tao902 Reviews

The Man Without a Past (2002)

A wonderful black comedy with dry humour.

[7/10 · 26 July 2015]

Markku arrives in Helsinki and is badly attacked. After his physical wounds have sufficiently healed he leaves hospital. However, he has lost his memory and as such finds it difficult to lead a normal life, finding it impossible to secure employment or a place to live. He encounters a number of characters, some helpful, others not so. The film ends positively with Markku becoming partners with Irma who he has met at the Salvation Army hostel and justice being meted out to the thugs who originally attacked him.

A slow movie which gives us time to focus on the nuances and detail in the characters and situations. An appealing combination of black comedy and dry humour.

A Time for Drunken Horses (2000)

A revealing film.

[8/10 · 26 July 2015]

An Iranian film about the day to day reality of life for the Kurdish minority, which also exists in Iraq, Turkey and Syria. The film reveals their harsh life, the injustices they experience, pointing towards and justifying their desire for an independent Kurdish state.

The father of a Kurdish family has died and their situation becomes desperate when on of the children urgently requires medical attention. The eldest son, Ayoub, becomes head of the family and takes responsibility for earning sufficient money for them to survive and to afford an operation for his brother. Their survival often requires the smuggling of goods across the Iraq/Iran border through snow covered mountains in extremely inhospitable conditions. The mules/horses used for transport are often given alcohol to dull their senses against the harsh environment.

A slow film, as is required by the story. Wonderful acting, especially from the children.

Sex and Lucía (2001)

An impressively filmed but unlikely story.

[6/10 · 26 July 2015]

Prior to the present day of the film, a former partner, Elena, of a writer, Lorenzo, had a daughter, Luna, who Lorenzo began to visit. He had an affair with Luna's childminder during which time the family's dog attacks and kills Luna. Elena left to spend time on an isolated Mediterranean island. Lorenzo continued with his writing, drawing on aspects of his own life for story content.

In the present day of the film, Lucia is a waitress in Madrid and after her partner, Lorenzo, the writer, leaves a suicide note she leaves to spend time on an isolated Mediterranean island which happens to be where Elena has based herself. The two meet and gradually realise their common link. Lorenzo recovers from what was a failed suicide attempt and visits the island, meeting both women resulting in them all unravelling their interwoven lives.

A complex film in which past and present alternate and real life is mixed with the events that are being created in a novel. An erotic drama stylishly filmed and well acted. However, the film relies excessively on coincidence and the happy ending results from an event which is slightly artificial, a little too convenient.

Who Knows? (2001)

An entertaining film but not a classic.

[7/10 · 26 July 2015]

A touring theatre group are performing in Paris. The film switches between the actors' performances on stage and their lives off stage. Off stage we are treated to amusing, farcical situations involving secret desires, infidelity, confused relationships and dishonesty. Things settle down nicely by the end of the film.

A light and amusing film with entertaining characters that interlink well with each other. An enjoyable main plot with creative sub plots. The idea of a play within a play is nothing new but it's generally well done here. The film is perhaps too long for the story it is telling. An entertaining film but not a classic.

The Devil's Backbone (2001)

A good plot poorly told.

[5/10 · 26 July 2015]

The Spanish Civil War is coming to an end and Carlos is placed in an orphanage after his father died in battle fighting for the Republicans.

Carlos finds it difficult to feel comfortable in his new home, partly due to unpleasant characters within the orphanage and his new school but also because of the presence of a ghost known as Santi. A ghost haunts the inhabitants, bringing chaos and seeking revenge on its killer.

Great cinematography and good plot but the storyline is poorly told by the film. It is difficult to care about or believe in any of the characters and some of the events don't fit smoothly into the overall narrative.

Heist (2001)

Nothing particularly new but enjoyable all the same.

[7/10 · 26 July 2015]

A group of criminals plan the theft of Swiss gold from an airplane but there is a gradual breakdown of trust between the protagonists.

Joe decides to quit his gang and a life of crime after he has been caught on CCTV during a jewel robbery. However, Mickey, the crime boss, requires Joe and his accomplices to complete one last robbery. The film is given an edge through the tension between Joe and Mickey and the lack of trust amongst the gang members.

