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Reviews
The Birdcatcher (2019)
INSPIRATIONAL
A young Jewish girl, against seemingly insurmountable odds, survives the war disguised as a boy. The film portrays her as a young woman of immense courage and determination - and it is brought home to the viewer precisely what someone in her position might have had to endure. A beautiful, sad and thought-provoking film..worth far higher a score than it received.
Spencer (2021)
DISAPPOINTING
If you're hoping for a movie that is as captivating as The Crown, then this isn't it. The performances were lacklustre at best and, at times, downright mediocre. Stewart did her best impression of Diana but her best just doesn't cut it. She fails to deliver a convincing performance for three quarters of the film, at times portraying Diana as nothing less than a simpering, neurotic crackpot. Throughout though, there are crystal clear glimpses into the tortured hell that Diana suffered in a cold and loveless marriage. One cannot fail to appreciate the suffocating and claustrophobic life that she experienced as the Princess of Wales : her every waking moment pored over and regimented to the point where most of us would have ripped off the pearls and driven to the nearest KFC. It should have been achingly pitiful to watch, knowing what we do now. The only thing painful about it was the length of time it took to end.
The Irishman (2019)
SLOW BURN
Okay, first off - if you're expecting 'Goodfellas' then you'll be disappointed. This film lacks the 'snap' of the aforementioned movie - the sense of adrenaline-fuelled fear that Jimmy Conway et al induced is nowhere to be seen. De Niro's character seems tame compared to Conway and there were moments when I longed for some of that menace to show through. Pesci looks and acts aged and I was unimpressed with his portrayal of a mob boss. Pacino delivered to some degree however, throughout the movie, I had the distinct impression that he had forgotten some of his lines. The scene in his office was laughable and I found myself wondering why somebody hadn't shouted 'CUT' halfway through his rant. The real gem, for me, was Stephen Graham's performance. His face off with Hoffa in prison was electric and it has to be said he certainly held his own against Pacino. The final meeting between Frank and Hoffa played out way too fast - there was so much opportunity there to take those characters to the edge and it didn't deliver. All in all, and I'm a huge fan of De Niro, I was disappointed with this movie. I feel it failed to live up to expectations when you consider the calibre of the cast. Graham was superb. The rest were totally forgettable.