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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 21 October 2008

Brideshead Revisited is based on the novel written by Evelyn Waugh.  This isn’t the first time that it has been adapted.   In 1981, an 11 part television mini-series was produced by Granada Television.  It starred Jeremy Irons, Diana Quick and Roger Milner.  I never saw it myself but it must have been pretty good.  It won a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Award for best television movie.

I guess you could call this new movie the “abbreviated version” of Waugh’s lengthy book.  It has been condensed into 133 minutes by screenwriters Andrew Davies (Bridget Jones’ Diary) and Jeremy Brock (The Last King Of Scotland).  Again, I haven’t read the novel, but I was fairly impressed with what I saw on screen.  There was ample time for both plot and character development.  I’d be curious to know what was left on the cutting room floor.

The central character is Charles Ryder (Goode) and the story is set in England in the years leading up to World War II.  Charles’s mother died when he was young and he now lives with his father in a small flat in Paddington.  Their relationship is rather peculiar and they share few words.  Despite his low-class background, Charles has set himself some high ambitions and is about to leave home for the first time.  He’s off to Oxford University to study history.  His real love, however, is for art.

At Oxford, Charles is befriended by Sebastian Flyte (Whishaw), a flamboyant individual who loves to drink.  Sebastian comes from a very wealthy upbringing.  He lives with his sister and mother in an enormous castle known as Brideshead.  From the moment he lays eyes on it, Sebastian is entranced by its beauty.

Sebastian doesn’t like to talk about his family and Charles will soon learn why.  The Lady Marchmain (Thompson) is a devout Catholic who rules the household with an iron fist.  I’m not really sure how to describe her.  You could say that she’s a manipulator and that she uses religious as a weapon to control her children’s lives.  On the other hand, you could say she’s just a passionate believer in God and the Catholic Church.

This leads into what I liked about the movie and that is the “texture” of these characters.  None of them seem to say what they really think and as a result, this left me thinking.  What are these people really after and what is driving them?  Their true colours will be revealed when Charles’s friendship with Sebastian’s sister, Julia (Atwell), develops into something deeper.  It threatens to tear the family apart.

Whilst I enjoyed most of the film, my attention did wain during the closing stages.  The ending felt drawn out and there wasn’t much of an emotional impact (at least for me).  I was still impressed though by the great costumes and set decoration.  Fans of the book will definitely be interested but I’m not sure how much appeal it will have with other audiences.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 07 October 2008

Body Of Lies is a fast-paced thriller which follows a CIA operative and the challenges he faces in tracking terrorist leaders in the Middle East.  It’s based on the novel by David Ignatius, a journalist well researched on the topic having covered it for years in the The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

The essence of the story is best summed up by a quote from Ignatius himself – “The spy business is a lot like journalism.  It’s about identifying people who know things, gaining their trust, and then getting them to cross a line and tell you things they might not want to initially.”

You’ll quickly understand how the system works when you see the film’s opening sequence.  Roger Ferris (DiCaprio) is the one of the CIA’s leading agents in the Middle East.  Through the help of his sources, he’s tracked down the member of a dangerous terrorist cell who is to be used in an upcoming suicide bombing.  This guy doesn’t want to die and so has approached Ferris as his only option.  He’ll reveal everything he knows about his group’s terrorist operations in return for safe passage to the United States so as to start a new life.

Ferris agrees to the deal and gets the information but his boss back home, Ed Hoffman (Crowe), doesn’t quite see it that way.  Now that this guy has “spilled his guts”, he’s no longer any use.  Hoffman has no intention of holding up the CIA’s end of the bargain and he gives Ferris the order to shoot him on site.

It may sound harsh but it highlights the fact that if you want to get results in this profession, you have to be prepared to act without a conscience.  It also shows that if you trust the wrong person, you’re more than likely to end up dead.

This is a recurrent theme throughout what is a fairly solid film from director Ridley Scott (American Gangster, Black Hawk Down).  The way it has been made reminded me of another recent Leonardo DiCaprio film, Blood Diamond.  Instead of highlighting a serious issue by creating a serious drama, the filmmakers get their message across by creating an action-packed Hollywood blockbuster filled with large explosions and close shaves.  This might deter more discerning filmgoers but it will definitely attract a wider audience.

The film is spread across a number of countries but given the limitations, most of the scenes were shot in Morocco.  You won’t notice the difference… or maybe you will now because I’ve told you.  This is a high quality production and Scott shows once again that he’s one of the world’s leading directors.

