“Acting, films, scripts, is literally the only thing I’m 100% confident in. I know what I’m doing. I just understand it, and I love it. When I’m on set, that’s when I feel the most at home and in control.”

Jennifer Lawrence

Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away

A young woman visiting a circus is enchanted by an aerialist.  When he suddenly falls, she follows him into a dreamlike world of surrealism, where the boundaries of science and imagination are defied.

Visionary filmmakers James Cameron and Andrew Adamson produce a film that captures the exhilarating and sophisticated feats of the awe-inspiring Cirque du Soleil.   With a stunning score and little dialogue, the film's emphasis is firmly placed upon the incredible, visual talent of the performers.  The film's narrative, however, was subsequently weak: constantly lost amidst the dramatic, yet incongruous, Cirque du Soleil displays.  Moving from one show to another, the film was constrained by the tents in which the characters moved: never allowing you to forget that you are watching a pre-existing scene from one of the Cirque du Soleil shows, obstructed by support wires.  While the circuses are undoubtedly stunning in their own right, it is difficult not to help thinking that an amazing opportunity to deliver an original cinematic story, through new and specifically-choreographed scenes, was greatly missed.

Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away therefore provides a great introduction into the daring and visually-stunning world of Cirque du Soleil for new audiences.  Seasoned fans, however, may leave disappointed, craving something more...

Les Misérables

"I had a dream my life would be so different from this hell I'm living"

Revolutionary France is gripped by hunger, heartbreak and desperation.  Jean Valjean, imprisoned for a minor offence, seeks his freedom from the inspector Javert who is obsessed with recapturing him.  Rescuing a young girl named Cosette, they confront a society that is struck by injustice.

Hugh Jackman delivered a great performance as the protagonist; capturing both the strength and vulnerability of an honourable man who is unable to outrun the shadows cast over him by his past. Anne Hathaway, who won the Academy Award for her performance as Fantine, was also particularly stunning through 'I Dreamed a Dream' - in which her character breaks down as the song tumbles from her lips.   The artistry of the make-up and hair was excellent, as it depicted the social and physical disintegration of the characters.

However, there were aspects of the plot that were strikingly contradictory.  While the revolutionary ideology conveys that the working class should be identified with, the depiction of this class is largely grotesque; from the mascara streaked prostitutes to Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen's comical turn as dishonest and degraded thieves.  The landscape of the film was unfortunately further flawed by the obvious computer-generated visual effects, as well as the overbearing camera angles that Tom Hooper cast on his characters.  The film stylistically, therefore, would have perhaps faired slightly better under different direction.

While the impossibly great expectations imposed on Les Misérables, after it's highly successful West End run, were always been difficult for the film to meet, the cinematic adaption does produce some strong acting and successfully captures the musical's most iconic songs.

The 85th Academy Awards

ANNA KARENINA

Costume Design

AMOUR

Foreign Language Film

ARGO

Best Picture ● Film Editing ● Writing - Adapted Screenplay

BRAVE

Animated Feature Film

DJANGO UNCHAINED

Actor in a Supporting Role ● Writing - Original Screenplay

LES MISÉRABLES

Actress in a Supporting Role ● Makeup and Hairstyling

LIFE OF PI

Directing ● Cinematography ● Visual Effects ● Music - Original Score

LINCOLN

Actor in a Leading Role ● Production Design

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

Actress in a Leading Role

SKYFALL

Music - Original Song

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.