Every once in a few years, Hollywood puts aside their crap and produces some of the most stunning films. 2005/2006 will go down as one of the best years in movie history. Even though I have yet to watch "Capote", "Transamerica", "North Country" or "Syriana", the ones that I have devoured lately have left me truly spellbound.
Apart from the amazing "Good Night and Good Luck" and "Brokeback Mountain", I have just completed a series of equally mesmerising movies recently, like "Crash", "The Constant Gardener", "Munich" and "Walk The Line". All the movies mentioned above are on my definite "must see list" because they are real, not ridiculous stories that could never happen. They are also mostly socially conscious films that are so important to our everyday life, especially in today's circumstances. today, I shall review the latter four films that I have watched.
"Crash"
Even though it premiered in 2004, my interest was increased by its recent wins at the SAG Awards and its 6 Oscar nominations, and I caught it recently on DVD. Depicting the importance of racial harmony, it portrays the lives of 8 couples (some intertwining) post 9/11. It is highly provocative drama with a tight script and real performances. Made up of ensemble performances from Sandra Bullock (in a very unlikely role), Matt Dillion (first Oscar nomination), Don Cheadle, Terence Howard (Best Actor Oscar nominee for "Hustle and Flow"), Ryan Phillippe, they trace racial conflicts and the increased insecurities since the terrorist attacks, and is even more poignant today.
The film does not offer any quick fix answers but it makes you think of your own life experiences. Living in Australia, a multi-racial country, there has never been any overt problems of racial conflicts except the recent attacks in Sydney. It has made Australia more "racist" in the minds of the world, but I think it is always dangerous to generalise because there are always bad peas in a pod. For me, I don't like to jump to conclusions because firstly, I think that everyone is entitled to a "bad day", and secondly, it's all in the mind ... we are the ones that assign meanings to others' actions.
If we jump to conclusions that they must be racist because we feel unfriendly attitudes, then we might be making a mistake here and that is where racial conflicts may breed. This movie shows us how rage and uncertainty can make us feel so insecure that we are willing to go to such impossible lengths to protect our own sanity and pride, and sometimes they may result negatively. In a world today where leaders are not working hard enough together to keep the peace but rather focus on fear and insecurity education, it is not surprising to see more conflicts. It is thus within ourselves and our communities that we need to keep this balance, because only with love, respect and empathy for our fellow humans, regardless of the differences, will we be able to move out of this dark age ...
"The Constant Gardener"
This was not a movie that we had planned to watch earlier, but we were so so happy that we did. Written by John Le Carre, it is a high order thriller from start to finish and though it is not based on any living person, it must take its inspirations from real life events. It is based on a premise of true love but the captivating point are the horrors that multinationals have implemented on impoverished countries like Africa and the corrupt officials in the world that keep them disadvantaged.
Ralph Fiennes stars as a British diplomat, Justin Quayle, whose favourite pastime involves spending most of his time taking care of his garden, while his wife, Tessa, a fiery and ambitious lawyer for social causes, is trying to investigate and expose a pharmaceutical multinational which is testing a tuberculosis remedy with unfortunately fatal side effects. The Africans who die in the process are written off as non-existent because there are so many of them there, and no one will notice. She compiles a damaging report but is then found naked, raped, and dead on a mysterious visit to remote Lake Turkana in Kenya. Her companion, an attractive African man is also missing. In an investigation to find out the true cause of Tessa's death, Quayle embarks on a global mission that takes him to London, Germany, Saskatchewan and Kenya, where he finds out the darker side of his work and develops an understanding of the importance of Tessa's work.
In a myriad of plotless thrillers that are churned out by Hollywood, "The Constant Gardener" and "Munich" (the next movie) are rare gems not to be missed. Ralph Fiennes gives what is possibly his finest performance to date, underplaying the character while Rachel Wiesz, truly deserves her Best Supporting Actress nomination because she is absolutely radiant. Even though she only appears in approximately half the movie, her performance permeates throughout the entire movie and you feel her presence and her inspiration. Nominated for 10 BAFTAs and 2 Oscars, "The Constant Gardener" is a highly compelling roller-coaster ride from start to end.
