Tag: Friendship

“Onegin” (1999)

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I bought this DVD because I heard Toby Stephens played a good role in it; I had never seen it before last week.  This film is very smart, subtle, touching, and thought-provoking.  It is based on the novel by Alexander Pushkin.  It was directed by Martha Fiennes (Ralph’s sister) and has some creative/unusual shots.  The cinematography is simple gorgeous, as are the locations, sets and costumes (which make the actors stand up straighter and creates elegant lines).

Eugene Onegin (Fiennes) is a wealthy playboy from St. Petersburg, Russia.  He is bored with his urban life: costly mistress, social obligations, and frivolous friends.  Onegin inherits a huge country estate after his elderly uncle dies, and he ventures out of the city to have a look at the place.

Onegin, the brooding/pessimistic aristocrat, makes friends with Lensky (Toby Stephens), an optimistic/energetic/naive country gent with dreams of becoming a poet.  Though the men are polar opposites, they are both well-educated and neighbors.  Lensky has long been in love with Olga (Lena Headey), a conventional girl who dreams of city life.  But Olga’s younger sister Tatyana (Liv Tyler) is the girl who intrigues Onegin.

It is soon obvious that the impressionable Tatyana has fallen in love with Onegin, or in love with who she thinks he is.  She borrows books from his library, and expresses modern opinions (much to the changrin of her widowed mother).  One night, Tatyana pores out her heart in a letter to Onegin, unable to keep her feelings boxed up (as social convention dictates).  How will the seemingly cool-headed Onegin react?  Can he return her feelings?  Watch to find out!

Ralph Fiennes, an internal actor, quickly disappears into his role of the dissatisfied Onegin.  Toby Stephens provides a refreshing counterbalance to Onegin.  Liv Tyler gives a terrific performance, proving that some actors don’t need to study for years to create fine characters.  They just have the “it” factor!

A clip from Onegin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvr-iemGsyE

More about the movie:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119079/

About the book Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Onegin

“The Visitor” (2007)

Emma4 Comments

TheVisitor_cover

This is a must-see indie film about NYC, immigrants, and (above all) the importance of connection.  It’s a small budget film that packs a big emotional punch!  His role as Walter Vale, a lonely/ widowed academic, earned veteran character actor Richard Jenkins a Best Actor Oscar nomination at age 62. 

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The Visitor was written/directed by another character actor, Tom McCarthy. 

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Walter (Richard Jenkins) travels from his suburban home in Connecticut to his NYC apartment to attend a seminar (about global development issues) at NYU.  The mild-mannered professor is shocked to discover that his apartment is already occupied by a young couple in their 20s- a Syrian drummer, Tarek Khalil (Haaz Sleiman), and his Senegalese girlfriend, Zainab (Danai Gurira), who makes/sells jewelry.  These young people(both Muslim, BTW) are very embarrassed by the situation, but they have nowhere else to go.  Walter gives them permission to stay for as long as they need.  He is intrigued by Tarek and Zainab, two people a guy like him doesn’t meet every day.

TheVisitor_drumcircle

Walter is also intrigued by the drum that Tarek, a joyous/big-hearted guy, plays in Central Park and little clubs around the city.  Tarek encourages the hesitant Walter (a classical music fan) to try the drum as well.  Soon, they are good friends, much to the chagrin of Zainab.  She often has a serious expression on her face, and we sense that she is nervous about something.  On the street, Zainab is wary of police.  One night, she admits to Walter that she and Tarek overstayed their visas (so are now of illegal status). 

TheVisitor_detention

One day, while getting on the subway, Tarek is stopped by two plainclothes NYPD officers.  “He did nothing wrong!” Walter exclaims with bewilderment.  Walter can’t believe his eyes when his new friend is quickly taken into police custody, and then to a detention center in Long Island City, Queens.  (Well, he is a Muslim man living in the U.S. post-9/11.)  Even more shocking is the fact that over 300 people are in that center, including children! 

TheVisitor_ladies

Walter consoles Zainab by explaining that he’s arranged for an immigration attorney to handle Tarek’s case.  “He can’t stay in that place!” Zainab exclaims, feeling that being in such an environment will crush Tarek’s spirit.  Zainab can’t bring herself to visit the detention center, but Walter goes each day to check on Tarek.  Zainab is grateful for Walter’s help, yet deeply saddened by the turn of events.  Zainab leaves Walter’s apartment to stay with a cousin.