Leonardo DiCaprio delivers yet another terrific performance.  Is there anything he can’t do?  There are several scenes in the film where he speaks Arabic and he sure sounds believable.  Russell Crowe’s role isn’t as juicy and it’s actually a little clichéd.  He has a cocky attitude which I felt was over-the-top.  There are several scenes where you see him put his job before his family and I thought these were overdone also.

The biggest highlight of the film for me was the performance of actor British Mark Strong as Hani Salaam, the head of the Jordanian General Intelligence Department.  He shares several scenes with DiCaprio and comes across as a cool, calculating individual.  You get a sense of his power from the way he speaks and the way he dresses.  He’s a man who knows how to get results.

I enjoyed Body Of Lies but was a touch disappointed at the same time.  Perhaps my expectations were too high given the calibre of the cast and crew.  As interesting as the story is, there was a niggling feeling in the back of my head that I’d seen this kind of movie before.  Some of the plot twists felt more formulaic than realistic.

Despite my trivial misgivings, let me finish on a positive note by saying that Body Of Lies is an adrenalin pumping movie that I’d happily watch again.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 13 October 2008

During the last two minutes of this film, I had a very wide smile on my face.  Just like they had done in films such as Fargo, The Big Lebowski and Intolerable Cruelty, the Coen brothers had crafted a witty comedy laced with dark humour.  I don’t know where they get their ideas from but this formidable team have perfected the art of storytelling and filmmaking.

There are a number of players in this ensemble movie.  Osbourne Cox (Malkovich) has quit his job at the CIA after being offered a demotion.  His superiors weren’t happy with his recent efforts and the fact that he has a drinking problem.  Osbourne plans on getting them back by writing a “tell all” book about his life inside the CIA.

Osbourne’s wife, Katie (Swinton), isn’t sympathetic.  She thinks her husband is a loser and the fact that’s now unemployed is the final straw.  Katie wants to instigate divorce proceedings against Osbourne so that she can protect herself financially and maintain her well-to-do lifestyle.  It will also allow her to settle down with Harry Pfarrer (Clooney), the man with whom she’s been having a long-running affair.

Harry doesn’t share that same plan.  He’s not too keen on leaving his wife… or the other women that he’s been sleeping around with.  In fact, I don’t think Harry has any idea what he’s doing at all.  He’s neurotic.  His latest fling is with an older woman named Linda Litzke (McDormand) who he met on an internet dating site.  There’s a hilariously shocking scene where he takes her down to the basement and shows her an invention that he’s been working on.

They’re a good match because Linda is nuts herself.  She may work at a gymnasium but Linda hates the way she looks.  She desperately wants plastic surgery.  Unfortunately, it’s not covered by her medical insurance and she doesn’t have the money to pay for it.  Linda pleads with her boss (Jenkins) to give her an advance on her salary but he just can’t do it.

You might be asking, is there an actual story here?  Yes, there is.  Linda and her co-worker, Chad (Pitt), find a CD which has been left in the ladies locker room at the gymnasium.  On the disc are the memoirs of agent Osbourne Cox.  This dim-witted duo believe that when they return the CD to Osbourne, he will give them a sizeable financial reward.  When he refuses, it sets in motion a bizarre series of events with equally bizarre consequences.

I appreciated this film because it is so ridiculously “off the wall”.  It goes against everything you’d expect from a conventional movie.  It all revolves around a bunch of both fortunate and unfortunate coincidences.  Some people are in the right place at the right time.  Some people are in the wrong place at the wrong time.  You’ll have to watch it for yourself to learn the fate of these unlikeable yet amusing characters.

In their last film, the Academy Award winning No Country For Old Men, I praised the Coen brothers for their great casting.  They know just how to find the right actor for each role – even the smaller ones.  The same can be said here.  Each actor is a little “over the top” with their performance but it’s perfectly in sync with the preposterous screenplay.  I hate to single anyone out but I have to say it’s the best performance I’ve ever seen from Brad Pitt.

There’s one similarity that this film shares with other Coen brothers movies.  That is… that you’ll either love it or hate it.  If you’re in touch with their warped sense of humour, you’ll instantly fall in love with Burn After Reading.  I can’t wait to see it again!

