Mother and Child
Mother and Child (2009)
★★★★ / ★★★★
“Mother and Child,” written and directed by Rodrigo García, followed three women concerning their stories about having a child and sometimes having the giving up the child. Karen (Annette Bening) gave up her daughter for adoption when she was fourteen years old. Over the years, still single and now embittered, the relationship between Karen and her ailing mother became unbearably awkward. They lived together but they rarely said a word to each other. Elizabeth (Naomi Watts), the child Karen gave up for adoption, was now a successful lawyer. Despite having a great career and being independent, she wasn’t happy because deep inside she had feelings of not being wanted so she constantly felt the need to prove herself. Lucy (Kerry Washington) and her husband had been trying to conceive for years but to no avail. With the help of Sister Joanne (Cherry Jones), they tried to adopt a baby. The film was driven by exceptional performances. I loved the way the characters had an unpredictable way of deflecting and accepting certain comments that might be construed as snide by an outside party especially when the issue of adoption was brought up. The three leading characters were explored during their sensitive tipping points. The way they responded to the challenges presented to them (or the ones they created for themselves for a chance to self-sabotage) did not feel like a Lifetime movie or an after school special that involved learning a lesson or finding a comfortable place. I appreciated the fact that the picture placed more importance in examining their inner demons and what made the characters so broken that they seemed irreparable. Furthermore, it avoided typicalities in plot. The story was not driven by a syrupy mother-daughter reunion. Instead, the characters spent the majority of the time fighting their own battles. Even though they weren’t necessarily people who we could along with upon first meeting, like Karen who demanded too much from everyone, we couldn’t help but root for them to find some sort of happiness because we could relate to them in some way. My mom was adopted. Every time I asked her about being adopted, she would directly answer my questions whether they be about how she was brought up by her adoptive parents, when she found out about the fact, and if she ever attempted to find her biological parents but, no matter how much she tried to hide it (sometimes with a smile), I could still feel a small amount of sadness in her responses. To some extent, I could relate to the women in this film because I wanted to know my bloodline and possibly the family and many personalities I never got a chance to meet. I could only imagine how it must be like if I was the one given up for adoption. “Mother and Child” looked the issue in the eye and brought up intelligent and mature questions. It’s a gem.
9 Songs, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Lakeview Terrace
9 Songs
[ 2 stars out of 4 ]
I was surprised that this erotic drama was directed by Michael Winterbottom, who also directed the haunting science fiction film called “Code 46.” But it’s a shame that this turned out to be a pretty mediocre picture because Kieran O’Brien and Margo Stilley had good chemistry together. Yes, a lot of skin and sex scenes were shown. They were necessary to the story and I know that people who are not open to sex and nudity will automatically dismiss this picture and label it as pornographic. I guess the dynamics between the two main characters can be seen in two ways: two people who genuinely care about one another or two people who cling to one another because they feel alone no matter where they are or who they’re around with. I chose to see it as the latter. The film didn’t even bother to introduce the characters in a meaningful way so there’s automatic disconnect there. The movie also features the vast field of ice of Antarctica where it’s cold, lonely, and isolated–just like the characters. As for the random concerts, I thought they were sort of unnecessary but it was still a pleasure to see Franz Ferdinand perform on stage. I was also convinced that I should hear more about Michael Nyman’s music. Instead of the choppy concert scenes, I thought “9 Songs” could have featured more dialogue between the characters so that the audience will understand their motivations a bit better. It’s funny because I was more involved with the picture when the two leads were talking, teasing, and fighting with each other instead of when they were making love. It’s a daring picture and I commmend the actors for choosing to participate in this project. It could’ve been something really great and romantic with a few more alterations in the script.
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
[ 3 stars out of 4 ]
Even though Michael Cera plays the same type of character (“Superbad,” “Juno”) in pretty much every movie, I love him for it because he’s the master of awkward teen comedy. He has great comedic timing and he always gets his audience to care for his character in under twenty minutes. This film is about the adventures of Cera and Kat Dennings in one night–from finding the drunken Ari Graynor, dealing with the ex-girlfriend Alexis Dziena, having good fun with the gays (Aaron Yoo, Rafi Gavron, Jonathan B. Wright), to attending a “Where’s Fluffy” concert. If one looks at the overall picture, it may not amount to much because it’s directed more toward high school and college students, but it’s undeniably cute and has its genuinely funny moments (that Ellen Degeneres bit was hilarious!). We also get cameos from John Cho, Eddie Kaye Thomas, and Kevin Corrigan. There’s also a plethora of music references that range from The Cure to Shout Out Louds. Overall, the picture is very hip and energetic but could have used a bit more meaning. Honestly, I was also glad to see Asians in this film because I think we are underrepresented. Also, the idea of Cera having band members (and best friends!) who are gay but not flaming was a fantastic idea. I enjoyed Yoo and Gavron because I saw a bit of myself in them. (I would’ve liked to see at least one kiss between Gavron and Wright because they look so cute together!) This picture gave me a feeling of “American Graffiti,” (a weaker) “Before Sunrise,” and “Before Sunset.” Other than the movie not adding up to much, I have no problem with it at all. Not all movies have to be meaningful to be beautiful and appreciated.
