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Jennifer Aniston, Aaron Eckhart, Martin Sheen, Dan Fogler, Judy Greer, dir. Brandon Camp, 2009, Cert. 12 MonkeyScore: 70%
You may think from the title, leads and cover art that Love Happens is a straight up rom-com cynically served in time for Valentine's Day. Yet despite appearances this is hardly the case as 'rom-com' implies 'comedy' which this is not by any stretch. Sweet, moving and romantic - yes, no question there. Funny? Not really. You may smile at times but you're more likely to choke back a few tears than laugh out loud. It's not quite Terms of Endearment, so a basic supply of tissue should suffice, but do not expect Notting Hill or Bridget Jones. Once this minor misconception is cleared, Love Happens does what it does very well indeed. Eckhart excels at playing both the seemingly confident motivational speaker and the broken man that hides just under the surface. Aniston basically plays herself, gorgeous and intelligent but unlucky in love thirty something: it doesn't really stretch her acting abilities but she's just about perfect in the role. The only comic relief comes from the excellent Judy Greer, cast as Eloise's confidante, and Dan Fogler, who plays Burke's agent. A bittersweet treat of a film, perfect for cuddling up to a loved one on a quiet night in. We have 2 copies of the Love Happens DVD for you to win to in our competition this week.
Paper Heart (out 08 February 10, Cert.PG)
Charlyne Yi, Jake Johnson, Michael Cera, dir. Nicholas Jasenovec, 2009, cert. PG MonkeyScore: 65% Young Charlyne (Charlyne Yi) says she does not believe in the concept of love, at least as defined by Hollywood. With director friend Nick (Jake Johnson) she embarks on a road trip across the US to talk to various people, documentary-style, about their experience of love, and starts a relationship with actor Michael Cera. Paper Heart approaches its subject matter with fresh eyes. It features off-the-cuff interviews from people from all walks of life, candidly opening up to comedienne Charlyne. The people picked by the production team are both moving and colourful - and their intimate testimonies are given a tasteful treatment. The decision to have director Nick played by Jake Johnson, however, was questionable: this is no reflection on the actor's ability or the way the part is written - but the very fact that the part is written. The film is about Charlyne and her director friend Nick - scripted and played by an actor - going around the States to shoot a real documentary piece. The addition of the hugely talented Michael Cera to the mix - Charlyne's real-life boyfriend at the time the film was shot - only adds to the confusion. By mixing the real-life characters interviewed by Charlyne about true love and her own fantasy journey of discovery the audience is at times left a bit bewildered. A very cute, if slightly confusing, slice of indie film-making. |
Go Fast (out 08 February 10, Cert.15) Olivier Gourmet, Roschdy Zem, Jocelyn Laguarrigue, Julie Durand, dir. Olivier van Hoofstadt, 2008, Cert. 15, in French with subtitles MonkeyScore: 68% French cop Marek (Roschdy Zem) has developed a major chip on his Gallic shoulder since his partner / mentor was gunned down by drug traffickers. He gets a transfer that may come in handy to quench his thirst for vengeance, assigned to a new undercover narcotics unit. Marek is tasked with infiltrating and taking down a drug
gang that imports hashish from Morocco via Spain using the "Go Fast" method (simply put, they use supercars, speedboats etc to outrun the police.) Following from the quirky comedy Dikkenek, his debut feature, director Olivier van Hoofstadt has graduated straight to Hollywood territory with Go Fast, at least in spirit. On paper the film is a no brainer - high octane action flick à la Fast & Furious, with fast cars, fast criminals and fast cops. In reality van Hoofstadt managed to keep the proceedings distinctly continental. While the action moves at great speed without much originality in the story line, no apologies is made: do not expect lengthy tirades explaining motives and back story interfering with the pace. The end result is actually quite enjoyable. Go Fast is not philosophically deep, but as the film has no such pretensions it works fine for what it is: a bit of fun, with nice looking cars and great chases. We have 3 copies of Go Fast DVD up for grabs in our competition this week.
