Rewind - The Constant Gardener

2005's line-up for the Best Supporting Actress category at the Oscars was pretty impressive. It had the always amazing Catherine Keener for her performance in biopic Capote. Previous winner Frances McDormand was nominated for her stellar performance in the gritty drama North Country. Michelle Williams was in there for her stunning turn in Brokeback Mountain, a.k.a the film that should have won Best Picture. And the brilliant Amy Adams was nominated for her first time thanks to her show stopping performance in Junebug. But who was the one who got the award over those four equally amazing performances? Rachel Weisz in The Constant Gardener. She had considerably less screen time than most of her competition, and probably a least 'flashy' role. Though I was a huge fan of Amy Adams and her electrifying performance in Junebug, a performance that is done with so much heart, even though her character wasn't the nicest, and that genuinely sparks up the screen instantly even though most of her time is used for flashbacks, deserves a win. My question is, why the hell wasn't Ralph Fiennes nominated for his leading performance?

Fiennes and Weisz, both giving it everything they've got, star in what is effectively a love story, just set within the confines of a political thriller. It's all about Fiennes, who plays British diplomat Justin Quayle, who is trying to seek out the real explanation as to why his wife Tessa, played by Weisz, was murdered during their stay in Kenya. Though this is not a true story as such, there isn't anything that is too unbelievable in this movie. As Justin looks into the reasons that could possibly point to his wife's murder, the film switches gears and also looks at the horrible world of drug-testing on humans. Now, Justin is running up against a corporation who uses poor Africans to test a tuberculosis drug, and he has the power to expose their secret, so naturally, they want him dead, too. People want Justin to stop with this little quest of his, but does he want to? No. Because he loved his wife dearly, even though the many secrets he uncovers after her death probably would have broken their marriage anyway.

This movie set out to be a provocative thriller, and in that, it succeeded. Whether that be because of the fierce portrayal of the slums in Kenya, or the amount of corruption that happened because of this drug testing thing, the film certainly shows a whole lot of anger towards nearly everything. The best thing is that, even though it definitely doesn't want to shy away from being a Hollywood thriller of sorts, it remains completely realistic. While there isn't a whole lot of human brutality shown on screen (something which I thought there should have been more of), the vision it has on corruption is truly blood-curdling. But even though this movie has some things to say about some shocking stuff, there were a few times when I switched off from it. Particularly when Justin returned to Britain. There was some truly heartfelt stuff in that segment of the movie (especially when he breaks down outside of Tessa's house...just one of the many reasons why I love Ralph Fiennes and his acting skills), it was just a little on the boring side. The movie, despite it's brilliant material, fails to be anything ground-breaking or great. Mind you, it ends really well, with a hint of justice for it's more serious plot strand, and a sense of beautiful closure for it's romantic storyline.
 

The romantic storyline is something which makes this film good, but it also lets it down. Fiennes and Weisz have this undeniable chemistry which is evident from their first meeting, which happens to be a cracker of a scene. But the one thing I really struggled with was all of the secrets that Tessa had and the fact that Justin wanted to keep going with his little plight. He was such a shy character, and I thought he would have been the kind who would have given up easily. While his love for Tessa was admirable, I don't know how he could have possibly kept fighting for her considering the way she effectively used him and his status. His resilience is...I don't know...inspirational, but in the romantic context of the movie, I found it impossible to connect to. However, when you put his resilience into the whole corruption storyline, he comes out as quite the hero. Without the partnership between Justin and Tessa, and maybe the good old 'you-think-you-knew-someone-but-you-really-didn't' theme, this film probably wouldn't have been that enjoyable for me. But while I'm sure it was supposed to give me something to root for, I was left a little dumbfounded by it.
 

As I said, Fiennes and Weisz give top performances. They both master the art of subtlety, with most of the pain in this movie being written across their face. Oh yeah, and I guess it's worth mentioning that Fiennes is really hot in it too...those eyes of his make me die inside, as does his sweet performance. Pete Postlethwaite was a stand-out too, even though he turns up really late in the piece. Along with the performances, this film has high points in it's direction and editing. Fernando Meirelles gives a dark film plenty of colour and vibrancy when it's in Africa, which is also backed up by some thrilling direction in the more action-esque scenes. He uses plenty of interesting angles which keep things interesting to watch. The cross cutting between when Tessa was alive and when she wasn't didn't turn out to be as corny as it should have been. The romantic strand always seems to come in at the right time, especially with the flashbacks incorporated into the ending. There's so much to like about The Constant Gardener, but there is a lot that I didn't like about it as well. I would definitely watch this again, because I felt that there was enough to outweigh the large amount of flaws the film has. It's certainly not a bad movie unworthy of a watch...it just isn't the great movie that I wanted it to be.
 
