mountainhutfilms Reviews

Criminal Record (2024– )

Just fails to hold your interest.

[24 February 2024]

Rather one dimensional representation of the two main characters neither of whom are particularly successful at engaging either your interest or your sympathy. The title sequence and music are the best part of this series. The two detectives played by Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo are annoying characters that speak in some kind of continuous monosyllabic tone. Intended one assumes to convey tension and drama but it just makes for an unrelenting dreary experience. I just failed to stay the course and stopped watching after a few episodes. Apple TV didn't do a very good job of curating this series which is all the more disappointing as the channel has a reputation for being very selective. What a disappointment especially when compared to the wonderful Slow Horses also on Apple TV.

The New Look (2024– )

The true story this is based on deserved a more serious treatment.

[23 February 2024]

Ben Mendelssohn and Juliette Binoche give fine believable performances in this series. As does Maisie Williams as Catherine the sister of Christian Dior. Maisie, is of course incredibly well-known from Game of Thrones. In this role she was so believable and her performance so subtle that initially I did not realise who the actress was and had assumed she was a young French actress chosen for the role. The production quality is impeccable with especially sumptuous locations. The serious is almost worth watching for that reason alone. But unfortunately this is all rather badly let down by a light treatment that too often lacks any convincing emotional intensity. As such it belongs more in the realm of escapism than the serious drama the (based on a true life) story of intense courage and love truly deserves.

The Lost Daughter (2021)

Strange Surreal Superfluous

[1 January 2022]

This film has a host of strange lost characters that don't feel as if they have any kind of grounding in reality. They seem to be focused on a surreal inner life that clouds their world and makes for a superfluous story. I think some of the main characters may have been miscast though I can't be sure as I haven't read the book. The film is held together by a beautiful subtle soundtrack and some intense absorbing cinematography which makes it worth watching for that alone.

The Unforgivable (2021)

Sandra Bullock is a fine actress and deserves a much storyline than this.

[12 December 2021]

Not so much unforgivable as unwatchable. Sandra Bullock is a very fine actress and deserves a much better storyline than this. An unpalatable concoction about revenge and redemption and violence.

The Power of the Dog (2021)

Intensely Dreary

[4 December 2021]

Afraid I didn't find this film either interesting or enjoyable. I'm at a loss to understand why anybody would bother to make a film with this dreary storyline.