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Film review: Silver Linings Playbook, (cert.15)

23 Nov

If you’re looking for a romantic comedy that breaks a few rules, you’d find it hard to do better than the David O’Russell directed movie Silver Linings Playbook based on the novel by Matthew Quick.

After incarceration for beating up a fellow teacher for having an affair with his wife, Pat (Bradley Cooper) who has bi-polar is back in the community and living with his parents. He has an obsession with making amends and reconnecting with his ex-wife but is hampered by the restraining order that prevents him from getting in touch with her. Life is a little difficult to adjust to again with his father (Robert De Niro) also being immersed in his love of American Football.

Pat’s introduced to Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) at a dinner party. Her husband has died and she’s suffering depression. The interaction between the two who become friends is captivating as their reactions are symptomatic of their mental states. Tiffany agrees to contact his wife on his behalf if he’ll be her partner in a dance competition. Though Tiffany is falling for him, he still pines for his ex-wife.

Some knowledge of the rules of American football might help you in this movie but not understanding it doesn’t take away from being gripped by the main leads and the absorbing storyline.

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Film review: Untouchable (cert.15)

21 Sep

When Driss (Omar Sy), an unemployed, ex-offender attends a job interview to be the carer for wealthy quadriplegic Philippe (Francois Cluzet), he only wants to tick off a box and doesn’t want the role. However, Philippe spots in him someone who won’t give him pity. Driss finds himself with the job and living in a mansion.

The French film directed and written by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano after they saw a documentary ten years ago about the people they based the story on, is quite a gem. Driss starts to get the hand of all he needs to do as a carer for a man who cannot use his arms and legs, all with a certain charm and innocence. Philippe is at the same time energised and motivated by this person with an alternative perspective on life.

Sy lights up the screen with a captivating performance and Cluzet draws us into his insecurities while being limited in how he can express his anxieties. There are times when the troubles of Driss at the lower end of French society and difficulties within his own family can seem a little stereotyped but as it’s based on real people, you give it the benefit of the doubt. It’s also a film with loads of humour. I left the screening enraptured by the movie. I hope it also re-ignites a love of the excellent music of Earth Wind & Fire, which was featured in the film. The film is out today in the UK. Rating: 9 out of 10

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Theatre review: The Ladykillers

8 Feb

Through the snowy London streets we tripped to reach The Ladykillers at the Gielgud Theatre. We wanted a show that warmed us up in the icy February night and this Ealing comedy transferred to the stage did the job.

When a gang of robbers, headed by Professor Marcus (Peter Capaldi), rent a room at little old lady Mrs Wilberforce’s (Marcia Warren) home, their attempts to disguise their criminal activities raise many laughs. There’s ex-boxer One Round (Clive Rowe) who’s slow off the mark, Louis Harvey with a dislike for old ladies, James Fleet as Major Courtney and Stephen Wight as the accident-prone Harry Robinson. It’s a starry cast that keeps the pace and humour going in this production directed by Sean Foley.

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Musical review: Hello Dolly!

24 Nov

The song “Hello Dolly!” is one of those songs that once I hear it, I hum or sing endlessly for at least a couple of days. So it was very fitting that I was treated to the seeing the production of the Jerry Herman musical it’s from when it was performed by the Cassio Operatic Society at the Watford Palace Theatre this month.

The story’s set in New York as the 19th Century transitions to the 20th. Dolly Levi (Julie Lilley), a widow and matchmaker has her eye on winning over the cantankerous millionaire Horace Vandergelder (Jeff Eales). But she realises that to be successful, Horace needs to make him feel it’s his idea and see her as the best choice while she appears to be helping him.

Potential wives for Vandergelder are hat-shop owner Irene Molloy (Fiona Wilkie) and heiress Ernestina Money (Clare Cordell). Dolly sets out to make them seem less favourable candidates. She’s also on a mission to help artist Ambrose Kemper win the hand of Vandergelder’s niece Ermengarde (Jeni Bolitho-Jones). A parallel story involves Vandergelder’s clerks Cornelius (Gareth Edwards) and Barnaby (Stephen Smith) getting involved with Mrs Molloy and her assistant Minnie.

Julie Lilley’s light and enchanting performance creates an endearing Dolly who carries the show along with the help of lively cast. The Cassio team delivered a spirited evening – an antidote to any subdued mood.

