Bottom Line: Laughs and heartbreak meld seamlessly in this brilliant character drama.
Telluride Film Festival
TELLURIDE, Colo. — Cynicism and sentiment have melded magically in movies by some of the best American directors, from Preston Sturges and Billy Wilder to Alexander Payne. Jason Reitman mined the same territory in “Thank You for Smoking” and his smash hit, “Juno,” and it’s pleasing to report that he’s taken another rewarding journey down this prickly path in his eagerly awaited …
To the list of memorable movies set in the City of Angels—beginning with Double Indemnity and Mildred Pierce in the 40s and going up to such recent films as LA Confidential and Collateral—you can add Alex Holdridge’s delectable romantic comedy, In Search of a Midnight Kiss. Made on a much lower budget than any of these earlier ventures, Holdridge’s movie nevertheless manages to paint a vivid and original picture of Los Angeles. Filmed in luminous …
Bottom Line: Finnish film reminds us that war is hell and does it with vivid characterizations.
SEATTLE — One of the allures of foreign films is that they can open our eyes to parts of the world and fascinating historical incidents that are completely unfamiliar. “Tears of April,” a Finnish movie that recently had its North American premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival, accomplishes this almost anthropological feat. More importantly, it tells a compelling story …
Bottom Line: Tiresome tale of beautiful people destroying themselves.
PARK CITY — Considering that none of Bret Easton Ellis’ controversial novels has ever been turned into a particularly successful movie, it’s amazing that filmmakers continue to find backers for adaptations of his work. Maybe Ellis’ portrayals of hedonistic, drug-addled party people strike a nerve with Hollywood hotshots. But they’re living in a very rarefied world. The latest Ellis adaptation, “The Informers” (based on his book from …
Bottom Line: This affecting man-and-dog tale largely steers clear of mawkishness.
SEATTLE — Tear-jerkers about lovable dogs are almost always boxoffice winners as “Marley & Me” proved last year. Lasse Hallstrom’s “Hachiko: A Dog’s Story” might not match that film’s performance, but it seems certain to win an appreciative family audience. At the Seattle International Film Festival, where the film recently received its North American premiere, sounds of sniffling permeated the large auditorium. The movie is …
