Serpico (1973 124min.) [C4 12.30am thursday &+1]
Police thriller starring Al Pacino, based on the real-life story of a young undercover cop. Despite the violence and cynicism that surround him, Frank Serpico retains his ideals, refusing the pay-offs which are common to his colleagues. Gradually, his attitudes and behaviour isolate him within the force, and he faces danger from both sides of the law.
There's a careful and nuanced performance by Pacino at the heart of this based-on-real-events drama which is deftly and expertly directed by Sidney Lumet, it makes the absolute maximum use of it's multiple New York location settings and some superbly realistic sets.
The central story is gripping and the (largely unkown) cast give some top-class support to Pacino as he rolls through the film with a convincing blend of swagger and deep-grained paraniod introspection.
Volver (2006 121min.) [Film4 12.50am thursday &+1]
Comedy drama from director Pedro Almódovar, starring Penélope Cruz and Carmen Maura. A Madrid housewife is forced to cover up the accidental murder of her husband while trying to deal with ghosts from her past.
Penelope Cruz vehicle directed with unusual restraint by Pedro Almodovar.
Cruz is brilliant in the lead role as a young mother seeking to protect her young child following An Unfortunate Event while simultaneously dealing with the "ghost" of her mother.
A perfect cast, some beautiful photography and an engaging story add up to a very enjoyable film.
:
The Bad And The Beautiful (1952 113min.) [C4 2.50am thursday &+1]
Oscar-winning drama starring Kirk Douglas and Lana Turner. A Hollywood producer calls together a writer, a director and a star and reveals that ruthless movie mogul Jonathan Shields needs their help. But all three have vowed never to work with Shields again, and each remembers why.
Directed by Vincente Minnelli and co-starring Dick Powell.
It's a fabulous, fizzing, satirical, back-biting melodrama and it's very, very good.
No comments:
Post a Comment