Liam Neeson action movies have become so commonplace
these days that they're practically a genre unto themselves and not one with a
very good track record as they all clearly want to be a cash-in on Taken
(2008), which wasn't even a very good movie to begin with. However, Run All
Night is better than most with Neeson playing a retired Irish-American mobster
forced to violently protect his son (Joel Kinnaman) after he kills the son
(Boyd Holbrook) of Neeson's boss and old friend, played by Ed Harris.
Whilst Neeson still seems somewhat game to play the
ageing action hero, there's nothing really new that he brings to the table. He
knows why he's cast in these films so he plays the old role is some enthusiasm,
though the often-likeable Ed Harris often seems to be phoning it in. The film's
real skill is its intensity. Unlike some of the worse Neeson action films (Walk
Among The Tombstones (2014), for example) there's speed and life here thanks to
some great sound, editing and action direction. It's by no means a classic, but
it manages to deliver the goods in an enjoyable way. Also features Common and
Vincent D'onofrio. ***
Suite Française
A World War II-set romance starring Michelle
Williams as a Frenchwoman living during the Nazi occupation of France. Mathias
Schoenharts plays a Nazi officer staying with Williams and her disapproving
mother-in-law (Kristen Scott-Thomas) and a romance between Williams and
Schoenharts begins to blossom. Like a great deal of period romance, Suite
Française's beauty lies in its mannered approach, but lacks any real passion
beyond the purely aesthetic. As a depiction of war, it fares better; with some well-executed
sparse action sequences and a film that dares on occasion to be gutsy, but the
filmmakers' seeming desire to retain politesse saps some of the strength away,
leaving something handsome and occasionally interesting but also meandering
slightly limp. Also features Margot Robbie and Sam Riley. ***
X + Y
Asa Butterfield plays a young autistic maths
prodigy in X + Y, an intriguing drama about grief and adjusting to the world
around you. Whilst Butterfield makes for a great performance (as does the uncanny
Edward Baker-Close as Butterfield's younger self) masterfully incorporating not
just the distinct emotional and personal elements of autism, but also the
physical aspects, the film also has some great supporting performances. The
always great Sally Hawkins rises to the occasion as Butterfield's mother and
has some great chemistry with Rafe Spall as Buttefield's acerbic but caring
mentor whilst newcomer Jo Yang, also makes a good first impression. Whilst the
film's ultimate message is pretty muddled and focus is lost towards the end, X
+ Y may just be one of the best attempts at representing autism on screen to
date. Also features Eddie Marsan. **** (this week's Hot Ticket)
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