Category Archives: Drama

2009, Drama, Explicit sex, Gay theme, Latino Culture, Nudity, Religious Theme, Spanish

Undertow (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Writer-director Javier Fuentes-León sets this offbeat romantic ghost story on the rough-hewn but gorgeous Peruvian coast, where a married fisherman must come to terms with his love for another man, despite the strict moral codes of his homeland. This winner of the World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic at Sundance is a vivid examination of the ways in which affairs of the heart supersede social strictures and all other forms of logic.

NetFlix’s summary more or less says it all. What make this film (in Spanish with subtitles) worthwhile are its authenticity, good-acting, realistic personal dilemma, and beautiful surroundings.

In theory the village is conservative Catholic. Some cultural practices are at odds with Catholicism. For example, the villagers believe that if the enshrouded corpse is not carried in procession to the ocean and then dumped from a boat and thus buried in the water, then that soul cannot rest in peace. It is this practice that causes trouble for the husband Miguel.

And yes, it is the first gay ghost film I have ever seen. In this respect it reminds me of the Brazilian film “Dona Flor and her Two Husbands” (one of whom was a ghost).

Expect some gay and straight explicit sex scenes.

2010, Acceptable for children, Based on true facts, Corny, Drama, Feel Good For All, Horse story

Secretariat (2010)

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From NetFlix:

When Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father’s thoroughbred stable, she transforms from housewife to horse breeder — and owner of the colt that will take the 1973 Triple Crown — in this dramatic biopic. The film explores Chenery’s bond with “Big Red” and depicts her rise to greatness as the “first lady of racing.” John Malkovich plays trainer Lucien Laurin, and Fred Dalton Thompson co-stars as big-shot breeder Bull Hancock.

Secretariat was an amazing horse. No other horse has ever performed as well in the Triple Crown. At the end of the film there are some information screens. Secretariat died at age 19, having sired over 600 foals (lucky horse!). After his death the autopsy revealed that his huge heart (14 pounds) was in perfect condition.

Probably it is the story of the horse itself that keeps this film afloat. We are talking real Walt Disney here (read that “corny” or “hearts on our sleeves”). At least it is a film that everyone can watch.

Dylan Walsh (the husband) will always be Mister “Nip/Tuck” for me. James Cromwell will always be the farmer who owned “Babe” the pig. He was also a very bad guy in “LA Confidential”.

But then it is always exciting to watch a well-filmed horse race.

2009, British Mystery Series, Child Molestation, Conspiracy, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Gritty, Mystery Film, Plot Twist, Revenge, Suspense

Place of Execution (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Journalist Catherine Heathcote (Juliet Stevenson) solicits the help of investigator George Bennett (Lee Ingleby) for her documentary about the 1963 disappearance of a 13-year-old girl. But when Bennett abruptly stops cooperating, Heathcote begins to unravel some surprising truths. Now Heathcote may have to reevaluate her deep-rooted beliefs about justice. Based on the book by Val McDermid, this “Masterpiece” special co-stars Greg Wise.

2016 ADDENDUM: You can now stream this two-part film from Amazon Prime. You may be shocked when part one abruptly ends and shows screen credits. Just sit tight, because part two begins immediately after that.

Given the combination of BBC Masterpiece Contemporary and Juliet Stevenson you cannot go wrong with this intriguing, well-written, well-acted mystery. All the episodes are on the disk you get from NetFlix, comprising about 2.5 hours.

Never once did I suspect the truth of what really happened. Indeed the surprise ending really caught me off guard. You will have to decide about the moral ambiguity of the ending.

But I guarantee you, you will not be bored.

2004, Drama, Feel Good For All, Quiet

Around the Bend (2004)

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From NetFlix:

Four generations of men are suddenly brought together by the chance to uncover the truth about their family’s past. When their eldest member passes away, the remaining trio embarks on a journey that takes them out on the road and into a world full of surprises — some comic, some dramatic, and all of them personal. Stars Michael Caine, Christopher Walken, Josh Lucas, Glenne Headly and Jonah Bobo.

