arkadin-1 Reviews

Big (1988)

The Child in You.

[28 December 2001]

What we're talking about is a wonderful fantasy comedy about the child, who sleeps in everyone's soul and waits to get free. Superbly written scenes follow each other, not to mention Tom Hanks' performance, which should have been awarded. He seems to me the only contemporary actor, who was able to play the role of a 13-year-old teenager, who becomes an adult from one day to another. Elizabeth Perkins and especially John Heard form a strong supporting cast and this time they really support Hanks' work. This film bothers to talk about more important things, like the loss of innocence, friendship and the first love, not just tells a story about a boy in the big city. This was Hanks' star-making role after a string of stupid comedies in the middle 80s and he deservedly became one of the biggest stars of the 90s. And don't forget, this was his first film in his "outsider" series: he made his biggest successes playing somehow outsider figures: Sleepless in Seattle, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump or the Cast Away. Go and see it, you won't be disappointed even if you think you've lost the child inside you...with the help of this film you will find it. Believe me.

A Bug's Life (1998)

You wouldn't expect this from a Disney picture.

[26 December 2001]

I saw "Antz" in 1998 at cinema and I thought it was a wonderful computer animated movie. Since I am a Woody Allen fan, I have found it a very good idea to give Woody's character to the 'hero' ant. I wanted to check "A Bug's Life" at cinema, but I thought it couldn't be better than "Antz" and it was advertised as a real children film, so I didn't want to be disappointed. Now I know I was wrong. There are several good surprises in this wonderful film. Firstly, there are no stupid songs in it, which are just slow the story down (don't forget this is a Disney production, until "Atlantis" it was compulsory to put songs in Disney animations). Secondly the sophisticated irony and the humor. Of course its less sarcastic than "Antz" because it was made for children but adults can enjoy it very much, too. The animation is fantastic, I'm sure the other comment writers have written dozens of lines about it, so I don't want to go into details, but I have to say that nothing can replace real drawings. I know this is a computer animated movie and I might seem conservative, but that's the only thing I miss from this picture. Maybe that's why I prefer "Nightmare Before Christmas" & "James and the Giant Peach". It's sure this is my second favourite animated film after "The Iron Giant" and from technical point of view it surpasses "Antz". The only thing I would like to draw the attention to is during the end titles where you can see the collection of the "faulted scenes". It's one of the best gag of the animation history. The best is at the end.

Drowning by Numbers (1988)

Good surprise.

[5 December 2001]

In "Drowning by Numbers" Peter Greenaway managed to find the thin line between the art movies and the audience-pleasing comedies. His other films, like "The Draughtsman's Contract" are visually arresting but very hard to understand and to stay with. I worried a little bit before I sat down watching this film but I spent a cheerful evening in front of the TV. Hilarious dialogues and monologues are matched with Sacha Vierny's beautiful photography and Greenaway's distinctive and moody sets and atmosphere. Plowright, Stevenson and Richardson are equally terrific, not to mention Bernard Hill as the corny coroner. The debuting Jason Edwards is one of the highlights of the film. His strange behaviour and explanations of the newly invented games are the funniest moments in the film. The final scene is one of the most bizarre closing ever put on screen. Unfortunately, this film was faded by the other commercially successful English films of the late 80s, early 90s (e.g. The Fish Called: Wanda), but if you have the opportunity to watch this film don't miss it. It's highly recommended.