There is also a message at the beginning of the movie with the real Rachel Wiesz promoting the work of the United Nations in Africa and the importance of the support for such programs there. It brings to mind a lesson I once took in university about how Nestle encouraged African mothers to stop breast-feeding, but instead use their instant formula powder mix. They offered samples and marketed it everywhere with billboards and advertisements. What they had "forgotten" is that Africa does not have clean flowing water like most countries do, and thus, most African mothers were making milk with contaminated water, resulting in many sick and dead babies in the progress.
I am certain these sad scenes are still playing in impoverished countries right now. What we need are more courageous individuals to stand out and expose them. In the absence of them, we can only work on our own conscience, and if we get to make a decision that can affect the disadvantaged, we can make that difference.
"Munich"
Another first rate thriller, "Munich" is inspired by the infamous 1972 Munich Olympic Games, “Black September”, where 11 Israeli were taken hostage and eventually murdered by Palestinian terrorists. Eric Bana plays the leader of a group of Mossad agents, recruited by the Israeli government, to execute those responsible for the attacks.
With no prior terrorist training, Bana and his eclectic group work hard to establish connections to track down their enemies and improvise their unique methods of demolition. As they become more successful and confident, Bana and his group find themselves becoming more cold blooded towards these murders and it is only when they discover that the tables has been turned on them that they re-evaluate what they have done.
It is a state of unrest and discomfort for Bana because he is after all, just another pawn on the chessboard. Just like any other terrorist, they are enraged by what has happened to their fellow men and want revenge but the ultimate message of this movie is that “Blood begets blood” . There is no peace through violence and retaliation. There is only uncertainty, loneliness and death.
In an attempt for objectivity, Steven Spielberg directs his second masterpiece since “Schindler’s List” with an empathetic view for both sides of the story. This courageous act has sparked brilliance but has resulted in negativity on both sides, especially since he is a Jew.
Steven Spielberg is a masterful storyteller and the movie feels like an action packed “Mission Impossible”, but the difference between these thrillers and those mindless Summer movies is the character development. We move and grow with the characters in these movies. We feel their emotions and we ultimately care what happens to them. Eric Bana is wonderful, and if not for the controversial subject and the quality of the Best Actor nominees this year, would have garnered a nomination for Best Actor definitely. Still "Munich" garnered 5 Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Director.
Empathy does not make what terrorists do a right thing but it helps us to understand why they are willing to do what they do. It is only when we are able to reflect on our own actions, and find the love and empathy within, are we able to recreate the peace within this world.
When American legendary singing couple, Johnny Cash and June Carter, was approached to make a movie about their lives, they picked Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon to play them. What a great insight that was.
“Walk The Line” is a biopic about the musical life of Johnny Cash and though it draws parallels to last year’s “Ray”, it stars not only one, but two great performances with the charismatic leads singing the hits with their own vocals.
Unlike “Ray”, 5 time Oscar nominated “Walk The Line” is essentially a great love story between Johnny and June and does not follow them through their entire life journey, and this is one of the major reasons why I like this movie more. Joaquin Phoenix is amazing as Johnny Cash and you don’t have to know Johnny Cash to feel the emotions in what he writes and delivers. We found ourselves tapping away as we are mesmerized by him and his performance. They had many obstacles between them because both were married to other people, but Johnny persisted and won in the end.
Like Jamie Foxx as Ray, Joaquim Phoenix was Johnny Cash. Reese Witherspoon startles with a deeper side of her unexplored in her previous film roles and I keep getting surprised by how well she sang. There is also intense chemistry and we fall in love with both of them as the movie progresses. On this page of trivia, it is revealed that they both received 6 months of vocal training. Joaquin Phoenix learnt to play the guitar and performed without being dubbed, and Reese also learnt to play the auto-harp.
Two Oscar worthy performances in a love story where you feel and care for the characters, even at their lowest points of their lives. Though less socially conscious than the recent crop of films, it is high value entertainment and surely, Johnny Cash and June Carter would have been very proud of this movie. Unfortunately, they were not around to see the end result. In true love fashion, June Carter Cash died in June 2003 before production started and Johnny Cash died 4 months …
So, I have taken a long breath and churned out 4 reviews at once, all outstanding movies that would endure repeat screenings. A rare wonderful year at the movies, these non-fiction ecstasies …
Rating:
9.5/10 for each of the above movies.
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