Lakeview Terrace
[ 2 stars out of 4 ]
I expected to be greatly entertained coming into this film because I’ve been a fan of Neil LaBute since I watched the masterfully manipulative “The Shape of Things” (I thought it was a bit better than “In the Company of Men” but both are just as mean). I was surprised that this movie didn’t have LaBute’s signature direction and style of storytelling. In fact, I thought it was another typical quasi-thriller from a first time director with a very blatant symbolism that hammers the audiences again and again. Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Wilson, and Kerry Washingtom did a good job playing their respective roles and I don’t blame them for the weak script and mediocre direction. For a movie that runs for about two hours long, the thrills are barely there. Knowing LaBute’s repertoire, he offers a number of powerful moral conundrums that last in the audiences’ minds after the credits start rolling. Here, the experience was lackadaisical at best and I forgot about the film right when I got in the car. With a better material, LaBute can definitely make a more poweful picture about race, abuse of power, and family dynamics. “Lakeview Terrace” is mostly a miss but saved by above average acting; the potential is there but the plot distractions derailed this picture.
Save the Last Dance, Tears of the Sun, The Bank Job (2008)
Save the Last Dance
[ 3 stars out of 4 ]
I enjoyed this movie quite a bit even though I’m not much into dancing because it’s a deceptively typical coming of age film. While we get some of the familiar set-up that involves interracial relationships and being a minority in a predominantly black neighborhood, the picture is able to focus on all of those issues and comment on them in a thoughful way. There’s a brilliant scene with Julia Stiles and Kerry Washington while they wait in the doctor’s waiting room. Even though what Washington tells Stiles hurts, in a way it’s very true. Moments like that makes this film above average and worth watching. With most movies, I have a problem whenever there’s too many characters because focus is mostly sacrificed. I didn’t have a problem with this one because each character or side-story is interesting and worth analyzing. Lastly, I’m glad that the film had the time to tackle the issue of achieving someone’s dreams even though it’s a familiar territory. I thought the final big dance scene is inspiring and made me feel like I, too, could reach my dreams if I just work hard enough.
Tears of the Sun
[ 3 stars out of 4 ]
The movie started off a little too slow for my liking but it got so much more interesting during the second half so I am ultimately recommending it. Before the half-way point, I didn’t see the point of the movie because it seemed like the story was going nowhere. I mean, the Special-Ops team, led by Bruce Willis, had a plan and all but none of it was actually executed right away because there were too many scenes where the people being rescued were shown crying and saying goodbye. That said, there were also too many scenes where the filmmakers tried to make the audience care. I feel like they didn’t need to do that because we can see what was happening; most audiences will care, whether they like it or not, when they see refugees trying to escape from murdering rebels. Most critics didn’t like the fact that toward the end the film took the “Hollywood” path and had a typical war action sequences. I liked it because it’s a complete opposite of the first half. There was a huge build-up throughout the movie and if those action sequences didn’t happen, it would have been a big disappointment. Also, kudos to Bruce Willis for keeping me engaged. Just looking at him makes me feel like his character has the weight of the world on his shoulders. Overall, this is not a good movie at first glance, but once it reaches the middle portion, it functions on a whole other level.
Bank Job, The (2008)
[ 3 stars out of 4 ]
This is one of the best heist films to come out of recent years. Instead of being another polished caper movie like “The Italian Job” (which I liked a lot), this is more gritty and more realistic, which makes it that much more interesting. There were a lot of scenes where I found myself either nearly falling off the couch or biting my nails because the characters are always placed in some form of danger. I’m surprised by the pace of this picture: the actual bank robbery was already done fifty minutes into it; the real drama comes after the crime–which is a bold and quite brilliant strategy of storytelling. Each of the character that robbed the bank was featured in some way before the job so the audience got to know them at least a little bit so we care what would happen to them later on. It’s funny how more complications arise after they get all their shares than before breaking into the vault. Jason Statham made this picture that much more interesting because, once again, he’s the guy who’s tough on the outside but is really kind-hearted inside; he’s very conflicted so he’s not exactly saintly either. Pretty much all of the elements here worked for me (especially the twists and turns) so I’m giving this movie a very enthusiastic recommendation.
