Friday 14 June 2013

Freeview films of the day : friday 14th of June



Inland Empire (2006 172min.) [ITV 10.35pm &+1]

Mystery drama starring Laura Dern. Hollywood actress Nikki Grace faces an escalating nightmare after winning a role in a new film that has been cursed with problems. Becoming increasingly consumed by her character, Susan Blue, Nikki finds screen life and real life merging, until she's uncertain of who she really is, and whether the disturbing events that unfold are fantasy or reality.

It would be difficult to think of a flim that's less suited to showing on a commercial channel with the implicit need to insert advert breaks, If my basic maths is right there will be at least 15 minutes of breaks during the film.

David Lynch (mostly) makes films that are like photographed dreams - there's little in the way of conventional narrative structure, characters appear, disappear and reappear for no obvious reason and sometimes played by a different actor.
However, the viewer who's prepared to forget about traditional concepts of plot and character arcs and allow themselves to sink into the artfully created world of artifice and illusion can be rewarded with a dizzying viewing experience.

Inland Empire isn't in the same class as Lynch's post-Elephanrt Man surreal masterpieces (Blue Velvet and Mulholland Dr.) and it's way, way too long - but there's enough ideas and wit, shock and twists to satisfy the curious; provided you can cope with the mood-breaking advert breaks.


Audition (1999 110min.) [Film4 1.15am saturday &+1]

Psychological horror. Seven years after the death of his wife, a lonely man is persuaded by a friend to hold auditions for a new bride, with the candidates under the impression they are trying out for a film. He becomes capitivated by a demure young woman who seems to be everything he wants, but appearances prove deceptive.

Terrific Japanese/Korean thriller superbly directed by Takashi Miike and with a thoroughly disturbing air of menace and dread.
There's an outstanding performace by Eihi Shiina and one of the best "jump" moments in recent cinema.

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