THE VERDICT: Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz give stellar performances in a thought-provoking movie with brilliant direction, which is ultimately let down by flaws in it's story-telling.
 
What I hoped for:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
What I got:

It's been a year since I first saw Inception...time for 52 things I love about Inception!

I find it hard to believe that this time a year ago, I was sitting in the cinemas after months of watching the trailers over and over again, having mini heart attacks every time the word 'Inception' was uttered, watching every other Christopher Nolan flick, and then spending this day shaking excitedly at school, because every minute gone was a minute closer to seeing the film. Just so you know, this was the only time I've ever been so excited over a films release, and yes, even I admit I was a bit obsessed. But do you know what the best thing was? The film topped my sky-high expectations. Which is probably why, after 365 days and nearly 15 watches, I still absolutely love this movie. It hasn't been just a 'film' for me, it's actually meant a lot to me.

So, if you don't like Inception, go to the left. This is my time to share 52 reasons why I think this movie is amazing, and I don't really want any crap comments ruining it. I get that it isn't as good as what it was a year ago...even I don't find it as amazing as I did. But, you know, I still love it to bitty bits. Okay, are we good? I hope so.

Anyway, here we go, 52 reasons why I love Inception (one for every week since my first viewing, not in any order either):

1. "You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling."

2. All of the totems

3. ...but especially the cheeky one at the end.



4. Blasting up '528491' in my headphones at full volume, because that is freaking epic.

5. Cillian Murphy crying.

6. Arthur's wardrobe.

7. This is completely original Nolan - not adapted Nolan.

8. Oh yeah, and this is directed by Nolan. 

9. Yusuf. You should never forget Yusuf and his crazy driving skills and his cats.

10. That spinning hallway scene.

11. Cobb is the director, Arthur is the producer, Ariadne is the production designer, Eames is the actor, Saito is the studio, and Fischer is the audience.

12. Michael Caine's in it for like three minutes and he still gets top billing.

13. When Cobb finally shoots Mal.

14. The fact that 'Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien' is my alarm and it's the best alarm ever.

15. Even the posters are awesome.

16. Tom Hardy.

17. Ellen Page shooting Marion Cotillard because of the 2008 Oscars.

18. The suit porn.

19. This film required a food stylist and an assistant food stylist...(When I found this out, I actually listed all of the food in the movie. Hell, if this means you can take part in a Nolan flick, I want to be a food stylist.)

20. It won as many Oscars as The King's Speech.

21. This is the third Nolan flick that Cillian Murphy has spent a considerable amount of time hidden beneath a cloth sack.



22. The track 'Time' which is at the end of the soundtrack. Simply beautiful

23. The name Ariadne. 

24. "You're waiting for a train. A train that'll take you far away. You know where you hope this train will take you. But you can't know for sure. Yet it doesn't matter. Because we'll be together."

25. When the little kids finally turn around so Cobb can see their faces.

26. Saito and his carpet.

27. Blowing up Paris. Because that's a cool way to get friends.

28. Oh, and folding over Paris. Because that's a cool way to get an architect.

29. "Un café! Un café!" - That's how you try an disguise yourself in a chase through Mombasa.

30. The awkward moment when Ariadne finds out Cobb's wife is actually dead.

31. Pete Postlethwaite. Always great.

32. "I bought the airline...it seemed neater."

33. The Eames/Arthur relationship.

34. Fischer's many 'bitch, please' looks.

35. Ooooh, freight train in the middle of the street.

36. Finding out the real story about Cobb and Mal.

37. When Eames turns into a chick. Hahaha.

38. "Paradox."

39. The world that Cobb and Mal built. I can see myself living there.

40. When the van hits the water. 

41. The looks exchanged with Cobb as he walks through the airport.

42. "I know you were disappointed, that I couldn't be you." "No no no. I was disappointed that you tried."

