is superb as are the elder gentlemen Derek Jacobi and Richard Harris. It is Reed who echoes a line that will become infamous in years to come - “Win the crowd, and you’ll win your freedom”. Joaquin Phoenix caught me by surprise with his great job at playing the “villain” and his relationship with his Connie Nielsen is both compelling and well developed. I must not forget Russell Crowe (who has lost plenty of weight since The Insider) who is tough and shows no sign of his familiar Australian accent.
Some of the special effects were questionable but it doesn’t take much gloss off what is a passionate good versus evil journey. The film consistently builds and by the final ten minutes you will feel you are in Ancient Rome and part of the Colosseum audience. As Gladiator closes and the line “Directed by Ridley Scott” fades onto the screen, you blink, look around and take a brief moment to slip back into the 21st Century. An epic indeed.
Looking For Alibrandi
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Kate Woods |
| Written by: | Melina Marchetta |
| Starring: | Anthony LaPaglia, Greta Scacchi, Pia Miranda, Matthew Newton |
| Released: | May 4, 2000 |
| Grade: | A- |
Based on the advertising and publicity for Looking For Alibrandi, I was expecting an Aussie take on the low quality teen romantic genre that American’s have been mss producing over the past few years. In a pleasant surprise, I was wrong.
Having lived in Australia all her life, Josie Alibrandi (Miranda) is a feisty seventeen year old with an Italian heritage. Her mother and grandmother insist on enriching her with Italian culture but Josie just can’t wait to move out and become independent. She attends a rich all-girls school where she is vice-captain and an outspoken public speaker. Josie’s never had a father and can only attend the school on a scholarship she was awarded.
John Barton (Newton) is the dashing school captain of the local all-boys school and has been good friends with Josie over the years. Their relationship has never taken that next step but Josie longs for the day when John will ask her out and they’ll live happily ever after. Things get complicated however when fellow debater Jacob (Kick Gurry) asks her out and Josie finds herself lured by his charm. Is it possible for her to fall in love with someone other than John Barton?
The screenplay has its strengths and weaknesses but the acting is second-to-none. Greta Scacchi and Anthony LaPaglia play the two parents and are super. Their roles are not forced. The two real finds of the movie though are Pia Miranda and Matthew Newton.
Miranda is superb as Josie and her career should blossom as a result - she is a real find. She has personality and flair and personifies the emotion required to bring her character to life. In a contrast to American movies, the heartthrob who’s affections are lusted upon by all is not such a perfect character. From the moment he is introduced, there is something different about John. He’s just a regular guy with intelligence. There’s a great scene the two share when swapping letters in the university library.
What makes the film even more special is that it is Australian and does capture an Australian ambiance. It doesn’t follow American trends in becoming boringly predictable and monotonous. The fate of some these characters will surprise you.
Looking For Alibrandi doesn’t propose to solve life problems. It doesn’t suggest that all the popular good-looking guys are jerks and that true love conquers all. For once, I enjoyed the way an Australian film was promoted because it doesn’t tell you everything that will happen and in fact leads you away from the truth. It’s a heartwarming tale of an effervescent 17-year-old girl who struggles with a dysfunctional life at home and at school. Keep your eye out for Miranda and Newton in new movies coming soon - this should be the first of many. Clearly one of the best Australian films in ages, it’ll have one of my votes at the AFI Awards later this year.
Mansfield Park
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Patricia Rozema |
| Written by: | Patricia Rozema |
| Starring: | Frances O’Connor, Jonny Lee Miller, Embeth Davidtz, Allesandro Nivola |
| Released: | April 20, 2000 |
| Grade: | A- |
Jane Austen is back in full-swing with Mansfield Park hitting cinemas. Following the Academy Award winning Sense and Sensibility and Emma, this adaptation takes on a more upbeat cast and direction in an attempt to modernise Austen’s original novel.
Born into a life of poverty, Fanny Price (O’Connor) is given a special opportunity. At the age of 10, her mother ships her off to Mansfield Park to live with her wealthy aunt and uncle. However, at her new home she’s always had trouble fitting in and many see her simply as the old peasant girl in a class below the rest of the family.
From the time she entered Mansfield Park there was always one she could trust and rely on, her cousin Edward (Miller). They developed a strong bond and shared all their thoughts and feelings with each other.
Over time, Fanny became an excellent writer and established herself into a respectable young lady. When a wealthy gentleman by the name of Henry Crawford (Nivola) stays for a short time at the Park, he is smitten with Fanny and asks the uncle for her hand in marriage who accepts the proposal.
Fanny wants no part of it. She doesn’t believe Henry will be faithful to her and refuses to marry him. Her uncle threatens to disband her from the household unless she accepts which leaves her in an impossible situation - either marry a man she does not love or be forced to return home to her life of destitution.
Frances O’Connor has bloomed as an actress over her short career and is set to make her mark in Hollywood. O’Connor is wonderful in her role as Fanny Price and caught the attention of Steven Spielberg who has just cast her along side Jude Law and Haley Joel Osment in the new A.I. project.
Patricia Rozema’s direction is also well crafted. The flashy camera movements and angles help keep the story upbeat and moving. The language is kept simple and it all works for the benefit of the film and the genre. So many are turned off by period pieces but film’s such as Mansfield Park are doing their best to take the movie to the public rather than the other way around.
Jane Austen’s works deserve the success they are receiving. Her writings are in a class of their own - romantic tales 200 years ago that are still relevant today. I’m sure William Shakespeare would have been a fan.
Not to be missed, Mansfield Park is an uplifting romantic comedy of love triumphing above adversity. Austen fans can expect more of her works on the big screen rather soon I presume. They’re certainly more entertaining than the current crop of romantic films being churned out by Hollywood writers. Soak it up while you still can.