A well made film but nothing particularly new here. The performances and dialogue are perhaps a little too slick. the plot is perhaps more complex than it needs to be.

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003)

Suitably slow and meditative.

[8/10 · 26 July 2015]

Exquisitely shot film about a Buddhist Master and the young boy apprentice he teaches. Set in Korea on a tiny floating monastery in a breathtaking, changing landscape of lake, woods and mountains. The film is structured into sections for each season.

The story follows the life of the young boy through to manhood. During his teenage years he has a sexual encounter with a teenage girl and he leaves after the monk expresses his displeasure. The apprentice finds it difficult to integrate with the outside world and after he has killed his wife he returns to the monk who puts him through strict penances. Eventually the monk realises his time to die has arrived and he sets out across the lake in a boat built as a funeral pyre. A woman visits the monastery, wanting to leave her baby there, and upon her departure slips under the frozen surface of the lake. The apprentice takes over as the new master and brings up the baby as an apprentice.

The film encompasses the relationship between old and young, man and nature with compassion and humour.

Osama (2003)

Hard-hitting, never sentimental.

[8/10 · 26 July 2015]

Set in Afghanistan after the Taliban has decreed that women should not be seen in public without a male chaperone.

A widowed woman, Espandi, loses her job as a doctor following the closure of her hospital. She disguises her 12-year old daughter as a boy, calling her Osama, and ventures out to find work and stop the family from starving. As Osama's disguise is gradually revealed we are shown the dangers and abuse that she encounters.

An uncompromising story of the harsh realities of life under the Taliban. Hard-hitting, never sentimental, superbly filmed and acted, particularly by the young cast.

Chunky Monkey (2001)

Boringly tiresome

[1/10 · 26 July 2015]

I was tempted to walk out after half an hour when it was clear that this film was rubbish but stayed to see if it could get worse - it did.

Donald is a loser living an isolated life in his apartment. He has killed the manager of his local Indian restaurant, waits for a visit from a prostitute and has his apartment invaded by skinhead evangelists, someone claiming to be Jesus, and other characters who also add nothing to a film that already has nothing.

The film appears to be trying to be wacky, outrageous and shocking. However, it is nothing more than tiresome. It is irreverent without being iconoclastic, rude without being scandalous and insulting without being challenging. I'm tempted to say the film was trying too hard but I conclude that it didn't try at all.

Fear X (2003)

Not brilliant but certainly good.

[6/10 · 26 July 2015]

Psychological thriller about a security guard, Harry, trying to identify who killed his wife and why. The pursuit of justice does of course run closely in parallel with Harry trying to come to terms with the murder of his wife in a shopping mall. His investigations uncover police corruption as well as linking to anti-corruption activities. Harry's obsession with his investigation leave us wondering how much of what he perceives is real and how much is imagined.

The film is also about bereavement, loneliness, fear and obsession, well portrayed by John Turturro as the grieving security guard. An intriguing film that keeps the viewer guessing. However, the story ultimately isn't satisfying and is at times too loose and aimless. Not a brilliant film but a certainly a good film.

Love + Hate (2005)

A very relevant film.

[7/10 · 26 July 2015]

Set in a Northern town where white racism is prevalent and Muslim youth are torn between their contemporary world and their parent's traditional faith. Adam and Naseem are typical of their sections of the community but are dissatisfied with their lifestyles. They start a relationship which predictably challenges what is regarded as acceptable by their peers and parents.

Although there is nothing new in this film it does a good job of exposing complex issues within contemporary Britain. The acting is brilliant and brings alive the familiar themes of intolerance, revenge, teenage sexuality and love in multicultural Britain. The story perhaps relies a little too much on coincidences.

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)

A wonderfully quirky and comic film.

