Wednesday 14 May 2014

Freeview film of the day : wednesday 14th of May

Sunset Blvd. (1950 105min.) [Ch4 2.35am thursday &+1]

Drama starring William Holden, Gloria Swanson and Erich von Stroheim. Screenwriter Joe Gillis floats dead in the swimming pool of a neglected Hollywood mansion. Six months earlier, out of work and desperate, he'd been hired as a writer by former silent screen star Norma Desmond, who was hoping to make a triumphant comeback.

Utterly superb film, directed with great care by master craftsman Billy Wilder.
Part thriller, part domestic drama, part love poem to a lost Hollywood it's a dark, witty, brooding film shot in pin-sharp black and white.

Everyone in the small cast is perfect : in addition to the three headliners Nancy Olson and Jack Webb grab your attention and there's some beautifully judged cameos by the likes of Hedda Hopper and Buster Keaton.

A masterpiece of twentieth century US mainstream cinema.

Earlier ....

Nowhere Boy (2010 93min.) [Film4 11.00pm &+1]

Aaron Johnson stars as a 15-year-old John Lennon in Sam Taylor-Wood's biographical drama. The young Lennon, who lives with his aunt and uncle, is prompted to visit his real mother after his uncle dies from a heart attack. While forming a complex relationship with his mother, their shared love of music leads to the rebellious John getting his first guitar and forming a band called the Quarrymen.

Artist turned director Sam Tatlor-Wood's film about the fifteen year old John Lennon is more than just another Beatles hagiograpy as she focusues more on the relationship between Lennon and the two women who direct and influence his life and attitude.

The very talented Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass) is Lennon, and very convincing he his is too. Anne-Marie Duff is Julia, his mother and Kristin Scott Thomas is beyond excellent (as usual) as his Aunt Mimi.

In among the top draw supporting cast Thomas Brodie Sangster deserves special mention as the young Paul McCartney.

No prior knowledge or affection for the subject is required - it's a classy, well put together drama with warm and likeable central performances and a good sense of period and setting.

A bouncy of-the-time soundtrack is a terrific bonus.



earlier still....

The League Of Gentlemen(1960 108min.) [Film4 4,45pm &+1]

Crime caper starring Jack Hawkins and Nigel Patrick. Infuriated by his enforced retirement from the army, an ex-officer plans a huge bank robbery using his military experience and a group of old service colleagues.

Great British crime caper with Jack Hawkins in a career best performance and a cast full of fifties character actors at the top of their collective game.

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