Her (2013)

Theodore: It's true
Amy: What?....wait, are you falling in love with her?
Theodore: Does that make me a freak?
Amy: No.....I think anybody who falls in love is a freak. It's a crazy thing to do. It's like a socially acceptable form of insanity

Her is Spike Jonze's new masterpiece after Being John Malkovich that deals with the concept of urban loneliness and the future of relationships that might actually become a reality. Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) is a lonely writer who hasn't been able to come to terms with his separation from his wife, Catherine (Rooney Mara). He is reluctant to meet new people and often finds himself playing out imaginary situations in his mind how he could have said and done things differently to keep things right with his wife.

When Theodore gets a new operating system, he meets "Samantha" (voice of Scarlett Johansson), a highly intelligent OS that has been programmed to meet the needs of the owner. However, through her interactions with Theodore, she finds herself evolving into something more than what she was designed for. She almost feels jealous when Theodore meets another woman for a date, while she feels relieved when he finally signs the divorce papers with Catherine. What develops between the two is an unusual love story that we will later learn wasn't so unusual. Everyone around him is finding the comfort of a virtual relationship where supposedly one doesn't have to deal with real emotions. But like any other relationship, this one has it own demands too.

The movie has a lot of similarity with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in the sense that it's a sad, romantic story which makes you want to ask the character how else could have things turned out than the way they did. Both the characters feel doomed for what they conceive as the only time they felt a real connection with someone and that it may never happen again. The ease with which Jonze creates these worlds, that look so real, is a talent very few others have. Phoenix convinces his audience he was born to do this "sensitive dude who is part man-part woman" role and I'm not sure why he isn't nominated for the best actor. And Scarlett Johansson's soothing voice and sensible talk will make you want to escape into Jonze's world and wish it was real.

Rating: 8/10

Nothing But The Truth (2008)

Albert: A man can live a good life, be honorable, give to charity, but in the end, the number of people who come to his funeral is generally dependent on the weather........I mean look at you Rachel, your kid is growing up.....you may not want to bring your son into this, but I do. You want to know why? Because I'm defending Rachel Armstrong, not a principle.

Rachel Armstrong: A man leaves his family to go to jail to protect a principle, and they name a holiday after him. A man leaves his children to go fight in a war, and they erect a monument to him. A woman does the same thing, and she's a monster.

Rod Lurie's Nothing But The Truth, if seen just as a political thriller, is a great story on one woman's resilience & integrity in not revealing her source in the face of losing her career and her whole life. Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale) is a reporter with the Capital Sun Times who outs the identity of a CIA operative in what was evidently a US government cover-up. While she is being congratulated by her colleagues for what seems like her way to being the next Woodward & Bernstein, Rachel finds herself in custody under charges of contempt of court. Little did she realize that post 9/11, there's an act that supersedes her rights mentioned under the 1st amendment.

Meanwhile, we also the see the CIA agent in question, Erica van Doren (Vera Farmiga), being investigated by the agency for possibly being the traitor herself. The movie takes us beyond the working life of the two women to give us a peek into their respective families and their two children who also happen to be school-mates. As Rachel refuses to reveal the name of the source, the days in custody extend to a year. The weather in that time has definitely changed. Erica ends up being shot in front of her house by someone who is officially declared as some right-wing fanatic. Rachel's high-profile lawyer, Albert Bernside (Alan Alda) has turned from his high-society affectations to go pro bono for the case. And Rachel has grown distant from her husband Ray (David Schwimmer) for her decision that seems to affect everyone around her. The only thing that hasn't changed has been the relentless pursuit of the prosecutor, Patton Dubois (Matt Dillon), who seems to be "only doing his job".

It's a very well-made movie and all the characters are portrayed really well. However, since the movie mentions it is based on true events, a little bit of digging will lead one to the disgraced NY Times reporter, Ms. Judith Miller. What is shocking is a well-intentioned reporter in the movie who wanted to expose the cover-ups of the government is being compared to a real life person who helped the government in covering up the mess they created in the first place. But whether we get into those details or not, either way it leads us to see the "truth" behind the US Justice system and all the preaching and the high-handedness we so often see. There's a scene in the movie where Erica calls Rachel a "water-walker". Given some recent events, I guess that's the word that would best describe their own justice system.

