My worst month ever for blogging with no posts since my April movie of the month. Having only seen eight movies, I can’t claim to have been busy watching films, here are the eight contenders:
Tully – I know it is as fashionable now to dislike Diablo Cody, as it was fashionable to like her a decade ago, but I still like her writing, especially when combined with director Jason Reitman (Juno and Young Adult). Set in the days leading up-to the arrival of her third child, and the weeks following the birth, Charlize Theron plays Marlo. Her rich brother with an annoyingly perfect wife/life hires a night nanny to help her cope. Enter Tully (Mackenzie Davis), a free-spirited 21st century Mary Poppins. From here things go exactly how you would expect for a while. To say any more would be a spoiler, going in with as little knowledge as possible would be best. Another reminder that Charlize Theron is one of the best working actors in Hollywood.
Journeyman – We join World middleweight boxing champion Matty Burton (Paddy Considine) as he is about to defend his title. The Journeyman of the title, Burton appears to have had a long career with lots of fights. We learn little snippets about his back story rather than being given swathes of exposition. What follows is powerful and emotional movie that is about a lot more than boxing. Given this is Paddy Considine’s second films as a director, I should be talking about his directing, however, his fantastic performance is the heart of the film. Jodie Whittaker is also brilliant as Considine’s wife. I am looking forward to whatever Considine decides to do next.
Breaking In – You have seen it all before, a typical home invasion movie that offers nothing new or inventive. This is probably why it is getting sniffy reviews. However, it does offer a little more than that. It is straight home invasion movie that doesn’t rely on a high concept, twist ending or shoehorning a 2nd genre. The plot doesn’t rely too much on characters making stupid choices. It has a perfect B movie 88 minute runtime. And best of all it has Gabrielle Union who is fantastic in the leading role. On the downside; the villains are one dimensional archetypes, and the setup is a little slow.
Revenge – You can’t go into a film called Revenge without having an idea of what it is going to be about. When the cast is made up of an attractive girl and three older men, the rest of the story becomes clear. But there is another factor, the writer/director is a woman, Coralie Fargeat. The setup and much of the plot are by the numbers, as is the cameras gaze, but it changes as the film progresses. The results are violent and bloody, very bloody. The film doesn’t have anything new or profound to say, buy it also isn’t as empty and shallow as the synopsis suggests.
Deadpool 2 – If you have seen the first film, you will know what to expect. By definition it lacks the originality, but is as funny as the original. The greatest revelation is Zazie Beetz who is excellent as Domino. I wouldn’t mind seeing a third installment, but also wouldn’t be bothered if this is the last one.
Filmworker – After appearing in Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon Leon Vitali gave up acting and essential became Kubrick’s assistant. Filmworker is Vitali’s bizarre, extraordinary story. Essential viewing for fans of Stanley Kubrick, probably of little interest to others.
Solo: A Star Wars Story – Like many, I didn’t want this movie to be made. Han Solo works better as a character with a shady back-story, there is no millage in exploring it. Having said that, taken on its own merits the film is good. It works as a space action adventure that George Lucas intended with the first film, and uniquely in the franchise (except the original film) it stands on its own and can be enjoyed without any other prior knowledge of the series. Alden Ehrenreich is really good in the lead and the rest of the cast are also strong. You can’t see the joins between the original and replacement directors. However, I have to go back to my original problem, why make this film, why not make new film about a new character in the universe?
On Chesil Beach – I love Ian McEwan’s novel On Chesil Beach. Told in flashback using two first person narratives and containing a lot of inner monologue, it was always going to be a tough film to adapt. In some ways McEwan is the worst person to adapt the story, in other, he is the worst person to do it. The result is largely faithful to the story and the themes of the novel, it loos sensational and is really well acted, but just lacks the emotional weight of the novel. 
We have to go back to the start of the month for my winner, edging out Revenge by a whisker, my Movie of the Month is Tully.
Fandango Groovers Movie Blog 