Reviews
Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)
Another True Story bites the dust.
Please, please, please don't spend your very valuable time and money on this pathetic piece of total dross. Kenneth Brannagh is extremely wooden. I try to think back to GOOD films he's made and only `Much Ado About Nothing' comes to mind. (No wonder Emma ditched him). This is twice now he's attempted to tell a true story of incredible courage and suffering of normal/real people and twice he's failed dismally. (The other would be the legend of the hero - Sir Ernest Shackleton - one of the most incredible explorers/leaders ever to have lived). Not only did he fail but he didn't do justice to what these people went through. The character (British upper class) he's trying to be in this film has more venom in a little finger than Ken could muster in a lifetime and what really annoyed me was the kids. It wasn't' their acting as they did as good a job as any kids - whether western born or tribes people. What annoyed me as they had perfect teeth, perfect skin and were extremely attractive. If I don't shower for two days I smell and look terrible. These amazing kids managed to look great - right to the bitter end after walking through rough terrain and desert with no food/water except what they could scrounge for 9 WEEKS. Way to go Brannagh and Co! Yet another extremely poorly told story of human endurance and suffering and what it REALLY means to experience devastation and loss - no wonder the world is in such a mess. PLEASE treat us viewers (you know, the people who enable your salary to be paid) with a bit more respect - give us a film with some meat on the bone. One more thing - the sound track sucks and I'm a Peter Gabriel fan!
Nil by Mouth (1997)
A CLASSIC portrayal of REAL life in lower class Britain.
What a gruelling film. What outstanding performances. How extremely painful it is to watch at times. Very unnerving. What do I like about this film? It shows me the bare facts (okay, it's fictional but it's supposed to be semi-autobiographical too) and considers I have enough intelligence to look at it and see what Gary Oldman is trying to say on my own without having to be led. Some people might say it "lacks a story". I don't believe it's trying to tell a story. I believe this film is showing us how people really live without any pretty faces including Hollywood style sparkling white teeth. I grew up in an area similar to this (I am English and live in the US at the moment)and I, like many people the world over, have experienced physical abuse going on in the room next door. It's real. This is what it sounds like and feels like. Well done Gary for having the balls to show it like it is.
Boys from the Blackstuff (1982)
It's really good.
If you are interested in what it was like to live in Thatcher's Britain in the eighties then look no futher. You need a strong stomach - especially for Yosser's Story. Memories of Cathy Come Home from the sixties spring to mind. It's good, it's real and it hurts to watch it - that's WHY it should be seen. Thanks Alan Bleasdale- for seeing and telling it like it is.