The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

A Film Review

Copyright Dragan Antulov 2005

Despite all the continents being discovered and almost all territories being mapped, 20th Century had its share of great explorers. One of the best known was Jacques Cousteau (1910 - 1997), French naval officer whose enthusiasm for undersea exploration was matched by his filmmaking talent. He made great number of undersea documentaries and became one of the greatest scientific icons of 20th Century. Many artists paid him homage, including John Denver in one of his songs. The most spectacular homage so far is THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU, 2004 comedy directed by Wes Anderson.

The protagonist of the film is Steve Zissou (played by Bill Murray), Cousteau-like undersea explorer and documentary filmmaker who became famous by series of films depicting adventures of his research ship "Belafonte". However, the last expedition turned into disaster when his trusted assistant Esteban (played by Seymour Cassell) apparently got devoured by mythical Jaguar shark. Zissou spent years trying to get funding for new expedition, determined to find the monster and avenge his friend's death. New opportunity arises with the arrival of Ned (played by Owen Wilson), young airline pilot who claims to be his son. Zissou brings him on the ship together with Jane Winslett-Richardson (played by Cate Blanchett), pregnant British reporter who would chronicle the expedition.

Wes Anderson built his reputation on movies made in distinct style and populated by unusual characters. THE LIFE AQUATIC will maintain such reputation. Anderson made the film almost completely in long static shots that allow audience to enjoy good cinematography and impressive production and costume design. One of the most impressive shots gives cross section of Zisssou's ship. The acting in the film is great, especially in the case of Bill Murray who have collaborated with Anderson in RUSHMORE. Anderson also shows what creativity unburdened by Hollywood conventions can do - film owes much of its attraction and surreal atmosphere to stop motion animation of exotic sea creatures or use of Brazilian actor and singer Seu Jorge to cover David Bowie's songs in Portuguese.

THE LIFE AQUATIC is a film very different from what Hollywood accustomed audience to. Yet, those who aren't satisfied with films being merely unusual will find some flaws in it. The main problem is lack of humour, which could be devastating for a film that is supposed to be comedy. There are some hilarious scenes, but they occur relatively rarely, at inopportune moments. The pacing of the film is very slow, often drowned by dramatic scenes that don't make much of an impact and that includes melodramatic and very predictable ending. Some characters, like Zissou's wife, played by Anjelica Huston, are tragically underused while others, like Zissou's archrival played by Jeff Goldblum, could have been left on cutting room floor. It is sad to see such magnificent display of talents not weaved into coherent story, but this flaw shouldn't discourage anyone from watching THE LIFE AQUATIC.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

Mean Creek (2004)

A Film Review

Copyright Dragan Antulov 2005

One of the most annoying traits of modern Hollywood is in the trailers and their tendency to tell audience every important detail of the movies' plots. This phenomenon can affect both top Hollywood blockbusters and independent dramas. One of the examples of the latter is the trailer for MEAN CREEK, 2004 drama written and directed by Jacob Aaron Estes.

The plot of the film begins with Sam (played by Rory Culkin) being mercilessly bullied at school by George (played by Josh Peck), fat dyslexic who failed grade twice and uses his size to intimidate other pupils. When Sam complains about it to his older brother Rocky (played by Trevor Morgan), they devise a plan to lure George to a boat trip with other boys and then "teach him a lesson" through cruel practical joke. On the trip George reveals completely unknown and much more pleasant side of his character, so Sam has second thoughts and wants the "lesson" to be called off. But circumstances and characters conspire to end idyllic afternoon in tragedy.

Even those who haven't seen the trailer would find the plot of MEAN CREEK to be somewhat predictable. More disappointing is the plot's sudden and somewhat un-cathartic resolution. However, MEAN CREEK depends more on characters than plot, and this is where Jacob Aaron Estes' script and direction excel. Good camera work, idyllic Oregon locations and brilliant pacing are well-matched by the superb acting of young actors. Josh Peck had the most difficult task - he had to portray the character who was most obnoxious at the beginning only to garner sympathy at the end. Other actors were also very good, especially Rory Culkin and Carly Schroeder in a roles of young people forced to face difficult moral dilemmas young people were not supposed to face. Despite having some scenes that are very powerful in the less pleasant way, MEAN CREEK deserves recommendation as an example of everything that is good in American independent cinema.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

The Forgotten (2004)

A Film Review

Copyright Dragan Antulov 2005

Current box-office slump in North America could be attributed, among other things, to audience getting tired of promise in Hollywood trailers that never gets delivered in actual feature films. One of such undelivered promises is THE FORGOTTEN, 2004 thriller directed by Joseph Ruben.