Rating: 7.5/10

Rush (2013)

James Hunt: I feel responsible for what happened.
Niki Lauda: You are... but trust me: watching you win those races, while I was fighting for my life, you were equally responsible for getting me back in the car.

In the last few weeks I hadn't updated my blog, I've seen a few good movies, but not good enough to raise me back from my laziness of updating this blog. I guess this is just what I was waiting for. To be honest, I had my doubts about the 8.3 IMDb rating when I didn't know much about the F-1 drivers in question here. Though as I progressed through the two hours, it took me back to the October of 2007, when Raikonnen (Ferrari) pulled off something similar against Hamilton (McLaren), though not as dramatic. I can still remember my brother messaging me the live updates of the game as I was travelling with colleagues on an official holiday in Goa.

Rush tells the story of the rivalry in the 1976 F-1 championship between James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth)- a carefree, brash driver for whom there is no tomorrow and Nicki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl)- a disciplined, arrogant genius who calculates the risk-return trade-off behind every move just like the businessman that his father so wanted him to be. While Hunt loves his women, champagne and living life on the edge, Lauda is the less expressive one who believes happiness can be your biggest enemy, since "suddenly you have something to lose".

The movie focuses on the character conflict that manifests itself in the form of open rivalry on the racing tracks. While they start off as bitter enemies, they still had respect for each other and one's win in the absence of the other was not something either of them would have cherished. What we get in the end is a thrilling, racy capturing of the story of two legends that doesn't just depend on the camera work but also delves deep into the characters to let the audience see where the rivalry is coming from. Although Daniel Bruhl is amazing in the role of Nicki Lauda while suppressing the demons inside his head, I never really thought Chris Hemsworth can act so well. Hemsworth does a brilliant job of the playboy act while fighting his insecurities after being deserted by the model Suzy Miller (Olivia Wilde).

One has to watch this to believe it. I don't know how I missed it on the big screen!

Rating: 8/10

50/50 (2011)

Adam: Look..thank you...but you're not trying to cheer me up. I'm actually really okay with it. Ok, I'm gonna die. You're gonna die..hopefully a lot later than I'm....that's what just happens and doesn't really mean anything anyway.
Katherine: .....I have to tell you what you're going through is completely normal for someone in your situation...
Adam: Sorry, I just have to call you on this...that's just bullshit. That's just what everybody has been saying, "you'll feel better", "don't worry, this is all fine"...I don't why everybody is just fucking scared to say, "you know, you're dying dude"...it makes it worse that no one will just say it
Katherine: Adam, I'm just trying to help you...I'm just trying...
Adam: Why? So thirty years from now you can say at a cocktail party how you helped your third patient feel normal right before he died?

Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer at the young age of 27 and his life seems to fall apart. When the news is disclosed to him by his doctor, the background number, High & Dry by Radiohead seems apt and gets one instantly hooked. He doesn't want his mother's (Angelica Houston) constant advice when she suggests she wants to move in with him. Nor does he like his best buddy Kyle's (Seth Rogen) casual outward appearance. He gives his girlfriend Rachael (Bryce Dallas-Howard) the chance to bail out, yet deep inside he wants her to stay. And she says she wants to fight it out with him.

As time passes, Rachael has second thoughts about "mixing the two worlds" - the cheerful world outside and the grim world in a hospital that stinks of death. Kyle wants to cheer him up and gives an example of the actor Patrick Swayze, who apparently died of cancer. When Adam points that out, the best Kyle can do is ask him to look at the bright side. "What's the bright side here?", asks Adam. Kyle loves the new opportunity of hitting on gullible ladies who fall for a sad story where he has to live with a friend who'll eventually die of cancer. Rachael has already started cheating on him. And the fact that his counselor, Katherine (Anna Kendricks) is actually an intern on her third case, doesn't help to do things better either. He manages to make a few friends at the hospital who are all diagnosed with cancer. When Adam finally breaks up with Rachael, he yearns for someone to love when he watches his cancer-mate, Mitch, still going strong with his wife at one of their family meet-ups. Only to know the same evening that Mitch died too. His interactions with his counselor, Katherine, who is 3 years younger than him, starts off with the usual non-acceptance and moves on to one of trust and friendship.

