Mini movie reviews: The Town, Secretariat and Morning Glory
I have some serious catching up to do in terms of movie viewing in the next few weeks. In the meantime though here are some short reviews of recent releases (well, in South Africa anyway) that I have watched.
The Town: The best way to describe this crime drama is that it’s a blockbuster for adults. In other words it delivers thrills and escapism while still devoting plenty of screen time to well rounded characters and their world of secrets, violence and frequently tested loyalties. Based on the novel Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan, The Town centres on Charlestown, a blue collar Irish neighbourhood in Boston that is famous for producing an exceptionally high number of bank robbers. Ben Affleck directs, co-writes and stars as a career criminal who wants out after falling for a recent traumatized robbery victim (Rebecca Hall). This puts him at odds with his brutal best friend (Jeremy Renner) and crime boss Pete Postlethwaite. Meanwhile, FBI agent Jon Hamm is hard at work trying to catch and convict the thugs. If you loved The Departed, you’ll enjoy this thoroughly entertaining film, with its excellent cast and perfect pacing. The heist scenes and related car chases, in particular, are some of the most exhilarating filmed in recent years.
Secretariat: I initially dismissed this family horse racing drama from Disney as just another Seabiscuit. However, in the end I actually think I prefer this real life tale of arguably the greatest racehorse of all time. For one thing, the racing scenes in Secretariat are much more convincing. For another, the film isn’t as mired in doom and gloom as Seabiscuit. Instead, Secretariat exists as an inspiring (if admittedly rather predictable) tale about courage in defying expectations. Housewife Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) hatches a daring scheme to save her beloved father’s struggling stables in the early 1970s. With the help of eccentric trainer John Malkovich, and other allies, she seeks to win the prestigious Triple Crown – a feat unaccomplished for 25 years. Chenery attempts to achieve this with Secretariat (also known as Big Red) a spirited, attention-loving thoroughbred that refuses to back down from a racing challenge. As a film, Secretariat feels slightly overlong, and being a Disney movie, it culminates rather cheesily with everyone – regardless of race, class or political persuasion – rallying behind Big Red. As a glossy feel-good tale, though, Secretariat delivers, and I enjoyed it.
Morning Glory: Rachel McAdams is in almost permanent hyper mode in this lightweight comedy about a workaholic TV producer who inherits responsibility for DayBreak, the worst performing of America’s major morning shows. She decides to shake up the programme by pairing “do anything” host Diane Keaton with sulky, serious newsman Harrison Ford. Morning Glory is nothing special, and misses an opportunity to explore the News vs. Entertainment debate with any sort of incisive wit or depth. However, it’s still a lot better as a piece of fluff than the vast majority of romantic comedies – largely due to its talented cast. McAdams makes a likeable lead, and is only really irritating when it comes to scenes regarding her love life. Keaton is great as a host overenthusiastic in front of the camera and a cynicism-hardened pro behind the scenes. Ford is a bit more iffy – initially too stiff, gruff and grumpy, he becomes more convincing and likeable as the film progresses. I wouldn’t make an effort to seek out Morning Glory at the cinema, but it’s decent enough to catch one rainy Sunday afternoon on DVD or TV.
The Town: The best way to describe this crime drama is that it’s a blockbuster for adults. In other words it delivers thrills and escapism while still devoting plenty of screen time to well rounded characters and their world of secrets, violence and frequently tested loyalties. Based on the novel Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan, The Town centres on Charlestown, a blue collar Irish neighbourhood in Boston that is famous for producing an exceptionally high number of bank robbers. Ben Affleck directs, co-writes and stars as a career criminal who wants out after falling for a recent traumatized robbery victim (Rebecca Hall). This puts him at odds with his brutal best friend (Jeremy Renner) and crime boss Pete Postlethwaite. Meanwhile, FBI agent Jon Hamm is hard at work trying to catch and convict the thugs. If you loved The Departed, you’ll enjoy this thoroughly entertaining film, with its excellent cast and perfect pacing. The heist scenes and related car chases, in particular, are some of the most exhilarating filmed in recent years.
Secretariat: I initially dismissed this family horse racing drama from Disney as just another Seabiscuit. However, in the end I actually think I prefer this real life tale of arguably the greatest racehorse of all time. For one thing, the racing scenes in Secretariat are much more convincing. For another, the film isn’t as mired in doom and gloom as Seabiscuit. Instead, Secretariat exists as an inspiring (if admittedly rather predictable) tale about courage in defying expectations. Housewife Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) hatches a daring scheme to save her beloved father’s struggling stables in the early 1970s. With the help of eccentric trainer John Malkovich, and other allies, she seeks to win the prestigious Triple Crown – a feat unaccomplished for 25 years. Chenery attempts to achieve this with Secretariat (also known as Big Red) a spirited, attention-loving thoroughbred that refuses to back down from a racing challenge. As a film, Secretariat feels slightly overlong, and being a Disney movie, it culminates rather cheesily with everyone – regardless of race, class or political persuasion – rallying behind Big Red. As a glossy feel-good tale, though, Secretariat delivers, and I enjoyed it.
Morning Glory: Rachel McAdams is in almost permanent hyper mode in this lightweight comedy about a workaholic TV producer who inherits responsibility for DayBreak, the worst performing of America’s major morning shows. She decides to shake up the programme by pairing “do anything” host Diane Keaton with sulky, serious newsman Harrison Ford. Morning Glory is nothing special, and misses an opportunity to explore the News vs. Entertainment debate with any sort of incisive wit or depth. However, it’s still a lot better as a piece of fluff than the vast majority of romantic comedies – largely due to its talented cast. McAdams makes a likeable lead, and is only really irritating when it comes to scenes regarding her love life. Keaton is great as a host overenthusiastic in front of the camera and a cynicism-hardened pro behind the scenes. Ford is a bit more iffy – initially too stiff, gruff and grumpy, he becomes more convincing and likeable as the film progresses. I wouldn’t make an effort to seek out Morning Glory at the cinema, but it’s decent enough to catch one rainy Sunday afternoon on DVD or TV.
Comments