Up: Expressionistic cinema at its very best

Expressionistic cinema is always interesting since it manages to extend the boundaries of human imagination. Not only does it allow us to imagine our deepest wishes but also watch them as they are portrayed on the big screen. It also provides a simple breakaway from the monotonies of day-to-day life. Up is a film which joins the league of excellent expressionistic films. Being an animated film with an exception it manages to form a class of its own.

When an old man becomes a widower with the recent demise of his wife, he stumbles upon some of her photographs and is reminded of a promise he made to her in their youth. Acknowledging that he wasn’t able to fulfil her only wish during her life, he immediately takes it upon himself to fulfil his promise to her. Just as a demolition team arrives to take down his house he successfully gets the house airborne by tying it with innumerable balloons. His plan is to land the house upon a waterfall where his wife’s idol had once landed a hot air balloon. But the old man is unaware that there is a boy scout on board as the house takes off. Realising that the old man and his house are journeying to South America, the boy voices his opinion of wishing to see a rare creature which lives in the jungles there. The tale ensues as the old man and the boy try to fulfil their wishes while stumbling across many hurdles, helping each other out and finally succeeding in their missions.

The film was directed by Pete Docter and released in the year 2009. It was a production under the Pixar banner and features the brilliant animation they are known to have. The personification of the animated characters comes through perfectly which is something that has come to be expected of Pixar.

The storyline of the film is extraordinary since the key points in the plot are interesting events that are unimaginable without the right context. It is impossible to understand how an old man would be able to carry a house on his back or how the entire house could be lifted off its foundations in the first place, the film has dealt with it superbly by keeping a light-hearted tone throughout. The imagination which has gone into the making of the film clearly shows since the film is bursting with creative ideas.

The use of vibrant colours and many shades was very visually appealing. The most appealing element of the film is the innocence with which the characters are portrayed. Since it is a drama-comedy film and most of the characters come across as being fairly honest and innocent, the humour comes forth in the form of simplicity of the characters mostly. Being a film for family audiences it has been executed simply with no major need for a complicated story or execution.

It is a splendid animated film which sets a landmark for other animations since it has a simple story with an excellent portrayal. On the whole, Up is a fascinating film which has made use of light-hearted humour to portray relationships and imagination. It set a standard for a new way of thinking.

A Prophet (Un Prophete): Behind the Prison Walls

The hidden secrets of a prison are known only to the people within its four walls. While there are rumours of what happens within the confines of a prison, the truth is probably never what is revealed to the general audience. But French filmmaker Jacques Audiard attempted to display the dark secrets of prison life in his 2009 film A Prophet.

Malik is a young adult sentenced to 6 years imprisonment for his crimes. It is the first time he will ever step behind bars and is unsure what to expect during his time there but he is immediately introduced to a dramatic world of gang wars and mafias. At first he abstains from the hooliganism, however circumstances force him to work for the Corsican gang who loathe the other clan, the Muslims. In spite of being a Muslim, Malik is forced to commit crimes against his brothers in religion, for whom he feels no affinity. He begins to carve his own existence, with the help of friends, in and outside the prison. Slowly as his tenure comes to a close, Malik gains power, ultimately winning the favour of the Corsican boss, the Muslims, the prison guards and a few others outside the prison walls. With the end of his imprisonment, he manages to turn over a new leaf thanks to his notorious life in the prison.

A Prophet was released in the year 2009 and was directed by Jacques Audiard who also contributed to the writing of the screenplay. The language of the film is French. It is a French film with the locations for the shoot being in France mostly, the cast and crew being French and the premise of the story being a particularly French topic with the involvement of Arabs, Algeria and French mobsters. However, the film has an international appeal overall.

The film deals with harsh realities and shows them in a graphic light. One particular scene has the protagonist attempting to commit a murder using a blade clenched between his teeth. Failing at the first attempt, he grabs the blade in his fingers and wrestles the man onto a bed. He finally manages to slice a vein in the man’s neck and bleeds him to death. The protagonist then calmly washes away the blood from his clothes and leaves the crime scene as though nothing happened. The pace of the film is quick except for scenes involving conversation and when the storyline evolves radically. The colour palette has dark shades and has plenty of use of shadows which brings the feeling of captivity out on the screen.

