Category Archives: Drama

2004, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children

Dear Frankie (2004)

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From NetFlix:

Faced with the prospect of raising her son, Frankie (Jack McElhone), with a good-for-nothing man, the resourceful Lizzie (Emily Mortimer) spirits him away to Scotland with good intentions and pretends the boy’s father is aboard the HMS Accra. But after years of Lizzie’s skillful lying, the jig is up when Frankie learns the ship is docked right by their home. Now, the only way to protect Frankie’s heart is to find a man willing to pose as his dad.

“Dear Frankie” is one of my favorite films and I’m not sure why. Perhaps I feel sorry for the mother and son on the run from an abusive father. Perhaps the way a stanger enters their life to help out in a bad situation is touching. At any rate it is a quiet film with some very poignant moments.

You will recognize Emily Mortimer as one of the Rachels in “Shutter Island”. Gerard Butler plays the stranger. Considering his slide into mediocre potboilers, this might be one of Butler’s best films. The fighting scenes between Frankie’s parents could be too much for children to watch.

2000, Drama, Not Feel Good, Suspense

Panic (2000)

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From NetFlix:

On the surface, Alex (William H. Macy) seems like a normal guy — he has a wife, a son and a job selling mail-order trinkets. But Alex also has a secret life not even his family knows about: He’s a contract killer suffering a midlife crisis. Seeking help, Alex visits a therapist and meets Sarah (Neve Campbell) — the one person he may have needed all along.

William Macy is too smart to play in a bad film and this excellent drama is no exception. He is supported by such high caliber stars as John Ritter (therapist), Neve Campbell (Sarah), Donald Sutherland (creepy and infuriating as the assassin father that perverted his son Macy), Tracy Ullman (Macy’s wife), and Barbara Bain (Macy’s mother without a conscience). Little Sammy (Macy’s son) is wonderful, although maybe a little too clever verbally for someone his age.

Above all this is a film whose suspense lies in watching Macy’s unexpressed rage develop into something.

Except for some shooting, there is no violence. But still not for children.

2008, Could Be Sad, Crime, Drama, Explicit sex, Gay theme, Love Story, Nudity, Violent

The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Stuck in a terrible job, recent college grad Art Bechstein (Jon Foster) struggles to enjoy the last summer of his youth. Things begin to look up when he meets a beguiling couple (Sienna Miller and Peter Sarsgaard) who show him a new side of his hometown, Pittsburgh, and of himself. But as he and his new friends get into increasingly intense situations, Art is forced to choose between family, friendship and love.

Thanks to NetFlix for suggesting this sweet, sad, jewel of a surprise. John Foster (as Zack in 15 episodes of “Accidentally On Purpose”), Peter Sarsgaard (as David in “An Education”), and Sienna Miller (as Camille Foster in “Camille”) are pitch perfect. Also Nick Nolte is perfect as the gangster father.

Perhaps it is easy to play an emotionally hesitant role as does John Foster, but in this case it was exactly what was needed as a contrast with Sarsgaard’s somewhat out of control character. And Sienna Miller is just plain sweet.

More I will not say because there are some surprises along the way. Definitely not for children: there is sex and violence. Nonetheless it is a sweet film.

2006, British Mystery Series, Car Chase, Complicated, Conspiracy, Drama, Gay theme, Gritty, Love Story, Suspense, TV Series, Violent

The State Within (2006)

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From NetFlix:

Jason Isaacs stars in this Golden Globe-nominated political thriller as Mark Brydon, a British ambassador to the United States who finds himself caught up in a complex conspiracy that could prompt a dangerous shift in political power. After a plane explodes over Washington, D.C., under suspicious circumstances, Brydon must scramble to uncover the truth before war breaks out. Sharon Gless, Ben Daniels and Lennie James also star.

Of the two discs, disc 2 is the better, so please persist. The story just gets better and more tense as it progresses. Just about all the actors in this British TV series (6 episodes on 2 discs) are excellent. Jason Isaacs is the perfect tower of strength in this involved conspiracy to start another war in the fictional former Soviet republic of Tyrgyzstan. Sharon Gless, the Secretary of Defense who is trying to start another war for personal gain, played Coleen Rose in 5 episodes of ‘Nip/Tuck”. Perhaps the Wikipedia article will help you remember who plays what government position.

There is violence. One scene involves a gruesome execution.

Often I can interrupt a film and return later (a benefit of NetFlix). But in this case the conspiracy was so compelling that I was glued to my seat. As is so often true, these British TV series are dynamite. Don’t miss this one!

2009, Could Be Hard To Watch, Drama, Imperfect, Mediocre, Occasional gore, Revenge, Suspense, Violent

Law Abiding Citizen (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Traumatized by the atrocious murders of his wife and daughter — and the flawed justice system that set the killers free — Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) gives in to his rage and sets out on a course of vengeance. He soon takes on not only the prosecutor involved in the case, Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx), but also the city of Philadelphia. Director F. Gary Gray’s bold crime thriller co-stars Viola Davis and Michael Gambon.

Ever since Dear Frankie (2004) I have been waiting for Gerard Butler to become a good actor. Alas! In the current potboiler he is somewhat adequate. His character, Clyde Shelton, is unbelievably omnipotent. As I see it, the only reason to watch this mediocre film is to see all the tricks Clyde plays on Jamie Foxx and the rest of Philadelphia. Vengence sets the entire tone of this film.

Warning: There are almost gratuitous gory and violent scenes. Don’t say I didn’t stress the mediocrity of this film.

