spratton Reviews

Akenfield (1974)

Powerful, though not easy

[8/10 · 23 January 2011]

Until now in 2011 I had not seen this film, and I am pleased and surprised to learn that so many millions watched it when it was first released. I already knew the book, of course. This was in a way my father's life; he saw the ending of the worst years, 1933 onwards, working on Suffolk farms, and his own stories matched this film exactly. He, like "Tom", might have gone on to a good school, but there was no money for that, and he started at age 14 on a Suffolk farm, living-in, "all found" and no wages at all for the first year. Luckily he was offered part time training at Chadacre Agricultural Institute, and became a skilled farm worker, herdsman, shepherd, and eventually a farm manager. "Boy" was his normal term of address or description for anyone. "Old boy from Swaffham" could mean a 15-year old or a pensioner. "There was no fat on them old boys" was how he described the men he worked with 75 years ago.

The film stuck to what it was like. There was no acting then, or in this film, just people saying things through the day, and always trying to settle or resolve all troubles with proverbs and sayings and mottoes. A closed world, really. The leaving was so difficult and so simple, so treacherous --- how dare you? Not like other films, but the story deserved to be told, and told just like this is. I'd like to thjank Peter Hall for making this film.

Martin Chuzzlewit (1994)

Packed with character, humour, wit,

[10/10 · 15 January 2011]

What an ensemble cast, every one committed and enthusiastic, every one knowing their Dickens, too! Tom Wilkinson is superb --- an actor of many roles, but in this he is fantastic as Pecksniff. Young Martin is perfect (I once saw Ben Walden in Julius Caesar at the Globe)--- a rather spoiled and righteous young man whose tantrums reminded me of Daniel Day Lewis's tantrums in THE NAME OF THE FATHER! Hardest to accept right off are the two Pecksniff sisters, but that's because they are so Dickensian and we are simply no longer accustomed to women being portrayed this way. In the 'small roles', Joan Sims as Betsy Prigg, Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs Gamp, and Graham Stark as Nadgett -- all hugely-experienced veterans of British broadcasting --- are pure gold. This production did the best it could with such a long book, in dealing with the American episodes -- mostly via letters being read. Nothing more could be done to resolve this difficulty. The late Pete Postlethwaite is a juicy Montague Tigg, as villainous as Keith Allen is terrifying in his Jonas role. There is not a bad casting in it, so let's finish by praising Philip Frank as Tom Pinch -- a role he does so well, so honestly, so unembarrassed, that his many other later appearances on TV are a shock (eg police inspector in "Heartbeat".

Screen Two: Northanger Abbey (1987) Season 3, Episode 7

Not much conviction or enthusiasm in the acting ---

[3/10 · 15 January 2011]

--- and the direction was, well, cheesy. Katherine Schlesinger overdid the Gothic naive --- her features are probably enough for that, without more animation. Robert Hardy, normally a swashbuckling fit for these roles, did not seem to be committed. Yes, it was an inexpensive television piece, and perhaps that also emphasizes the quality difference between this and "Movie" Austens. I have not yet seen the 2007 version, whose cast includes the excellent Sylvestraa le Touzel. Overall, sorry but disappointing; I felt no drama or suspense, and enjoyed no wit in this film. It's possible that over the last 20 years, British adaptations of Austen and Bronte have set a standard (direction, acting, production) and also a "style" that renders other versions unsympathetic.

Screen Two: Persuasion (1995) Season Unknown, Episode Unknown

Perfect ensemble performance

[10/10 · 13 January 2011]

It is hard to name another film in which every single actor is cast so well and performs so well. Even the "smallest" roles are a treat. A miracle. And watching Amanda Root reminds me of that wonderful assertion by Judi Dench: "Acting isn't what you say; it's what you don't say," --- and Amanada Root can speak volumes without a word. The Musgrove family, and their home, constitute everyone's favourite dream of English rural paradise; and at every viewing I am riveted by that fabulous carpet. Charles Musgrove is so beautifully acted --- yes, you know he is a bit of a fool and insensitive, but you love him for his heartfelt honesty and generosity. Likewise, Admiral and Mrs Croft --- the married couple everyone wishes to be. When Mrs Croft (Fiona Shaw, a genius)is regaling the dinner party with her memories of home and sea, John Woodvine, as the admiral, is visible in the background, listening quietly, not looking at her, but permitting himself an exquisite, reticent, almost humble smile of contented happiness. There is not a single weakness in this wonderful PERSUASION.

Land and Freedom (1995)

Our proxy in an uncivil war

[9/10 · 29 July 2010]

The striking perspective in Ken Loach's films seems to be that the characters are just like us --- they are struggling to get clear and articulate their thoughts as they go along --- they haven't learned a smooth script. Ian Hart as Liverpudlian "Dave Carr" is marvellous; it could be you or me, on the ground right then and there, having to say something very important, and trying to convey it across another language. The reality of war and revolution, in which everyone has slightly different ideas, as opposed to being an absurdly 'unified' body, is starkly presented.

