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Wine Country (2019)
another way to enjoy this
As Vandris reviewer says, this Netflix knock-off IS tough to watch - like many comedy movies that haven't been produced by actual comedians - as it does indeed try too hard for laughs and potential bonding moments with the characters, but I found that if you play spider solitaire while this movie is running in a smaller window in the top right on your computer screen it becomes infinitely more enjoyable
The Breaker Upperers (2018)
edgy, dry, dark and ridiculous
Funny NZ movie, don't be swayed by some poor reviews from people who likely prefer their humour served up American style rather than Antipodean, but I for one appreciate their edginess, no limits and ability to laugh at themselves very much indeed, I think its quality. This film doesnt come across low budget to me as some reviewers claim, I think its on point, well acted with laugh out loud bits in it. I love the fact the two main actors wrote, directed and starred in the film, which is about a business run by two friends who offer a service dumping peoples partners for them, the varied and extreme ways they go about it is at times too funny/shocking for words. Amongst many brilliant scenes there is a short but fab cameo near the beginning, a tinder date getting down to it played by the wonderful Jermaine Clement (What We Do in The Shadows, Men in Black 3). The whole film is edgy, dry, dark and ridiculous throughout - but not at all heavy. I thank the Lord above that we have such quality stuff coming from the other side of the world to lighten our northern hemispherical lives, Chris Lilley's Summer Heights High, No Activity, What We Do in The Shadows spring immediately to mind, and although this isn't quite the same caliber, it IS under the radar quality comedy and I can think of many worse ways to spend an hour and a half on a dark February evening in the UK.
Care (2018)
No no no, and it could have been so good.
Beautifully acted, Alison Steadman's portrayal of a dementia sufferer was faultless to the smallest detail - the small mewling noises she made to express herself broke my heart every time, gosh I know those... and Sheridan Smiths role was played equally well, you could feel her inner guilt when she coped less than perfectly, beautifully understated.
I made myself sit through this knowing how deeply it could affect me thinking it may be healthy for me to revisit, to open those dark cupboards you stuff full of the pain you go through being a carer for a parent with dementia, and for a while it was every bit as good as I would expect from Jimmy McGovern and this cast. Then towards the end it fell flat on its face.
The viewer is outrageously cheated with a happy ending when there ARE no happy endings with parental care because you don't just find the perfect care home like that, and the shoddy care homes are not revealed on the first day your parent moves in - they just aren't, and the staff don't suddenly come clean with you in reality, mistakes are hidden and remain hidden.. and - most outrageously of all - you don't find a sudden untapped source of financial support so you can put your loved one in the care home from heaven. The story just broke and then the realism became absurd and misplaced.
What a shame, this could have been absolute dynamite, but instead it feels like the greatest cop out I've ever seen from a drama with such a distinguished pedigree. I cant mark it as low as I feel it deserves in respect of the two main actors who did a grand job with what they had, but I feel like I've been sidelined, robbed and cheated, and so will all the many struggling family carers who go through to the bitter end. This drama portrays the 1% lottery winners. It tries to be real but it fails miserably, the handsome Prince comes along and sweeps Cinderella off her feet. We aren't children and this subject matter shouldn't be served up like a fairy story, its just plain wrong. Steadman and Smith's performances are wasted and in my opinion lead you to invest more than you really should.