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Reviews
El laberinto del fauno (2006)
At last!- A film that shows the true extent of female involvement in war
I went to the pictures last night for the obligatory annual viewing of 'It's A Wonderful Life', but it was sold out so I went to see 'Pan's Labyrinth'; a film I wouldn't have gone near if it hadn't have been the only remotely interesting film showing at the cinema. I know this sounds weird coming from someone who was intending to watch 'It's A Wonderful Life' for the umpteenth time, but I thought that 'Pan's Labyrinth' looked a bit sappy from the trailers. All the stuff about 'innocence' in the reviews I'd read really put me off as well. Having now actually seen it, I am now reminded of the importance of keeping an open mind: the film was superb.
What struck me in particular was the brilliant female characters in the movie who serve to bring about the downfall of the appalling Capitan Vidal. Ofelia and Mercedes (an older version of Ofelia) are two of the strongest female characters I've seen in cinema in a long time. The film, while it explores many themes, is ultimately about the courage and strength of women, in my opinion.
Thank you, Guillermo Del Toro, for recognising and paying tribute to female courage, strength and imagination. How many women all over the world must have risked their lives for what they believe in? We are too often depicted as submissive victims or background players. Again, Guillermo, thank you!
Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Group (2000)
Non stop incest humour in this brilliant season finale
A classic Curb. Non stop incest humour - what more could a Larry fan want? In the tradition of later Seinfeld seasons, a brilliant season finale.
Larry is obviously an evil genius and his plot hatching needs to scale the heights this time. You can really see the George Costanza type lying coming through in Larry in this one - after all it is said that George is based on Larry, and many of George's evil deeds in Seinfeld are, terrifyingly enough, based on incidents from Larry's real life.
I don't want to give too much story away, but... it's good; i laughed a lot.
The Constant Gardener (2005)
Disappointing interpretation of Le Carre
Although this film is very beautiful in places, the standard of acting is almost universally appalling. I've no time for actors who look as if they've started congratulating themselves on their performances before they've finished delivering them; something that is regularly true of both Weisz and Fiennes, especially here.
The Constant Gardener is predictable and unbelievable, yet lacking in the emotional resonance or sense of dread one might expect to accompany a journey into the inevitable. If Rachel Weisz is 24, then I'm a Mexican bandit with a moustache that is six feet in width, ten in length. What is her character (an outspoken, earth-mama activist) doing with Fiennes (a mild mannered, jobs-worth, puppet of the state bore)?
I'm sticking with Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy next time I fancy a bit of visual Le Carre!