Review: Little Women

Little Women starts out feeling more than a little preachy in tone and archaic in language, but soon settles in to become a charming and occasionally deeply moving proto-feminist story of a family of girls growing up in  mid-19th century America.

One of the middle daughters,  Jo, is clearly the star of the book as she is given most depth and agency - but the other young women are also well-drawn.

This the second-time I've read Little Women, and I remember comparing the 1990s film starring Winona Ryder, unfavourably with the book at it appeared the film's makers had added a bunch of new storylines.  It turns out there are two distinct versions of the book; the earliest version is only about half the length of later one.

Verdict: Classic Old Americana.

Review: You can't take it with you

It's fascinating to see how this Capra directed screwball comedy has evolved since his earlier, It Happened One Night. The use of sound feels mature rather than awkward  in this later film. It also feels tighter and is more ambitious with its cast.

But otherwise, the essential elements are all present and correct; love across the class divide, a sense that money can't buy love, oddball characters (in this case there's a whole family of them), and a goofy song interlude. 

Notably, a number of the cast would also go onto appear in It's a Wonderful Life later too - giving this a feel of, if not quite a prequel, an audition for that Christmas classic.  Barrymore's character is perhaps the most different. Here he plays a libertarian/anarchist Dad with a strong sense of Christian and American values.  It's an odd combination - especially as he is evidently asset rich given the size of the family house (making the class divide not quite as great as it might have been). 

Verdict: Proto-It's a Wonderful Life. 

Review: A Hologram for the King

The role of a fish out of water is a familiar one for Hanks in this gentle drama.  I hesitate to append comedy to the drama, because I feel that would be misselling it although there are a few comic moments they are played near completely straight.

In lesser hands, it would have completely sank without trace as the story is a slight one. But it does have some compelling imagery as abandoned city projects and ultra-modern buildings surrounded by sand are conjured up and add to the feeling of culture shock.

Lastly, characteristic of Hanks' movies it becomes sweetly heartwarming towards the end - and this is perhaps the most interesting part of the film - dealing as it does with relationships across a cultural divide.

Verdict: Dreamlike imagery lifts Hanks' drama.

Review: The Lady

The Lady, a biopic about the life of Aung San Suu Kyi, is a curious choice for director Besson to take on - but he does a competent job. The few action scenes that there are recognisably his - complete with silent slow motion and focus on character expressions.

Yeoh is great in the role of Suu Kyi. It's clearly a passion project and she does a lot to humanise her.  Thewlis as her husband (and also brother in law) works well as an overseas help by lobbying for greater international recognition of her plight.

Where the film fails is in providing a firm conclusion and that's partly a problem of timing, but also that it leans towards being impressionistic towards the end.

Verdict: Compelling biopic 

Review: Distorted

 One of the mixed blessings of Amazon Prime is that it does give a distribution channel for films which might otherwise not get an audience.  And so it is with Distorted - a horror set in the North Wales countryside.

It lacks polish and feels distinctly amateurish at times - but it passed the time  and kept me engaged. Especially as I indulged in calling out the recognisable locations from my mountain biking trips to Conwy. I immediately recognised Rowen for example!

The acting is a step up from local am-dram, but not always very consistent. The music is creepily effective and there are a few moments of turn-away-from-the-screen gruesomeness.

All in all, a debut which shows some promise.

Verdict: Horrid little Welsh indie shocker.

Review: Faster

The Dwaynenator stars as a one man revenge unit in this modern film noir-lite.

It's one of Johnson's better thrillers but less action packed than the title suggests.


Verdict: Straightforward action thriller

Review: A Single Man

Melancholic meditation on mourning and loss. Firth is superb as a depressed English professor living in 1960's America dealing with the death of his long time partner. It's a performance where his portrayal of  numbness and profound isolation immediately hooks you in.

 I also enjoyed the subtle shifts in cinematography to convey the past, memories and mood changes.   Lastly, there is redemption of a kind, but it's a bitter sweet one.

 Verdict:  Firth's film.