The Intern
Robert De Niro plays a seventy-year-old retired widow who
takes up work at an internet clothing retailers as part of a senior employment
incentive, working under flighty boss Anne Hathaway in this unashamedly
feel-good film. Of course with two thespianic titans in De Niro and Hathaway,
there’s always going to be some value in watching but the film has a distinct
problem with characterisation. As nice as De Niro’s character is, his
old-fashioned sense of style and etiquette seems something of a charicature
whilst Hathaway’s businesswoman has difficulty finding much in the way of defining
traits early on and her struggle between business and home life seems
patronising at times, albeit slightly and there are good intentions. There is wit and humour and whilst the film is
not particularly memorable, what memories it does recall illicit some fondness.
Also features Andy DeVine, Rene Russo, Linda Lavin and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it
appearance from Nat Wolff.***
Macbeth
William Shakespeare’s Scottish epic gets another big-screen
adaptation, courtesy of Justin Kurzel. Michael Fassbender plays the titular
Scottish nobleman who murderously claims the throne of Scotland under the
pretense of witchcraft. Macbeth’s not new territory for the screen with such
legendary directors as Akira Kurosawa and Roman Polanski having provided their
takes on the play in the past. In the case of this adaptation, Kurzel has a
fine technical eyes and there’s some magnificent atmosphere and visuals, not
least the striking finale. However, the film’s eye for the visuals comes at a
loss of plot momentum and the film often becomes listless and tired. That
aside, there are some brilliant performances, especially Marion Cotillard as
Lady Macbeth, a character who does however seem sadly underutilised here
despite her iconic stature on the Shakespeare canon. Also featuring Paddy
Considine, Sean Harris, Elizabeth Debicki and David Thewlis. ***
The Martian
Just when Ridley Scott had been written off by critics and
audiences alike, he makes a comeback with this smart yet accessible sci-fi
adventure. Matt Damon stars as Mark Watney, an astronaut and botanist who,
believed to be dead, is stranded on Mars and learns to survive and grow food on
the planet until help arrives. Taken from a book by Andy Weir, The Martian also
picks up elements from many antecedents. The plot has similarities to Silent
Running (1972) and Apollo 13 (1995), the casting recalls Interstellar (2014)
and Scott’s own background with Alien (1979) is also evident amongst many other
movies.
However, the film more than stands on its own two feet with
its sense of effective, almost documentarian, realism a warm and well-crafted
screenplay and a strong cast, particularly Matt Damon who brings his charm,
charisma and comic skills to Mark Watney. Cynical types may sniff at some
elements, especially late in the film, but this is an example of a great sci-fi
film and a much-appreciated return to form from Ridley Scott. Also features
Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara, Michael Peña, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kristen Wiig,
Donald Glover, Jeff Daniels, Mackenzie Davis and Sean Bean. **** (pick of the
week)
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