Set in 1962 Los Angeles, Tom Ford's film 'A Single Man' covers the anguish and loss felt by George Falconer, played by Colin Firth, when his long time partner Jim (Matthew Goode) is killed in a car accident on an icy road. There is much in the pathos as well as the moments of humour in this screen adaptation of Christopher Isherwood's novel.
There are times when Firth appears to have no more depth or substance than his character Bridget Jone's Diary or, indeed, the sequel. However, his attempts to lock himself away and subsequently to attempt suicide are masterly. Here is a veneer of comedy not quite masking George's desire to ensure his departure is documented and orderly. This is not slapstick, but the actions of a man finally feeling there is no place to go and nobody who can help him.
Firth is ably supported by the talented Julianne Moore as his neighbour Charley and long time love - a 48 year old beauty wrestling with her own questions about the future – and Nicolas Hoult who plays Kenney one of George's students.
It'll be interesting to guage the reaction to this film in the UK. According to a Rumanian journalist I talked with, this film is very important to the gay community in that country. Ford, however, points out that this film transcends sexuality: “This is a love story about one man's search of meaning in his life. The theme is universal.”
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Friday, 11 September 2009
The Men Who Stare in Venice
Amid great fuss and confusion George Clooney et al made it to the press conference (open only to the daily press so everyone else got locked out, again). As usual the conference was packed with autograph hunters and amateur snappers only interested in the celebs.
This is a sad facet of the Mostra scene and one the organisers need to address, though complaining results in zero action. For some reason the view appears to be that anything other than the daily press doesn't count – not reflected in the cost of the accreditation I might add.
Clooney was here to talk about his latest film 'The Men Who Stare at Goats'. Sadly the daily press failed to ask anything resembling a sensible question and seemed more entertained by the antics of Italian tv presonality Mauro Casciari who stripped to his underwear in a vain attempt to amuse/disrupt the press conference.
The film itself is a romp through the screenplay of Jon Ronson's book of the same name. Though he says that more than half of it is true we are still left with the feeling that the US military are dafter than we may have thought to start with. Worth seeing for a relaxing, fun-filled, hour or so.
This is a sad facet of the Mostra scene and one the organisers need to address, though complaining results in zero action. For some reason the view appears to be that anything other than the daily press doesn't count – not reflected in the cost of the accreditation I might add.
Clooney was here to talk about his latest film 'The Men Who Stare at Goats'. Sadly the daily press failed to ask anything resembling a sensible question and seemed more entertained by the antics of Italian tv presonality Mauro Casciari who stripped to his underwear in a vain attempt to amuse/disrupt the press conference.
The film itself is a romp through the screenplay of Jon Ronson's book of the same name. Though he says that more than half of it is true we are still left with the feeling that the US military are dafter than we may have thought to start with. Worth seeing for a relaxing, fun-filled, hour or so.
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Monday in Venice was definitely Oliver Stone Day.
Oliver Stone, never one to shirk controversy, premiered his new film 'South of the Border' amid tumultuous applause and a standing ovation both before and after the showing. The film shows Stone travelling around the countries of South America, beginning with the so-called dictatorship of Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela. He talks openly about Chavez to the other heads of state including Evo Morales (Bolivia), Nester Kirchner (former President of Argentina) and Cristina Kirchner, his glamorous wife and now President.
This is an interesting documentary focusing mostly on the reaction of both the US government and the US media to Chavez in particular, but most of the other countries and the influence of the IMF and DEA. Is this a huge PR whitewash for South America – highly doubtful – or a nieve look at latin politics by Stone?
Adding weight to his film Stone appeared on the red carpet with Hugo Chavez in person, the first time a head of state has come to the Lido to watch himself in a movie. Both received a rapturous welcome. Heavy security, riot police on hand and the usual delays all added to the tension and a fair amount of anti-American feeling in the cinema. Appearing on screen and also claiming screenwriting credits was our own Tariq Ali – 60's political extremist, always at the head of a protest! Nice to see him gainfully employed.
Later - George Clooney and Ewan McGregor.
This is an interesting documentary focusing mostly on the reaction of both the US government and the US media to Chavez in particular, but most of the other countries and the influence of the IMF and DEA. Is this a huge PR whitewash for South America – highly doubtful – or a nieve look at latin politics by Stone?
Adding weight to his film Stone appeared on the red carpet with Hugo Chavez in person, the first time a head of state has come to the Lido to watch himself in a movie. Both received a rapturous welcome. Heavy security, riot police on hand and the usual delays all added to the tension and a fair amount of anti-American feeling in the cinema. Appearing on screen and also claiming screenwriting credits was our own Tariq Ali – 60's political extremist, always at the head of a protest! Nice to see him gainfully employed.