Where there are Michael Caine and Christopher Walken, you would expect something good. In fact, you will not be disappointed with the eccentric and somewhat sad plot. As the boy Zach’s great-grandfather, Michael Caine’s behavior is “around the bend” as he plans a bizarre final trip for the other three actors as a way to reunite the three immediately following his death. Walken is Zach’s grandfather who abandoned his son Josh Lucas who is Zach’s father. Surprises and quirks along the way keep the plot interesting and eventually lead to some sad final revelations.

Good acting kept the film from being sentimental. Jonah Bobo avoids being too cute. Josh Lucas plays a man who is not only physically cripple, but emotionally repressed. He may fit the category of actors who act by not acting.

Not at all a waste of time.

2010, Could Be Sad, Drama, Explicit sex, Not Feel Good, Sex Scenes, Violent

Blue Valentine (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Once crazy about each other, Cindy (Michelle Williams) and Dean (Ryan Gosling) have now grown apart. Cindy is bored and disenchanted with her life while Dean languishes in the emotional emptyness of their sexless, routine life in rural Pennsylvania. As they muddle through their marriage, they hearken back to the golden days when life was filled with possibility and romance. Derek Cianfrance writes and directs this drama.

What can be sadder than the dissolution of a once happy marriage ? Expect wonderful acting and real unhappiness.

Ryan Gosling at the time of filming was 30 years old. In his listing in IMDB he racks up 28 appearances beginning when he was 15 years old. Another recent (and chilling) film was All Good Things (2010). In this film I can only assume he captures well the attitudes, mannerisms, speech patterns, and goals of a middle class handyman.

Michelle Williams was also 30 at the time of filming. In Brokeback Mountain (2005) she was Heath Ledger’s wife.

Your comments here are most welcome because I feel I must take sides in this film. As far as I could tell it was Cindy (Michelle Williams) who was disenchanted with the marriage. Dean (Ryan Gosling) seemed to be trying very hard to keep the marriage together while she resisted.

Finally, because there were details of which I was unsure, I offer the following quote from the WikipediaThey rush into marriage after discovering Cindy is pregnant from a previous boyfriend, Bobby (Mike Vogel). Dean agrees to raise Cindy’s daughter, Frankie, as his own. Before the wedding Bobby, unaware of Cindy’s pregnancy, finds and assaults Dean at his job.

Prepare to be unhappy.

2011, Acceptable for children, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good For All, Sports

Win Win (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Paul Giamatti stars as bush-league lawyer Mike Flaherty, who agrees to become an aging client’s legal guardian as a way to pay the bills. But his visions of an easy stipend begin to fade when the man’s teenage grandson suddenly appears on the scene. Just when the attorney thinks he’s found a way to make this new development work for him, the boy’s mother shows up and puts Flaherty’s dreams of a big score in jeopardy.

Feel-good films acceptable even for children are becoming an endangered species. Better grab this one while you can. Nothing is maudlin in this well-written and well-acted drama.

Paul Giamatti is his usual pitch perfect everyman, not a saint but still a hero in his everyday efforts to do the right thing (most of the time). His wife Amy Ryan (Helene McCready in “Gone Baby Gone”) is an understated pillar of strength.

As the lawyer Mike Flaherty, Giamatti is also a high-school wrestling coach with two assistant coaches: Bobby Cannavale (Eddie Saccardo in the TV series “Cold Case”) and Jeffrey Tambor (who, for me, will always be the crooked father of the Bluth family in the TV series “Arrested Development”, which I strongly recommend for those of you who love outrageous comedy).

Burt Young (Paulie in all the Rocky films) plays the senile Leo Poplar. Leo’s estranged drug-addicted daughter is played by Melanie Lynskey who was 34 during the filming. That age is just about right because Leo claims he has not seen Melanie for 20 years. And she could have a 17 year old son.

