Reviews

So surprised at just how much I loved this film! Simon Amstel has clearly taken much from his own experiences, because the moments and situations are so beautifully nuanced, it must surely have been sparked from lived experience. I'm so happy this film exists.

Every character was so hypotnisingly layered. Everyone had a life beyond their screen time and I would be interested in following all of their respective journeys.

The theme of human connection and the struggle of letting love in is something that I profoundly related to. Love is always shown in a dangerously romantic way on screen, it's so refreshing to see the complexity of the feeling for a change.

My only criticism is that it could have been nipped and tucked abit as a film... but I actually wanted more! I would love to see this as a series so we could explore the lives of everyone abit more, and also take our time in letting love in, just like the wonderful Benjamin himself.

Finally, just to comment on Colin Morgan's central performance. Though Amstel's dialogue is what stands out in every character, Morgan really runs with it and flys! Had me chuckling all the way and many moments I was howling at the back of the cinema.. especially when it came to the difficult choice of which bottle of water to purchase.

I was feeling abit glum and grey this weekend, but I came out of the cinema and my sun was shining. I hope this film gets the audience it so truly deserves, and all people deserve to see a film like this.

And Jack Rowan's bum is fantastic isn't it?!

How tired I am of seeing films showing how grim tis up North...

Funny Cow is a story about a woman who's had a troubled time with the men in her life, namely her Father and Partner. It's a set up that's been told a thousand times before, though the premise of this version is that it supposedly leads our protagonist to comedy. The main thing missing from this story however was just that..comedy. Funny Cow shows she can crack a cheap laugh at points in the film, mainly one liners, and doesn't actually pluck up the courage to take the stage until the end of the film. Needless to say, she goes onto perform as if she's had plenty of experience and has the whole place roaring with laughter... zzz.

The film was the most depressing film I've seen in a very long time. One dimensional characters, all with similar vices in alcoholism and addiction. Performances were stereotypical and obvious on the whole. The scenes of violence were tactless, we know it happens but do you have to be so blatant with it?! Not sure why Stephen Graham decided to sign on for this one. He's in two scenes as two characters, and the scene in which he is playing her Father is just ridiculous, seems to me a bad choice for an actor so often likable regardless of his morals. Paddy Considine also out of his range here, playing an upper class yuppy, very characiturish and unbelievable, a rare mistep for Considine.

Peake does an OK job, but again not particularly likeable, and sometimes her choices seemed over the top and obvious. There is a smugness to her which I find hard to overlook.

I really didn't find anything in the film worth taking home with me, in fact I felt angered when leaving because it truly felt like a story that doesn't need to be shown on film. If these are the sorts of films representing British Cinema, then no wonder people are staying home watching Netflix.

Avoid.

It's not often I sign into IMDb, I am an avid user but never feel the need to rate or review. Lately I have found myself consumed by a number of titles including Black Swan, Blue Valentine, The Kings Speech and 127 Hours... I was anticipating after such a surge of great films, a slump was long overdue, and then I hear word of Al Pacino winning awards once again in a television movie for HBO so I found it and watched it...and afterwards I sat up in my bed and felt that rare feeling I get when I know I've just witnessed something epic, Al's only gone and done it again!

Al Pacino's recent years have disappointed me, but I haven't forgotten the pure talent this man has. What you witness in this movie isn't Al Pacino, it is Dr Death, be it a slightly different version than the public saw through the media of the times, this version shows the real side to this egocentric Doctor.

Pacino's performance comes across with such specificity and precision, it shows this man who doesn't share, and we as the viewer are willing him with Susan Sarandon to open up and reveal what is driving this belief which is his very life. Pacino isn't there, he's gone.

The supporting performances are sublimely subtle. Goodman plays an effortless best friend and colleague to Dr Kevorkian, Sarandon plays her part with strength and dryness to keep what could have gone excessively heart wrenching, fresh and often witty, whilst still heartfelt and touching. Danny Huston plays the dramatic, loud-mouthed gladiator who fights for the Doc whilst also keeping us on our toes whether or not he's genuine, he plays the perfect outspoken lawyer. The remaining cast who played the parts of the patients and families were so respectful to their roles, they deserve all the praise they receive, and I hope they all go on to further their careers in more prominent roles.

The film is a perfect depiction of a heavily publicised story, and manages to take any bias away and tell it how it really was. This man was battling to help people have control over their lives, but it also showed how his belief ran so strong that he pushed it too far for the public to bare. The reason the screenplay is what I believe to be close to written perfection, is the fact that you come out of it as if you were the jury in that courtroom. You either believe him to be innocent of murder, or guilty, but either way you see the genuine reason for Dr Jack Kevorkian's mission to make euthanasia legal, and brings it to an audience which will remember once again, the debate which is difficult to ignore.