Friday May 26, 4:30pm The Egyptian
Sunday May 28, 6:30pm Pacific Place
Set in 1969 as Swaziland is about to gain independence from Britain, Wah-Wah is the childhood memoir of actor, writer and director Richard E. Grant (Withnail & I, Gosford Park). Twelve-year-old Ralphie is the son of Harry (Gabriel Byrne) and Lauren Compton (Miranda Richardson), members of a boozing and adulterous colonial society. When their marriage fails and Lauren leaves, Harry succumbs to alcoholism and sends his son to boarding school. When he returns two years later, Ralph (Nicholas Hoult) discovers his Dad has married Ruby (Emily Watson) an American ex-airline hostess who has taken to the snooty locals like oil to water. Grant's recounting of this shallow, racist culture is handled with sensitivity and the insight of someone who lived through it. Excellent casting, moving performances and gorgeous cinematography do little however to relieve the impression of too much material compressed into the running time of this complex social drama.
Sunday May 28, 6:30pm Pacific Place
Set in 1969 as Swaziland is about to gain independence from Britain, Wah-Wah is the childhood memoir of actor, writer and director Richard E. Grant (Withnail & I, Gosford Park). Twelve-year-old Ralphie is the son of Harry (Gabriel Byrne) and Lauren Compton (Miranda Richardson), members of a boozing and adulterous colonial society. When their marriage fails and Lauren leaves, Harry succumbs to alcoholism and sends his son to boarding school. When he returns two years later, Ralph (Nicholas Hoult) discovers his Dad has married Ruby (Emily Watson) an American ex-airline hostess who has taken to the snooty locals like oil to water. Grant's recounting of this shallow, racist culture is handled with sensitivity and the insight of someone who lived through it. Excellent casting, moving performances and gorgeous cinematography do little however to relieve the impression of too much material compressed into the running time of this complex social drama.