Wuthering Heights

I just went and saw a movie on my own, for the first time in my life. Not too bad. When I arrived at the cinema I thought that I was going to be the only one in there, so I would really be alone but there turned out to be 3 others and they were all on their own too.

The film I saw was Andrea Arnold's adaptation of Wuthering Heights. With any adaptation, you always have your reservations. "Are they going to do the story justice? Will they get the characters right? Will they be true to the book?" These questions and ones like it are always going to swirl around in peoples' heads if they have read the book before seeing the movie version. Someone who wants to make a movie out of a book is always going to have trouble pleasing everyone. They are doomed to have haters from the start. That is just fact. They will probably want to reinvent the story or add this or add that which will annoy the purists or they won't do it different enough for those that don't want to see an exact reconstruction of the book. It is always bound to be a hard gig but people seem to want to do it anyway.

I went to this picture with an open mind and at the beginning I was really loving it. It was an interesting way to adapt the book and it worked really well. For such a haunting and emotional story, the lengthy wilderness scenes, the focus on the weather to portray the emotions that the characters are feeling and the minimal dialogue that meant heavy reliance on such scenes was really working for me. Also casting Heathcliff as a black man was really fitting. He really captured the mood of the story in his shots.

I was really getting into it when the last half of the movie came. Well I should say the last third because the part where Heathcliff and Cathrine are kids took up most of the movie. It was then I realised that the beginning was far too long and the ending seemed really rushed. And I don't think that this is the kind of story where you can rush the ending. The ending is very important. It's when you realise just how connected these two characters are and how much they hurt each other by continuing to be a part.

I don't remember specific lines or actions from the book, I mean I barely remembered the narrative, but the one thing that has stayed with me over the years is the mood and the feeling of that book. I really thought that this film was killing it but then, they actually did kill it.

I realised that the older characters where miscast. Older Heathcliff (James Howson), for me, was not able to portray the wildness and deep seated anger that he holds so close to his heart that the Heathcliff in the book had. Howson seemed to try to play this character with a lot of Jane-Austin-Mr-Darcy-like brooding and then violence. These things don't fit together all that well. I feel that Heathcliff needs to be constantly struggling to keep himself together and keep from lashing out at people, not just every now and then. Arnold chose to cast non-actors or at least actors with minimal experience and for the older characters, this was something that was off putting for me. I didn't really get a sense of the emotion but got distracted at times by thoughts running through my head of soap opera actors and over-the-top acting. That being said, I don't think that Kaya Scodelario had much of a chance to show her potential and I was mostly happy with her scenes. But I am not saying the actors were awful, far from it. Their performances for the most part were really good but when the time came for these really emotional parts, I was already a little out of sorts with the rushed ending and the increase in dialogue from first half to second half, and didn't quite buy them.


And the younger Cathrine and Heathcliff actors were brilliant. I really enjoyed their performances and was pretty thoroughly convinced with their portrayal of the characters and emotions. Solomon Grave (the younger Heathcliff) was brilliant and really nailed the pain and anger that his character has and Shannon Beer (as young Cathrine) was fairly solid in her part as well.

I mean look at that face.

Oh and Arnold chucks a random Mumford & Sons song right at the end. And this is not a song that plays during the last shot and then cue credits. No. This is song plays over a scene that we have previously seen in the earlier part of the movie and then plays during credits. For a movie that has no underscore and the only music you hear plays for about two bars before it cuts as they change to a new scene, putting a song by Mumford & Sons seems like an odd choice. True it might not be one of their most famous songs, nor does it feature on either of their albums but Marcus Mumford has a very distinct voice and you could recognise it no matter what movie it is being played in.

Maybe I am just being picky.

I think that Andrea Arnold began this project beautifully but I feel like she didn't quite commit 100% to it because parts didn't quite sit right. I think the ending was rushed and that meant that she lost that mood and the feeling of haunted love and connection that the Heathcliff and Cathrine have. I mean these two love each other so much that they have to hurt each other and cause the other as much pain as possible AND they haunt each other from beyond the grave just to really prove their love.

It was probably the best adaptation of this story that I have seen but for me, it was still missing something. If you love the Brönte sisters and their weird, twisted love stories then this is a very interesting way to see Emily's novel. It's good, I just wanted it to be better.

BUT the cinematography by Robbie Ryan is AMAZING. It is so pretty and beautifully shot (maybe at times there were a few too many racking focus shots). Really I could have watched shots of those beautiful moors all day. What lovely countryside and so well captured.

And if you wanted to check out the Mumford & Sons song (because it is a good song I just didn't fit with the film) then here it is;

One Billion Rising

One Billion Rising.

