DVD--The Last Station

or: War and Peace in marriage.

One word to sum it up: Dramatic.

Helen Mirren. How do I explain Helen Mirren? In 2006, she won an Oscar for her amazing performance in The Queen. Upon it's release, Hollywood started realizing that she was one of hottest people around...even though she was around 60 years old. Earlier this year, she got thrown into the Oscar race again for a small film called The Last Station, which was a British period film about the final year of writer Leo Tolstoy. If it wasn't for Dame Helen Mirren, I probably would have passed this on.

After almost fifty years of marriage, Sofya (Helen Mirren) – Leo Tolstoy's (Christopher Plummer) devoted wife, lover, muse and secretary – suddenly finds her world turned upside down. In the name of his newly created religion, the novelist has renounced his noble title, his property and even his family (including their 13 children) in favour of poverty, vegetarianism and celibacy. Sofya also discovers that Tolstoy's trusted disciple, Chertkov (Paul Giamatti) may have convinced her husband to change his will, leaving the rights to his iconic novels to the Russian people rather than his own family. Consumed by righteous outrage, Sofya fights fiercely for what she believes is rightfully hers. Into this minefield wanders Tolstoy's worshipful new assistant, the gullible Valentin (James McAvoy), who quickly becomes a pawn – first of the scheming Chertkov and then of the wounded, vengeful Sofya.

As promised, Helen Mirren delivers and makes this movie what it is. However, it's cast of brilliant British actors provide valuable support to her tour de force performance. Christopher Plummer has clearly studied his role of Leo Tolstoy, deserving his Oscar nomination for best supporting actor (though not quite as good as Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds). James McAvoy, who we haven't been seeing much of lately, gives a heartfelt yet very comedic performance, fitting for a young actor performing against such experienced stars like Mirren and Plummer. His wife, the lovely Anne-Marie Duff, last seen in Nowhere Boy, makes an appearance as the ungrateful daughter. She is definitely onto big things. Kerry Condon serves as a luminous love interest for McAvoy and their chemistry lights up the movie.

While it's premise sounds a little dramatic, The Last Station has some fine comedic moments which hels lighten the mood. Mirren and Plummer are a lovely married couple who have fair share of disagreements, making for a hilarious battle of the sexes reminiscent of early screwball comedies like Bringing Up Baby. It isn't a stuffy period piece, or the kind of historical drama you would expect. Instead, it's a charming romance story and a pretty funny movie. Even though the constant yelling and arguements get to be a bit tiresome, the performances got me through and I really enjoyed The Last Station. This is the perfect movie for a Saturday night in with a box of chocolates.

THE VERDICT: An enjoyable romp and comedic battle of the sexes, led by amazing performances from Oscar nominated Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer.

7/10

DVD--Nowhere Boy

or: How John Lennon became John Lennon.

One word to sum it up: Insightful.

Usually, I wouldn't be interested in a biopic on John Lennon. I mean, we learnt a bit about The Beatles in Music class, but I wasn't really that interested. However, I thought Nowhere Boy looked like a good time, as it had been getting some rave reviews. And I guess the fact that Aaron Johnson was in the lead role and had been getting critical applause for it aided in my decision to watch it. John Lennon's story actually looked pretty interesting.

This is the story of a teenage John Lennon (Aaron Johnson), who has been living his life under his strict Aunt Mimi's (Kristin Scott Thomas) care. But Lennon wants to know where his real parents are, and ends up finding his free-wheeling mother Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), who introduces him to a world of fun and music, much to Aunt Mimi's dismay. Lennon starts up a band called The Quarrymen with a few of his friends, and catches the eye of Paul McCartney (Thomas Sangster), who joins the band on their journey to becoming The Beatles.

If you were expecting a real musical insight, then you will be sorely disappointed. However, this film is definitely quite interesting, whether it's about John Lennon or not. It's kind of a funny story, which I really didn't believe was true, let alone believe that it was the early life of one of the world's biggest icons. It sometimes comes across as a pretty standard British biopic, but it has so much elevating it from that kind of status. First is the remarkably artsy direction from first time director Sam Taylor-Wood (who, yes, happens to be 20-year-old Aaron Johnson's 43-year-old fiancee). Then comes the groundbreaking performances from a charming ensemble cast.

Aaron Johnson is perfectly cast as Lennon, and really makes the whole film worthwhile. He has studied every aspect of Lennon's character and is more believable than he should be, considering his two most recognized roles are that of a Sex-God in Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and a nerd trying to fight crime in comic book movie Kick-Ass. Nowhere Boy proves that Johnson is much more than his teen-idol status allows him to be, and he will be the next big Oscar winner in the future. He is joined by two well-experienced actresses who give commanding performances. Kristin Scott Thomas is fierce and cold as Mimi and Anne-Marie Duff lights up the screen as Julia. Thomas Sangster, too, in his supporting role as Paul McCartney, makes the most of the opportunity and is well prepared to take on more roles worthy of his talents.

All in all, Nowhere Boy is run by amazing performances and great direction, which the story tends to take a backseat to.


THE VERDICT: Sometimes a little standard, but an inspired performance from Aaron Johnson makes the movie a little more than an insight on a star.

8/10