Every film leaves a mark. Film Diagnostic is where those marks get examined — sometimes clinically, sometimes obsessively, always personally. All genres, all eras, no apologies.
A film that requires undivided concentration, a slow-moving story.However, once uncovered; you see the twisted intent.
This film is a fictional biography of Shirley Jackson, who is a notable horror and thriller novelist of her time. The story revolves around the time when Shirley was writing her novel ‘Hangsaman.’ This book was about a college student’s mysterious disappearance. Hence, the film’s setting is during the time her husband was teaching at the Bennington College.
Shirley, as a film, does not possess an enticing introduction, it needs some patience and attention. Albeit the sexual content, the mood of the film tends to leave you feeling pressured most of the time. A sense of constant tension. This tone is how the story portrays Shirley’s life- filled with stress and anxiety.
Films like these are the most memorable ones—an experimental kind with a sense of eeriness and strangeness. This film is certainly not for everyone, but it’s something worth to try.
Shirley★★★½
A film that requires undivided concentration, a slow-moving story.However, once uncovered; you see the twisted intent.
This film is a fictional biography of Shirley Jackson, who is a notable horror and thriller novelist of her time. The story revolves around the time when Shirley was writing her novel ‘Hangsaman.’ This book was about a college student’s mysterious disappearance. Hence, the film’s setting is during the time her husband was teaching at the Bennington College.
Shirley, as a film, does not possess an enticing introduction, it needs some patience and attention. Albeit the sexual content, the mood of the film tends to leave you feeling pressured most of the time. A sense of constant tension. This tone is how the story portrays Shirley’s life- filled with stress and anxiety.
Films like these are the most memorable ones—an experimental kind with a sense of eeriness and strangeness. This film is certainly not for everyone, but it’s something worth to try.
MAUDIE, based on a true story, is an unlikely romance in which the reclusive Everett Lewis (Ethan Hawke) hires a fragile yet determined woman named Maudie (Sally Hawkins) to be his housekeeper. Maudie, bright-eyed but hunched with crippled hands, yearns to be independent, to live away from her protective family and she also yearns, passionately, to create art. Unexpectedly, Everett finds himself falling in love. MAUDIE charts Everett’s efforts to protect himself from being hurt, Maudie’s deep and abiding love for this difficult man and her surprising rise to fame as a folk painter.
Film Review:
A story that genuinely inspires. When physical limitation makes you your best self, it makes you boundless to anything even time. Maudie is a film full of wonder and colour. It is a movie made to see through the eyes of a folk painter who didn’t even realise she is an artist. Sally Hawkins beautifully plays as Maud, and she did it with immense justice and respect. You can tell the amount of preparation Sally has done to play as the simple yet exuberant and highly passionate local artist. Who despite her misshapen hands continuous to paint life with bright and cheerful artworks filled with landscapes and animals most touchingly.
The film accomplishes much in storytelling, acting and most especially directing. Aisling Walsh did so well with her cinematic scenes, and I give her high regard for her vision and directing style.
Maudie is a very delightful film to watch, like seeing a movie as if it was a painting, with its soft lighting, bright colours and somewhat magical approach. It may not be the perfectly detailed biography of Maud’s life, but it truly gave us a glimpse of how she overcame her struggles and turned her life into a work of art.
Out in NZ: October 19, 2017
Rating: PG Mild themes and sexual references
Synopsis:
MAUDIE, based on a true story, is an unlikely romance in which the reclusive Everett Lewis (Ethan Hawke) hires a fragile yet determined woman named Maudie (Sally Hawkins) to be his housekeeper. Maudie, bright-eyed but hunched with crippled hands, yearns to be independent, to live away from her protective family and she also yearns, passionately, to create art. Unexpectedly, Everett finds himself falling in love. MAUDIE charts Everett’s efforts to protect himself from being hurt, Maudie’s deep and abiding love for this difficult man and her surprising rise to fame as a folk painter.
Film Review:
A story that genuinely inspires. When physical limitation makes you your best self, it makes you boundless to anything even time. Maudie is a film full of wonder and colour. It is a movie made to see through the eyes of a folk painter who didn’t even realise she is an artist. Sally Hawkins beautifully plays as Maud, and she did it with immense justice and respect. You can tell the amount of preparation Sally has done to play as the simple yet exuberant and highly passionate local artist. Who despite her misshapen hands continuous to paint life with bright and cheerful artworks filled with landscapes and animals most touchingly.
The film accomplishes much in storytelling, acting and most especially directing. Aisling Walsh did so well with her cinematic scenes, and I give her high regard for her vision and directing style.