ONE IN THREE WOMEN ON THE PLANET WILL BE RAPED OR BEATEN IN HER LIFETIME.
ONE BILLION WOMEN VIOLATED IS AN ATROCITY
ONE BILLION WOMEN DANCING IS A REVOLUTION

This February join one billion women and those who love them and me to WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP and DEMAND. If one is confronted by an awful situation, then one must dance. Dance out the emotion, dance out the memories and dance to freedom.

V-Day is one of the most well respected and highest rated organisations and was created with the seemingly simple goal of ending violence against women. This coming Valentine's day and every Valentine's day until the violence ends, men, women, children (and other) should come and join together and dance. Dance because that is the best way to rise, the best way for a revolution. This is a global strike and a chance for everyone to stand up against rape and rape culture, stand up against violence and violence against the world's women. This is power in numbers, a new time for acceptance and new way of living and being. This is not a one off thing, this is a foundation of people that will continue to rise until the end of rape and violence.

In the words of Emma Goldman; "A REVOLUTION WITHOUT DANCING IS A REVOLUTION NOT WORTH HAVING."

So head to the website, find out the details and find a rising near you. Rally the people around you and stand up for a cause worth dancing for, that's worth a revolution. Head to this website for more information and to join  >> One Billion Rising.

What a great revolution. To dance. Who doesn't love to dance? Sure it can be embarrassing. Sure it can be awkward. But it makes you feel so good. If you say you can't dance then I beg to differ with you there. Everyone can dance. According to Wicked (the best musical on this earth - I haven't seen Matilda yet),  you should dance through life. You should also defy gravity but let's take it one step at a time. We don't all have a flying broom. Get out there and join your fellow man. Change the world through movement.

I mean do you really have anything better to do on one of the most annoying days of the year? Even if you think you have something better to do, you really don't. What could be more important than standing up for what is right? If you still aren't convinced to join this more than worthy cause, then do it to rebel against that awful, atrocious, abomination of a movie that they call Valentine's Day.

Do it because you can.

Clare Bowditch

If you want to read some inspiring words then you need look no further than this article on Mamamia's blog which is an interview with Clare Bowditch.

Mamamia's interview with Clare Bowditch

If you don't know who Clare Bowditch then you are missing out because she is an amazing woman. She is an Australian singer/song writer and also actress nowadays. She has a beautiful voice and her music has won her an ARIA (an Australian music award). She is an inspiring woman and I get to see her in concert! Really soon!

She has started something called The Winter Happiness Summit in which she talks to other amazing people, Missy Higgins and Gotye included. If you want to check these interviews out then head to this website; Winter Happiness Summit. The password for the site is youmakemehappy. Enjoy!

Marieke Hardy - A quiet word just between us dames

I thought I loved Marieke Hardy but then I read her latest post on her blog and I found out that I love her even more. If you were a little unsure of your love for her, or thought you couldn't love her more then I think that you will find that this blog will tip you over the edge and you will worship the ground she walks on. That is probably a little over the top but you know what I am getting at.

If you are a man or woman, boy or girl. or other, that believes in equality, free speech, gay rights, the arts, or you are just a decent human being, in other words, if you are not a Tony Abbott fan then, good citizen, I think this blog will be most amusing for you.
  

A Quiet Word Just Between Us Dames

Margie Abbott, you have an interesting view of things...

Hard Candy

No I am not actually going to write about lollies (sweets/candy). I mean lollies are awesome, don't get me wrong I love lollies but why would you talk about hard ones when gummy lollies are a million times better. I'm just saying.

Hard Candy is unlike anything you have ever seen. Unless you have seen it...cause then it would be exactly like the first time you saw it...

This film begins with a 14 year old girl, Hayley talking to a man on the internet, Jeff, who is 18 years her senior and a photographer. They meet up at a cafe where Hayley suggests that they should go back to Jeff's house. It's scary. You worry for this poor young girl and you hate her stupidity. Everyone has heard the stories and I bet you think you could guess where the story goes from here. But that would be falling into the trap that this movie wants you to fall in. Do not jump to conclusions.

Once at the house, Hayley spikes Jeff's drink. From there you no longer worry for her as she can take care of herself. Just watch her go.

It inverts everything. Well maybe not everything but messes with you. The movie is one step ahead of you the whole time and it really takes pleasure in that fact. It just laughs at you the entire time and doesn't let you in on the joke which is pretty brilliant. This is one clever film.

I was glued to the screen, at the edge of my seat. Well actually I wasn't. I was sitting on the couch with my knees pulled into my chest because it was all too much for me to handle. I had to revert to the fetal position. I couldn't cope. But then I would find something really exciting and spring up only to slowly pull my legs in again. 

This is also an Ellen Paige that you probably have never seen before. Forget Juno. You have been warned.