Alex Shaffer was perfect as the run-away champion wrestler (Leo’s grandson). He was 17 during the filming. Moreover in 2010, at the age of 17, he won the New Jersey State Wrestling Championship.

One small complaint: Alex was too polite a kid. If he was neglected by a drug-addicted mother, I doubt he would be such a model teen, although he did steal a car a while back.

DO NOT MISS THIS CHARMER !

2011, Acceptable for children, Classic, Drama, Love Story, Wonderful acting, Wonderful photography

Jane Eyre (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Driven from her post at Thornfield House by her love for her brooding employer and his secret past, young governess Jane Eyre reflects on her youth and the events that led her to the misty moors in this artful adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s novel.

Visually, this film is easily one of the most beautifully photographed films I have ever seen. Every scene is almost a work of art with very little repetition of sites. Attention to detail, especially the clothing, was paramount. Northern British landscapes are desolate beauty themselves.

Once again you should read the Wikipedia article for all the details. Of those details I repeat the following:

  • “Although they estimated the setting was the late 1830s, they settled on four to five years later in 1843. Fukunaga commented that “the clothing style of the ’30s was just awful. Every woman looked like a wedding cake.” However, they decided to allow a few characters in older fashions to reflect that some would not have updated their style.”
  • He looked at some 60 residences for one to represent Thornfield Hall but settled on the previously-used Haddon Hall as it had not undergone much redecorating.
  • The conditions were very cold and Fukunaga admitted that Wasikowska nearly got hypothermia on the second day while shooting the rain sequence.

“Jane Eyre” the novel is too long to be filmed literally. For this version be aware that following the filming fashion of our era (2011) the scenes are not in chronological order. After awhile (and possibly some discussion with someone else) you can put the pieces together. In fact some scenes are repeated and make sense the second viewing.

As far as characters are concerned:

  • Wife Kathy objects that Michael Fassbender is too handsome for the part because in the novel Mr. Rochester is supposed to be homely and somewhat brutish. He is an older man in comparison to young Jane. In reality during the filming Fassbender (Stelios in “300”) was 34.
  • Mia Wasikowska as Jane was perfect. She used little makeup and presented the very young girl that Jane was supposed to be. During filming she was 22 years old. Jane’s age is somewhere between 18 and 20.
  • Jamie Bell (the minister who saved Jane’s life) in this film was 25 years old. Eleven years ago he was a mere 14 year old who was “Billy Elliott” (a must-see film).
  • And Judy Dench played Judy Dench

For Brontë lovers, this film is also a must-see.

2003, Complicated, Drama, Drugs, Grim, Medical Theme, Non-physical Violence, Not Feel Good, Nudity, Plot Twist, Prison, Redemption, Religious Theme, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Violent, Wonderful acting

21 Grams (2003)

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From NetFlix:

A tragic car accident brings together three strangers — a teacher (Sean Penn) with a weak heart, a former drug addict (Naomi Watts) turned housewife and an ex-con (Benicio Del Toro) who’s found Christ — forcing them to face their darkest fears, reevaluate their lives and seek redemption. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu directed this complex drama that earned Oscar nominations for lead actress Watts and supporting actor Del Toro.

Mexican directory Alejandro González Iñárritu is known for possibly disturbing films such as “Babel”, “Amores Perros”, “21 Grams”, and “Biutiful”. His “Nine Lives” did not please me very much.

“21 Grams” is a jigsaw puzzle. Scene sequences are scrambled and you eventually have to figure out what the complete story really is. Some scenes are repeated such that on a succeeding viewing you finally understand what that scene means. Not that the scrambling is random, rather the non-linear sequencing is done very well. What really keeps the film moving is the sudden changes in scene without any warning. Expect some sudden surprising plot twists.

Violence, infidelity, ill health, forgiveness, and possibly redemption are the major themes.