The acting in the film is worthy of praise. A stunning performance from the lead actor successfully portrays the harsh reality in a prison. The brilliant light work, for the indoor cinematography, also aids the scenario of deep, dark crime within the prison setting. In spite of being primarily located in a prison, the film ventures outdoors to follow the exploits of the protagonist. Within the setting of the prison, the lighting, cinematography and blatant sound effects maintains the genre of thriller-horror-drama which ensues through most of the film. Even while deviating from the depths of the prison and venturing into the daylight, the genre is maintained as the protagonist is constantly reminded of restrictions on his freedom. The use of makeup and props is also commendable since it has been successful in adding to the quality of the film.

With various levels of excitement and scenes of meaningful importance, A Prophet manages to keep the viewer guessing what could be the next move. The character of the protagonist suits the tone of the film - both are mysterious and constantly evolving.

A Single Man: The last hours before a planned suicide

What goes through the mind of a person committing suicide? Actually if the act was planned what goes through their mind from the time they decide to do it till the time that they perform the act of actually ending their life? Do they experience fear, anxiety, anger or any other emotion? Do they go about their normal day? A Single Man is the story of the day that protagonist George Falconer plans to commit suicide.

Eight months prior to the present day, 30th November 1962, the closest person in George Falconer's life, his partner Jim, died of a car accident while visiting his family. To add to the grief of the loss, George was barely even informed of Jim's death let alone be allowed a last glimpse of the love of his life at the funeral. Today George is saturated with the grief that follows him day in and day out and has decided to end his life with his revolver. But before he draws his final breath, he goes about his final day by setting his perspectives right and also those of others around him, all the while he must remind himself to take his pills regularly which are a requirement after having suffered a heart attack months before. The story follows his interactions with his regular friends and others; Charley, his old friend who accompanied him from England to America; Alba, his maid who takes care of his house; Kenny, a student of his English class who is stalking him; Carlos, a Spanish prostitute who he runs into. The day unfolds for George with some routine activities and some unexpected events as he reminisces the past.

With the use of the time period the film is set in, director Tom Ford was able to depict anxiety in his characters through the political unrest which was prevalent in the United States at the time. The impeding Cold War which is a topic of discussion in the film allows the director to not only place questions on the need for war but also on the discrimination against homosexuality which is another focal point of the film.

Director Tom Ford made use of a desaturated colour scheme for most of the film to establish the fact that it is a period film set in the 1960’s, but he has also used bright colours to fill the screen whenever the protagonist finds hope in his despondent life which is a reminder of the pain that he is going through emotionally. The use of colours in the cinematography is a constant reminder for the audience that the protagonist is constantly depressed but is able to find happiness for at least a few moments, even on what he has planned to be his final day. The storyline has a few twists and turns, especially a final outcome which most audiences would not foresee. Colin Firth in the role of protagonist George Falconer does a brilliant job to bring the viewer into his own shoes.

For his directorial debut, Tom Ford has definitely done a brilliant job. It is a splendid film for anyone who enjoys films with a strong focus on human emotions and social standings.

Orphan: In search of the perfect family

What defines an excellent thriller film? They are usually known to be about sudden jerky camera movements, splashing of gory faces on the screen and explosive use of sound effects. Most thriller films seem to follow these patterns and usually fail miserably at evoking any kind of fear or any other emotion out of their audience. But the 2009 film Orphan which was directed by Jaume Collet-Serra is a thriller with a difference.

As a couple grieves the birth of a still born daughter for their third child, they decide to overcome the process of mourning by adopting a girl from an orphanage. The girl, Esther, appears to be an innocent child with a few inexplicable habits but all the while the couple tries to love her as they would their own daughter. Esther gets along perfectly well with the couples’ youngest, a deaf and mute girl who considers Esther her elder sister and follows her around everywhere; on the other hand, the son is reluctant to accept Esther as part of the family. Her unorthodox habits and rejection at home cuts Esther off from most of the family and her classmates. Slowly certain unforeseen circumstances occur with Esther being a prime figure linking up the unfortunate events. By digging up Esther’s past and joining the dots, the mother realises her family is in grave danger which she must rectify.

A dark and mysterious character throughout the film, Esther has qualities that make it overwhelming to figure out her true identity. The portrayal of the character leaves a cunning air of indecision yet confidence about her which sends a shiver down the viewers back. Not always in a good light, she provides the thrill in the film which is built on a wonderful, expressive and well thought out story.

Pain is the most important part of the film. Whether it is in the rejection from a husband, the breaking of an arm of a timid girl or the crushing to death of an innocent bird, the viewer can partake in the pain of what is portrayed on the screen. The feeling of pain also provides the thrill factor in the film which the audience can relate to. The film is made such that anyone can put themselves in the shoes of the character and imagine being in similar circumstances.