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Tarek’s mother, Mouna (Hiam Abbas), arrives from Michigan when she doesn’t hear news from her son.  She’s surprised to learn that Tarek shared a place with Walter.  Sensing Mouna’s sadness and worry, he  insists that she stay in the apartment, too.  “You can use Tarek’s room,” Walter says.  He tries to make her feel comfortable during a very difficult time.  They share a strong connection as well, though it doesn’t turn romantic.    

Will Walter’s kindly efforts help Tarek stay in the US?  How will Zainab, Mouna, and Walter come to terms with the final decision?  Watch the film to find out! 

Movie Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlFcmm1pq9g

More details:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0857191/

Two GREAT Mamet films

EmmaLeave a comment

The Spanish Prisoner (1997)

SP_DVD

This film has an air of mystery and tension throughout.  Pay attention to the little moments and the props to figure out all that’s going on!  Joe Ross (Campbell Scott, son of renowed actors Colleen Dewhurst & George C. Scott) is a plain-spoken, well-mannered company man who’s flown down to a (fictional) Caribbean island called St. Estephe.  Why?  Because it’s his reward for  inventing a formula (inside a red leathbound ledger).  This secret formula, his boss Mr. Klein (Ben Gazzara) says, must be safeguarded from the wrong hands.  Joe is glad to have a little vacation (along w/ spending money and posh clothes), but anxious about the promotion/money he has yet to receive for his hard work.

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In St. Estephe, Joe and his friend/co-worker, a lawyer named George Lang (Ricky Jay), meet a young, pretty and chatty secretary named Susan Ricci (Rebecca Pidgeon, Mamet’s wife and a singer).  Susan has been working on the island (also w/ Mr. Klein’s company) for a month.  Susan is pleasantly surprised by Joe’s gentlemanly ways; she develops a crush on him.

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Joe also meets a mysterious, suave older man named Jimmy Dell (Steve Martin).  Joe is impressed by Jimmy’s stories, and a promise of friendship when he returns to NYC.  (We sense that Joe has a streak of ambition underneath his unassuming demeanor.)  Jimmy is either a millionaire businessman or a master con man.  Watch to find out!

 

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David Mamet’s dialogue will sound unnatural if you’re not used to it; his work is meant for the stage.  He’s very good at showing how men talk to and relate to other men.  (Another director who does this well is Barry Levinson.)  The actors Mamet uses are top-notch, even when scenes are a bit too stagey.

 

The Winslow Boy (1999)

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This terrific film (inspired by real events in early 1900s England) reveals deep meaning by being subtle and gentle.  It’s a character-driven family drama with a hint of romance.  It takes us back to a time when a man’s word was taken as truth, even if the man was a young boy (like title character Ronald Winslow).

 

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The Winslows are a comfortable middle-class family in London; they’ve all gathered together before Christmas.  Aging patriarch/banker Arthur Winslow (Nigel Hawthorne) presides over the family with a gentle voice and easygoing nature.  Grace (Jemma Jones) is the sensitive , yet strong, matriarch.

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Oldest child Catherine (close to 30) is a whip smart, independant-minded suffragette.   She’s supported in her cause by the family (unusual for that time).  Cate’s engaged at the start of the film.

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The baby of the family, 13 y.o. Ronnie (Guy Edwards), attends a prestigious boarding school- the Royal Naval Academy.  But he’s hastily expelled for (supposedly) stealing a postal order.   His father believes him when Ronnie declares he’s innocent, and a historic legal battle ensues.

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The Winslow case is discussed on the street and in the press; public support for the boy is strong.  But the court case goes badly until the family expend their influence/money to hire Sir Robert Morton (Jeremy Northam), the noted lawyer/member of the House of Commons.  He and Cate are attracted to each other from their first meeting, but their politics may keep them apart.  (Sir Robert is a staunch conservative.)