[8/10 · 26 July 2015]

A Mexican ranch hand, Melquiades Estrada, is shot by a bigoted border control guard. The body is hastily buried and the murder covered up. The body is found and given an anonymous, formal burial in the local cemetery. The Mexican's American ranch hand friend, Peter Perkins, investigates the murder and tracks down the killer. He forces the killer to dig up the body and help him take it back to the Mexican's hometown for his third and final burial. On a long, arduous and frequently amusing journey the killer gradually changes until he eventually begs forgiveness, presumably rethinks his existence and eventually forms some kind of friendship with his captor who has made him suffer for his crime.

A wonderfully quirky and comic film.

Favela Rising (2005)

Music Therapy

[7/10 · 26 July 2015]

A documentary about a Brazilian band, Afroreggae, which was born as a reaction to the massacre of 21 people by police in retaliation for the murder of four policemen by a drugs gang in a Rio de Janeiro ghetto.

The musical project provides youngsters with an alternative to the life of crime and violence lived by so many as a means of survival. The film also tells the story of Anderson Sa, founder of the band, and if the band's success is miraculous then so too is his recovery from paralysis resulting from a surfing accident. His personal triumph over despair neatly symbolises the Favela band's success against the odds.

An inspirational film.

The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005)

A low key, low budget, successful thriller.

[7/10 · 26 July 2015]

The main character, Tom, is a property developer operating on the edges illegality and lives a small-time gangster's lifestyle. He is following in the footsteps of his ruthless father but is clearly uncomfortable with such a direction. Similarly he is less than satisfied with the friendships and affairs he has. His life takes a new turn as his interest in piano playing is rekindled when he meets his dead mother's one-time concert manager, Fox, who encourages him to return to studying piano. His lifestyle and commitment are contrasted with the skills and dedication of his Chinese teacher, Miao Lin.

A low key, low budget thriller providing character insight as well as action. Unusual story for the genre.

Paradise Now (2005)

Makes you think!

[7/10 · 26 July 2015]

A slow but rewarding film about the circumstances of two suicide bombers from the West Bank town of Nablus. The two friends, Said and Khaled, are given a mission that requires them to carry out a bombing in Tel Aviv. The operation does not go smoothly and is postponed, creating the opportunity for their intentions to be questioned, analysed and evaluated. No straightforward explanations or answers are provided.

The film obviously highlights the antagonisms between Israel and the Palestinians but it also reveals the debates and divisions amongst Palestinians.

Still Life (2006)

Interesting but not riveting.

[6/10 · 24 July 2015]

Two story lines with similarities that end differently. Each story concerns a man and a woman who are looking for their estranged partner in an area of China that is being demolished and is due to be flooded as part of a dam building program. Clearly change is inevitable but what will the outcomes be. One couple haven't seen each other for 2 years and decide to divorce. The other couple have previously divorced but decide to remarry.

A realist film with occasionally surreal moments. The drama unfolds slowly with lingering shots of the everyday events from that region of China.

Interesting but not riveting.

The Banishment (2007)

Intriguing but slow

[6/10 · 24 July 2015]

A city family take a holiday in the country, staying at a remote house in the Russian countryside for a. Alex's wife, Vera, reveals to him that she is pregnant by another man. He struggles to decide how he should respond and what should be done, eventually deciding that an abortion should be arranged. His wife kills herself with an overdose immediately after the abortion. However, Alex then finds out that he was in fact the father and that in fact his wife had never felt close enough to him to be able to regard him as a partner.

An intriguing story but slow, in the style of Tarkovsky, maybe too long.

The Orphanage (2007)

Plenty shock and suspense.

[8/10 · 24 July 2015]

Laura grew up in an orphanage in Spain, and with her husband, Carlos, decides to buy the deserted building where she spent her childhood. They move in with their adopted son, Simón, and soon he begins to refer to 5 invisible friends that he has met. Laura decides to open up the home as an orphanage again. On the day that it is due to open she and her husband arrange a party but their son goes missing.

We are led to speculate whether it is the work of a strange old woman, ghosts, or simply unfortunate coincidence. Good film if you like the horror genre. Relies a little too much on shock/suspense scenarios and sound effects.

A well made, fairly original horror.

Mio fratello è figlio unico (2007)

A poorly told story.

