Very much a Faustian tale of our times, Garfield and Shannon do well to show how misfortune can shape men into monsters that prey, in turn, on the misfortune of others. Garfield is good, but, as you would expect in such a role, it's Shannon who gives the star turn (he won a couple of Best Supporting Actor awards). Recommended, but not easy viewing.
Saturday 24 December 2016
99 Homes
A topical drama from my Amazon subscription, Dennis Nash (Andrew Garfield) and his family are evicted from their home after losing his job and the court case against the bank. Through a twist of fate, he ends up working for Rick Carver (Michael Shannon), the man who evicted him, who then teaches him the ins and outs of the business.
Very much a Faustian tale of our times, Garfield and Shannon do well to show how misfortune can shape men into monsters that prey, in turn, on the misfortune of others. Garfield is good, but, as you would expect in such a role, it's Shannon who gives the star turn (he won a couple of Best Supporting Actor awards). Recommended, but not easy viewing.
Very much a Faustian tale of our times, Garfield and Shannon do well to show how misfortune can shape men into monsters that prey, in turn, on the misfortune of others. Garfield is good, but, as you would expect in such a role, it's Shannon who gives the star turn (he won a couple of Best Supporting Actor awards). Recommended, but not easy viewing.
Sunday 18 December 2016
Miller's Crossing
One of my favourite films, and one of the best and clever gangster films, is Miller's Crossing from the Cohen brothers starring Gabriel Byrne and Albert Finney.
In debt due to a bad gambling habit, Tom Reagan (Byrne) tries to play his boss Leo O'Bannon (Finney) against upstart Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito) when the two won't compromise over bad bookie Bernie Bernbaum (John Turturro).
Although it's a complex film, and takes a few viewings to sort out who kills who and why, it's a good plot and well acted by Finney and Byrne, with a good supporting cast. It's even got a half-decent sound track. However, if you take one thing away from the film it's the sight of Finney in his dressing gown and slippers, firing a Thomson sub-machine gun with his house on fire behind him while "Danny Boy" thunders out. I cannot hear that song without smiling. Highly recommended.
In debt due to a bad gambling habit, Tom Reagan (Byrne) tries to play his boss Leo O'Bannon (Finney) against upstart Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito) when the two won't compromise over bad bookie Bernie Bernbaum (John Turturro).
Although it's a complex film, and takes a few viewings to sort out who kills who and why, it's a good plot and well acted by Finney and Byrne, with a good supporting cast. It's even got a half-decent sound track. However, if you take one thing away from the film it's the sight of Finney in his dressing gown and slippers, firing a Thomson sub-machine gun with his house on fire behind him while "Danny Boy" thunders out. I cannot hear that song without smiling. Highly recommended.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)