Rebecca Redshaw
Firth talks the talk quite well
Published on Wed, Apr 20, 2011Read More Sofa Cinema
“The King’s Speech”
2010
Many of us who reside on this side of the “pond” have a fascination for and curiosity about the British monarchy. I mean, their actions are partially responsible for our determination of independence, right?
A few years ago “The Queen,” starring Helen Mirren, captivated American audiences and now, not to be outdone, “The King’s Speech” has graced our movie screens far longer than was expected. Who knew an intelligent treatment of the story behind King George the VI’s stuttering would break box-office expectations?
I seldom address money in regards to films since so many blockbusters are not very good movies, entertaining perhaps to some, but not good movies. So I’m happy to report that this intimate picture — made for 15 million dollars, a small sum in the film world – has grossed over 100 million dollars.
Interesting fact, but ultimately unimportant. The importance of “The King’s Speech” is a story well told and well acted. Colin Firth as the king and Geoffrey Rush as his coach are nothing short of brilliant — an adjective I rarely use. Their jousting for control and eventual friendship offer the perfect relationship in revealing a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a world most of us will only read about.
Directed by Tom Hopper, with strong supporting performances by Helena Bonham Carter and Guy Pierce, “The King’s Speech” deserved the Academy Award for best picture of 2010.
“Rabbit Hole”
2010
There are few experiences in life more difficult to handle than the loss of a child. “Rabbit Hole” gives an intimate portrait of Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie (Aaron Eckhart) following the accidental death of their only child.
How does one approach an obviously gut-wrenching story without alienating viewers? Although director John Cameron Mitchell is fairly new working behind the camera, he is able to unwrap the
complex emotional and psychological layers that challenge the couple.
Becca and Howie try to get on with their lives. She gardens and bakes. He works and plays squash. They attend a couples’ grief support group. They even agree to sell their dream home in the hopes of erasing memories.
Kidman, who also acted as a producer on “Rabbit Hole,” gives a touchingly nuanced performance as a young mother who day to day looks for ways to get by. Diane Wiest adds her considerable talent as the grandmother and Sandra Oh proves once again she can make the transition to the big screen. Somehow the work of Aaron Eckhart is always taken for granted. In the role of dejected father and neglected husband, he chalks up yet another underappreciated performance, along with “Thank You for Smoking” and “Erin Brockovich.”
“Rabbit Hole” offers a twist of plot that may at once prove surprising and comforting.
“Waiting for Superman”
2010
Davis Guggenheim, writer/director of the documentary “Waiting for Superman,” has an impressive list of television shows on his résumé, “The Unit,” “Numb3rs,” “24” and “The Shield” to name a few. Given less than an hour to expose a dramatic situation and resolution in that format, one has to wonder why “Waiting for Superman” seems to drag on forever.
As a documentary, this one aims to expose the inadequacies of the United States public school system and demonstrate statistically how it is failing — except for a few minor examples — our youth.
Guggenheim spends an inordinate amount of time vilifying teachers’ unions and demonstrating the questionable policy of tenure (at the K-12 level) gone horribly wrong. He also follows a handful of several elementary students, forecasting a future of success based solely on the luck of long-shot lotteries determining what school they may attend.
Through a series of interviews, he demonstrates the fact that good teachers have a positive effect on students. Duh.
Statistics show that more students are dropping out of school, literacy levels continue to drop, and compared to other countries, the United States education system is in dire need of attention.
Who, what, when, where, and most important, how do we make those changes? Alas, “Waiting for Superman” offers little except the feeling of frustration, not only for better schools, but for better films.
Rebecca Redshaw is an author and playwright who worked for 25 years in the film industry in Los Angeles. Copies of her book, SOFA CINEMA: An Easy Guide to DVDs may be purchased at the
Sequim Gazette. She can be reached at r2redshaw@hotmail.com.
2010
Many of us who reside on this side of the “pond” have a fascination for and curiosity about the British monarchy. I mean, their actions are partially responsible for our determination of independence, right?
A few years ago “The Queen,” starring Helen Mirren, captivated American audiences and now, not to be outdone, “The King’s Speech” has graced our movie screens far longer than was expected. Who knew an intelligent treatment of the story behind King George the VI’s stuttering would break box-office expectations?
I seldom address money in regards to films since so many blockbusters are not very good movies, entertaining perhaps to some, but not good movies. So I’m happy to report that this intimate picture — made for 15 million dollars, a small sum in the film world – has grossed over 100 million dollars.
Interesting fact, but ultimately unimportant. The importance of “The King’s Speech” is a story well told and well acted. Colin Firth as the king and Geoffrey Rush as his coach are nothing short of brilliant — an adjective I rarely use. Their jousting for control and eventual friendship offer the perfect relationship in revealing a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a world most of us will only read about.
Directed by Tom Hopper, with strong supporting performances by Helena Bonham Carter and Guy Pierce, “The King’s Speech” deserved the Academy Award for best picture of 2010.
“Rabbit Hole”
2010
There are few experiences in life more difficult to handle than the loss of a child. “Rabbit Hole” gives an intimate portrait of Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie (Aaron Eckhart) following the accidental death of their only child.
How does one approach an obviously gut-wrenching story without alienating viewers? Although director John Cameron Mitchell is fairly new working behind the camera, he is able to unwrap the
complex emotional and psychological layers that challenge the couple.
Becca and Howie try to get on with their lives. She gardens and bakes. He works and plays squash. They attend a couples’ grief support group. They even agree to sell their dream home in the hopes of erasing memories.
Kidman, who also acted as a producer on “Rabbit Hole,” gives a touchingly nuanced performance as a young mother who day to day looks for ways to get by. Diane Wiest adds her considerable talent as the grandmother and Sandra Oh proves once again she can make the transition to the big screen. Somehow the work of Aaron Eckhart is always taken for granted. In the role of dejected father and neglected husband, he chalks up yet another underappreciated performance, along with “Thank You for Smoking” and “Erin Brockovich.”
“Rabbit Hole” offers a twist of plot that may at once prove surprising and comforting.
“Waiting for Superman”
2010
Davis Guggenheim, writer/director of the documentary “Waiting for Superman,” has an impressive list of television shows on his résumé, “The Unit,” “Numb3rs,” “24” and “The Shield” to name a few. Given less than an hour to expose a dramatic situation and resolution in that format, one has to wonder why “Waiting for Superman” seems to drag on forever.
As a documentary, this one aims to expose the inadequacies of the United States public school system and demonstrate statistically how it is failing — except for a few minor examples — our youth.
Guggenheim spends an inordinate amount of time vilifying teachers’ unions and demonstrating the questionable policy of tenure (at the K-12 level) gone horribly wrong. He also follows a handful of several elementary students, forecasting a future of success based solely on the luck of long-shot lotteries determining what school they may attend.
Through a series of interviews, he demonstrates the fact that good teachers have a positive effect on students. Duh.
Statistics show that more students are dropping out of school, literacy levels continue to drop, and compared to other countries, the United States education system is in dire need of attention.
Who, what, when, where, and most important, how do we make those changes? Alas, “Waiting for Superman” offers little except the feeling of frustration, not only for better schools, but for better films.
Rebecca Redshaw is an author and playwright who worked for 25 years in the film industry in Los Angeles. Copies of her book, SOFA CINEMA: An Easy Guide to DVDs may be purchased at the
Sequim Gazette. She can be reached at r2redshaw@hotmail.com.
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