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 28 September 2008

I enjoy “period piece” movies.  I speak of films which capture the essence of another era.  They have wonderful sets, beautiful costumes and intricate storylines.  The English know how to do it best.  If I mention the words “love”, “tragedy” and “royalty”, then I could be describing any number of English period piece films.  Examples over the last year include Atonement, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and The Other Boleyn Girl.

Given the similar themes which run through these stories, you might ask yourself whether it’s all a little repetitive.  The answer to that question will vary depending on your tastes.  I have some friends who will be yawning throughout the two hour duration.  Others will soak it up and appreciate the small nuances that make this film slightly different from the others.

The Duchess is set in the 18^th Century and recounts the life of Georgiana Spencer (played by Keira Knightley).  At the age of 16, Georgiana married into royalty.  His name was William Cavendish (played by Ralph Fiennes) and his title was the Duke of Devonshire.  They lived together in the lavish Devonshire House and had a team of servants at their continual disposal.

It may sound like a dream existence but as you’d probably guess, it was anything but.  Georgiana would soon learn that the marriage was one of convenience.  The pair seldom spoke and their love life was non-existent.  All that was required of the Duchess was to keep up appearances with the adoring public and to provide a male heir.  The later requirement proved difficult and after the birth of two daughters, the Duke became increasingly frustrated.

Trapped in a loveless marriage and knowing that her husband was having numerous affairs, Georgiana found comfort in the arms of an old childhood friend.  His name was Charles Grey (Cooper) and he was a young, ambitious politician trying to make his mark.  They would have an affair of their own but keeping it a secret from the jealous Duke would not be an easy task.

I’ve mixed feelings about The Duchess.  I like the story and the fact that certain relationships aren’t over simplified.  Despite what I’ve said in my brief plot overview, it’s not all “black and white”.  The Duke can be intolerable at times but there are scenes when he opens up and reveals a softer side.  You may feel sympathetic towards Georgiana but there are moments which will leave you questioning her sensibility.  Take for example her strange friendship with one of the Duke’s mistresses, Bess Foster (Atwell).

The biggest weakness of the film for me is that doesn’t seem to cover enough material.  Having done more research on the internet, there’s a lot more to Georgiana than that which was depicted in the movie.  Too much time is spent watching her drinking and socialising.  I wanted to know more about her relationship with Charles Grey and their political aspirations.

There have already been a few raves about Keira Knightley’s performance and she’s certainly a chance at a second Academy Award nomination (having been nominated in 2006 for Pride & Prejudice).  It is a terrific performance from Knightley but not to be overlooked is Ralph Fiennes who is equally as good.  The Duchess is worth a look for their performances alone.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 12 October 2008

This story is amazing.  I can’t believe that I haven’t heard it before.  On 7 August 1974, Frenchman Philippe Petit and his crew rigged a wire between the two World Trade Centre towers in New York City.  Philippe then walked back and forth across the wire for 45 minutes… with no safety harness whatsoever.

Let’s pause and think about this for a moment.  How is this humanly possible?  How can someone have the courage to walk on a tightrope which is 450m above the ground whilst knowing the obvious risks?  It’s crazy.  What’s equally fascinating is the lead up to the stunt itself.  It took months of preparation and a lot of illegal activity.  It wasn’t an easy task to sneak into the two towers will all of their equipment.

Man On Wire, directed by Englishman James Marsh, brings this mind-blowing story to the big screen in a documentary-style format.  You’ll see interviews with Philippe and those who were part of his team.  The visuals include a mix of actual footage and re-enacted scenes.

The film is structured to be suspenseful.  It starts out by looking at Philippe’s background and how he first became fascinated by the World Trade Centre towers.  It then follows two of his earlier conquests where he walked across wires on the Cathedral of Notre-Dame and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Those alone make for good viewing.

It all leads up to “the” moment which you know is coming.  I sat there in the cinema and was shaking my head.  I even felt nauseous when I saw the view looking down.  The only downside to this film is that I wanted to know more about what happened afterwards.

It’s touched upon briefly but his impossible feat had everyone talking in New York City.  It was interesting time in America because the very next day, Richard Nixon resigned as President in the wake of the Watergate scandal.  It must have been interesting dinner conversation in many homes that night… talking about a crazy Frenchman and a corrupt leader.

Man On Wire picked up both the jury and audience award in the documentary category at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.  It is slowly being released around the globe and now that it’s arrived here in Australia, it’s a film you won’t want to miss.