How a cup of coffee and a slice of cobbler can cause carnage: "Carnage" (2011)

Director: Roman Polanski
Writers: Yesmina Reza (play), Roman Polanski (screenplay)
Actors: Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster, Christopher Waltz and John C. RILEY

The name Roman Polanski always sparks controversy when brought up in conversations about film, or moral values for that matter. His sexual assault on an underage girl in Jack Nicholson's house twenty years ago has really not done him any favors but yet his film merits continue to grow. One must admit, no matter what actually happened that fatal night, Polanski is a damn good director. So while I wait to watch his new film "Venus in furs" (2013), that premiered at this years Cannes festival, I'll review his last longest production, "Carnage", which starred Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster, Christopher Waltz and John C. Riley.

I really enjoyed this film. It can be classified as a drama/black comedy revolving around a simple narrative. The story is based on a French play by Yesmina Reza called "Le Deu du Carnage". The whole story is set in the living room of a flat in New York (although the film itself was filmed in Paris for if Polanski enters the US he will be arrested). The situation is this: two sets of parents are brought together in order to 'discuss' a violent incident that occurred between their children. The viewer is shown only a glimpse of what happened between the children at the start of the film but as they can't hear any dialogue, only the non-diegetic sound of drums building up suspense, the viewer just has to come to their own conclusion on the chain of events, in the same way that the characters do.

What I think I enjoy the most of this film is the fact that clearly neither set of parents like each other, but yet each act is held together by someone insisting they have a civilized coffee (later some whisky) and a piece of cobbler thus keeping all the characters in the same room for the duration of the film. It highlights the the human social need to be seen as polite and hospitable in the most awkward of situations. As the film progresses the viewer slowly watches the boundaries of a civilized society decay in what seems to be a "Lord of the flies" effect on both couples, but in an extremely comical way rather than a Golding cannibalistic way. Another reason why I enjoyed this film is because it demonstrates to couples everywhere how to have a successful couples therapy session without paying the big bucks. Both sides bring up issues that are relevant in modern marriages and clearly show two different approaches on how to bring up children. It is a wonder how either couple has managed to live and hold up so long in 'pleasant serenity'. Although all the characters may have exaggerated personalities, the viewer can definitely identify if not themselves then someone else they know who has these issues.

The film is rated 7.1 of imdb and 72% on Rotten Tomatoes. It is a slow moving film but every second gets better and better as the cracks emerge in both these seemingly perfect families. Packed full of tension, high class comedy, and dramatic moments throughout: Polanski, as a film director and writer, once again I salute you.

Still (only) a Young Adult

LETS GET BACK TO THIS BLOGGING BUSINESS.

“You don’t know shit about being an adult.”

- Diablo Cody

But who ever fully learns how to be an adult?

Being in the same position as thousands of other graduates in this current job climate definitely takes its toll. Especially being on the receiving end of not-so-constructive, bordering on ridiculous, criticism such as: dressed too casual, dressed too smart, looked too serious, and the personal favorite, ‘too ambitious.' Thus my self worth has taking a brutal bashing over these past months. Thankfully, cinema offers an escape and most of the films I raved about last month have hit the big screens.  YES! However I haven't had the chance to see any of them yet (dammit).

One person that I hadn’t heard from recently was Diablo Cody, the writer of the Oscar winning “Juno” in 2010. I thought; ‘she writes films about young teen/ adolescent women who are having massive life issues in quirky and funny ways- why not watch some of her stuff to lift me out of my slump. So I decided to watch Cody’s film “Young Adult” (2011), directed by Jason Reitman – and it really did make me feel so much better, lift my mood and make me think: ‘thank god my life isn’t like Charlize Theron’s character.'

“Young Adult” (2011) is about Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron), a woman in her late 30s and in the mist of a mid life crisis. She is recently divorced and unable to make it as a famous writer. She is currently a ghostwriter for a series of Young Adult fiction, a job which she has held for a couple of years. At the beginning, Mavis appears to be a person who, although complains a lot, is living the life that she has always wanted. She is living in the big city- in this case Minneapolis, which compared to the little town Mavis comes from, is the big city; she has no attachments like a 9-5 job, or a husband; and a beautiful modern apartment.

Being a ghostwriter for a series of Young Adult literature, Mavis is used to writing in a particular style that is marketed for ages between twelve and eighteen. This particular readership group can usually relate to the protagonist within YA (Young Adult) novels, who also tends to be within this age bracket. The genre focuses on a range of themes such as identity, sexuality, drug and substance abuse, bullying, and family troubles. Essentially they are coming of age stories, about youth rebellion and finding 'ones self', the transition from troubled teenager to affluent adult.  Cody's “Young Adult” film embodies all those themes but the protagonist is not within the above age bracket, she doesn't go through any real transition at all, and there are definitely no life lessons learnt throughout the film.

Mavis doesn’t fully realize until the end of the film that she might be unhappy and a bit mentally unstable.  Her daily routine comprises of her waking up, writing a couple of lines or staring at a blank page, playing the WII, and eating her way through a nutritious array of ready meals. Her life is thrust back into gear as she receives a picture of her ex-high school boyfriend, Buddy Slades, newborn baby, and she decides to pack her bags and head back home to her old small town of Mercurary, Minnesota, to try and win Buddy back, despite the fact that he has just become a father and is happily married.

There are several clues that indicate that Mavis may not be emotionally stable- okay, okay so throughout the whole film the viewer is waiting for Mavis to have her mental breakdown. It’s a good breakdown- in the sense that it provides good entertainment value: its awkward, upsetting, yet funny and just plain embarrassing, which brings me back to my point- thank God my life is better than Charlize Therons character.

