Gran Torino & Revolutionary Road
I saw two more "Oscar" films over the weekend. The first film, Gran Torino, was directed and stars Clint Eastwood in what may be his last acting role. The film is scripted by Nick Shenk. Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a retired Ford worker in Michigan. The film starts out with the funeral of Walt's beloved wife. It is easy to see that Walt does not get along with his two sons, their wives and his grandchildren. He also has no use for the young priest who wants to hear his confession. Walt just wants to be left alone so that he can sit on his porch and drink beer in the company of his loyal dog Daisy. He also likes to admire his 1972 Gran Torino. One thing that Walt does not like is the change in his neighborhood.
Next door to Walt lives a family of Hmong (from China or Laos) and at first they don't see eye to eye with Walt. But as time goes on the rather gruff elder becomes friendly with the brother and sister Thao (Bee Vang) and Sue (Ahney Her). As time goes on Walt becomes a changed man.
Gran Torino is clearly Eastwood's film. He gives a terrific performance that is at times quite funny. This is not great filmmaking nor is it one of Eastwood's best directed films. But it is solid and there are enough surprised to hold your interest - especially at the end. Eastwood could get an Oscar nomination and even a win. Who knows? It is certainly a possibility.
Revolutionary Road is directed by Sam Mendes from a script written by Jonathan Haythe. It is adapted from a novel by Richard Yates. I just finished the book days before I saw the film so I knew what to expect. But the film still carried an emotional punch.
Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April (Kate Winslet) live in suburban Connecticut with their two young children. On the outside it look like they have it all. But things are not what they seem. Frank hates his meaningless job. And April longs for a life with more fulfillment. They are often at odds with each other.
One day April comes up with a plan for the family to move to Paris. When she met Frank he told her he had been there and wants to go back because people are really alive over there. I'm certainly not going to tell you what happens. You will have to see the film (and read the book or do both) to find out.
This is a very strong film. It is not about surburbia. It is about how a marriage can fall apart. It doesn't really matter where they live. Mendes does a fine job in the directing department. DiCaprio has definitely matured as a actor and this is his best work yet. What is there to say about Winslet? She is one of the best actresses working today and her April is a torn up human being. It is suprising that this film is not getting much Oscar buzz but there are only so many films that can get nominated. I am also wondering why no one has mentioned the marvelous perforomances of Kathy Bates as Helen Givings, the real estate agent (and busy body) who sold the Wheelers their home and Michael Shannon as her deranged son John.
Revolutionary Road is a powerful film and makes us think about the choices we made in our lives. And while not on the level of such films dealing with marital disasters as Scenes from a Marriage and Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, Revolutionary Road deserves to be seen.
So, check out both of these films.
Next door to Walt lives a family of Hmong (from China or Laos) and at first they don't see eye to eye with Walt. But as time goes on the rather gruff elder becomes friendly with the brother and sister Thao (Bee Vang) and Sue (Ahney Her). As time goes on Walt becomes a changed man.
Gran Torino is clearly Eastwood's film. He gives a terrific performance that is at times quite funny. This is not great filmmaking nor is it one of Eastwood's best directed films. But it is solid and there are enough surprised to hold your interest - especially at the end. Eastwood could get an Oscar nomination and even a win. Who knows? It is certainly a possibility.
Revolutionary Road is directed by Sam Mendes from a script written by Jonathan Haythe. It is adapted from a novel by Richard Yates. I just finished the book days before I saw the film so I knew what to expect. But the film still carried an emotional punch.
Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April (Kate Winslet) live in suburban Connecticut with their two young children. On the outside it look like they have it all. But things are not what they seem. Frank hates his meaningless job. And April longs for a life with more fulfillment. They are often at odds with each other.
One day April comes up with a plan for the family to move to Paris. When she met Frank he told her he had been there and wants to go back because people are really alive over there. I'm certainly not going to tell you what happens. You will have to see the film (and read the book or do both) to find out.
This is a very strong film. It is not about surburbia. It is about how a marriage can fall apart. It doesn't really matter where they live. Mendes does a fine job in the directing department. DiCaprio has definitely matured as a actor and this is his best work yet. What is there to say about Winslet? She is one of the best actresses working today and her April is a torn up human being. It is suprising that this film is not getting much Oscar buzz but there are only so many films that can get nominated. I am also wondering why no one has mentioned the marvelous perforomances of Kathy Bates as Helen Givings, the real estate agent (and busy body) who sold the Wheelers their home and Michael Shannon as her deranged son John.
Revolutionary Road is a powerful film and makes us think about the choices we made in our lives. And while not on the level of such films dealing with marital disasters as Scenes from a Marriage and Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, Revolutionary Road deserves to be seen.
So, check out both of these films.
posted by Film Fanatic | 9:45 AM
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