charleys_99 Reviews

Sitting Target (1972)

Brutal Drama With Strong Direction

[27 January 2003]

This little known film has many aspects that make it stand out from other violent crime films of the 70s. There is stylish photography and music. Some well known stars in unusual roles (eg Jill St John lives next door to June Brown!) and a plot where characters have obscure motivations that even they cannot seem to fathom. This results in some very intense scenes. The ending is too melodramatic but there are many images that remain vivid and make this film worth watching more than once.

The Getaway (1972)

Gritty and Memorable

[27 August 2001]

Some of the negative reviews of this film show that modern audiences are unable to maintain concentration or to appreciate a realistic (not just stylistic) film. The Getaway contains numerous memorable scenes and one of cinemas most genuinely menacing villains. The purchase of the shotgun is an absolute classic scene. From the days when actors had genuine experience of violence (as a marine or a mafioso) rather than just a diploma from drama school. I can't understand the comparisons with True Romance - there was barely a realistic character in that film.

Touch of Evil (1958)

The Pinnacle of Crime Thrillers

[30 December 1999]

This film is not just a striking use of sophisticated camera techniques, photography, music and scripting. It is also a tense crime thriller that sets standards modern crime films (such as the Lethal Weapon films) could never hope to match. Once you see this you will always feel shortchanged by most recent Hollywood product. Of course, a major issue raised by the film is that Orson Welles was a genius, but a sporadic and easily distracted one (Tarantino take note!). Touch of Evil shows what tremendous talent Orson Welles possessed. Great technical skills don't get in the way of creating tension and a menacing plot. The film is also full of terrific film-stars on the way up or near the end of their distinguished careers. None of them disappoint.

Class Trip (1998)

Childhood's End

[25 December 1999]

A very humane and insightful piece of work, this film is really an examination of how a boy escapes the bizarre world that his father has created for him. The acting is excellent, the plotting is surprising and the whole film has a feel that is as crisp as the freshly fallen Alpine snows. Some parts of this film might seem to meander but don't let that put you off this movie - the last few minutes justify waiting through some of the character and plot development in the middle.

If anyone likes to discuss this film feel free to mail me, in English or in French.

Se7en (1995)

A Brave, Bold and Genuine Thriller

[24 December 1999]

Other reviews discuss the plot of this thriller. In this review, I only wish to highlight that Seven is vastly superior to most serial killer movies and is worthy of Alfred Hitchcock. David Fincher gets convincing performances out of all his players (even Brad Pitt). The film drips with dark atmosphere and claustrophobia. This film will be remembered long after most films of the 90s (and 80s) are fading memories. A throwback to American cinema's courageous years - the early 1970s. See this movie.

Romance (1999)

Belle of the Ball

[18 December 1999]

How much of this is meant to be comical is a matter for speculation. Maybe this is a serious look at a woman's sexuality (specifically a pretty, young and wealthy one) but the audience reaction might have highlighted just what a comical business sex can be. I'm not sure whether I agree with reviews that see this as a feminist classic: the protagonist doesn't object to any of the violent humiliations she suffers. Perhaps this is how the director feels about similar experiences. But I certainly don't want to criticise her; she could be a similar talent to Bunuel and that would be a great achievement. See this film, you won't be bored but nor will you be titillated (much) or enlightened about female sexuality (or perhaps many women are like this?). Further films from Catherine Breillat will be very intriguing if Romance is anything to go by; it poses more questions than it answers and that is a very good thing.

If anyone likes to discuss this or any other French language films, please feel free to write to me (in French or in English).

Run Lola Run (1998)

Style But Little More

[11 December 1999]

This film has received praise that I find hard to justify. It is an exercise in style, music, editing, cutting, plot-trickery and animation. Don't expect any depth or moral basis to the film. It owes more to pop video ideas than to the greats of German cinema. However,everyone involved has done their job well and we can look forward to more coherent work in the future. Worth seeing but not as interesting as much of the criticism of the film has suggested.