Marvis is stuck in the past, unable to see beyond the bounds of her high school years when she was in her prime. She cannot understand why her popularity is wearing thin. Her inability to move forward is highlighted in several ways: she constantly replays the same song that Buddy gave to her on a mix tape years before, ‘the concept’ by Teenage Fanclub, she listens in to teenagers giving advice about relationships, she wears hello kitty t-shirts, ignores all of the responsibilities an adult should have and finally whats the strongest clue that she is mentally instable? She persistently watches episodes of the Kardashians.

If the viewer is looking for a film with some form of conclusion, a finale, a happy-ending then “Young Adult” (2011) is…not the film. The whole film is stuck in a time zone and many/ almost all of the characters don’t make any progress in their lives. As per usual Charlize Theron creates a great character that the viewer will love to hate. The film delivers funny witty lines written by Cody and in conclusion is watchable but probably not the most memorable film you will watch in your life. 

*note: since writing this entry I'm officially out of the rat race to find a permanent job. So many people to thank! Thus my woes may officially be over...for now anyway.

Short but Sweet review: Limitless (2011)

Director: Neil Burger
Script: Leslie Dixon (screenplay), Alan Glynn (novel)
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Anna Friel, and Abbie Cornish

When it was originally released, the concept of "Limitless" (2011) did intrigue me, and now, having finally watched the film, I am having trouble remembering why. Here it is:

The trailer draws you in, and combined with Kanye Wests song 'Power' it leaves the viewer willing to spend the extra hundred and two minutes of their time to watch the entire film.  In his song, Kanye West states: 'no one man should have all that power', and in "Limitless" Bradley Cooper  proves Mr West right as Cooper demonstrates that he should not be given any sort of power, in pill form or otherwise, as he doesn't have a clue how to use it in an entertaining way.

The film is based on the techno-thriller novel, "The Dark Fields" by Alan Glynn. Bradley Cooper plays Edward Morra, a struggling writer who is having trouble keeping up with fast paced New York city. He hasn't written a word of his book, he is divorced with an ex-wife and then dumped by his new girlfriend at the start of the film; with no motivation and enthusiasm his life is grey and this is highlighted through the use of blue/grey tint in the frames in the cinematography. After a chance encounter with his ex-brother in law he is introduced to a new drug known as NZT, which he has been led to believe was FDA approved and had passed clinical trials. According to sources, NZT enhances brain usage and allows the user to access information and old memories and extort it to their best advantage. Yes, it sounds all very scientifically plausible. Morra takes the clear pill and his outlook on life changes (along with the cinematography, as the colours in the frame brighten up with warm yellow and orange tones in contrast to the grey). It turns out the pill hasn't been tested at all, and soon Morra becomes addicted. However whilst on NZT, Morra manages to finish his book, get his girlfriend back, learn several languages, and win over various influential people helping him land a high profile job in the stock market. The downside to the drug however is that it can send the brain into overload- so the users memory becomes disconnected and oh... if you do not continue to take the drug you become critically ill and die.

The marketing team who spread the word about the film  went to great lengths not just to promote the film but they also created a website advertising the drug itself. The website for NZT looks incredibly professional and would definitely succeed in convincing people to buy into the product. If anything, NZT is a reflection of the many drugs that people consume today: there's the cups of coffee providing the energy to wake up in the mornings, the cigarettes to take a de-stresing break in their busy schedules, and the easily accessible paracetamol to reduce the headaches. It is just how the world works nowadays- everyone is unwillingly relying on some sort of drug. This is highlighted in the film by the fact that the pill is clear, giving the impression that anything could be inside it. Nevertheless the (slight) reference to how people fuel their daily lives does not mask the fact that the film itself is lacking in-well- pretty much everything that a decent film requires. 

Firstly the narrative is flawed: drugs for an aspiring writer? how original! But then Morra's writing and his novel seem to take a back seat and then he moves into finance. Of course! where else would an aspiring writer go? Granted it is where the money is, but he has all these capabilities with enhanced brain usage and he is in a film where the possibilities are (sorry for saying) limitless and he chooses to go into finance? how dull. The film is very predictable and as the famous saying goes: 'mo money, mo problems', and sure enough Morra is led into trouble. He is being followed by a random killer stalker who seems to lose interest at the end of the film, and at the same time Morra is being chased by a Russian money lender, who also becomes addicted to NZT and begins injecting the drug instead, as it gets into the blood stream faster (side note: if the drug really did enhance brain usage why didn't Morra jump on the injecting bandwagon). For me, however, the most ridiculous part of the film was when Morra has to drink the blood flowing out of the shot moneylenders' body to survive, as the blood contains (aswell as other fluids) NZT in it. Yep it happens, and it makes me cringe inside.

The films flawed story line is not the only reason why the film doesn't deliver. Bradley Coopers acting leaves a lot to be desired. From the concept of the film I imagine him to be a cross between a drug fuelled Hunter S. Thomson character and slick Christian Bale in "American Psycho" (2000). Cooper was neither and overall rather bland as a character; he is boring on and off the drug and is really lacking in character definition making it hard for the viewer to form an opinion and like him. The script is not witty (in the slightest) and lacked the sophisticated 'hard' edge that the film seems to desperately seek. For other ways in which "Limitless" is flawed click here. Finally, and possibly the defining moment in which I decided there was no way I could enjoy the film ever again, was when Bradley Cooper talks down to Robert De Niro. Please. How ridiculous is that? So for a film with a drug that claims to boast a 'recipe for grandeur' it falls short on its promise and doesn't offer a "sparkling cocktail of useful information" as Cooper claims it does in the film. 

Verdict: Disappointing. Maybe watch, if you've literally got absolutely not-a-thing to do with your life.