The set is so small and closed in and almost claustrophobic and it's perfect for the cat and mouse game that is played out. Really the whole movie gives you this claustrophobic feel. It's really off putting but at the same time works so well. There are only two real characters (Sandra Oh makes a 5 second appearance but that doesn't really count) and there are only about three locations where the film is shot but two of the locations are only used for a few minutes each. And the main location is in a house. Confined to rooms. And it's hectic. It's disconcerting. It's not gruesome, it doesn't need to be. It's all in the complexity. It leaves you with questions and if you are like me, then you will need a little time to digest.

If you haven't seen this and you are into films that can completely mess with your mind then watch this. I guarantee that this one will blow you away. If it doesn't then I don't know what to do. My guarantee is worth nothing. But my word. I like to think that my word has value. (Please be blown away by it)

It's a Wonderful Life

If you haven't seen this movie, then I suggest you get off your ass and do it. Now. Don't even read this blog (yes I will forgive you), get the DVD, get comfortable and don't move until it's over. It's worth it. You will thank me afterwards.
 

 
I should warn you that the first few minutes is a little weird and you will probably think I am crazy for telling you to go and watch this movie but stick with it. The way it starts, it can only get better and wow! does it get better.

I don't know if this movie could get any cuter. It's just so filled with happiness that it would probably explode if they tried to add anything else to it. Whilst filming it, the cameras would have given up working, just to soak up the happiness that this movie emits. The crew would have been unable to work again because they would be drunk on the cuteness. If they were able to release the film, the audience would never be able to leave the cinema. If they were ever able to release a DVD then the DVD players would never play another disc.

 

So luckily for you, this movie is ridiculously cute but not so cute that everyone and everything is immobilised, so it's a good thing. You wouldn't be able to appreciate it if you became a zombie on the cuteness so it's better this way.

According to my brother and backed up by Wikipedia (which I know isn't the most trustworthy site but in this case I believe it), when the film first came out, it was a flop. People were very underwhelmed and with it's high production costs, it lost over $500 000 at the box office. Ouch. So how does this film go from flop to classic? Well, someone forgot to renew the copyright, TV channels still had to pay royalties but that cheaper than having to pay copyright in full every time you want to play it. And so this film was played a lot. And then when everyone realised how great it was, it got played even more. And then when they noticed that it had Christmas attached to it, they played it every Christmas holidays and then twice on the Christmas holidays with one screening even on Christmas Eve.

Frank Capra, the director, said; "It's the damnedest thing I've ever seen, the film has a life of its own now, and I can look at it like I had nothing to do with it. I'm like a parent whose kid grows up to be president. I'm proud... but it's the kid who did the work."

Monsieur Lazhar

A truly touching film dealing with grief, loss and reconciliation, French-Canadian film, Monsieur Lazhar, is one that hits the heart strings with all the right notes.


Set in Montreal, the teacher of a class of young students has committed suicide. After hearing about the tragedy that has befallen the class, Bachir Lazhar (Mohamed Fellag), an Algerian immigrant, decides to help the school by offering to be the class’s substitute teacher and the offer is readily accepted. As the class struggles to heal their emotional wounds, Lazhar’s own painful past becomes apparent and the students end up inadvertently helping Lazhar through his pain as much as he helps them through theirs. Adapted from the award winning play by Evelyne de la Cheneliere, it’s a touching story that is handled with great skill by director Philippe Falardeau who sews together moments of insight, empathy and emotion with great sensitivity.


The cinematography by Ronald Plante is simple but beautiful. The shots are unobtrusive and compliment the highly emotional content and without trying anything flashy that would detract from the narrative. There is one particular scene at the start where the classroom at the school is being painted. It’s such a simple scene but it holds a lot of beauty just through the cinematography balanced with the soft music of the underscore.

Lazhar’s relationship with these kids is truly heart-warming. The teachers, especially Lazhar, are forced to tiptoe around the grief that has struck the students as the school decides that it is best not to directly approach the subject of suicide but skirt around it and due to the stern rules about contact with students. Lazhar manages to really help the kids through this hard time in their lives and Fellag plays the role of the teacher with the perfect mixture of meekness and power. 

The bereaved students manage to retain their childish innocence as well offering great emotional depth to their characters. Sophie Nélisse as Alice and Émilien Néron as Simon, create some really beautiful and honest scenes and moments of raw emotion that are very moving, so much so that they steal the show from the adults. All the children show great maturity in the approach to their roles that I found similar to the performances of the children in Céline Sciamma’s Tomboy (2010) another French film that relies heavily on the young actors. 

One thing that does let the film down is the soundtrack. It seemed to scream, “I am a French film and I am quirky and cute!” More often than not it worked against the film because the choice of underscore didn’t always fit the film, making it distracting at times. Also there were a few loose ends and unanswered questions mainly to do with Lazhar and his background but overall Monsieur Lazhar is a beautiful film.

 

If you are a fan of French cinema then this is one not to miss.