The film has a particular dark essence to it which adds to the feeling of horror it maintains. There is a feeling of unrest throughout the film which is maintained because of the gradual character development as the story goes on. The dark tone of the film also coincides with the personality of the protagonist, which is mysterious and unresolved.

From the very first frame itself the film carries a promise of being an exciting, blood pumping and pulse accelerating thriller which is able to captivate its audience to levels that thriller films in the past have failed to achieve.

The Firm: A limp attempt at exploring football hooliganism

Football is a huge sport which is followed and loved around the world. There is a certain level of passion which goes into the sport which can be seen particularly in Europe, and delving further, it can be seen that England is one of the countries in the forefront when it comes to football. But a residue of the passion that goes into the sport manifests itself in the form of hooliganism which leads to violence. An attempt to depict this life beyond the sport has been made with the 2009 film The Firm which was directed by Nick Love.

In 1980’s England, Dom is a teenager who lives in with his parents and hangs out with his regular group of friends, especially spending time with his best friend Terry. When looking for something more to do with his life, apart from slacking off while working with his father and wasting time smoking and break dancing with 

his friends, he has a run in with Bex, the leader of a group of hooligans who strongly support the local football team. Bex develops a soft spot for Dom because of his wit and willingness to do what he is told and invites him to be a part of the group. Dom slowly gets drawn into the world of hooliganism by taking part in fights, visiting cross country football matches and shoplifting from local apparel stores when he can’t afford expensive clothing which will help him fit in. But soon enough, Dom realises that he isn’t cut out to be a thug and struggles to find his way out of a group of people who don’t take lightly to traitors.

The film doesn’t really do justice to the full world of football hooliganism and the passion that actually leads to fans turning into hooligans to defend their turf and their local football teams. The dialogues in the film are riddled with 80s British slang terms which makes it difficult for universal audiences to follow. The film also has plenty of references to local areas and customs which don’t necessarily appeal to an audience that isn’t of British origin.

In all, the film is less about the passion for the sport and the ideology of the fans and more about the stupid ambition of one of its central characters. Without even exploring the full identity of the character that pulls most of the strings in the film and the reasons for his behaviour, the film is just a limp attempt at documenting what football hooliganism is about but fails miserably. It isn’t a film which would be recommended to be watched.

The Informant!: A whistleblower turns defendant

There are many instances where films made on true life events are captivating and made splendidly. However, there are even more instances where such films based on true stories do not quite work out and end up being just average efforts on the part of the filmmaker. Quite often, this can depend on the story which forms the base of the script and how interesting the true events were, and the way in which the director chooses to make the film in the end. Such is a case with director Steven Soderbergh’s 2009 film The Informant!, the story for which is derived from a book based on true events.

Mark Whitacre was a Corporate Vice President with lysine developing company Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) in 1992. When he informs his superiors of a case of corporate espionage involving his own company, they decide to approach the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to smoke out the mole and arrest the culprits who are blackmailing the company. Things turn hilariously unprecedented when Mark himself confesses to the FBI agents of his company’s involvement in international price fixing scandals and agrees to be an informant to the FBI thereby making himself a mole in the company. Mark informs the agents that his company’s top executives, as well as himself, would meet with competitors to fix the price and volume of the products being manufactured. The FBI agents now ask Mark to collect evidence against his bosses which requires him to go through inconvenient situations like wearing a wire, tapping phone conversations and video recording meetings involving international executives. Mark struggles to deal with his desire to help the FBI, show loyalty to his company, manage his family and sort out his personal hidden agenda as the story goes on.

The film has several twists and turns which come about through revelations made by the characters. The protagonist in the form of Mark Whitacre is an exceptionally neurotic character which is revealed in due course of the film. The film has a first-person narration during its entire course which is provided by the protagonist. Although narration is considered a faux-pas in filmmaking, the format used in this film does not aid the storytelling process but is mostly random musings on the part of the character. As the film goes on, it is evident that the character cannot be trusted because of the situations in the story and the increasing randomness and patchy intervals at which the narration occurs. As such, the narration helps with the comedic effect of the film and helps establish the confused identity of the protagonist. The narration eventually makes the audience lose its previous apathy for the protagonist which is later replaced with bemusement at his chosen course of action.

The Informant! isn’t a particularly splendid film. It is an average turn out from Steven Soderbergh from a twisting case that started with a whistleblower.