Force Mejeur (2014)

Force Mejeur is one of the most unforgettable films I've seen in recent years, and its ending kept me thinking about it well after I left the theater. In the film, a family - mom, dad, and two young children - go on a skiing trip in the French Alps, hoping to enjoy a few days of fun. After a fear-inducing avalanche occurs, we begin to see what may or not be the beginning of the end of the couple's marriage. The couple's arguments are often fused with dark comedic elements, and at times I was reminded me at times of George & Martha from Virginia Woof.  In one of the film's best sequences, another couple comes stops by their hotel room to intervene and help provide an objective ear. There are also more scenes of people brushing their teeth and peeing than in any other movie I can remember. This is a movie that could be set anywhere - in any setting, any country. Even in the Jurassic World park. But the ski slope setting is perfect, though. On one hand, it adds to the film's literal and figurative "coldness". Also, I only went skiing once in my life (I fell down a hill and never went again!), so I never enjoyed the kind of skiing this family does. Skiing for this family is like going to the beach or the pool for other families. I loved looking at all of the beautiful snow-covered landscapes. I hope you are able to have the chance to view this though-provoking film, one of the best in recent years.

The Past / Le Passe (2013)

The Past (2013) is one of the best films I have seen in the past 5 years. It is a compelling domestic drama from the same writer-director of A Separation (Asghar Farhadi), another superior film from 2011.

It stars Berenice Bejo who was so good playing the silent film star "Peppy Miller" in The Artist. Here, she is a modern woman - a pharmacist - living in a Paris suburb with two young daughters from a previous marriage. Her oldest teen daughter is moody and temperamental, critical of her mother and her boyfriend - his and Bejo's relationship is complicated because he has a wife in a coma and a young son. More of his story is revealed as the movie progresses.

Entering the picture (and complicating matters further) is Bejo's 2nd husband; in town to finalize their divorce, he still has feelings for her and the step-daughters.

Bejo is excellent in this part, so believable as a working mom caught in a web of deception. She won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013. The cinematography is outstanding, too.

All of the performances are excellent, especially those by the young actors. The DVD features a  making-of film showing how the actors rehearsed intensely with each other. The film also shows how the interior set of the house was built, and is fascinating to watch.

In French with subtitles.

Read more about this movie from:

Leonard Maltin blog
Surrender the Void

The Good Mother (1988) directed by Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy passed away the other day at age 82; so renowned for his characterization of Star Trek's "Spock" from TV/movies that some news sources (such as CNN.com) decided to announce his passing with the headline "Actor, Poet, Vulcan, dies". "Director" should be added to the list, as Mr Nimoy directed a handful of movies, including two Trek pictures and the box office hit comedy Three Men and A Baby (1987).  The other films in his CV include the unsuccessful comedies Holy Matrimony (1994) with Patricia Arquette, Funny About Love (1990) with Gene Wilder, and  - the film I'm most curious about - The Good Mother from 1988, a heartrending drama.

Exploring such sensitive issues such as divorce, sexual harassment, and child custody, The Good Mother is not the science-fiction/fantasy film you might expect Spock would be involved with. In fact I wonder if Mr Nimoy was contractually obligated by Disney/Touchstone to direct this film after his success with Three Men.  Nonetheless, I'm sure Spock the Vulcan - ever curious about human behavior - would find the film and the issues it explores compelling.  Diane Keaton, who plays the lead, is very good as a recently divorced mother with a new lover played by Liam Neeson. Complications arise when  the lover is accused of sexually abusing her daughter and she's sued by her ex-husband for custody of the child.

I especially enjoyed seeing veteran stars Ralph Bellamy and Theresa Wright in this film; they play Keaton's wealthy grandparents who live in a lovely New England waterfont home.  My favorite part of the film is when Keaton has to explain her plight to them and asks to borrow money to pay for the legal expense (her lawyer is played by Jason Robards). Ms Theresa Wright needn't say anything - her wonderful presence alone exudes warmth, compassion, and love. Upon its initial release in 1988, critic Roger Ebert gave the film only one star in his review (Read review here), but praised the scenes with Bellamy and Wright.

The movie, overall is OK, but kind of melancholy. I think Mr Nimoy handles the subject matter sensitively and tastefully, and brings out the best in his actors, given the subject matter; Liam Neeson is especially convincing, and sympathetic.

I am interested in learning more about the making of this film, and/or any interviews with Mr. Nimoy about directing this movie. If anyone knows or has any more information, please let me know; I would appreciate any feedback!

Film legends Theresa Wright, Ralph Bellamy, and Diane Keaton in The Good Mother

Academy Award winners Diane Keaton and Theresa Wright

Blue Jasmine (2013)

Cate Blanchett was really good; I'd be very happy if she won the Oscar this year. The movie is all about her character, a New York socialite who relocates to San Francisco after losing all her wealth. The screenplay by director Woody  Her character is like a fish out of water, and there is some humor in that. When a man falls for her, it made me think of the Vivien Leigh and Karl Malden characters in  A Streetcar Named Desire.  For example, I like how the movie frequently flashes back to her life in New York with her ex husband, played by Alec Baldwin, who's been playing philandering characters going back to 1988's Married to the Mob and Working Girl. The flashbacks slowly reveals what Blanchett's character went through. The supporting cast is excellent as well, especially Sally Hawkins who plays her sister --- she's like the "Stella" character from Streetcar.  And I love all the locations in this movie and scenery. There's a cool view when when Blanchett steps on the terrace of an oceanfront property.

The Accidental Tourist (1988)

"William Hurt gives an exquisite performance as a man shattered by the death of his son, who comes out of his shell when he meets a kooky, aggressive young woman (Geena Davis) who couldn't be less his type. Finelhy wrought, extremely faithful adaptation of Anne Tyler's novel dares to take its time; may be too slow ffor some viewers, but offers many rewards." (from Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide).

I think Leonard Maltin is right, that many viewers won't like the slow pacing. But that's exactly what I love about the movie. It was such a refreshing respite from the loud, shaky-cam, crashing and GCI explosions of some recent superhero blockbusters.

Also I like the premise that the William Hurt character - Macon Leary - is a writer of travel books for business travelers. The movie starts off kind of sad, with his marriage dissolving with his wife (Kathleen Tuner), but then he meets Geena Davis' character who brings a bit of spark back into his life.

Geena Davis, as the dog trainer to Macon's dog,  won the 1988 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, but her role could be considered a lead role. I love the dog in this movie, which was the same dog that was in the 1990s TV show Dharma and Greg.

Also there are some nice scenes of Baltimore (the film is set there and was filmed there).

A less-interesting (but still entertaining) subplot in the film involves Macon's sister (Amy Wright) falling in love with his boss, a book publisher played by Bill Pullman.  His sister and and his two brothers (Ed Begley Jr and David Ogden Stiers) are portrayed as being a bit more eccentric than he is.

Directed by Lawrence Kasdan. Nominated for Best Picture of 1988.