For Goodbyes

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007)

Director: Sidney Lumet
Stars: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke and Marisa Tomei


Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007) is a scintillating crime drama, a forlorn reflection of its characters repulsive mindsets as a result of their diseased auras which are fed with malignant conceits and ideals. The story is in part simple Andy (Hoffman) is looking for illogically quick answers to complex questions, his life is a dangerous white collar composite of smoke and mirrors, whilst his marriage (to Tomei) is longing for reinvigoration. Together with his equally bedraggled brother (Hawke) Andy plots a heist which involves their parents jewellery store being the Mark. The Caper however is doomed to fail, this is established from the outset, the narrative is delivered through a reconstructed chronology which succeeds in creating a slow burn for the outing of truth and revelation.

This exhibit of skilfully assembled tonal poison and equally dextrous tri-lineal structure was to be director Sidney Lumet last feature before his passing in early 2011. Lumet's, perhaps never repeated the highs of arguably his most celebrated work Dog Day Afternoon (1975) but Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead is a fitting last memory of a fine film maker.

8/10

Other notable swan songs.

Steve McQueen – The Hunter (1980) Bounty Hunter Ralph Thorson (McQueen) has a lot on his plate he’s getting too old for his current vocation, his girlfriend is expecting and worst of ALL someone is trying to kill him. Here be the premise for Steve McQueen’s final screen appearance, by no means vintage but respectable punctuation mark on a lasting legacy.

Jack Lemmon - The Legend Of Bagger Vance (2000) In his role as narrator it is perhaps fitting that Jack Lemmon would say goodbye using in the main his most salient commodity – His voice. Lemmon’s long and distinguished career saw a series of transformations in appearance but his voice remained at its unmistakeable best to the end warm, glowing, rhythmical with what would become a trademark mid-sentence plunge of pitch.


Marlon Brando – The Score (2001) There is a touch of irony when looking at Brando’s last hurrah, firstly he would appear opposite Robert De Niro with whom he shared Oscar glory for portrayals of the same Vito Corleone character. More sadly though and as shallow as it seems this would act as a sad indictment of how Brando would spend the later portions of his life, unrecognisable from the striking features of his heydays which had subsequently been eroded by a propensity for cake and willingly redundant sense of vanity. In the end The Score is a well worth seeing heist movie, finding pay dirt with its male leads (including Ed Norton) in fine form.

Sergio Leone – Once Upon A Time In America (1984) Leone's parting gift was more than just an epic crime drama telling a vast story spanning 40 years, it indeed may have in some way brought about his end. The energy expended, the tumultuous battle with studio interference in post production and the initial poor reception of the film was said to have damaged and exhausted Leone greatly. Once Upon A Time In America is now however revered as a classic possessing an enigmatic spirit, a transcendence of social and religious theme as well as a stunning operatic grandeur.

4 The Weekend

1. Some Think Old

Deep Red (1975)

Director: Dario Argento
Writers: Dario Argento,
Stars: David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi and Gabriele Lavia

Deep Red is a slick coming together of genres, a horror dressed as a thriller or a thriller dressed as horror – Either way it works. Gore master Dario Argento conjures up some trademark gruesome murders and mutilations ranging from blood curdling hatchet melees to more calculating face melting scaldings. When a deranged serial killer is spotted by David Hemming's English Music Teacher in the act of dicing up his helpless neighbour, despite the danger to his own life and with the help of a pesky female journo (Daria Nicolodi) the incongruous pair search for clues to unravel the mysterious motives of the killer whilst attempting to avoid being the victims themselves. With shades of Hitchcock's Psycho, the look of its Hollywood contemporaries and an entrenched foot print still visible in many modern day slasher flicks, Deep Red is a must see for horror fans.

8/10


2. Some Think New


The Descendants (2011)


Director: Alexander Payne
Writers: Alexander Payne 
Stars: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller



There is something about the films of Alexander Payne that seem to be connected and invested in their locations, About Schmidt’s re-coming of age saga is metaphorically tied into the transitional roads of the American Midwest and the fortified constancy of the Rocky Mountain formations, whilst the lush southern Californian Wine Vineyards undoubtedly reflect the crass and clandestine indulgences of Sideways. For his latest tragicomedy Payne’s setting is the ostensibly paradisiacal and sweeping beauty of the Hawaiian Islands , secluded, mysterious, sequestered and familial. Such distinguished features are in keeping with the central characters of the King Family that play out in The Descendants.

George Clooney who is in the midst of the most prolifically artistic purple patch of his career produces an earnest portrayal here as the embattled patriarch Matt King, dealing with a crippling convergence of circumstances which result in him having to deal with a wife in a vegetative state, his own shortcomings as a father whilst being burdened with the weight of a dynastic legacy. Clooney is a blend of rage, confusion and emotion ably supported by his tearaway teen daughter Alex played wonderfully by Shailene Woodley for whom the journey is about to be sobering agent of maturation and realisation as she is forced to step up into
the role of second in command in her mothers absence.

The thin line between comedy and drama is always a difficult task to negotiate but Payne’s considered direction and the sharpness of the interactional dialogue and humour appears effortless resulting in the 2 hour run time flying by, with each scene exclaimed with either hilarity or humility or both. - A real treat.

8/10

3. Some Think To Borrow

Route Irish (2010) 



Director: Ken Loach
Writer: Paul Laverty
Stars: Mark Womack, Andrea Lowe and John Bishop


Veteran director Ken Loach has if anything a flair for subject matter, the at times esoteric and unique topics have become a feature of his work and career. Refusing to make mainstream features and opting instead to make films about the empowerment of a group of Los Angeles Janitors in Bread and Roses or Nicaraguan Civil War in the glorious Carla's Song, Loach fears little. Route Irish explores the practices of private security contractors in the increasingly vitriolic backdrop of the middle east, driven in equal measure by both plot and character, we find ourselves in the middle of an unfolding narrative which sees a prominent security contractor Fergus (Mark Womack) taking part in a vigorous search for the truth surrounding the death of his best friend on Iraq's most dangerous road. Part revenge, part super sleuthing the action encompasses violence, cover ups, racism and betrayal as the ugliness comes to light. As impressive as the film is as a whole, it is let down somewhat by a mediocre cast who themselves are let down by some clumsy and unconvincing dialogue. Still makes for interesting viewing.

7/10

4. Some Think Due


Looper (2012)


Director: Rian Johnson
Writer: Rian Johnson
Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt

Release: 28/09/2012


Plot: A present-day killer (Gordon-Levitt) works for a mob in the future and kills people who are sent from the future. He recognizes one victim (Willis) as himself and hesitates, resulting in the escape of his older self.


Why get excited? If you haven't seen it check out Director Rian Johnson's debut Brick (2005) which is an innovative film and fine example of what can be done with a small budget. This time Johnson has some serious backing and will be interesting to see if this Sci Fi action flick can be produce the goods.