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Musical review: Rock of Ages

12 Sep

If you’re looking for a hilarious night of glitter garnished spandex and the flowing locks of rockers, you should get yourself over to the musical Rock of Ages at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London. It’s been a huge success in the US and now it’s on these shores. Set in an LA bar in the eighties, you can join the angst but mainly fun as the bar tries to save itself from demolition and two of its staff struggle with an obstacle-strewn romance. Justin Lee Collins stars in the musical alongside Shayne Ward, ex X-Factor winner who is completely unrecognisable as a self-obsessed lead singer in a metal band. The show is full of classic songs from Bon Jovi, Guns n’ Roses and more for you to sing along too. Best of all, it really doesn’t take itself seriously at any point. Not one for the kids though…

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Film review: Horrible Bosses

1 Aug

Three disgruntled and boss-bullied friends take their anxiety to the extreme in the Seth Gordon directed film Horrible Bosses. Engaged dental nurse Dale Arbus (Charlie Day) is routinely the object of unwanted crude approaches by Dr Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston). Finance staffer Nick Hendricks (Jason Bateman) suffers under the slave-driving undermining management of Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey) and chemical company employee Kurt Buckman (Jason Sudeikis) is subject to the ridiculous cocaine-fuelled direction of Bobby, the son of his much-loved late boss Jack Pellitt (Donald Sutherland).

Eventually all three friends agree that their horrific working days should stop and decide to end their bosses careers and lives permanently. What follows is an amusing and mishap-laden adventure to carry out their plan. Jamie Foxx gives a star turn as their murder consultant. The bosses are skilfully played, especially Kevin Spacey as Harken. Dale Arbus is the most hilarious of the employees. Go along for constant chuckles as it’s a rare comedy that keeps you laughing throughout.

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Film review: Huge

7 Jul

Budding comedian Warren (Johnny Harris) is finding it hard to wow audiences with his stand-up routine. A challenge one night from nerdish audience member Clark (Noel Clarke) inspires him to propose a partnership. In Ben Miller’s first directorial movie, the two set off to crack the comedy circuit with depressing results. In one disastrous turn, they gate-crash the Comedy Awards and end up falling prey to a savvy media executive (Thandie Newton). The British movie switches between being mildly amusing and low-level pathos but ultimately doesn’t quite hit the mark.

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Book review: The Ask by Sam Lipsyte (Old Street Publishing Ltd)

21 Jun

This paperback book was a gift in more ways than one. A good friend pressed the copy into my hands with some handy hints at the humour and underlying plot. The Ask follows Milo’s struggles to win back his job in the funding department of a US university after losing it due to an underhand colleague. In the process we encounter a rich friend from his student days who returns to his life to set him a challenge that may bring back his career. There is much pathos at the state of the world today but set off with some engaging laugh out loud moments. Be careful where you read this book as you may not be able to hold back the laughter. Author Sam Lipsyte is wonderful at creating characters you can visualise immediately and dialogue that leaps from the page.

Comedy review: The Fix presents… Brett Domino and Steven Peavis

20 Jun

I really didn’t know what to expect from Brett Domino and Steven Peavis in their comedy act at King’s Place. My inclination was tested a little by the show starting half an hour late. Soon I found out that the humour of the act was built around the pair geekily recreating hits such as Justin Timberlake’s back catalogue or rap tunes like Jump Around by House of Pain. Brett (Rob J Madin) plays the keytar, a once popular keyboard guitar from the eighties while Steven takes on the drum machine. The act exists mainly on Youtube so the backdrop featured videos from their online presence where every now and again they diversify into some other instrument like the recorder. I was amused but I’m not sure how much further the scope of the joke can go. Once you get the picture that most of the amusement is based around their appearance and deadpan delivery you have the full picture. But enjoy for the moment!

So that you can compare to the real Justin Timberlake take a look at Like I Love You by the real JT which is a song featured in Brett’s medley.

Film review: Attack the block

11 May

I have to give a sigh, not one of boredom and irritation but one of wonder and possibility. Out this week is a British movie that isn’t a costume drama, James Bond movie or gangster flick. It was a gritty tale of life in the big city – the UK does that kind of movie well – but in this case, we had some aliens and comedy thrown into it too.

Directed by Joe Cornish of Adam & Joe fame, we join a gang of South London teens who mug a nurse Sam (Jodie Whittaker) on her way home. A light shoots from the night sky as they are in their criminal act and suddenly a strange creature is in their midst. The gang, led by Moses (John Boyega), chase after the being and kill it, mistakenly bragging all the way. Unfortunately, that isn’t the end of it for them. More aliens, larger and more venomous follow and decide to hunt the gang down in their tower block.

The mainly teenage cast keep you with them though it was tricky to feel complete sympathy after they start out mugging Sam. She in the end joins forces with them to try to defeat the aliens. Though the comedy can sometimes be hit and miss, you’ll be taken along on an exciting ride and, like I said, it’s novel to have an alien in a South London tower block.

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