Protagonist of this film is Telly Parretta (played by Julianne Moore), New York woman who still grieves over her son Sam (played by Christopher Kovaleski) who died in plane crash one year ago. Her husband Jim (played by Anthony Edwards) and psychotherapist Dr. Jack Munce (played by Gary Sinise) are trying to help her get through this difficult time. After a while Telly begins to noticing strange things - Sam's photographs begin to disappear from family albums and, when confronted about it, Jim claims that two of them never had a child and that her son was product of imagination. Telly's subsequent inquiry discover no traces of plane crash in the media but Ash Correll (played by Dominic West), a hockey player whose child also died, might give an answer whether she is affected by madness or something more sinister.

Basic idea of Gerald Di Pego's script wasn't particularly original, but it was a sound basis for what was supposed to be disturbing and intriguing thriller where the audience, just like the heroine, has to tackle different perceptions of reality. Joseph Ruben was capable director and Julianne Moore was surrounded by very talented cast of character actors. Unfortunately, Di Pego didn't have enough skill to maintain the high level of tension throughout the whole script, so he early opted to deprive the audience of any sense of wonder. The protagonist and the audience have an answer to their dilemmas delivered on silver platter and what follows afterwards is safe, predictable and lame plot with unsatisfying and un-cathartic resolution after which most viewers are going to feel cheated. Few films have title more deserving than THE FORGOTTEN.

RATING: 3/10 (+)

Cursed (2005)

A Film Review

Copyright Dragan Antulov 2005

Almost a decade ago Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson resurrected the horror genre in Hollywood with his SCREAM. Today it seems those two men are about to bury horror genre again. This impression might be gained from his latest film CURSED, written by Williamson and directed by Craven.

The plot is set in Los Angeles where television producer Ellie Myers (played by Christina Ricci) lives looks after her teenage brother Jimmy (played by Jesse Eisenberg) after their parent's death. One night at Mullholland Drive they get involved in traffic accident which escalates into something more sinister which would result with one woman brutally murdered and two of them bitten by something. While Ellie tries to ignore the incident, Jimmy notices changes in his unexplained changes in his physique and behaviour that transform him from high school nerd into high school jock. Jimmy is convinced that two of them are about to transform to werewolves and the only way to stop the curse is finding and killing the werewolf that infected them.

There is growing consensus, even the most sympathetic critics, of CURSED being one of the worst films the careers of Craven and Williamson. What looked refreshing one decade ago now turns into routine combination of cliches, cheap pop culture references and plot twists that can't surprise even the least experienced viewer. Even worse is complete waste of talents - otherwise effective comedienne Judy Greer almost ruins film with her obnoxious and unfunny character and empty dialogue lines, while the rest of cast is lacking any enthusiasm for the roles. Craven's direction is often uninspired, apart from the scene when a character played by Mya gets attacked by werewolf.

Craven and Williamson, on the other hand, have some arguments in defence of their reputation. The production was plagued by technical difficulties, creative conflicts, actors walking out from set, constant re-shootings and re-editing and unfavourable reactions at the test screenings. In the end studio decided to cut film in order to receive PG-13 rating, thus making CURSED more confusing and allowing Craven and Williamson to disown the project. However, film whose authors require so many excuses doesn't deserve an audience.

The Gathering (2002)

A Film Review

Copyright Dragan Antulov 2005

The saddest thing about today's state of genre movies is filmmakers' tendency to waste excellent ideas in mediocre scripts. One of such examples could be found in THE GATHERING, 2002 British horror film directed by Brian Gilbert.

The plot begins in small English town when a young couple dies in gruesome accident that would unearth 1st Century AD church. Simon Kirkman (played by Simon Dillane) is a scientist entrusted by Church to examine the find. At the same time his wife Marion (played by Kerry Fox) drives a car and accidentally hits American tourist Cassie Grant (played by Christina Ricci). Young woman miraculously avoids serious injuries, but she loses memory and Marion brings her to her home in order to help her recover. There Cassie begins to experience frightening visions of violence, while the sinister-looking strangers begin to appear in town.

THE GATHERING is based on the script by Anthony Horrowitz, British writer best known for the popular TV series FOYLE'S WAR. This should have guaranteed an interesting thriller, because Horrowitz knows how to handle complex plots. The idea behind the plot was original and the beginning indicates that THE GATHERING might turn out to be above average horror thriller. Unfortunately, the great mystery is revealed long time before film's end, leaving the otherwise capable actors and director Gilbert to wrestle with formulaic and predictable finale, which is at the same time full of plot holes and implausibilities. Gilbert directed film very well and THE GATHERING indeed features some memorable scenes and images. Unfortunately, the huge gathering of talents and obvious effort invested in this film only makes the general impression more disappointing.

