tatsii Reviews

All That Jazz (1979)

Masterful directing with objectionable content

[7/10 · 25 April 2020]

Especially the directing of Bob Fosse and editing of Alan Helm are superb level. Fosses style is very recognizable and enjoyable. The film combines musical theatre elements in a surprising way to the story, creating nice rhythm to the structure of the film (although I might have liked to see them having more function dramaturgically). Roy Schneider does convincing job in the role of choreographer and director Joe Gideon. Those are some of the merits of this Palme d'or winner of 1980.

The problem of the film is that we see the story entirely through the main characters eyes. Joe Gideon is a strong male character who dominates his lovers and subordinates with ruthless and reckless behaviour. Joe is a traditional character of a "suffering male artist" and is the reason why this film unfortunately has not lasted the test of time. Especially after the revelations of #metoo-movement inside the show business, some moments in the film are very unpleasant to watch. The film doesn't criticize the awfulness of the main characters behavior sufficiently and does not give enough voice for the victims. We do see Joe Gideon regretting his deeds to some extent, but the story falls flat and we do not see Joe treated the equal way compared to the way he has treated other people. This is at least what I interpreted the film is trying to do to some extent and it fails. It does feel like the main character has written and directed the movie himself... which in a way he has since the main character is based on Fosse himself (who wrote the script with Robert Alan Aurthur).

From Fosses works I would recommend first and foremost Cabaret, in which we can enjoy the legendary directors skillset in a musical theatre context without the outdated narrow masculine point of view All That Jazz unfortunately has.

Sel8nne (2013)

A good alternative for a Wikipedia article

[2/10 · 8 March 2015]

Selänne is such an interesting figure, especially for us Finns. I feel that this documentary could have dug so much deeper into the character and thoughts of Selänne, under the surface. It just kind of pointed out the biggest event's in Selänne's life, about which he and his closest friends and family would talk, not concentrating in any subject for long. Not revealing anything crucial about who Selänne REALLY is.

Whenever the documentary needed drama and tears, it would bring Selänne's former drug addict brother to the foreground. Where and what are Teemu's demons? This documentary felt a bit like watching a propaganda film. Teemu was shown almost solely as a hero, admired by family, friends and fans. Still, there were moments when this polished picture seemed to get small scratches, comments by friends about Teemu's dictatorial character and behavior for instance. But every time the documentary started to get interesting, it began a new chapter with Hero-Selänne having the lead role.

Although I'm very much into ice-hockey and I'm interested in biographies, I almost didn't watch this one to it's ending. Deservers just couple of stars.

Audition (1964)

Enjoyable Czechoslovakian New Wave

[7/10 · 6 December 2012]

11 years before making the masterpiece One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in Hollywood, Milos Forman lived still in the Czechoslovakia making Audition in 1963, a movie that launched what became known as the Czech New Wave. The movie was originally made as to two shorts, but released as one film. The style is something between the Italian neorealism and the French nouvelle vague, and in this movie you can certainly see those influences. There is no big storyline, actors are amateurs and the style is very documentary.

The film is all about little things in life we might all have come across: a girl who has a bit of a stage fright, another girl who dreams to get a job from a theater, a boy who's too lazy to get himself regularly to the rehearsal of the local wind band. These things do not create any big drama into the movie, but when combined with the documentary style, they bring a great feeling of life into the screen. And that is maybe the best thing films can offer. This is also my answer to all of those people who dislike movies without a clear plot (and might dislike new wave films).

Audition is an interesting peak into the film of Czechoslovakia in the 60's. Although it doesn't leave you with a big "WOW!", it is still a very enjoyable film.

Night on Earth (1991)

Beautiful in all it's simplicity

[9/10 · 4 November 2012]

Night on Earth is a beautiful movie in all it's simplicity. In the center of the movie are the encounters of people, who maybe wouldn't meet otherwise, but in a taxi cab they get a connection to each other - or to themselves. The movie is a mixture of drama and black comedy (especially Roberto Benigni's character is unbelievably funny!) that carries through the movie. It consists of five quite different episodes located in different cities of the world. Although the main idea is quite simple, after seeing this movie you have a feeling that you have in some level at least learned or remembered something important about the world and human beings.

Zombie ja Kummitusjuna (1991)

Movie with a sad story, but a great atmosphere

[8/10 · 1 August 2012]

The actors are all amateurs (mostly musicians) and the plot isn't very complicated but Mika Kaurismäki has still succeeded in making a great movie about a sad figure, bassist called Zombie, who has problems with adapting to the world around him and therefore starts to drink too much alcohol.

The main character, Zombie, is played by bassist Silu Seppälä whose acting is very convincing - maybe because the character has been inspired by Silu himself as well as another Finnish bassist, Pulu (who has played in the legendary Finnish band Sleepy Sleepers).

One of the best things of this movie is the mystical side of it. First of all, quite a big part of the movie has been shot in Istabul where the atmosphere is very enigmatic. Another very mystical thing is The Ghost Train, a band which appears only in few scenes (in the title also!) and stays as a mystery to the viewer, but still plays an important role in the movie. Somehow it feels Silu and this mystical band are connected, although Kaurismäki doesn't show us a clear link.

I recommend Zombie and The Ghost Train especially to the fans of Kaurismäki brothers' films and also to everybody who digs music-related movies.