First the good news: an unusual and sometimes-interesting plot, with some very entertaining and funny moments along the way. But, although it tries to emulate Capra, this movie does not come even close to Frank Capra's light and expert touch. Jimmy Stewart performs to his usual high standard, and there are some great supporting character performances, but I found Wyman disappointing and unlikeable as his (totally unnecessary and badly handled) romantic interest. The film was too long, and the direction too ham-fisted to keep my attention consistently: I could not have watched it all the way through, were it not for regular relief from the comic asides with which the drudgery was peppered. Also, the film has dated badly, and one aspect in particular disgusted me: the conceit that that this town was a perfect representation of US-wide views, when there is not one black or Hispanic character in it. Such a gross misrepresentation would not be tolerated nowadays, and for this reason alone this film should be condemned to the dustbin of history, some fine character acting notwithstanding.
Reviews
3 Reviews
Terra madre
(2009)
Inspirational
27 June 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Terra Madre (Mother Earth) is a bi-annual multi-language conference hosted in Torino (Turin) by the Slow Food Organization - a network of food communities, each committed to producing quality food in a responsible, sustainable way. They aim to foster discussion and innovation in the related fields of gastronomy and ecology and global economics.
This film starts out like a documentary of the 2008 Terra Madre conference in Torino, presenting stimulating views on the importance of bio-diversity, and working in harmony with nature. Ermanno Olmi builds masterfully on his theme, confronting the fate of the planet.. The film then gloriously metamorphoses into a beautiful and poetic slow experience of food cultivation in harmony with nature.
An unforgettable and thought provoking experience: this film seems to move beyond the normal boundaries of the documentary format. I, for one, will not forget its message, nor its beautiful imagery.
This film starts out like a documentary of the 2008 Terra Madre conference in Torino, presenting stimulating views on the importance of bio-diversity, and working in harmony with nature. Ermanno Olmi builds masterfully on his theme, confronting the fate of the planet.. The film then gloriously metamorphoses into a beautiful and poetic slow experience of food cultivation in harmony with nature.
An unforgettable and thought provoking experience: this film seems to move beyond the normal boundaries of the documentary format. I, for one, will not forget its message, nor its beautiful imagery.
Freebird
(2008)
an unexpected treasure
24 June 2008
I was not expecting much from this movie, but was very pleasantly surprised, as it is light and funny and very well observed. The central trio of deadbeat bikers were surprisingly likable as they staggered and clowned their way through their drug-centred trip to Wales. The humour was gentle and subtle, as indeed were the three characters (witness their sympathetic treatment of the little old lady shopkeeper). The atmospherics of rural Wales were captured perfectly, and the soundtrack was very well chosen. Cleverly and carefully scripted, with great attention to detail - I have never seen such a realistic portrayal of alternative culture - I felt I was there with them. Very light in touch and full of fun - not what you might expect from a movie about bikers and drugs. A delight on all fronts, and difficult to criticise, though I thought the last two scenes were a bit lame - the film should have ended when they left Wales. But overall, an unexpected treasure of a film.
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