-
Reconstruction
Its a mystery why Alex suddenly leaves the devoted Simone to follow a beautiful woman into the Copenhagen night. Time twists and Simone becomes a stranger to him – his past disappears. To create his future, Alex must return the enigmatic Aimee’s love, but will he have the courage Boe offers us a noir-ish, psychological…
-
Three Times
In three 45 minutes segments the director takes us through three love stories set in three different times, 1911, 1966 and 2005. In a fascinating approach each couple is played by the same two actors, Qi Shu, one-time soft porn actress (she is far from alone in following this route to recognition as an actress)…
-
The Singer
In the multi award-winning The Singer (aka When I Was a Singer, “Quand j’étais chanteur“) Gerard Depardieu returns to excellent form following a few mediocre roles where people were being to wonder how bettable he was at the box office. Giannoli’s direction brings out the best in Depardieu and the film is an engaging, reflective…
-
Onegin
In early nineteenth century Russia, a young aristocrat, Onegin (Ralph Fiennes), disaffected by life and bored with salons and balls of St Petersburg society, goes to the countryside to take up the estate he has inherited from his uncle. There, through his friend Lensky (Toby Stephens), he meets Tatyana (Liv Tyler). Deeply attracted to the…
-
Samson & Delilah
Warwick Thornton’s compelling drama/romance of two Aboriginal teenagers concerns Samson (McNamara) and Delilah (Gibson) as they escape the despair and violence of a dead end shanty settlement in the middle of the Australian desert for a better life. The gruelling journey to Adelaide demonstrates that getting a break will not come easily. Shocking experiences verify…
-
Chico and Rita
This is an utterly seductive animated tale of historical accuracy, set in 1940s Cuba, Las Vegas and New York. The story unfolds through flashbacks as Chico remembers a distant past when, as a young aspiring jazz pianist, he met the beautiful and exceptional singer Rita. Music and romance pull them together but, in true star-crossed…
-
Like Water For Chocolate
An adaptation of a novel by Laura Esquivel, ‘Como Agua Para Chocolate’ (Like Water for Chocolate) is a Latin American expression which refers to the near boiling temperature of water for use in the making of chocolate, and is, figuratively, a reference to passion. In this tale of early 20th century, pre-revolution Mexico, a family…
-
Amour
In this two-hander, played by French acting legends Emmanuelle Riva and Jean-Louis Trintignant, Georges and Anne are two retired music teachers who have been blissfully married for at least 6 decades. When Anne suffers two strokes, Georges lovingly assumes the role of carer but their love is tested in the face of the demands falling…
-
Le Week-End
A couple spend a weekend in Paris to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. Their relationship is flagging and they hope to rekindle it. Will the Parisian experience have the desired effect? ‘This is a beautifully executed, fearlessly truthful and droll film on the emotional politics of reinvention.’ The Telegraph
-
Ninotchka
Garbo stars in a comedy romance, yes, this is the film where she laughs for the first time on screen. Gone is any trace of the tragic actor as Garbo plays a serious Russian sent to Paris on official business. Inculcated with loathing for Western values, she meets a roué out to charm her, played…