Tag: Romance

Roger Michell directed this film. You might recall another film he did called Notting Hill with Julia Roberts. That was a work of art in my opinion. Now, let’s talk about My Cousin Rachel.

Here we have a story about a land baron who dies. His only adopted son believes his relatively new wife Rachel poisoned him but he has a hard time getting anyone to believe it. He spends a lot of time with Rachel and seeks to enact vengeance on her. Instead, her feminine wiles serve to make him fall in love with her. There is a mess in all this some might call it love. The end was a surprise to me but does wrap up the tale nicely.

They don’t give Rachel much to say or do in this film, which is a crying shame. Racel Weisz is a stone fox and a damn good actress. It seemed like she was subdued and below her potential. This story should have work the same way So I Married and Axe Murderer worked, through double ententes and metaphors about death. Unfortunately the director took a far more subtle approach to this tale. If you are a fan of the genre you might like it. I would recommend it as a background movie when you’re working on something else. Still, I can’t wait to see Rachel Weisz in something new!

6/10

My Cousin Rachel (2017)
PG-13 | 1h 46min | Drama, Mystery, Romance | 9 June 2017 (USA)

A young Englishman plots revenge against his late cousin’s mysterious, beautiful wife, believing her responsible for his death. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms.
Director: Roger Michell
Writers: Daphne Du Maurier (novel), Roger Michell (adaptation)
Stars: Rachel Weisz, Sam Claflin, Holliday Grainger

Across the Universe is an outstanding musical that re-interprets a set of Beatles songs in a super fun way. In this episode of my podcast, I talk about this exciting and visionary film.

Download Audio

 

Across the Universe (2007)PG-13 | 2h 13min | Drama, Fantasy, Musical | 12 October 2007 (USA)The music of the Beatles and the Vietnam War form the backdrop for the romance between an upper-class American girl and a poor Liverpudlian artist.Director: Julie TaymorWriters: Dick Clement (screenplay), Ian La Frenais (screenplay) | 3 more credits »Stars: Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, Joe Anderson

This is a film telling of many Beatles songs woven into an entrancing film that will leave you breathless yet singing. (Is that possible? Maybe)
Julie Taymor, director, does an outstanding job here and it’s no wonder since her accolades include directing “The Lion King” on Broadway. It was wise of the film financiers to pick a person so versed in dance and music because this is a flm that includes all of it. The charater Lucy is played by Evan Rachel Wood. She moves from the midwest of America to New York. Jude is played by Jim Sturgess. He’s a welder that can’t seem to get a break. As an actor, he can really sing and I bought his scenes hook line and sinker.
Visuals and live-stage timing make this film a beautiful colorful musical trip. I enjoyed every minute of it. One neat aspect was the way some songs are interpreted in new ways for us. An upbeat song on the album might be presented as slow, somber, and thoughtful. The Vietnam war figures into it masterfully, even when the images and subject matter are definitely “not for kids.”
Bono of U2 fame plays the walrus and I have to say, being a staunch defender of Walruses in cinema, I approved heartily. If anyone can make that song work in a film, it’s Bono.
Recently I saw a professional cover band of the Beatles and I was entranced. You really can’t miss when their music is involved. If you like Beatles songs, or are interested in the music of the Beatles and they are new to you, this love story/drama is a great way to enjoy “the lads.” And remember the message, “All You Need is Love!” I recommend Across the Universe in the musical film genre as:
10/10

In this gothic, barbaric tale, there are themes of female victimization, male attempts to suppress women, and unrepressed rebellion.

R | 1h 29min | Drama | 14 July 2017 (USA)

In 19th-century rural England, a young bride who has been sold into marriage discovers an unstoppable desire within herself as she enters into an affair with a worker on her estate.
Director: William Oldroyd
Writers: Nikolai Leskov (based on Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk), Alice Birch
Stars: Florence Pugh, Cosmo Jarvis, Paul Hilton

The woman is the thing in this one. I loved her audaciousness and almost animal survival techniques in a stodgy English arranged marriage. I couldn’t help but think about just how bad women had it back then. In this case, she was sold into marriage with a man who didn’t love her. Florence Pugh is the actresses name and I was amazed watching her performance in this. It was electrifying.

The director is William Oldroyd. I don’t recognize any of his titles. This may be why this film is so banal and raw, and all the while, successfully so. Perhaps he hasn’t succumbed to the trappings or ordinary Hollywood treatments. He has made a unique period piece here.

The actors are all new names. I have to repeat that Lady Macbeth was completely shocking and alluring. You’ve never seen a 19-century rural wife behave this way and it’s glorious.

I recommend this to fans of the genre. It isn’t a “feel good” film like Pride and Prejudice but romance fans will be happy with it on one level. It is a very dark film but I found the ending wholly satisfying. I can’t think of any way to improve this film, it’s a perfect and complete message to its viewers, storytelling at its highest.

10/10