February Review Roundup
Marry Me- On the night of her grand televised wedding, pop-star Kat Veldez (Jennifer Lopez) discovers her fiancé, Bastion (Maluma), is having an affair. Caught in distress and on stage in front of millions of fans, Kat spots Charlie (Owen Wilson), a recently divorced and dispassionate maths teacher, and in the spur of the moment chooses to marry him. Sadly, Marry Me never leans into absurdity of its plot, instead it runs with its ridiculousness in the most conventional way possible. Indeed, Marry Me is about as basic and formulaic as romantic comedies get. The chemistry between Lopez and Wilson is lukewarm at best, while the supporting cast are rather one note. The film’s constant cutaways to social media feeds, Instagram lives and entertainment news channels also give the film a sterile and cold corporate sheen. Marry Me is a film that exists and that is about all that can be said about it, for Marry Me is one of those films where the more you think about it, the more you discover there is very little to say.
Score: 3/10
The Souvenir Part 2- Following immediately from the events of director Joanna Hogg’s semi-autobiographical, The Souvenir Part 1; The Souvenir Part 2 follows Julie (Honor Swinton Burne) as she struggles to complete her graduate film while also coming to terms with the aftermath of her and Anthony’s (Tom Burke) relationship. Where I found The Souvenir Part 1 to be a rather cold picture, there is definitely more warmth and even inspiration to be found in Part 2. Although that coldness can still be felt here, what makes The Souvenir Part 2 more engaging is Julie herself. Julie’s change of heart for her final project is indicative of the change in Julie’s character from the first film. No longer is she as closed off or disinterested in her film; instead, Julie is more confident and determined to not only finish her project, but to uncover the truth of who Anthony was and who she is without him. The films also boast a tremendous supporting cast, from the great Tilda Swinton to a hilarious, scene stealing Richard Ayoade. Whilst it felt as though The Souvenir Part 1 did not need a sequel, The Souvenir Part 2 is one that not only compliments its predecessor but completes it too.
Score: 7/10
Uncharted- After years in development hell, the film adaptation of one of PlayStation’s most popular game series has finally hit the big screen in the most underwhelming way possible. Uncharted tells the origin story of thief Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) as he joins treasure hunter Victor Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) on a quest to not only retrieve the lost treasure of house Moncada, but also find his long-lost brother Sam. Uncharted is the epitome of bland, uninspired blockbuster filmmaking. With its unengaging plot, forgettable villains and a Mark Wahlberg performance that, quite frankly, isn’t a performance, there is nothing commendable in terms of character and plot here. Of course, all of this could be forgiven if the action is handled decently enough- but it isn’t. Edited poorly and muddied with flat lighting and terrible CGI, not even the superficial aspects of cinema can save Uncharted. Tom Holland is giving it his all and that is about the only thing that can be complimented here. Perhaps the soullessness of Uncharted can be summarised best in one action sequence in particular; in which the film decides not to utilise the beautiful city of Barcelona the plot has taken us to and instead have an entire fight scene take place in the least imaginative place on earth- Papa John’s. A transparent sacrifice of creativity for the sake of a corporate cheque. If this really is Playstation’s first big swing at adapting a bunch of their properties into cinematic franchisees, then this first step has been a wonky one at best. For Uncharted really is a nothing picture.
Score: 2/10
Moonfall- When the moon suddenly goes off its orbit and comes hurtling towards the earth, only a disgraced astronaut, a NASA executive and a conspiracy theorist have what it takes to venture spacewards and save humanity. Much like Uncharted, Moonfall is, on a technical level, a truly terrible blockbuster. From clichéd writing, derivative characters and jaw droppingly bad CGI, Moonfall feels like a disaster movie relic from the 1990s. However, all of this would be insufferable if it weren’t so hilariously stupid. The decision to take this plot so seriously and play it entirely straight faced has inadvertently made it funnier than if this were a comedy. While Patrick Wilson, Hale Berry and John Bradley actually manage to give convincing performances, it is with the film’s supporting cast that the real hilarity lies, with some of the most stilted acting I have ever seen in a wide release film. Moonfall has rightfully earned its place within the so bad its good category, solidified by a genuine subplot in which the US military plan to nuke the moon. While I might forget the likes of Uncharted, I won’t forget Moonfall any time soon.
Score: 2/10 (but also 10/10)
Belle- Due to a family tragedy, high school student Suzu (Kaho Nakamura) has lost her true self. However, once Suzu joins the virtual reality world of “U”, she soon rediscovers her passions as her alter-ego, Belle, and very quickly becomes a superstar of the online world. Belle is an impeccably animated film which blends a modern retelling of Beauty & the Beast with a fitting story of a high school misfit finding herself once again. Director Mamoru Hosoda and his team have crafted a bizarre virtual world that, although imaginative, can be rather confusing in its mechanics. However, it is the real-world drama that was more engaging here, filled with quirky interactions, humorous conversations and a third act twist that brings the story together in a fitting and impactful manner.
Score: 7/10
The Wheel of Fortune & Fantasy- A collection of three short films by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, which entail the story of an unresolved relationship; a honey trap orchestrated by a bitter student that takes a peculiar turn; and an act of misunderstanding that leads to a reconciliation with the past. Connected through their themes of unrequited love and regret, The Wheel of Fortune & Fantasy is a wonderful collection of poignant and humorous short stories that are all engaging in their own unique ways. Hamaguchi’s still and dialogue driven approach that was so apparent in last year’s Drive My Car is utilised once again and its effectiveness is felt through an array of wonderful performances. While some of its settings and scenery can be rather plain, Hamaguchi’s talent for writing turns even the simplest of locations into a platform of engrossment.
Score 8/10
The Duke- This is director Roger Mitchel’s (most notable for directing Notting Hill) final film after his passing last year. Set in 1961, it follows real life figure Kempton Button stuck in a seemingly endless battle with the taxpayer for the right to free Tv licences for pensioners and war veterans. His contempt for the government is fuelled even further by the purchase of a painting of the Archduke of Wellington, money which could have gone help the least fortunate in society. In order to enact some form of social justice, Kempton steals the painting in hopes that his demands for free Tv licenses are met. Jim Broadbent is delightfully endearing as Kempton Bunton, a fantastic and kind-hearted main character everyone can get behind. Hellen Mirren as his wife, Dorothy, is also a perfect companion for Kempton, one who has grown tired of his rebellious antics and just wants to him to settle down. The Duke is charming and filled with laughs throughout, yet in-between the comedy there lies a multifaceted story of what it means to look out for one another and to stand up against what we know is wrong. The Duke may be old fashioned in its sensibilities and utilise some rather odd editing techniques, but nevertheless it is a feature full of heart.
Score: 7/10