Man on Wire & SIxty Six
Once again, due to limited amount of time and tiredness I will only say a few words about each of these films.
Man on Wire is an excellent documentary directed by James Marsh (who made the terrific feature film The King with Gael Garcia Bernal and William Hurt) about high wire walker Philippe Petit. In 1974 Petit walked the wire several times between the Twin Towers. Of course, this was illegal. But the fact that he did it is amazing.
We learn that Petit always had an adventurous streak. He always liked to climb. He did a lot of this in his native France. He was obsessed with the Towers even before they were built. The film shows a dramatic recreation of a number of events and also talks to those who knew Petit back then and were involved with this in some way.
Sadly, after this famous walk many of Petit's personal relationships suffered. But the film is really beautiful to watch. And the message is loud and clear: rebel against the status quo and follow your passion even though it may carry great risk (and what could be riskier than losing your life?).
Sixty Six is a sweet, charming family comedy set in North London in 1966. Bernie Rubens (Gregg Sulkin) feels that he is a non-entity. He is always overshadowed by his older brother Alvie (Ben Newton). But when it is time for his bar mitzvah he hopes that it is finally his time to shine. The only problem is that his bar mitzvah is scheduled for the same day that England plays in competition for the World Cup.
Bernie's father Manny (Eddie Marsan) is always preoccupied with business and money. And Bernie's mother Esther (Helena Bonham Carter) is always trying to help. It seems that Manny is in a similar situation as Bernie - he is overshadowed by his brother Jimmy (Peter Serafinowicz). Through our time with Bernie we find out that he is really more special than he thinks he is.
The film is directed with a lot of heart by Paul Weiland, who has said that the film is somewhat autobiographical. The screenplay is well written by Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan. Carter is totally believable as a Jewish mother. And Marsan is great a the ultra nervous father. Young Sulkin is a real standout as Bernie. The supporting cast is also terrific - this includes Stephen Rea as Bernie's asthma doctor Dr. Barrie, Richard Katz as the blind Rabbi Linov and Sean McGinley as an Irish musician named Mr. O'Connor. Although the film is funny it is also poignant because it is not just about the bar mitzvah and the World Cup. It is about Bernie's relationship with his family, especially his father. This is a truly heartwarming film.
I highly recommend both of these small films. If you can't see them in the theater then make sure your rent them when they come out on DVD.
Man on Wire is an excellent documentary directed by James Marsh (who made the terrific feature film The King with Gael Garcia Bernal and William Hurt) about high wire walker Philippe Petit. In 1974 Petit walked the wire several times between the Twin Towers. Of course, this was illegal. But the fact that he did it is amazing.
We learn that Petit always had an adventurous streak. He always liked to climb. He did a lot of this in his native France. He was obsessed with the Towers even before they were built. The film shows a dramatic recreation of a number of events and also talks to those who knew Petit back then and were involved with this in some way.
Sadly, after this famous walk many of Petit's personal relationships suffered. But the film is really beautiful to watch. And the message is loud and clear: rebel against the status quo and follow your passion even though it may carry great risk (and what could be riskier than losing your life?).
Sixty Six is a sweet, charming family comedy set in North London in 1966. Bernie Rubens (Gregg Sulkin) feels that he is a non-entity. He is always overshadowed by his older brother Alvie (Ben Newton). But when it is time for his bar mitzvah he hopes that it is finally his time to shine. The only problem is that his bar mitzvah is scheduled for the same day that England plays in competition for the World Cup.
Bernie's father Manny (Eddie Marsan) is always preoccupied with business and money. And Bernie's mother Esther (Helena Bonham Carter) is always trying to help. It seems that Manny is in a similar situation as Bernie - he is overshadowed by his brother Jimmy (Peter Serafinowicz). Through our time with Bernie we find out that he is really more special than he thinks he is.
The film is directed with a lot of heart by Paul Weiland, who has said that the film is somewhat autobiographical. The screenplay is well written by Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan. Carter is totally believable as a Jewish mother. And Marsan is great a the ultra nervous father. Young Sulkin is a real standout as Bernie. The supporting cast is also terrific - this includes Stephen Rea as Bernie's asthma doctor Dr. Barrie, Richard Katz as the blind Rabbi Linov and Sean McGinley as an Irish musician named Mr. O'Connor. Although the film is funny it is also poignant because it is not just about the bar mitzvah and the World Cup. It is about Bernie's relationship with his family, especially his father. This is a truly heartwarming film.
I highly recommend both of these small films. If you can't see them in the theater then make sure your rent them when they come out on DVD.
posted by Film Fanatic | 7:48 PM
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