Silver Linings Playbook

"You have to do everything you can, you have to work your hardest, and if you do, if you stay positive, you have a shot at a silver lining."

Silver Linings Playbook is a film about obsession, love and the delusions of reality.   Pat (Bradley Cooper) is released to his parents from psychiatric care, after the violent discovery of his wife's lover.  He meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a beautiful but damaged young woman, and with her aid he is determined to win back the love of his wife.

The script delves into the tensions between optimism and negativity, and the implications that are produced both psychologically and physically.   Cooper and Lawrence's performances are perfect: portraying two strong and distinct leads who are constructed through their flaws.  Lawrence approaches Tiffany with sophistication; portraying her character with maturity and depth.  Cooper, meanwhile, perfectly captures the psychological turmoil of his character; the emotional extremes and the explosive tendencies of his fragile state of mind, as he clings blindly to the ghosts of his past.  Together they bring humour and humanity to their damaged characters; allowing the flaws of the human condition to be embraced.

Silver Linings Playbook balances upon the perfect edge between psychological drama and comedy, as it delves into the complexities of emotion.  This produces a film that, despite the underlying darkness, is at once greatly engaging and enjoyable.

Life of Pi

"If you believe in everything, you will end up not believing in anything at all."

Life of Pi is based on Yann Martel's novel, in which a storm strikes a ship on a voyage from India to North America, casting adrift a young man named Pi.  Entrapped upon a lifeboat with a tiger, they are each forced to fight for their survival.

The film is visual perfection: portraying dazzling landscapes and beautiful worlds, that are particularly stunning after nightfall.  This creates a dazzling canvas upon which faith is explored and challenged, from a young boy's wonder through to a man's desolation and desperation.  The early discussions in which the principle of truth is challenged, however, casts the narrative in a questionable light from the off.  The shipwreck subsequently delves into the notions of reality and fiction through an unbelievable yet amazing series of events.

Told through a profound use of metaphor and symbolism, the definition between the protagonist's dreams and truth is increasingly lost.   The visual effects and divine cinematography subsequently both affirm and tease the authenticity of the narrative, challenging the fabrication of story-telling.  The exquisitely animated animals, in addition, become increasingly convincing and genuine as the film progresses; constructing a powerful relationship founded on fear and empathy.  These features of the narrative create a story that is at once moving and extraordinary.

A beautiful, symbolic film that challenges the perceptions of truth and fiction.

"What am I thinking I almost walked past George Clooney without hugging him.  That's just... that's just stupid."

Anne Hathaway at the BAFTAs

The 66th British Academy Film Awards

This year's BAFTAs, led by the fabulously eloquent Stephen Fry at the beautiful Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, saw an array of stars acknowledged for their excellent work in film.  Life of Pi received great acclaim for its stunning visual achievement, while Ben Affleck's Argo won the awards for Best Director, Editing and the much coveted title of Best Film.  

The Award Winners:

AMOUR

Leading Actress ● Film Not in the English Language

ANNA KARENINA 

Costume Design

ARGO

Best Film ● Director ● Editing

BRAVE

Animated Film

DJANGO UNCHAINED

Supporting Actor ● Original Screenplay

LES MISÉRABLES

Supporting Actress ● Production Design ● Sound ● Make-Up & Hair

LIFE OF PI

Cinematography ● Special Visual Effects

LINCOLN

Leading Actor

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

Adapted Screenplay

SKYFALL

Outstanding British Film ● Original Music

"In the end, it’s only a passing thing; this shadow.  Even darkness must pass.  A new day will come.  And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.  Those were the stories that stayed with you.  That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why.  But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand.  I know now.  Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t.  They kept going.  Because they were holding on to something."

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Jack Reacher

"Look at the people. You tell me which ones are free?"

Based on the novel series by Lee Child, Jack Reacher is the story of an untraceable man who has no ties and knows no bounds.  When evidence indisputably pins James Barr as a serial-murderer, he calls upon the untraceable Reacher.  As Reacher is drawn into the investigation, he finds himself pulled deeply into a dangerous world of deceit.  The storyline plays out confidently by balancing action with conspiracy, which produces suspense and intrigue.  The use of altering flashbacks allow the plot, and our perceptions, to be continuously manipulated and twisted.  

Tom Cruise stars as the title character, who is ironically famous for his tall and imposing presence throughout the novels.  It is therefore difficult to overlook the incorrectness of Cruise's physicality for the role.  However, he delivers the character well: perfectly capturing the mannerisms and character of Reacher, so that by the end he has constructed a character whose presence is imposing, regardless of his stature.  Rosamund Pike co-stars alongside him as the female lead, Helen, whose character is flawed by inconsistencies.  Representing the contemporary strong woman, a beautiful and intelligent defence attorney striving to achieve success, she finds herself suddenly torn back into the archetype of a damsel in distress, who is helplessly lost the presence of Reacher and ineffective.  The other fleeting, yet perhaps more intriguing, female character is Sandy, who becomes an ironic symbol of fragility and manipulation within a corrupted world.

With a clever story, the film makes for a good action-thriller.  The undoubtable ambition of it spawning a new franchise of film, however, is a less than promising prospect.