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Reviews
Hallam Foe (2007)
Story of a young man's sexual confusion.
A prime example of a 'small' (or 'wee' as we say in Scotland) film. It deals exclusively with one family and their particular quirks. This film could be French - they are the masters of this particular genre. Not a lot really happens and some of what does is extremely implausible. To say the family members are dysfunctional is an understatement. Much of their behavior bears no resemblance to the lives of people I know. The strengths of 'Hallam Foe' are the performances, the soundtrack and the cinematography. Action shifts between a large country estate and the beautiful city of Edinburgh (very strangely, though, there are no shots of the world-famous Castle - like panoramic views of the Paris skyline that omit the Eiffel Tower!). Jamie Bell is excellent as the eponymous Hallam - he even gets to do a couple of runs and jumps that hark back to 'Billy Elliot'! Sophia Myles is convincing as a hotel manager with an inability to sustain fulfilling relationships. The central theme revolves around sexual confusion/obsession and much of the plot concerns Hallam's turbulent attitude to sex. Overall, this is an unremarkable film but not without merit.
Breach (2007)
An interesting and thought-provoking true spy story.
I enjoyed this film. The quality of performances was very high and the action moved along at a fast pace. All the relationships were interesting, especially that between Eric and his wife. There was a strong thread of Catholic guilt/obsession which added to the narrative. Overall, not a 'big' film but anyone who sees 'Breach' should be as involved and gripped as I was. The cast contains a number of lesser-known actors and actresses all of whom acquit themselves extremely well. Chris Cooper is particularly convincing as the traitor. He draws a picture of a man of extraordinary complexity. Ryan Phillippe does his Matt Damon impression as the square-jawed, all-American boy Eric. His wife was also well-played and Laura Linnie turns in a fine performance as a single-minded career FBI agent.
The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)
Good historical drama spoiled by implausible ending
This movie is half an hour too long. It rattles along as we follow the adventures of the good guys (young idealistic Irish freedom fighters) in their struggle to rid their land of the hated British oppressors. Loach should have ended the film with the peace agreement of 1922 that gave most Irish people what they wanted - independence in all but name - but failed to satisfy a minority of ideological socialists who then continued the struggle but now against their own kith and kin.
The film completely loses its way towards the end with too much political debate and a frankly ludicrous schism between the brothers who are the two central characters leading to one ordering the execution of the other.
The film completely fails to engage on an emotional level with the result that the supposed climax is a total letdown.
Loach does action scenes well and the scenery is beautiful. Unfortunately he can not resist the opportunity to indulge in heavy-handed political lecturing and he really can't do emotion!