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Sir Robert, a restrained man from a high sphere of society, grows to admire the ordinary family.  Mr. Winslow won’t give up the case, even when his health worsens.  Cate regularly comes to court (the Ladies’ Gallery) to watch the proceedings.  What sacrifices will the Winslows make to support Ronnie?  Will he be found innocent?

NOTE: The DVD I bought has a commentary track w/ Mamet, Pidgeon, Hawthorne, and Northam.  It’s informative and fun!

 

Related Links:

About writer/director/ David Mamet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mamet

About Campbell Scott (currently on USA’s Royal Pains)

The Campbell Scott Compendium: a fan site

http://cscompanion.tripod.com/

Rebecca Pidgeon’s Official Web Site

 http://www.rebeccapidgeon.com/

“Mad Men” (Seasons 1 & 2)

Emma3 Comments
The cast of "Mad Men" (AMC)
The cast of ensemble drama “Mad Men” (AMC)

My little sister watches this show, so I decided to check it out.  (She’s usually in the know about what’s cool.)  Another reason to see Mad Men is Elisabeth Moss (known to many as President Bartlett’s youngest daughter, Zoe, on The West Wing).  Elisabeth’s character, Peggy Olson, starts out as a cheerful/eager/naive secretary at the start of Season 1.  Like the viewer, she doesn’t know what to expect from Sterling Cooper (the ad agency that is the main setting of the show).

Peggy Olson- always watching & learning
Peggy Olson- always watching & learning

Women esp. will empathize w/ Peggy, a young woman who experiences workplace harassment (it’s the early ’60s after all), romantic disappointment, and disillusionment on her way to becoming a copywriter (in Season 2).  She brings to mind the compromises, trials, and sacrifices faced by early feminists, though Peggy NEVER calls herself a feminist.  Peggy works hard and wins the trust/confidence/respect of boss, Don Draper (Jon Hamm).

The unflappable Roger Sterling
The unflappable Roger Sterling

After Peggy, my fave character is Roger Sterling (played by TV/theater veteran John Slattery).  Roger, a partner in the firm, is an “old-school” guy- charming, confident, and a heavy drinker (w/o any guilt, he comments).  He usually has a twinkle in his eye, enjoying work and life to the fullest.  I particularly enjoyed the few eps where Roger was worried about aging.

Don (Jon Hamm) & Betty (January Jones)
Don & Betty

Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) & Pete (Vincent Kartheiser)

Don Draper (Jon Hamm) w/ bohemian Midge (Rosemarie Dewitt)

Don w/ businesswoman Rachel

Though many people have commented on Don’s hot & heavy romance w/ Midge, I thought the storyline w/ him and Rachel was MORE interesting.  She is a successful/single/lonely businesswoman who is a client of Sterling Cooper (in Season 1).   Don doesn’t want to work w/ her at first, but soon becomes intrigued by her perserverence.  Though Rachel is wealthy, she is an “outsider” b/c of her Jewish heritage.   Don falls deeply in love w/ her, and tells her secrets about his life.  (Unfortunately, I didn’t see this ep!)   He’s (visibly) shocked when he sees Rachel w/ her new hubby (Season 2).

 

Jon Hamm in "People" mag (2007)
Jon Hamm in “People” mag (2007)

I watched a FEW interviews w/ Jon Hamm; he comes across as a VERY polite/sweet/unassuming actor.  He said he wears glasses and prefers his hair longer than Don’s in real life.  I watched Jon (a few yrs ago) as a sensitive detective on the Lifetime drama, The Division.  After a LONG struggle in Hollywood, this actor has made it BIG!

From Parade mag
From “Parade” mag

Hamm “has this wonderful sadness and lost quality in his eyes,” said director Alan Taylor. “It’s a rare quality for a strapping leading man.”  Leave your political correctness at the door, and tune in for Season 3 of Mad Men on SUN night!

 

Related Links:

An extensive Vanity Fair article: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2009/09/mad-men200909?printable=true&currentPage=all

Basket of Kisses: a Mad Men fan site

http://www.lippsisters.com/

A comprehensive Jon Hamm fan site:

http://www.jon-hamm.com/

“Jungle Fever” (1991)

Emma1 Comment

 jungle fever_dvd

This is my favorite Spike Lee film (aside from Malcolm X); I’ve seen it several times.  Lee’s premise for making this film: romantic relationships between blacks and whites are (sometimes) based more on curiosity than love.   He didn’t make the central couple (black architect Flipper Purefoy and Italian American temp Angie Tucci) very interesting, Roger Ebert said in his TV review.  However, the people in the communities they come from are VERY well done, he complimented.  I agree with Ebert b/c I wanted to know more re: the lesser characters! 