1986, British Mystery Series, Conspiracy, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Gritty, Made For TV, Suspense, TV Series, Violent

Edge of Darkness (1986)

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From NetFlix:

When police detective Ron Craven (Bob Peck) witnesses the murder of his environmental activist daughter (Joanne Whalley), he vows to track down her killer. Little does he know, however, that the trail will lead straight to the heart of Britain’s nuclear power industry. The suspense ratchets ever upward in this award-winning BBC miniseries, as Craven finds himself smack in the middle of a top secret government project. Joe Don Baker co-stars.

This “Edge of Darkness” is the original 6-episode British TV series as opposed to the 2010 Mel Gibson remake. As such it proceeds at an unhurried calm pace. Alongside the conspiracy plot there are the psychological after effects of Craven’s having seen his daughter gunned down. There is some violence, but no gore. And of course the villains are cool and calculating.

According to the Wikipedia article, this series as been acclaimed as one of the best and most influential pieces of British television drama ever made. Be prepared for pessimism and a bit of magical realism.

As an extra, the very appropriate “Edge of Darkness” electric guitar theme that runs throughout is by Eric Clapton.

2009, Biographical, Drama, Love Story, Nudity

The Last Station (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Set during the last year of Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy’s life, this biopic explores the fractious relationship between Tolstoy (Oscar nominated Christopher Plummer) and his wife (Oscar nominated Helen Mirren), as he embraces a life of asceticism. Paul Giamatti co-stars as impassioned Tolstoy devotee Vladimir Chertkov, with James McAvoy playing the aging writer’s assistant, Valentin, who is caught in the middle of various struggles.

Leo Tolstoy died in 1910 at the age of 82. The biography in Wikipedia speaks of his deteriorating relations with his younger wife towards the end of his life. Reviews of this film criticize it for “over acting”. But Mirren’s histrionics may well be justified.

We all know Mirren, PLummer, and Giamatti. James McAvoy, who does a fine job, has played in Atonement (2007) , The Last King of Scotland, and State of Play.

Seeing this film in a theatre is worthwhile because the scenery is beautiful. Be sure to stay past the end of the film because you then see actual films made of Tolstoy himself. Remarkable to think that movies were made prior to 1910.

2002, Could Be Hard To Watch, Drama, Gangs, Melodrama, Not Feel Good, Occasional gore, Revenge, Suspense, Violent

Gangs of New York (2002)

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From NetFlix:

Amid the savage Irish and Italian rivalry that dominated New York City in the mid-1800s, Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) hunts down his father’s hateful murderer, Bill “the Butcher” Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis). Along the way, Vallon falls for the charms of a streetwise pickpocket (Cameron Diaz). Director Martin Scorsese’s riveting epic — nominated for 10 Oscars — also stars Jim Broadbent, Liam Neeson, John C. Reilly and Henry Thomas.

Before seeing this film, at least read the Wikipedia article which at the very end gives historical references. According to this Wikipedia article, the New York scenes were very accurate. But the history itself is a different matter. Many liberties were taken with the facts. Still the underlying theme of the persecution of the Irish is quite valid. Moreover there were historical figures such as Bill Cutting (who was a butcher), but the film is at odds with their real history.

Violence is the chief characteristic of this film, and gory violence at that. Daniel Day-Lewis plays his usual blood-thirsty villain. For my money this was a black and white melodrama whose main attraction was indeed the many slaughters. And for some reason I have never been able to convince myself that Cameron Diaz can act.

Netfilx sends the film as two discs.

2006, Could Be Hard To Watch, Drama, Explicit sex, Love Story, Nudity

Little Children (2006)

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From NetFlix:

The lives of several adults who have yet to surpass adolescence intersect in unexpected ways in this twisted relationship drama from director Todd Field that’s set on the suburban streets of a small town. While on-the-go wife and mother Kathy (Jennifer Connelly) is focused on her career, Sarah (Kate Winslet, in an Oscar-nominated role) copes with her domestic plight by having an affair with Kathy’s husband, a stay-at-home dad (Patrick Wilson).

“Little Children” is NOT for little children. On the plus side there are lots of fun nude scenes of love-making between Winslet and Wilson. Also there is some fun footage of rough adult football. On the minus side there are two scenes of masturbation and one scene of self-mutilation.

The book was written by Tom Perrotta who lives in Belmont, MA. There is a voiced-in narrator that reads some of Perrotta’s text.

Don’t let the above warnings scare you off. This film captures the early 21st century with lots of current references. It especially captures surburban stay-at-home moms.

Kate Winslet is no stranger to this blog. See Revolutionary Road (2008), and Romance & Cigarettes (2005), as well as The Reader (2008) .

Patrick Wilson is young, handsome, and likeable in this film. For a completely different Patrick Wilson see Hard Candy (2005)

Hats off to Noah Emmerich as the sad former policeman Larry Hedges.

However, for my money, the most amazing piece of acting was presented by Jackie Earle Haley as the pervert. His reaction to his mother’s death was devastating.

I loved this possibly hard to watch film.

2009, Acceptable for children, Could Be Sad, Drama, Feel Good For All

The Boys Are Back (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Following the sudden death of his wife, Australian sportswriter Joe Warr (Clive Owen) struggles to cope with his grief and comfort his young son (Nicholas McAnulty). Being a single father gets even trickier when Joe’s rebellious teenage son from a previous marriage (George MacKay) moves in. Director Scott Hicks helms this touching — and often hilarious — tale of a family in flux, based on a memoir by Simon Carr.

In this film Clive Owen is as I have never seen him. Gone (well, almost) is the grinning bad boy. Instead he plays well a caring father left to his own uncertain devices. Both sons do an amazing job of acting. The younger gets it right as a little boy. The older teenager gets it right as an adolescent who wonders if his father even loves him. In some ways it is a very ordinary film. But for me the underlying truth is that kids suffer from divorce no matter what our permissive experts tell us.

And is Australia really that beautiful ?