Stir Of Echoes
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | David Koepp |
| Written by: | David Koepp |
| Starring: | Kevin Bacon, Kathryn Erbe, Illeana Douglas, Liza Weil, Kevin Dunn |
| Released: | April 27, 2000 |
| Grade: | B- |
If only The Sixth Sense hadn’t have beaten it to the punchline then perhaps Stir Of Echoes would have received more acclaim and box-office dollars. Bluntly, it is the story of a regular guy named Tom (Bacon) who’s married with a 7-year-old son. Whilst at a small party, he tells the gathering how hypnosis is garbage and that people are putting it all on.
His wife’s sister-in-law, Lisa (Douglas), was an ex-hypnotic and challenges Tom to see if he can withstand her treatment. He is entranced by her power but upon awakening, brings something back with him. He can’t sleep, he always thirsty, and along with his 7-year-old son, he starts seeing ghosts and it’s up to him to solve the riddle of how to make them disappear.
Stir Of Echoes has its moments. Suspense factor is high and Kevin Bacon does a good job in his creepy role. What makes the film so frustrating to watch is the reactions from many of the characters and particularly his wife. I don’t understand why her wife wouldn’t be concerned that her husband is clearly troubled. It looks like she could hardly care.
There are sub-characters that don’t work and the son (played by Zachary David Cope) provides some curiosity that is left unfulfilled. The film’s ending itself is evidence of the above criticisms.
The Sixth Sense did it a hell of a lot better and if you haven’t already seen it, save yourself the trouble with this film and check it out instead.
Me Myself I
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Philippa Karmel |
| Written by: | Philippa Karmel |
| Starring: | Rachel Griffiths, David Roberts, Sandy Winton, Yael Stone, Shaun Loseby |
| Released: | April 20, 2000 |
| Grade: | B- |
Rachel Griffiths, in her first performance since being nominated for an Oscar in Hilary and Jackie, has not gone “Hollywood” but rather has returned home for this low-budget Australia romantic tale.
In the tradition of Sliding Doors, Me Myself I is the story of Pamela Drury. She’s just celebrated her 30th birthday and panic is setting in - will she be going through her whole life without meeting the right man? She still has thoughts of her dream guy from high school, Robert Dixon, but he’s long married and out of her reach.
That is until the switch. Pamela suddenly finds herself in a whole new life - the one in which she did marry Robert all those years ago. It’s gives her a unique opportunity to look at what her life might have been.
Philippa Karmel is a first time director having branched out from an editing career that included an Academy Award nomination for her work on Shine. Pip is also wrote the script which is obviously influenced by prior films.
Rachel Griffiths brings charm to her persona in what is one of her first leading roles. The rest of cast are reasonable but they don’t bring much life to the story, which is flimsy. There are nice lighthearted moments but the film rehashes old and abused material by the bucketful which leaves few surprises or refreshment.
In a pleasant change, this film does not have an Australian feel to it despite its origins. These days, you can tell an Aussie film from a mile off (ala The Craic, The Wog Boy). Me Myself I has a strong American influence that doesn’t necessarily help the film but is a good experiment.
Likely to make a few bucks in Australia and please audiences with its idea, toilet humour and senseless nudity, this film isn’t up to the benchmark set by Sliding Doors (which I should add isn’t such a high mark). Don’t worry, this idea of two different scenarios will be back soon I guarantee. Until then...
For Love Of The Game
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Sam Raimi |
| Written by: | Dana Stevens |
| Starring: | Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston, John C. Reilly, Jena Malone, Brian Cox |
| Released: | April 27, 2000 |
| Grade: | B+ |
Billy Chapel (Costner) has enjoyed the ups and downs of a 19-year baseball career. He never had the joy of winning a World Series but is the heart and soul of the Detroit Tigers pitching staff. At the age of 40, he has reached the crossroad of his life. The team is to be sold and if he chooses to continue his career he will give up his beloved Tigers and be traded to a new team.
Undecided where is future lies, Billy takes the mound for what could be the final time. It’s a nothing game for Detroit but victory will keep the New York Yankees out of the play-offs. Yankee Stadium is packed and the stage is set.
As the game progresses, Chapel has flashbacks over his distinguished career. He’s guaranteed to make the Hall of Fame, has made millions in endorsements but has a soft spot for one lady. He met Jane Aubrey (Preston) whilst in New York and a relationship slowly developed. It was great at first but then things changed. As she tells Billy, you and ball are perfect for each other and you don’t need anybody else.
For Love Of The Game has a lot going for it. I’m surprised that more sporting movies aren’t coming out of American given their recent popularity and success. Kevin Costner knows when he’s on a winner and illustrates his baseball prowess having recently mastered the art of golf for Tin Cup.
Sam Raimi is behind the camera as the film’s director and does a wonderful job building the excitement and tension of the baseball game. His use of blurred TV-like images, commentary and even the FOX logo and score in the top left corner give the movie some neat touches. Sure the ending is formulaic but it’ll put feeling back into the heart of any sportsman who’s faced disappointment. It’s got all the tension of a real baseball game.
On the downward flipside is the romance between Costner and Preston. It works to an extent but as film flashes back and forward, you become annoyed at the frivolous stories and romantic moments he reflects back upon. It overshadows the game, but then again there are some who will prefer the romance to the sporting action.
Baseball is not a well-known sport in Australia and you will need to understand a little about the game to appreciate just what is going on. I wonder if Australian filmmakers will catch onto the bug and if soon we’ll see an AFL or rugby league movie. Many of us play sport but what is it that draws us back week after week despite disappointment after disappointment. For love of the game.