Top Ten Films, 2008

OK, So I've seen almost everything, and I think I can make the final judgment. So, here are Paddy's picks for the top ten films of 2008:

1. The Reader (A)
2. The Dark Knight (A)
3. Changeling (A)
4. Doubt (A)
5. Defiance (A-)
6. Charlie Bartlett (A-)
7. Gran Torino (A-)
8. Burn After Reading (B+)
9. Revolutionary Road (B+)
10. Slumdog Millionaire (B+)

Revolutionary Road

“Hopeless emptiness. Now you've said it. Plenty of people are onto the emptiness, but it takes real guts to see the hopelessness.”

Purpose and Principles are the Moral Dilemma in Mendes’ latest film

I’ve been anticipating Revolutionary Road ever since I heard about it almost two years ago. I am an avid Kate Winslet fan, and when I heard about this film, I thought that her Oscar would be soon coming. I was almost right – she won, but for The Reader. Revolutionary Road tackles similar issues as Winslet’s previous film Little Children – the suburban lifestyle – but in a less satirical manner and with more of an emphasis on individual principles versus the perception of a life purpose.

The film follows the life of a young 1950s couple, Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Alice (Winslet) Wheeler. Marital problems begin when they both begin to feel trapped in a life in the suburbs that they had never imagined for themselves, coinciding with feelings of obligation and responsibility. The film is enhanced by the mad man John Givings (Michael Shannon) who acts as a sort of moral compass for the Wheelers. On the surface, this film’s primary purpose seems to be criticizing conformity and the suburban trap. Although effectively portrayed, this idea comes perhaps a bit too late to really be considered original. However, I believe this film did a great job of portraying the mindset of the individuals involved. Films like Little Children effectively attacked the surface, whereas Revolutionary Road presented an ambivalent moral dilemma. Because of that, director Sam Mendes deserves acclaim for presenting a unique point of view.

By far the most outstanding aspect of the film was the acting. Leonardo DiCaprio should have been nominated for an Oscar. I have said before that Kate Winslet should have been nominated in the Supporting category for The Reader and Lead for Revolutionary Road. Her performance in this film was, in my opinion, her very best performance to date, which says a lot. Michael Shannon’s role, although limited, was nonetheless impressive and intensely thought-provoking. I think that the film was unjustifiably left out in the awards circuit (in favour of subpar films such as Frost/Nixon), but, then again, the awards circuit notoriously shafts the films that truly deserve recognition.

The film was perhaps not the best in terms of a cohesive narrative, but it was certainly thought provoking and entertaining to say the least. For that, I give it a B+.

Watchmen

“It doesn’t take a genius to see the world has problems”

The Realities of Human Nature and the Mentality of a Superhero

Anticipating this film since I read the graphic novel in high school, Watchmen was high on my priority list to start of the 2009 film year. This film takes place in an alternate history of the United States during the Cold War, during which panic and fear over nuclear war is at an all-time high. The story focuses on a group of superheroes and their characteristics in the seemingly dystopian society. In particular, the film does a great job at addressing the various aspects of human nature when confronted with danger and corruption.

I will forewarn potential viewers – I would not see this film without first reading the graphic novel. The disjoined can be hard to follow without first being familiar with the characters. The adaptation of the book is fairly loyal one; not a whole lot is changed, though a few components of the story are omitted. But, I think that the novel is essential to the overall experience. In this aspect, the film complements the novel very well.

Its flaws however, are obvious. First, the very nature of the novel makes is difficult to adapt to the screen. The film at times, seemed to drag plotlines on for too long while quickly jumping to a new development. Even for someone who may have read the novel, the film may have been difficult to follow at times. At times, the film seems torn between whether it was meant to be an action film or political allegory. The two don’t really mix too well, and, on the screen, they are two components that probably shouldn’t mesh. There were also some shots in the film that were a bit too poor in taste (such as a blimp flying slowly, seemingly in the direction of the Twin Towers).

The film was visually appealing. Zach Snyder once again demonstrates that he is the master of green-screen visuals. If you’ve seen 300, then you know what I mean. Watchmen is very similar in this aspect. The acting was, generally, lackluster, with the exception of Jackie Earle Haley, who plays the masked vigilante Rorschach – the performance is very haunting, and yet, his character becomes even more sympathetic then it does in the novel.

Overall, I feel that the film had more positive points than negative. And, although it didn’t address the idea of human nature as effectively as other films, such as Lola Rennt and No Country for Old Men, I feel that the film was a success. Therefore, I give it a B+.