Maudie is a very delightful film to watch, like seeing a movie as if it was a painting, with its soft lighting, bright colours and somewhat magical approach. It may not be the perfectly detailed biography of Maud’s life, but it truly gave us a glimpse of how she overcame her struggles and turned her life into a work of art.
Written by Robert Siegel, The Founder is a biographical drama that tells the true story of how Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers’ speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.
Film Review:
When Micheal Keaton plays a role, you really don’t see him acting. He becomes the character and that what’s great about him playing roles like these. Being Ray Kroc is quite complicated as what was shown in the film. He was always driven for greatness, oddly even for his age of 52. He seems to be pushing his luck hard or he’s just probably insane. However, only insane people do really get to do these crazy things. Crazy enough to have his vision of being the most popular fast food corporation in the whole world. And he did it , despite the means!
The film did an exceptional job recreating the drama and true story of who really is behind the name Mc Donalds and how it came to be. It is shocking and heart breaking that these small town brothers (Mac and Dick Mc Donalds) who were very passionate about their food would come across this ambitious guy, not knowing he would end up owning their beloved business and taking their name with him! Making it a legendary symbol of family, community and a “church”.
Altogether the story telling was impeccable and so engaging that you’d get lost in the film. You would never know that you’re already inside the movie and has already been captivated by the characters,the scenes and the film itself. Intriguing and well written by R. Siegel as well as astounding direction by J. L. Hancock. Especially the extreme close up monologue shot of Kroc at the introduction and mis en scenes through out the film such as when Kroc had his first Mc Donald’s burger was very effective!
The cast is made up of high calibre actors and actresses that made the whole film very believable. You will definitely feel for the characters and their portrayed roles. Such as for the Mc Donalds’ brothers ( Nick Offerman and John Caroll Lynch) , I felt very sad and what happened was quite tragic for them. It’s like their life was taken away from them. There’s anger and betrayal but there’s also that relief of being left in peace. They would never really want what Kroc wanted even if they had the chance. As for Ray Kroc’s ex wife Ethel Kroc ( Laura Dern) she may seem in and out of the film, but it’s because she was always left alone and was kind of dismissed a lot by her husband. There’s that loneliness in her that’s dying to be rescued, only by her husband. And of course, Kroc played by (Micheal Keaton) exceptional as always. A man who just wanted to be great and recognised , who was a good man but was just too ambitious to let go of his dreams despite what he had to do.
This film is definitely a must watch! Amazing cinematography, great cast, engaging scenes, brilliant editing and great sound.
In NZ Cinemas November 24, 2016.
***SPOILER ALERT***
Plot Summary:
Written by Robert Siegel, The Founder is a biographical drama that tells the true story of how Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers’ speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.
Film Review:
When Micheal Keaton plays a role, you really don’t see him acting. He becomes the character and that what’s great about him playing roles like these. Being Ray Kroc is quite complicated as what was shown in the film. He was always driven for greatness, oddly even for his age of 52. He seems to be pushing his luck hard or he’s just probably insane. However, only insane people do really get to do these crazy things. Crazy enough to have his vision of being the most popular fast food corporation in the whole world. And he did it , despite the means!
The film did an exceptional job recreating the drama and true story of who really is behind the name Mc Donalds and how it came to be. It is shocking and heart breaking that these small town brothers (Mac and Dick Mc Donalds) who were very passionate about their food would come across this ambitious guy, not knowing he would end up owning their beloved business and taking their name with him! Making it a legendary symbol of family, community and a “church”.
Altogether the story telling was impeccable and so engaging that you’d get lost in the film. You would never know that you’re already inside the movie and has already been captivated by the characters,the scenes and the film itself. Intriguing and well written by R. Siegel as well as astounding direction by J. L. Hancock. Especially the extreme close up monologue shot of Kroc at the introduction and mis en scenes through out the film such as when Kroc had his first Mc Donald’s burger was very effective!
The cast is made up of high calibre actors and actresses that made the whole film very believable. You will definitely feel for the characters and their portrayed roles. Such as for the Mc Donalds’ brothers ( Nick Offerman and John Caroll Lynch) , I felt very sad and what happened was quite tragic for them. It’s like their life was taken away from them. There’s anger and betrayal but there’s also that relief of being left in peace. They would never really want what Kroc wanted even if they had the chance. As for Ray Kroc’s ex wife Ethel Kroc ( Laura Dern) she may seem in and out of the film, but it’s because she was always left alone and was kind of dismissed a lot by her husband. There’s that loneliness in her that’s dying to be rescued, only by her husband. And of course, Kroc played by (Micheal Keaton) exceptional as always. A man who just wanted to be great and recognised , who was a good man but was just too ambitious to let go of his dreams despite what he had to do.
This film is definitely a must watch! Amazing cinematography, great cast, engaging scenes, brilliant editing and great sound.