Disgrace (out 08 February 10, Cert.15) John Malkovich, Jessica Haines, Eriq Ebouaney, dir. Steve Jacobs, 2009, cert. 15 MonkeyScore: 72% The life of professor David Lurie (John Malkovich) is about to take a drastic change for the worse in post-Apartheid South Africa. An indiscretion with college student Melanie (Antoinette Engel) loses him his position, and he moves in with gay daughter Lucy (Jessica Haines.) Lucy is farming in the Eastern Cape bush, with the help of trusted neighbour Petrus (Eriq Ebouaney.) A vicious attack in which Lucy is raped opens David's eyes on his past conduct, and he seeks forgiveness from Melanie and her family. Based on J.M. Coetzee's austere novel of the same name, Disgrace is an unforgiving film. A lesser actor than John Malkovich may have been tempted to overplay the professor either in his wickedness or search for redemption. Instead he plays David Lurie with such ordinary humanity that you cannot help being hypnotised by the performance, making it possible to empathise with the less than savoury individual. David's outlook is bleak as his world collapses around him and the society he knows changes, but Steve Jacobs film somehow hits the right tone without falling into cliché pitfalls. A stunning turn by John Malkovich, in a film that gives J.M. Coetzee's story a more accessible medium than the book.
Couples Retreat (out 08 February 10, Cert.12) Vince Vaughn, Kristin Davies, Kristen Bell, Faizon Love, Jason Bateman, Malin Akerman, Jean Reno, dir. Peter Billingsley, 2009, cert. 12
Jason (Jason Bateman) and
Cynthia (Kristen Bell) are close to getting a divorce after failed attempts to get pregnant. They find an exclusive couples therapy retreat but can only afford the group rate. Reluctantly their friends, Dave (Vince
Vaughn) and Ronnie (Malin Akerman), Joey (Jon Favreau) and Lucy
(Kristen Davis), and recently divorced Shane (Faizon Love) and his
girlfriend Trudy (Kali Hawk) agree to come, under the assumption that they can enjoy the idyllic island resort for a week and that therapy sessions are optional.
As it turns out therapist Marcel (Jean Reno) runs a tights ship and no-one shall escape the relationship skills training. Couples Retreat could have been a painful All-American therapy comedy if not for the writing of Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn and Dana Fox. The characters won't get prizes for originality but the ensemble works, ticks along at a good pace and is quite funny. Filmed on the French Polynesia island of Bora-Bora, Couples Retreat will make you yearn for a tropical holiday: the turquoise sea and blue sky may be a bit painful to watch in the current cold snap, but the film is spot on for a bit of sunny fun. |
I Love You, Beth Cooper (out 08 February 10, Cert.15) Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust, dir. Chris Columbus, 2009, cert. 15 MonkeyScore: 71% Buffalo Grove High School graduation ceremony turns rather interesting when nerdy valedictorian Dennis Coverman (Paul Rust) throws caution to the wind and declares his love for alpha female Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere) in his speech. To his absolute shock the popular cheerleader accept an invite to his house party. Enters jealous meathead boyfriend Kevin (Shawn Roberts), not exactly chuffed that his girl is hanging out with the biggest losers in school. While the theme of I Love You, Beth Cooper is familiar, there is something about this film that sets it apart from the many high school comedies around. For starters, this Beauty & The Geek is really quite funny (without going down the warm pie route.) The characters are well thought out and quite amusing. True, the gay best friend / airhead cheerleader girl friends sidekicks are not very original but this particular lot manages to engage and even steal a few scenes. Directed by Chris Columbus (of Gremlins writing fame) the film never takes itself too seriously yet manages to be touching - we've all been one of those kids, albeit without the All-American clichés that are a legal requirement for the high school comedy genre. Fizzy and sweet, I Love You, Beth Cooper is a slice of well crafted pop. The Ugly Truth (out 08 February 10, Cert.15) Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, dir. Robert Luketic, 2009, cert. 15
Abby (Katherine Heigl) plays a romantically challenged TV producer in charge of a declining Sacramento morning chat show. To her horror her boss hires Mike, the host of a controversial dating advice show (Gerard Butler), for a new daily segment devised to raise the ratings. Abby and Mike clash immediately. To prove that his advice his sound, Mike offers to coach Abby so she can land the man of her dreams. The Ugly Truth is one of those rare romantic comedies that manages to get laughs from both sexes, without alienating either. The Gerard Butler character gets away with just about murder with his loveable rogue take on coupledom, while Katherine Heigl is simply hilarious as his slightly clueless pupil. Of course they end up together by the time the credits roll - it's practically a Hollywood romantic comedy legal requirement - but this aside it's fresh and bubbly. Heigl and Butler ooze chemistry, too, making The Ugly Truth quite fun to watch. |
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