For the past week, I caught a couple of films that got me impressed, something which doesn’t happen that often.
De-Lovely
No words that I say (or write) can ever capture the beauty of this film. The peek into the era of jazz and Broadway and musicals is sweetly nostalgic and yet uncloyingly so. The film delves into the intricate relationship between Cole Porter, one of the greatest jazz composers ever, and his wife Linda. Director Irwin Winkler deftly steers through their immensely complex and yet selflessly simple love, showcasing how a gay Cole Porter could love Linda so much so that she becomes his muse, his reason for living. In return, she is able to accept his homosexuality and propel him forward in life.
I simply adore Ashley Judd in her portrayal of Linda Porter. She is so luminous, lighting up the screen whenever she appears, like a modern Audrey Hepburn. And her outfits! They are fabulous! Kevin Kline is not too bad either, he’s got a charisma that’s missing in many young actors nowadays.
The soundtrack is a gem to all jazz lovers. The cameos by singers like Robbie Williams and Alanis Morrisette are a hoot. It’s truly delightful, delicious, delectable, delirious!
2046
Absolutely worth the hype, although it was a tad too long. As the boyfriend said, it was terribly indulgent, almost as if director Wong Kar Wai couldn’t bear to throw out any footage and made the decision to include almost every scene.
I liked the way he reflected on the realities of life, that not everything has a happy ending. Tony Leung chose the debauchery route in order to forget Maggie Cheung and not even a sexy siren like Zhang Ziyi could change his mind. Thankfully, the relationship between Tony Leung and Faye Wong were kept to a friendly growing of affections because if there anything further developed, I would have emptied my popcorn onto the screen.
The movie is one breathtaking experience, due no less to the artistic eye of cinematographer Christopher Doyle. Some of my favourite tableau include Tony Leung leaning on the shoulders of Zhang Ziyi and Maggie Cheung in the cab, shots of Gong Li’s black cheongsam and glove while she was walking and the silhouette of Faye Wong smoking at the rooftop of the hotel.
“There are some things which I will never lend.”
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Alright, I am a little slow here but I finally caught this amazing film on my baby. And I am glad I did because it’s so…..mindblowing.
I loved how the director weaved the two meetings between Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, and how Jim Carrey tried to fight the deleting of his memories by hiding her in his deepest, darkest secrets. I also liked the exploration of the inexplicable notion that the powers of attraction and love are somehow beyond the will of Man. Very thought-provoking.
Upcoming – Before Sunset
Back in May this year, I was already anticipating the arrival of Before Sunset and finally, after five long months, it has hit our shores.
The Strait’s Times’ film correspondent On Sor Fern had given it a rating of four out of five stars so do catch it once it opens on Thursday.
Yannisms 