The story is based on the real-life account of Will Reiser. The movie is well-balanced when it comes to comedy and drama, with a slight inclination towards the former - something that should be expected with Seth Rogen around. Director Jonathan Levine never lets the movie go haywire and it seems he has absolutely no confusion on how things should end, as is usually the case with movies on such topics. A great feel-good movie that is supported by great acting by everyone in the cast. The background songs selection for this movie is awesome too.

Rating - 7.5/10

Frozen River (2008)

Ray: I didn't know any other way to keep us together.....I mean he is a good dad...when he is not gambling
T.J.: Yeah...awesome Dad...robs us and takes off a week before Christmas.

So you want that last time to make some quick cash and promise to straighten up after that? Chances are Murphy's laws will catch up with you. Frozen River is a sad tale about two women's struggles set in the Mohawk reservation, an area in upstate New York and partly in Canada from where illegal aliens are smuggled into the territory.

When Ray Eddy's (Melissa Leo) husband disappears leaving her with her two kids, she finds herself strapped for cash to pay off her bills and keep her home. The promotion at the Yankee Dollar Store that has been due since two years also isn't going to happen. She doesn't want her 15 year old elder son to give up his studies and help in earning some income and so it's all left to her to find a way. When she meets Lila (Misty Upham), a native Indian who helps in smuggling people across the border, they partner up to get themselves out of their miseries.  The police wouldn't question Ray "since she is white" and they can carry people in the trunk of Ray's car. The relations between the native Indians and the whites become evident as Ray and Lila start off with mutual mistrust and slowly get to help each other out of their desperation. Even though Ray has her own opinions about the Chinese and the Pakistanis trying to smuggle across the border, she is just another embittered woman hardened by her struggles and poverty.

Courtney Hunt's movie on the lives of two women works brilliantly to show us many facets of the lives of people after the crisis and she is helped by some excellent performances from the two lead actors and the rest of the cast too. The weathered face, the creases on her forehead yet the resilience that doesn't want to give a hint of self-pity makes Ray's character as real as the people you'll find in the United States whose lives have been destroyed in recent times. A must-watch.

Rating: 7.5/10

Dorian Gray (2009)

Henry: See, I envy you. Everything's possible for you because you've the only two things worth having - Youth and beauty.....The moment's lost.
Dorian: That was probably her husband.
Henry: Yes, very sensible. People die of common sense, Dorian, one lost moment at a time. Life is a moment. There is no hereafter. So make it burn always with the hardest flame.

If you could trade your youth for your soul, would you? Don't even bother answering that 'cause we all know what we say. What we do when no-one's looking is who we really are. Dorian Gray is based on Oscar Wilde's only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. I remember having been quite influenced with those words when I read it during my undergrad years. Though I really don't remember much from the novel since it was ten years back. I only remember discussing with a friend who should play Dorian Gray if it's ever made into a movie. Leonardo DiCaprio is what we had agreed on since there were no other boyish faces around who could also act. Only yesterday I came to know it was indeed made into a movie. Although the choice for Henry Wotton's character can't be disputed, I'm not too sure about Dorian Gray's.  Well, any good actor could fit into Henry Wotton's role, but Colin Firth with his English accent definitely has an advantage while delivering witticisms after another  and corrupting the mind of his young companion, Dorian Gray (Ben Barnes). It's like watching the great Oscar Wilde himself in action.

