From the director of 'Shortbus', John Cameron Mitchell further examines the lives of emotionally-charged characters who are merely surviving in American suburbia. Produced by Kidman, 'Rabbit Hole' is the story of a family barely coping with grief and depression after tragically losing their young boy. This film bites off more than it can chew, falling short on its attempt to address the incredibly complex subject matter. With solid performances by both Eckhart and Kidman, it is a shame poor pacing and underdeveloped characters plague a storyline we've seen told far more successfully before.
2 stars
Ben Edwards
'Rabbit Hole' will be in cinemas from February 17.
CERTIFIED COPY
Juliette Binoche, William Shimell. Directed by Abbas Kiarostami.
To say 'Certified Copy' is existential would be an understatement, and to say it's successful would most certainly be an overstatement. The subtext and themes of this film are carefully ordered and firmly in place, but its narrative top line has an ambition that ultimately outstrips Abbas Kiarostami's not insignificant talent. Binoche is an art dealer in Tuscany, Shimell a visiting art historian. They spend a Sunday together, and when a café owner mistakes them for husband and wife they, without discussion, take on those roles (or do they?). This is a film with a lot to say and it features some beautiful technical work, but the lack of chemistry between the leads and incessant dialogue ultimately make it hard to recommend.
2.5 stars
Matt Shea
‘Certified Copy’ will be in cinemas from February 17.
ADVENTURERS
Peter Haumann, Peter Rudolf, and Milan Schruff. Directed by Bela Paczolay.
Sometimes being crammed into an old Volkswagen for 1500 kilometres is the cure for any family dispute. 'Adventurers' is the story of a quarrelling father and son embarking on a road trip to rescue their grandfather from his senile wife. No money between them, just gambling debts and divorce settlements, they are to travel to their grandfather's small Transylvanian village and chaperone him to Budapest. The film follows the road movie genre guidelines to a tee (overcoming car trouble, hitchhikers, police) and with such a bold title, it isn't adventurous or explorative with the themes, story or conventions. Though its setting in provincial Romania is equivalent to leaping forty years into the past complete with gypsies, horses, and carriages.
2 stars
Ben Edwards
‘Adventurers’ screens as part of the Window's on Europe Film Festival February 19-25 at Dendy Portside.
THE NEXT THREE DAYS
Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson, Michael Buie. Directed by Paul Haggis.
Russell Crowe is renowned for picking Hollywood blockbusters and 'The Next Three Days' is no exception with high level intensity right from the word go. Directed and written by Academy Award winner Paul Haggis, 'The Next Three Days' features Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson and Brian Dennehy and tells the story of John and Lara Brennan, a picture perfect couple and their treasured son, Luke. The happy family is suddenly torn apart however when Lara is convicted for the murder of her boss. Determined to get his wife out of jail, John continues to appeal the decision time after time as he is convinced that he will be eventually able to prove his wife's innocence. Brennan finally runs out of appeal options and after seeing the deterioration of his wife's mental health over the years, decides to take matters into his own hands.
4 stars
Myjanne Jensen
‘The Next Three Days’ is in cinemas now.
