Trio of Oscar hopefuls arrive here
JAKARTA (JP): Two new films show that prison and suburban life have something in common: they both can be hell. Meanwhile, a digital mousy drawing is also taking over cineplexes. The following reviews and grades are by Rayya Makarim, Oren Murphy and Tam Notosusanto.
American Beauty. Dark comedy, 120 minutes; starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Chris Cooper, Mena Suvari, Wes Bentley and Peter Gallagher. Directed by Sam Mendes.
Forty-two-year-old Lester Burnham is having a mid-life crisis. He hates his job, his wife can't stand him, and his teenage daughter Janey thinks he's a loser. Feeling comatosed for years, Lester undergoes a radical life change when he meets Janey's cheerleader friend, Angela. This story about dysfunctional families in demented suburbia is excellent. Definitely the most deserving contender for a Best Picture Oscar. A (RM)
Anywhere But Here. Comedy-drama, 114 minutes; starring Susan Sarandon, Natalie Portman, Eileen Ryan, Ray Baker and John Diehl. Directed by Wayne Wang.
Adele is a restless, flamboyant woman who wants the best for her grounded, angry teenage daughter Ann. But all Ann wants is to go to college and get away from her overbearing, possessive mother. Well acted, written and sensitively directed by Wang, who manages to work Sarandon and Portman beautifully together to reach a range of emotional keys that blend comedy with drama. B (RM)
The Astronaut's Wife. Psychological thriller, 109 minutes; starring Johnny Depp, Charlize Theron, Joe Morton, Clea DuVall, Samantha Eggar and Donna Murphy. Written and directed by Rand Ravich.
A woman suspects that her returning astronaut husband has brought something home from outer space. Just the kind of story that Mrs. John Glenn will undoubtedly enjoy. Ravich apparently wanted to pay tribute to Rosemary's Baby with everything from the plot to lead star Theron's hair, which is done in a 1968 classic style. But it's more a case of imitation than inspiration. C+ (TN)
The Hurricane. Biopic, 150 minutes; starring Denzel Washington, Deborah Kara Unger, Liev Schreiber, David Paymer and Rod Steiger. Directed by Norman Jewison.
This true account of boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter's life doesn't only detail his twenty years of imprisonment for a crime he did not commit, but also his relationship with a wide-eyed teenager and his social-worker guardians, who later mounted a high-profile legal defense that eventually freed him. Veteran cineast Jewison again demonstrates what classic moviemaking is all about, while Washington offers a look into Carter's unbeatable soul through his impressive, blazing performance. B+ (TN)
Life is Beautiful (La Vita e Bella). Comedy-drama, 116 minutes; starring Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini, Marisa Paredes and Horst Buchholz. Directed by Roberto Benigni.
This Italian Oscar winner begins as a mere screwball comedy with the unoriginal plot of a guy (Benigni) who defies all odds to get a girl (his real-life spouse Braschi). Then it becomes something else as the film takes on the grim atmosphere of a Nazi concentration camp. Benigni ran the risk of presenting comedy that is offensive and trivializing the most horrifying atrocity of the 20th century. Instead, he comes up with an inspiring tale that celebrates the human spirit. He deserves every single one of the awards he garnered. A- (TN). Note: Shown in Italian with Indonesian subtitles only.
Stigmata. Supernatural thriller, 103 minutes; starring Patricia Arquette, Gabriel Byrne, Nia Long and Jonathan Pryce. Directed by Rupert Wainwright.
A woman learns not to accept gifts from South America. The young, atheist hairdresser begins to display signs of stigmata soon after receiving a rosary as a souvenir from her mother in Brazil. A priest from the Vatican is sent to investigate. The movie has the style and depth of a long music video and bumbles its way through Catholic mysticism. C (OM)
Stuart Little. Animated/live action family fare; 85 minutes; starring Geena Davis and the voices of Michael J. Fox, Nathan Lane and Jennifer Tilly. Directed by Rob Minkoff.
When was the last time you fell in love with a digitized image? The wonders of technology have successfully made the lovable mouse that author E.B. White created decades ago a real- looking, living, breathing furry thing in this family-friendly movie. And Fox's vocal talent gives him the Jiminy Cricket soul that will steal your heart away. The Sixth Sense's M. Night Shyamalan co-wrote this ode to adopted children everywhere while The Lion King's co-director Minkoff wrapped it all in an engaging mix of adventure, comedy and drama. B (TN)
Three Kings. Action-adventure, 114 minutes; starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze. Directed by David O. Russell.
American soldiers serving in the Gulf War find a map of Sadam Hussein's hidden bunkers in the backside of a captured Iraqi soldier. A treasure hunt for stolen gold bullion ensues in which the soldiers find themselves over their heads and questioning the legitimacy of their involvement in the Gulf.
An unconventional script and quirky directing makes this one of the most original films of the year. B+ (OM)