43. Saito's aged look.

44. The fact that it wasn't made in 3D.

45. Mal's dress in the Japanese castle scene.

46. In fact, that castle was beautiful.

47. It's a family affair: Nolan's cousin plays the flight attendant, and his son plays Mal and Cobb's son when he is 20 months.

48. The fact that I can't say 'defibrillator'...but I do like their defibrillator.

49. Arthur's good driving skills.

50. Fischer's wallet has $500 in it, and the wallet is worth more than that.

51. The way the movie starts.

52. The way the movie ends. The screen goes black, the audience gets pissed off, and then the track 'Dream is Collapsing' starts as the title comes up. And then Christopher Nolan's name comes up, and I always cry because I can never be like him.

So there are 52 reasons why I love this amazing film, which has been with me for a year. Why do you like it?

DVD--The Town

or: Cops and robbers.

One word to sum it up: Nice.

The Town has such a pretty cast. Ben Affleck as an actor and a director is pretty. One of my most favourite actresses Rebecca Hall is pretty. Blake Lively is pretty. Jon Hamm is beyond pretty. And Jeremy Renner, well, what can I say...I become more interested in this man with every role he takes. So they all come together, with the brilliant Pete Postlethwaite (RIP) in another small but scene stealing role, and make a movie about bank robbers with the cops on their tails. Methoughts it would be pretty awesome. Methinks The Town was actually a bloody awesome movie.

One may go into this film expecting a gritty action thriller, and you will get exactly that, but you will also get a nice romance as well. The romantic duo come in the form of Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) and Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall). She is an innocent bank manager who lives in Charlestown, and has just had her bank robbed. He, unbeknownst to her, is a bank robber and the one who robbed her bank. They form an unlikely relationship, which endangers the world he is currently in. His friend and fellow robber, James 'Jem' Coughlin (Jeremy Renner) believes that she might screw things up for his group of robbers and gets increasingly worried about what she told the FBI and that she may be able to identify them. It's not long before Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm), the head of FBI's investigation, has found a link to this group, and they start to realize that death or prison are their only ways out of Charlestown.

This is a story often told: a girl and a guy falling in love even though one half is shrouded in secrecy, a man trying to make a break from his past life and make a new one, and the one last job which changes everything. It's not new material, but there is something about The Town which is really special. I can't quite put my finger on it, but this movie was really well done. Ben Affleck may have had his highs and lows as an actor, but with this, his follow up to the much acclaimed Gone Baby Gone, he shows that he is a very capable writer and director. Almost too capable, if anything. Here he captures the right atmosphere, making a dark surrounding for dark characters all praying for some light, but never quite reaching it because of their surroundings pulling them back in.

As well as being an insightful drama which looks into the lives of criminals effortlessly well, The Town also succeeds at being an action film, too. There are a few great chases and sequences within the film which are done with blockbuster flair. I like how this movie has a deft blend of genres: drama, romance and action. It never gets tired, and is always interesting. From a girly perspective, I really liked the romance in this film, since they weren't trying too hard to capitalize that. It just shows that a romantic story can be good when you don't try too hard. Deep down, though, this is a mans movie, which is okay for the girls, too. Now why wasn't this nominated for more than one Oscar?!

The characters and performances within the film are brilliant. Affleck, who didn't stop at writing and directing duties, is superb in the leading role, but it's really his supporting stars who shine. Hopefully Rebecca Hall will become better known for her role in this: she was amazing (as always) and so sweet, I couldn't help but feel she was a stand out. Jon Hamm, why you so sexy? He was good, too. Blake Lively was beyond great in this. I really never knew how far she'd be able to go as an actress, and she really pushed her limits here. Even though her role was one which could have easily been omitted, she made the most of her opportunity. Pete Postlethwaite, quite frankly, terrified me as Fergie. How is it that he could just steal the show in a few short scenes? He was simply such a great character actor, and really showed that here, in one of his last films. However, the man who scored The Town's only Oscar nomination was Jeremy Renner, who was magnificent here. Following on from his superb nominated performance in last years The Hurt Locker, Renner takes on another character who can't live with out violence. His presence is violent and scary, but there is still enough of a story in the man to make you like him. Let's just hope that Renner keeps up the roll he's been on of late, because I just can't seem to get enough of him.

THE VERDICT: The Town may not have the most original story, but the way it is made and performed is a brilliant example of fine filmmaking. Ben Affleck should just keep writing and directing movies.

What I hoped for:

What I got: