In America (Working Title) (Ireland, 2002, Jim Sheridan, director): A bit of a fairytale, about an Irish family who move to New York City after the tragic death of one of their children. Hokey in places, but utterly moving, due mainly to some excellent performances. Samantha Morton (again, though, not much talking!), Paddy Considine, and especially miraculous performances from real-life sisters Emma and Sarah Bolger. They were at the screening and received a standing ovation. The story is told from 10-year old Christie’s (Sarah Bolger) perspective, and she captured all the nuances of a child who has both lost her brother and been called upon to hold the rest of her family together. Plus, she sings beautifully! 6-year old Ariel (Emma Bolger) is just incredibly funny and cute. The introduction of Djimon Hounsou as their initially scary neighbour was where the story veered into cliche, but overall, a finely acted and emotionally involving story. An added bonus is a soundtrack by Gavin Friday and Maurice Seezer, who also scored Sheridan’s last film, The Boxer. (Note: The title of this film may turn out to be East of Harlem, which is how it is listed at IMDB, though the director still hadn’t made up his mind.) 8.5/10
Reading is Fundamental, President Bush
I know he don’t read good, but I think President Bush should read James Fallows’ article in the upcoming November issue of The Atlantic before he goes off invading. You should read it, too.
Haiku Contest Winner
Well, I’m at work and can’t actually post the winner yet, but a winner has been determined, along with 15 (yes, 15!) Honourable Mentions. Look for a full posting before the weekend is out. I’ll need to notify the lucky one first…
Wednesday Films
OT: Our Town (USA, 2002, Scott Hamilton Kennedy, director): What happens when Dominguez High School in Compton, California decides to put on a school play for the first time in twenty years? This documentary reveals all. This is an experience so genuine and thrilling, so full of real characters and real drama, that you’d think it would be a dramatic feature (ie. a made-up story). Despite less than perfect video and sound quality, this impeccably-edited documentary pulls us into the lives of a group of talented, creative high school students in a place mostly known for “gangsta rap.” 9/10
A Peck On The Cheek (India, 2002, Mani Ratnam, director): This is the first Indian film I’ve seen in the Tamil language, and while it does share some similarities with other Indian films (wonderful music and choreography, sweeping storyline), the director attempts more than just to entertain. The film tells the story of Amudha, a precocious nine-year old whose parents reveal to her that she was adopted, thus beginning an odyssey that takes them all from India to war-torn Sri Lanka. Gorgeous visuals mix with horrifying scenes of violence expressly to make a point, though it is a simplistic one. Amudha is played by P.S. Keerthana, and she is one of the few child actors I’ve seen who can be precocious and yet not annoying. Her charm and beauty held the film together. 9/10