“Redemption” is debatable because Del Toro’s character possibly never forgives himself for what he has done (we are talking ambiguity here). He certainly was a horrible father in addition to his other shortcomings. His little son does a great job showing that he had to keep himself distant from his capricious and often violent father. His daughter accepts him unconditionally.

Sean Penn seemed to me a basically selfish man, mostly concerned with his identity (“who am I with this newly transplanted heart ?”). He finds it easy to abandon the woman who loves him.

Naomi Watts’ character asks the question: “How possible is it to forgive someone who killed your loved ones ?” Watching her life go down the drain is no fun.

Interest never flags in this intense, worthwhile, demanding film.

2002, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good For All, Love Story, Quiet, Sex Scenes, Wonderful acting

Moonlight Mile (2002)

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From NetFlix:

Susan Sarandon and Dustin Hoffman co-star as the grieving mother and father of a recently deceased girl who take in their daughter’s fiancé (Jake Gyllenhaal) because he’s the only living connection they have to their only child. Problems arise when the young man falls in love with a woman (Ellen Pompeo) whose boyfriend has gone missing, prompting his former in-laws-to-be to come to grips with the new relationship.

When this film was made in 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal was a mere 22 years old and Ellen Pompeo (Dr. Meredith Grey in “Grey’s Anatomy”) was 33 years old. She did not seem in the film to be that much older than Gyllenhaal. For me it is still shocking to watch an older film and see how young the actors look (even 9 years ago).

Here we have the perfect date movie that offers everything: love story, sad tragedies and humor (Susan Sarandon shoots off some wonderfully acerbic comments about the stupid things people say to you when someone you love dies). You might even shed a tear or two in some of the (possibly) more maudlin scenes.

Children should not be affected by the quiet, tasteful love-making.

“Acting by not acting” is an accusation I often hurl at actors who use their facial expressions (blank or otherwise) instead of saying anything. Perhaps I am harsh or just plain wrong. At any rate Gyllenhaal gets away with this technique which really seems to work for him.

“Moonlight Mile” is the name of a song in a jukebox that has meaning for Ellen Pompeo.

Oh, wait there’s more: you even get a happy ending.

2010, Could Be Sad, Drama, Play Adaptation, Wonderful acting

Rabbit Hole (2010)

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From NetFlix:

In this raw drama based on David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie (Aaron Eckhart) grapple with the realities of life eight months after the death of their 4-year-old son, Danny. Even with Becca’s well-meaning mother (Dianne Wiest) offering comfort and weekly group therapy always available, the couple go about their own secret ways of coping. John Cameron Mitchell directs.

For a long time I resisted seeing this film because the underlying theme, the loss of a young child in an automobile mishap, is very difficult. Who knows how each of us would react in such a situation ? In fact, it took me a while to commiserate with Becca (Nicole Kidman) because she seemed to resist the healing process whereas her husband Howie (Aaron Eckhart) was desperate to work together for their life ahead without their son Danny.

All the acting was splendid. But hats off to all the wonderful supporting actors, each of whom did a great job:

  • Dianne Wiest (Becca’s mother) occupies a special place in my heart. We have seen her warm loving smile not only as a DA on “Law and Order” but also as the psychiatrist’s psychiatrist in “In Treatment”.
  • Sandra Oh (a mourning mother in the support group) we have seen as Patti in “Under the Tuscan Sun” and as Stephanie in “Sideways”.
  • Miles Teller is a young newcomer who delivers a pitch perfect performance as the teenager who accidentally killed Danny.
  • Jon Tenney is agent Rick Howard in “The Closer”. His part in this film is minimal but I was glad to see him as something besides the Closer’s FBI husband. He actually has a long list of credits beginning with 1986.

Congratulations to Eckhart (age 43) and Tenney (age 50) for staying in good physical shape while so many actors and actresses allow themselves to put on weight. But after all, folks, shouldn’t your acting profession require a lot of maintenance ?

If you have ever experienced such a dreadful loss, I can only believe that this marvelous film might be a very helpful view into the lives of a couple who have suffered similarly.