Tag: GFF 2012

Review: The Kid With A Bike (2011)

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Disregarded by his father (Jérémie Renier) for no apparent reason, Cyril (Thomas Doret) longs for a normal childhood and to escape the children’s home he’s been placed in. He sees a new opportunity when he happens upon friendly mother figure Samantha (Cécilie De France), who agrees to take care of him on weekends, but his turbulent past leaves him unsure how to handle his emotions and new found security.

Slight, yes, but that’s what makes The Kid With A Bike such a tender, heart-warming and true-to-life depiction of the innocence of childhood and one child’s Continue reading “Review: The Kid With A Bike (2011)” →

Review: Trishna (2011)

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While in India managing a hotel, Jay (Riz Ahmed) meets Trishna (Freida Pinto), a soft-spoken, hard-working young woman living in one of the country’s poorest areas. In a bid to spend more time with her, and improve her situation, Jay invites Trishna to work at his hotel. As they spend more and more time together, their feelings develop and the opportunity to relocate to Mumbai becomes irresistible. However, when Jay’s father (Roshan Seth) suffers a heart attack and they’re forced back to where they started, they discover that their relationship isn’t exactly as it appears.

Adapted from Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Trishna sees the well known story relocated. The changes accentuate not only the novel’s main theme – Continue reading “Review: Trishna (2011)” →

Review: Bel Ami (2012)

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Georges Duroy (Robert Pattinson) is a peasant. Finding himself in Paris, he’s taken under the wing of old friend Charles Forestier (Philip Glenister), who lands him employment as a political writer and introduces him to three high society ladies: his wife Madeleine Forestier (Uma Thurman), Virginie Walters (Kristen Scott Thomas) and Clotilde De Marelle (Christina Ricci). Through means of seduction, betrayal and deception, Georges slowly rises from poverty to wealth, but it all comes at a price.

The concept of one man’s elevation to wealth and power through any means necessary is a fascinating one, and, perhaps with a screenwriter more attuned Continue reading “Review: Bel Ami (2012)” →

8th Annual Glasgow Film Festival Round-Up

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Fast becoming one of the UK’s leading film festivals, Glasgow Film Festival’s eighth year has proven to be one of its best yet.

Selling over 30,000 tickets and attracting some top name guests, there was no better place to be this February than flitting between the marvellous Glasgow Film Theatre and the tallest cinema in Europe, Cineworld Renfrew Street.

Small on scale, yet big on ideas, co-directors Allan Hunter and Allison Gardner Continue reading “8th Annual Glasgow Film Festival Round-Up” →

Review: Babycall (2011)

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Anna (Noomi Rapace) and her eight year old son, Anders (Velte Qvenild Werring), are moved to a modest apartment block on the outskirts of Oslo as part of the witness protection program. Scared to death by the violent past she’s escaped, Anna takes no risks with Anders, protecting him from all elements, even the draft.

As she starts to warm to her surroundings, she purchases a baby monitor from a friendly salesman, Helge (Kristoffer Joner), as a way of allowing Anders Continue reading “Review: Babycall (2011)” →

Review: Natural Selection (2011)

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Loyal Christian housewife Linda (Rachael Harris) enters into panic mode when her husband, Peter (Jon Gries), suffers a stroke. Discovering that he’s been donating sperm in secret, she sets off to find his eldest “son”, Raymond (Matt O’Leary), a foul-mouthed ex-con. Realising she’s worlds apart from Raymond in terms of beliefs and values, Linda has a mammoth task ahead of her to ensure Raymond is able to reunite with his biological father before it’s too late.

A road film of sorts, Natural Selection bathes in the encumbrances of the clashing of Linda and Raymond’s personalities, pointed out early on when Raymond Continue reading “Review: Natural Selection (2011)” →

Review: Your Sister’s Sister (2011)

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Unable to recover from the untimely death of his brother, Jack (Mark Duplass) is sent to a picturesque cabin on a tiny island by best friend Iris (Emily Blunt). Arriving at the cabin, Jack runs into Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt), Iris’ half-sister, who’s taken shelter there after running out on a seven-year-long relationship.

Nursing their respective troubles over a bottle of tequila, Jack and Hannah find themselves sharing a night of passion, only to be rudely awoken by the unexpected arrival of Iris, who’s come to keep Jack company.

Utilising a part-scripted, part-improvised approach, Your Sister’s Sister boasts a Continue reading “Review: Your Sister’s Sister (2011)” →

Review: The Raid (2011)

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Hollywood action films are increasingly becoming paint-by-numbers fare with uninteresting characters and unbelievable scenarios. The Raid, Welsh born writer and director Gareth Evans’ third feature film, hits hard due to its no-holds-barred coercion, unfaltering intensity and desire to do what most action films don’t: surprise its audience from the opening moments to the final fade to black.

Tasked with taking out Tama (Ray Sahetapy), landlord and kingpin to the scum of Jakarta, a SWAT team enter the building complex in which they believe he and Continue reading “Review: The Raid (2011)” →