Dorian Gray comes back to London and is introduced into the world of the upper echelons of society by his friend, Basil Hallward (Ben Chaplin). Basil warns Dorian about the company of the "charming" Henry while saying, "You shouldn't believe every word he says. He doesn't". Until it's too late. When Basil paints the portrait of Dorian, Dorian is awestruck on seeing his own beauty and hypothetically mentions to Henry that he would trade his soul to keep his youth. As he is introduced into the world of "pleasure", Dorian unknowingly pushes his one and only love, Sybil Vane (Rachel Hurd-Wood), to suicide. Perhaps broken after the incident, he is drawn into hedonistic tendencies and the corruption of his soul. As he commits crime after crime, we see his wish has been granted - the portrait ages while he gets to keep his youth.

This is one of the most brilliant tales on the corruption of a young soul and given my interest in such topics, I was under a spell when I had read the novel. And considering the time when this book was published, I can only understand the opposition the author might have faced from society. There goes the famous quote of Oscar Wilde -"There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all." I can't remember the details and hence comment if the movie has been faithful to the book, but it is definitely entertaining. Ben Barnes, at times, lacks the ability to play such a dark character while keeping his facial innocence. But to be fair to him, I can't think of a single name among the current lot who could have been a good substitute ( though I can't help thinking a Aamir Khan with an English accent could be the answer. After all, remember the look on his face in the last scene of Earth - 1947? ) Anyway, the only thing on my mind right now is to get hold of the novel and start again. I was too young then to really understand the meaning of "corruption of a soul".

Rating: 7/10

5 X 2 (2004)

Gilles: Are you with anyone? Don't you miss it?
Marion: No. Actually it feels good to be alone.......This is hard for me, too.
Gilles: You seem to be holding up pretty well.
Marion: I'm just happy it's over with......What's the matter?
Gilles: I'm just saying you're strong......You get undressed, you get laid, and you're happy. Go get fucked by someone else.
Marion[ screaming]: Shut up!
Gilles: You won.
Marion: I didn't win or lose. It's just over.
Gilles: You're right, as always. It's over. Nothing left to say.........Marion?.....Do you want to try again?

5X2 takes us through the five stages of a couple's marriage and its disintegration in reverse chronological order. The final proceedings of Marion's (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi) and Gilles' (Stephane Freiss) divorce are just done with in the opening scene of the movie and we are taken through the stages of their lives together to see how they got there.

The first scene is followed by a dinner party with Gilles' gay brother and his partner where we see the cracks starting to show. As they discuss about fidelity in a relationship, Gilles narrates in front of his guests about the only time he had cheated on Marion. The whole time his eyes are fixated on her, watching her every move as if to intentionally make her uncomfortable. The third stage is about the time when Marion is in labor due to complications in her delivery, and Gilles, suddenly confused about the arrival of a new member in the family, is nowhere to be seen. We see him sitting inside his car in the rain and finally calling her (after ignoring her mom's messages) when everything is over. The fourth scene takes us to the day of their marriage with all the merry-making and the happiness of two families coming together when two people seem very sure about each other when they say their "I do". And what sadly follows is Gilles falling fast asleep by the time Marion comes over to their bed. "Are you already bored with me?", she asks and takes a walk alone in the night down by the lake where she is almost tempted into adultery. We  don't know whether she goes for it or not, but for sure she seems relieved in the morning when she professes her love for Gilles. The final scene or the first stage of their relationship takes us through how they met at a resort where Gilles is slowly losing interest in his hard-to-impress girlfriend and Marion is spending some alone-time after her break-up four months back with her former Sicilian boyfriend.

The director, Francois Ozon, doesn't pin the blame on anyone for the failure of the relationship, but lets the viewers judge. As it seems, both played their parts, though Gilles would come across as the more self-serving type who can be prone to playing mind games. While Marion is just another ordinary girl who got into a relationship at the wrong time. At times she comes across as strong, but there's always that vulnerability that can break her. She is definitely not someone who can win a psychological game and all she wants is for things to fall into place on their own. We never get to see the fights that are so often imagined as the reason for a relationship's break-down. We also don't see what exactly is it about Marion that has turned Gilles so cold in the marriage. The movie makes a point by showing us a very ordinary couple and how they move from one stage to another with no hint as to what exactly drove them apart. Maybe, in a way, it tells us love and relationships are highly over-rated to start with?

Rating: 7.5/10