[4/10 · 24 July 2015]

The film follows two Italian brothers growing up in the 1960s and 70s. They both love the same girl but have very different political beliefs; Accio is a fascist, Manrico is a communist. Predictably the main themes are politics, romance and family. We see the brothers battling over their ideologies, relationships and their parents' attempts to guide them through their emergence into adulthood.

A very interesting story idea but it goes nowhere. It lacks depth, insights and fails to be believable. The film tells the story in a contrived, clichéd, predictable way and is ultimately cynical in the roles the characters are given and how they are expected to carry them out.

Lonesome Jim (2005)

A low key, good natured, dark humoured comedy.

[6/10 · 24 July 2015]

Jim returns home to his family, who live in a white, working class, American small town in Indiana. He originally left home to become a successful writer in New York and has returned after failing. Jim gradually becomes closer to the family that he originally wanted to escape (an over protective mother, a disenchanted father, a divorced brother who tries to commit suicide).

He begins a relationship with a local single mother who shows him respect that he didn't expect. Despite having no big dramatic moments the film holds your attention.

A low key, good natured, dark humoured comedy.

Honeydripper (2007)

Great music, reasonable story.

[6/10 · 24 July 2015]

Set in 1950s Alabama around the time of the birth of rock 'n' roll, focusing on a music venue and its manager. The backdrop is the racist America South.

At the heart of the story lies the proprietor, Tyrone, of the Honeydripper Lounge. He is in debt and needs to raise money fast. He plans to put on a gig with a brilliant black guitarist. Behind his battle to run a successful club lies the conflict between religion and rock 'n' roll, God and the devil, with a convenient compromise by the end of the film.

Predictable at times with some obvious set pieces but a fun film with great music.

O'Horten (2007)

A slow, low key, dry and entertaining comedy.

[7/10 · 24 July 2015]

After 40 years working on the Norwegian railway Odd Horten is due to retire. His job has been his time and he is unsure what to do with his free time after leading such a conventional life. However, on the evening of his retirement party his life starts to become full of surprises and far less predictable.

He finds himself falling into amusing, unconventional, bizarre and awkward situations. His new life becomes filled with little adventures. Just as he was wondering what to do with his future after 40 years of routine were coming to an end, his eyes are opened to the variety of lives around him.

A slow, low key, dry and entertaining comedy.

Fugitive Pieces (2007)

An engaging drama

[7/10 · 24 July 2015]

The film tells the story of a Polish man, Jakob, who was orphaned during the 2nd World War and saved by a Greek archaeologist. His saviour smuggles him out of Poland to Greece and relative safety. After the war they move to Canada and Jakob reflects on his life, writing about his traumatic childhood, the memories of which still haunt him. His troubled emotions lead to the break up of his marriage and he moves on with the intent of coming to terms with his past.

Towards the end of the film the story does perhaps get a little too profound and the ultimate resolution is a bit too neat and tidy to be believable. However, it's a great story.

Helen (I) (2008)

Interesting story.

[5/10 · 24 July 2015]

A drama about a teenager, Helen, who has been in care for most of her life.

A student at the local school Helen attends has gone missing and Helen volunteers to take the part of the missing girl in a police reconstruction. She gradually immerses herself in the role of the missing student and meets the girl's parents possibly as a way of trying to find what was missing from her own life in care and possibly as a way of finding her own identity.

A nice idea for a story but not big enough for a feature length film. A slow movie which is patchy in places.

Katyn (2007)

A revealing documentary.

[8/10 · 24 July 2015]

A Polish film by Andrzej Wajda about the Katyn massacres during the 2nd World War. 15000 Polish officers and citizens were massacred in 1940 and officially the Nazis were blamed. However, a lot of evidence was revealed that indicated it was the Soviet Union that carried out the massacres.

The film shows the effects the massacres had on the families of the officers. The film also shows attempts to reveal the truth in the post-war years and the brutal responses of the Soviet backed regime to cover up the truth.

The retelling is inter-cut with some documentary footage from the time. Well worth seeing.