Flipper (Wesley Snipes) lives in a Harlem brownstone w/ his statuesque biracial wife Dru, a buyer for Nordstrom (Lonette McKee) and young daughter.  In the opener, he seems to have a loving relationship w/ Dru and his little girl (who he walks to school in the mornings).  A source of stress is his job- he’s the only black architect in his firm. 

Flipper (Wesley Snipes) & Angie (Annabella Sciorra)

Flipper is visibly upset when his former secretary (a black woman) is replaced by a white temp, Angie (Annabella Sciorra).  “I specifically asked for a woman of color!”  Flipper exclaims to one of his bosses (played by Tim Robbins).  Even though things start out awkward, Flipper and Angie have a good working relationship.  They often work late, share takeout, and get to know each other.  One night, Flipper catches Angie admiring his dark skin.  She says “it’s beautiful.”  Though he has NEVER cheated on his wife, they begin an affair (right on the drafting table)! 

Gator (Sam Jackson) & Viv (Halle Berry)

Flipper eventually confesses to his best pal/upstairs neighbor Cyrus (played by Lee himself) that though he considers himself “a strong black man,” he was “curious about what it would be like” to be with a white woman.  As they are talking, Flipper’s older brother Gator (Samuel L. Jackson) and his girlfriend Viv (a very young and unglamorous Halle Berry) approach.  It’s obvious that Gator is a long-time crack addict, as is his “new lady.”  (Sam Jackson said that his OWN drug addiction in the ’80s helped him portray Gator in a VERY realistic manner.  Producers thought Jackson was a REAL crack addict when he did his screen test, so he had to come in AGAIN to explain it was just acting.)

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Lucinda Purefoy (Ruby Dee) can’t refuse giving her addict son money when he comes around, no matter how hard she tries.  Gator invents lame excuses to get a few bucks out of her whenever his father is not around.  The father, a VERY religious man called The Good Reverend Doctor (Ossie Davis) has cast Gator out “like the Devil.”  (I REALLY felt for the mother and her dilemna; if she didn’t give Gator money, he’d surely go out and steal it.)
Paulie (John Turturro) ponders his future

My favorite character is candy shop/newsstand manager Paulie Carbone (John Turturro).  He’s a hardworking/unassuming guy who dated Angie since high school (“b/c he’s from the neighborhood.”)  His overbearing/widower father (Anthony Quinn) has retired from the shop, but micro-manages everything his son does.  Paulie has a crush on Lauren, a young black executive who comes to the store for papers each morning.  She sees him as a friend, and encourages him to apply to Brooklyn College.  The unemployed/Italian American/racist local guys who frequent his store think of all this as a joke.  Paulie is an outsider in his environment, and you wonder if he can get the life he wants.         

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On one date, Angie asks Flipper “So what are we doing here?”  I think they’re taking a break from their everyday lives.  But their actions have consequences- Dru (along w/ her girlfriends) is VERY upset by her husband’s betrayal.  Angie’s father reacts w/ shocking violence.  After the famous girl-talk session (about color, dating, black  men, etc.), Dru quietly tells her pals: “It really doesn’t matter what color she is- my man is gone.”   

The main characters in Jungle Fever feel unappreciated, I noticed during this viewing.   Angie works all day, then cooks her for father and brothers w/o complain.  Paulie has put his dreams on hold to look after his father and the shop.  Flipper doesn’t get the promotion, so he resigns from his job.  Lee (who grew up in Bensonhurst when it had a large community of working-class Italian Americans) shows us that two people are NOT the only ones involved in a realtionship.  Personal relationships include family, friends, and (sometimes) the community-at-large.  Everyone has SOMETHING to say about Flipper and Angie’s affair, including an angry young waitress at a soul food restaurant (Queen Latifah in a brief, yet memorable, role).