Later - George Clooney and Ewan McGregor.
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Master Class from the Pixar team
Animation still very much the flavour of the day with a special Disney*Pixar Animation Master Class on two sessions. The first, held in Sala Perla in the main Casino building. featured the whole D*P team lead by John Lasseter.
Director Andrew Stanton began with story structure and screenwriting. He was follwed by Brad Bird, Lee Unkrich and, finally, editor Pete Docter before Lasseter completed the picture with a run down on the final animation. Dedicated to the Pixar filmmaking it covered the whole process of bringing stories to life.
For those who think computer animation is much easier than the old Disney drawn animation – think again. This was 2.5 hours well spent and was, according to Lasseter, a first and unlikely to be repeated event. Apparently getting all the directors of Disney*Pixar together at one time is no mean feat.
A special Panel Discussion for would-be animation film makers was held in the afternoon.
Some of Mondays arrivals by land, sea and air (anything to avoid the cameras) were George A Romero (Survival of the Dead), Ethan Hawke (Brooklyn's Finest) and George Clooney and Ewan McGregor (The Men Who Stare at Goats). Films to follow.
Director Andrew Stanton began with story structure and screenwriting. He was follwed by Brad Bird, Lee Unkrich and, finally, editor Pete Docter before Lasseter completed the picture with a run down on the final animation. Dedicated to the Pixar filmmaking it covered the whole process of bringing stories to life.
For those who think computer animation is much easier than the old Disney drawn animation – think again. This was 2.5 hours well spent and was, according to Lasseter, a first and unlikely to be repeated event. Apparently getting all the directors of Disney*Pixar together at one time is no mean feat.
A special Panel Discussion for would-be animation film makers was held in the afternoon.
Some of Mondays arrivals by land, sea and air (anything to avoid the cameras) were George A Romero (Survival of the Dead), Ethan Hawke (Brooklyn's Finest) and George Clooney and Ewan McGregor (The Men Who Stare at Goats). Films to follow.
Monday, 7 September 2009
Animation hits the Lido
The Lido went Disney Pixar mad on Sunday with the appearance of the top team headed by John Lasseter.
With balloons and giveaways, for the hundreds of kids thronging the outside of the Sala Grande, it was Toy Story, Bugs Life, Monsters Inc etc in every direction.
Lasseter made a guest appearance waving and beaming to a packet cinema prior to the first showing of Toy Story 3D. Predictably late with almost everything the organisers eventually handed out the 3D glasses to rapturous applause.
Sadly, around 100 journalists and cinema professionals were kept out of the presentations that followed despite endless queuing. This was made all the more upsetting in view of the large number of empty seats seen on the subsequent TV coverage of the event by those forced to watch from the press area.
With balloons and giveaways, for the hundreds of kids thronging the outside of the Sala Grande, it was Toy Story, Bugs Life, Monsters Inc etc in every direction.
Lasseter made a guest appearance waving and beaming to a packet cinema prior to the first showing of Toy Story 3D. Predictably late with almost everything the organisers eventually handed out the 3D glasses to rapturous applause.
Sadly, around 100 journalists and cinema professionals were kept out of the presentations that followed despite endless queuing. This was made all the more upsetting in view of the large number of empty seats seen on the subsequent TV coverage of the event by those forced to watch from the press area.
Sunday, 6 September 2009
First days at the Mostra
The 66th Mostra kicked off with an Italian film Baaria directed by Giuseppe Tornature. There was a predicatable lack of Holywood personalities - something that is likely to remain unchanged as this year's festival centres on the Italian cinema.
Interestingly there are a number of Werner Herzog films scattered throughout the 12 days including Bad Lietenant: Port of Call New Orleans, La Boheme and My Som, My Son, What Have Ye Done. The latter,presented by David Lynch, is a 2009 Academy Aawrd Nominee featuring William Defoe in a story of ancient myth and madness inspired by true events.
Today sees John Lasseter honoured for his contribution to animation.
Interestingly there are a number of Werner Herzog films scattered throughout the 12 days including Bad Lietenant: Port of Call New Orleans, La Boheme and My Som, My Son, What Have Ye Done. The latter,presented by David Lynch, is a 2009 Academy Aawrd Nominee featuring William Defoe in a story of ancient myth and madness inspired by true events.
Today sees John Lasseter honoured for his contribution to animation.
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