I could have done without the sexism and swear words, though I've no doubt they were there too, especially among insecure men in macho roles.

The "household debate" in the evicted landowner's house, is a marvel. I haven't read up the screenplay, but any viewer would swear that fifteen people were shoved (gently!) into that room and told to "debate it", with no guidance and no script --- but of course that's what all Loach films look like.

Powerful; and the almost wordless granddaughter in Liverpool, appearing at the start and the end of the film --- Suzanne Maddock, is absolutely convincing: on the surface uninformed, but at the very end (I did tag the spoiler), her brief salute at the graveside bowled me over ---- powerful unexpected stuff.

Heart Like a Wheel (1983)

It's not about the cars, it's about the woman

[9/10 · 28 July 2010]

A gem. Pretty much ignored when it came out, because the industry tried to push it as a "hot rod movie" which it is not. Bonnie Bedelia gives a brilliant performance (apparently race folks who knew Muldowney believed she appeared as herself in a couple of scenes!). Film and TV seldom succeed in portraying auto racing; but that doesn't matter here because it doesn't pretend to. The movie has the same spirit as BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM; a young woman facing down family and society in order to fight and win in her chosen field. At the end, you will want to pump your fist and cheer, the way I saw a cinema audience do for the recent Beckham piece. Also, some quite heart-piercing moments when Muldowney's ambition and drive and hard shell fall apart from love and betrayal. Beau Bridges loves his role as a boozy cynical scoundrel, and what fun singer Hoyt Axton must have had doing his thing. 1960 out on the Depot Road near Schenectady --- that's what it was like!

Mostly Martha (2001)

Mature, loving, heartbreaking, life-affirming; and a good movie too

[9/10 · 28 July 2010]

European cinema seems able to draw upon some excellent actors, who perform on screen without an audience thinking "oh, they are actors". This movie is witty, and painful, and musical ---- you will be humming or attempting the words of that Italian song! Martha the chef is workaholic in a way we all recognize and are not repelled by. Her scenes with the therapist are great comedy. The restaurant-kitchen scenes surpass anything I have previously seen in any movie --- thrilling, absorbing, completely enthralling. I don't know why Hollywood wanted to re-hash this top-drawer movie into a B-entertainment piece under a silly title. I have watched MOSTLY MARTHA perhaps six or seven times and will certainly repeat the pleasure. After I first saw it in a movie theatre, I walked out asking my companion "Why can't all movies be as genuine as this?"

Waiting for the Moon (1987)

One of the greatest "small" films I've ever watched and re-watched

[10/10 · 28 July 2010]

What a gem this is. Out of the blue, a perfect partnership between Linda Hunt as Alice B. Toklas, and the far too underrated Linda Basset as Gertrude Stein. Watching this film is like a dream, and you completely suspend disbelief about some (deliberate) anachronisms. I have watched this so many times and cannot be bored. As well as being visually beautiful and intellectually witty, the two woman spar and jostle, sometimes angrily, for room in their relationship. But their love, devotion, and admiration for each other never wavers. Quite amazing. I am so glad that the DVD release offers a thorough commentary by Jill Godmilow the director --- we discover that Jacques Boudet's charming-cute diction as Appollinaire stems from the fact that he understands no English and learned his scripted lines phonetically!). The only negative: the soundtrack for some outdoor scenes is unclear. 10 out of 10. I will watch this lovely contemplation of Alice and Gretrude all my life.

The Bofors Gun (1968)

Disturbing and suspenseful drama

[8/10 · 28 July 2010]

A star cast, considering it was made so long ago. A gruelling night watching the impossible struggle of a newly-promoted lance bombardier supervising an unhappy guard hut in a gun park in a British-occupation base in Germany, on a bitter winter night. Does it sound like fun to you? I am put in mind of Kipling's poem about the young recruit in a similar classic situation: (roughly:) "And now he's half of nothing, and all a private yet, And his room they ups and rags him to see what they will get. They rags him low and cunning, each dirty trick they can. But he learns to sweat his temper and he learns to sweat his man."

Brilliant portrayals of the characters and an unflinching view of what Army life is like, marooned in camp and beset by rules. You'll need a stiff drink after this one!

Run Lola Run (1998)

Fun and serious and thought provoking

[10/10 · 31 August 2008]

I've just watched LOLA for the fourth time, enjoyed it even more, and expect to enjoy it again in the future. There is nothing trendy or frivolous to distract from the theme of hope, love, belief, determination and acceptance of chance.

Franka Potente is marvelous; watching this strong woman pounding through the city is totally absorbing. I've seen plenty of "running movies" in which the actual running was of no interest.

Her boyfriend Manni is marvelous: kind of dumb but absolutely genuine, and doing his very best.

The "what-if" / "possible futures" clips that attach to other characters are marvelous. The action is non-stop, which is why I still spot new things, even on a fourth viewing. I always feel better after watching Lola. Something about German movies is so honest about character (eg MOSTLY MARTHA), that you naturally empathize with them.