RATING: 4/10 (+)

Backbeat (1995)

A Film Review

Copyright Dragan Antulov 2005

In today's image-dominated world many celebrities found immortality through early death. James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, Che Guevara and John Lennon are just some of the examples - people who became deities because, rather than in spite of their early demise. Sometimes that phenomenon can benefit people by mere accident. One of such tales is a BACKBEAT, 1995 biographical drama directed by Iain Softley.

The plot of the film begins in 1960 Liverpool when young and aspiring painter Stuart Sutcliffe (played by Stephen Dorff) happens to be the best friend of an aspiring rock and roll musician John Lennon (played by Ian Hart). Sutcliffe buys bass guitar and joins Lennon and the rest of the band called Beatles when they travel to Hamburg in order to perform in seedy clubs of Hamburg. The life is hard but fun, but Sutcliffe begins to have doubts about being in the band, especially after encounter with group of German beatniks that includes photographer Astrid Kirchher (played by Sheryl Lee). Sutcliffe falls in love with her and although she helps Beatles in developing their look, other band members, especially Paul McCartney (played by Gary Bakewell) use that affair as an argument to eject Sutcliffe from band. While Lennon tries to stand behind his best friend, Sutcliffe gradually decides to turn to painting rather than rock and roll music.

While the story of the "fifth Beatle" might not be of much interest to the Beatles fans, it is nevertheless a very good excuse for Softley to reconstruct the early years of the world's best known rock and roll band. The casting is somewhat unusual - American actors Stephen Dorff and Sheryl Lee play English and German character, respectively - but very effective. Ian Hart, a native of Liverpool, is very convincing in the role of Lennon. The other period details - clothes and scenery - are also in the film, despite the relatively low budget. The biggest problem for BACKBEAT is the simplistic plot which just happens to end when the other, more important, story was only about to begin. But the ending of this solid, and for the most part, fascinating reconstruction of the rock history only points to the tragic irony of immortality being achieved through early death.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

A Film Review

Copyright Dragan Antulov 2005

The very things elevates one film into a classic can sink another into oblivion. 1962 version of THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE became timeless by being a product of its time. 2004 remake, directed by Jonathan Demme, is going to sink into oblivion by being a product of its time.

The script by Daniel Pyne and Dean Georgaris adapted original Cold War plot of Richard Condon's novel into the modern setting. The film begins in 1991, during first Gulf War, when a US Army patrol commanded by Captain Bennett Marco (played by Denzel Washington) gets ambushed by Iraqis. In a confusing battle Staff Sergeant Raymond Shaw (played by Liev Schrieber) heroically rescues his comrades from certain death and later receives Medal of Honour that would ultimately launch his political career. Years later Major Marco is troubled by nightmares that suggest that something quite different happen, and he begins to doubt his own memories when another survivors confront him with the tales of identical nightmare. In the meantime, Eleanor Shaw (played by Meryl Streep), Shaw's overambitious mother and powerful US senator, manipulates Democratic Party into choosing her son for vice-presidential candidate. While the campaign intensifies, Marco conducts his own investigation and discovers that he, Shaw and every other unit member was brainwashed by scientists employed by Manchurian Global, powerful multinational corporation.

The original version of THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE became popular film by exploiting Cold War paranoia of American public. New version tries to do the same with War on Terror, but with less coherence and less success. Instead of global terrorists, the ultimate villains in this film are multinational corporations who use terrorism to get rich and powerful at the expense of American public and democratic institutions. This isn't surprising, since those corporations are often viewed as major sponsors and ultimate masters of Republican Party. While not mentioning his name, the film uses every opportunity to attack George W. Bush and his policies. This isn't surprising because the release of film occurred during 2004 presidential campaign. By presenting dystopic vision of USA as paranoid, semi-totalitarian country few steps away from total corporate control, makers of THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE obviously tried to convince voters to remove Bush from the White House.

Unfortunately, the attempt to make new THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE politically relevant ruined the film. The holes of the original plot look like unbridgeable chasms in the new version. Script doesn't explain why would multinational businessmen would bother with expensive, long, risky and ultimately impractical mind control procedures when politicians could be kept on a leash through more traditional, simpler and safer methods like ordinary corruption. Many scenes that looked shocking in the original look ridiculous in new version, while the ending is mother of all disappointments.

Not all scenes in the film are bad. Some of the dialogues in the film are intriguing and the acting is good, especially in the case of Liev Schrieber who is almost better than Laurence Harvey in the original version. Denzel Washington, on the other hand, isn't that effective, while Meryl Streep with all her talent simply couldn't match the intensity of Angela Lansbury in 1962 version. Even without unavoidable comparisons with the original, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE is a disappointment. It is also one of the worst remakes to come from Hollywood in recent years. And, considering average quality of Hollywood remakes in recent years, this tells a lot why THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE failed in 2004, together with the cause it had supported.

RATING: 3/10 (+)