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The Interrupters
Anne Murphy
The moving and surprising stories of three Violence Interrupters who try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once participated in.
This fly-on-wall style documentary was filmed over the course of a year. The camera lens is firmly fixed on the problem of street shootings and the community building interventions of the dedicated outreach group CeaseFire and their Violence Interrupters who confront the problem by talking directly with the kids in the war zone. Speaking of talking, it's helpful that some of the dialogue is subtitled, and there's no doubt about the authenticity of the content. Interrupting an epidemic.
- Genre » Documentary
- Release » Limited 15 Jan 2012
Mary and Max
Anne Murphy
A tale of friendship between two unlikely pen pals.
This meticulously constructed claymation is a mostly sombre film for older audiences. The characters and their surrounds are faultlessly observed, giving rise to frequent humorous moments, lifting the tone from what may have otherwise been despairingly gloomy. The predominantly monochromatic landscape serves to reinforce the serious nature of the themes of loneliness and mental illness. The movie is so finely balanced that ultimately the desperate is also oddly endearing.
Dogtooth
Anne Murphy
A controlling sadistic man and his wife keep their three teenage children locked away from the world.
"Dogtooth" is disturbing viewing, as the stunted emotional development of the family becomes apparent. The mood is restrained as day after languid day of simple games are played out with the violent elements gradually emerging and escalating. The infantile mind games endured by the children are harrowing to watch. Their seclusion is not explained but the anguish and increasing desperation of the characters is readily understood. Distressing for audiences, and certainly not recommended for dentists.
- Genre » Drama
- Festival » Greek Film Festival 2009
Our Idiot Brother
Anne Murphy
A comedy centered on an idealist who barges into the lives of his three sisters.
"Our Idiot Brother" is like movie popcorn, light and enjoyable without being really filling. The indie style production is as amiable as the affable main character; it is a comedy with charm. The focus is the special relationships between siblings, close, affectionate, and then relentlessly honest. The plot comprises small family interactions rather than dramatic action. The everyday trials of being part of a family are action enough to hold interest and the film does not stray into over sentimentality. Quite an intelligent idiot.
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
Anne Murphy
Dr. Seuss' classic tale of a forest creature who shares the enduring power of hope.
"The Lorax" targets young audiences and captivates them with candy coloured animation, cute critters and a lively pace, all presented in 3D. Although the original story book was written 40 years ago, this is a fable for today with greed pitted against green. There's a strong moral message about the importance of caring, and thankfully the lesson is related without preaching; instead there's singing and dancing in a kid's own adventure. Spirited school holiday viewing, a magical movie starring Truffula trees.
Lourdes
Anne Murphy
Wheelchair-bound Christine makes a life changing journey to Lourdes, the iconic site of pilgrimage.
"Lourdes" is a subversive, almost tongue in cheek, exploration of theology, belief and miracles. A contemplative movie that, thanks to an underdeveloped narrative, leaves the audience to imagine what each sideways glance and eyebrow movement on the screen means. This story will appeal to believers and non believers as it captures both the devotion of a pilgrimage to Lourdes and the modern day commercialism of the same. Miracles are now commodities. It's hard to say what St. Bernadette would make of the contemporary Lourdes.
Anything for Her
Anne Murphy
With no legal means left to him, a high school teacher devises a daring plan to rescue his wrongfully imprisoned wife from jail.
"Anything for Her" is a gripping thriller that will be watched heart pumping, and eyes glued to the screen. Tension is maintained throughout this tightly edited and well acted film that moves credibly between middle-class lives and the underside of the streets of Paris. While it may stretch plausibility, it is an action packed yarn that prompts questions about innocence and guilt, love and desperation.
Leaving
Anne Murphy
Suzanne is a well to do married woman and mother in the south of France.
"Leaving" is a sensual summertime love story set to the lazy sound of crickets, where passion is taken to the brink of histrionics in this ardent tale of an illicit romance. The realism of the story is first apparent in the soundtrack which consists mostly of the amplified background noises of the everyday. Whatever your moral stance, the strong performances allow audience members to be swept up, embraced in the fervour, held by the story, and then left panting. No leaving early.
Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey
Anne Murphy
Beloved by children of all ages around the world, Elmo is an international icon but few people know his creator, Kevin Clash.
It's passion more than puppet that is central to the tale captured in "Being Elmo". The puppeteer's sense of purpose is extraordinarily powerful; from childhood he knew with certainty what it was that he wanted to be when he grew up. His purpose while pursuing his goal is nothing short of awe inspiring. As documentaries go this one is as warm as it is magical. It's affirming to see that good things happen to good, hardworking, people. Tickle me pink.
- Genre » Documentary
- Release » Limited 27 Dec 2011
- Festival » MIFF 2011
Copacabana
Anne Murphy
Boldly unconventional and cheerful, that's how one could describe Babou.
Boldly unconventional and cheerful, that's how one could describe "Copacabana", it is that sort of movie. A mother daughter relationship is scrutinised in this story, and strong performances bring the central characters alive. The tension between being true to oneself and being what others expect you to be is intelligently explored with a generous dash of quirky social satire. The result is well captured by the camera, perfectly paced, and the experience is intelligently feel good. More than a place, Copacabana is a state of mind
Mother and Child
Anne Murphy
A drama centred around three women: A 50-year-old woman, the daughter she gave up for adoption 35 years ago and a woman looking to adopt a child of her own.
The relationship between mother and daughter is a rich emotional territory that "Mother and Child" wades right into. The brittle, flawed women wading through their lives and dreams will touch your heart, and then wring it out, as strands of the different characters' stories entwine. The actors give great performances in vulnerable and dysfunctional roles that variously thaw and freeze. Take your Mummy and remember your tissues.
4 Black Suits
Anne Murphy
Four men, down on their luck, are co-opted as pallbearers to walk carrying a man in his coffin from Athens to the village of Boeotia for burial motivated by the promise of rich rewards.
In the best Greek tradition, the journey this film takes is an odyssey of unexpected self discovery. There are a couple of elements that work particularly well - incredibly filmed, surreal scenes the players find themselves in, and the camaraderie that builds among the central characters, including the dead one. Enjoyable for an unconventional story that unfolds with an unexpectedly big heart. As the title suggests this is a well dressed comedy.
- Genre » Comedy
- Release » Limited 16 Oct 2010
- Festival » Greek Film Festival 2010
Weekend
Anne Murphy
Russell heads out to a gay club and picks up Glen just before closing time and what's expected to be just a one-night stand becomes something else, something special.
"Weekend" is a low key movie grounded in realism that presents a romance between two men who have only a weekend to spend together. The simple naturalistic style of this film is balanced by its emotional honesty. The performance from the two leads is genuine and understated, lending authenticity to this modest but deceptively intense exploration of falling in love. I've got Friday on my mind.
King Lear (National Live Theatre)
Anne Murphy
An aging King invites disaster when he abdicates to his corrupt daughters and rejects his honest one.
The UK National Theatre brings a quality stage production to the cinema screen. The extraordinary passion that underscores this much loved story is evident in the performances of the experienced cast. It's those performances, not to mention the playwright's words, which hold attention. It's an extraordinary play, although the minimalist backdrops provide a simpler visual experience than cinema goers are likely expect. The experience of watching a play on the big screen is unusual and Lear, "...still every inch a King".
Kebab Connection
Anne Murphy
In Hamburg, Ibrahim "Ibo" Secmez wants to direct the first German kung-fu movie.
The story line is captivating and the comedy a little slapstick, but the combination creates enjoyable watching. "Kebab Connection" is a feel good teenage romance to sit back and enjoy, as it makes no demands. The main characters are from a migrant community, the actors are not Hollywood-styled and so credible they could be from your very own neighbourhood. Social tensions are threaded throughout the plot, and prejudices are aired in a comedic way with take-away food emphasising cultural themes. Don't go hungry, connect with this kebab.
- Genre » Comedy Romance
- Release » Limited 22 Apr 2010
- Festival » Festival of German Films 2010