Skip to content
Helen M Jerome reviews
London Film Festival 2010…
For film fans in the UK its the big one, says HELEN M JEROME.
The London Film Festival has so many goodies stuffed into one fortnight that there genuinely is something for everyone. For those who cannot bear to watch a movie unless it features a big star or director and they can watch it with a gargantuan tub of popcorn. For those who prefer subtitled-arthouse fare from far-flung corners of the world or those who like their films homegrown. For those who love to take their family along. Even for those who like to see something from the past restored to its former glory. Come one, come all. But do try to be as flexible as possible. If you find the film you really wanted to see is fully booked, there are three options: a) see if there are other screenings of it, b) queue at the box office in case there are returns on the day, or c) go see something else. You never know, if you opt for c) you might discover something even better!
So charge up your oyster card, crank up your caffeine levels, pack some snacks and be prepared for anything. Go on, take a risk
1. Big Bookends:
The opening movie is NEVER LET ME GO (right), based on Kazuo Ishiguros novel of dysfunction and attachment, with a screenplay by Ishiguros old chum Alex (The Beach) Garland, and directed by Mark Romanek. But the main reason to see it is to watch our fastest rising stars Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield, along with Keira Knightley, taking the central roles. Having done the business with his closing film (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE) two years ago, Danny Boyle gets the same prestigious spot for his new movie, 127 HOURS, starring James Franco and some inhospitable landscape in Utah, and based on the true story of climber Aron Ralston. Also in its favour is that the screenwriter is Simon Beaufoy, of Full Monty fame. But be warned, it wont be an easy watch.
2. Could Be Contenders:
There are many treats in store especially, Im reliably informed, in the shape of Darren Aronofskys dark thriller BLACK SWAN, starring Natalie Portman (above-right), and set in the highly-charged world of the New York City ballet. With co-stars like Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder and Barbara Hershey, plus Mila Kunis as Portmans younger rival, its also a cast to please every taste. THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT is the other slamdunk, surefire hit, directed by Lisa Cholodenko, who coaxes fantastic lead performances from Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as the not-at-all-odd-couple. Set in Barcelona and helmed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, BIUTIFUL stars Javier Bardem, and is as gritty yet dizzying as youd expect from these Latin talents.
3. Back Home:
Our own Mike Leigh and Ken Loach bring their latest, and both get to the heart of the matter through their usual, very different routes. ANOTHER YEAR (right), with Leigh stalwarts Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen and the exceptional Lesley Manville, is in familiar friends-and-family territory, whereas Loachs ROUTE IRISH is a political thriller. WEST IS WEST is the long overdue sequel to East Is East, from the same team, revolving around a family trip to Pakistan. More homegrown, revitalised stars, Colin Firth and Helena Bonham-Carter, make Tom Hoopers THE KINGS SPEECH unmissable. Richard (IT Crowd) Ayoades debut feature, SUBMARINE looks like a possible comic classic.
4. George and Kristin:
Disappointingly, it seems that our long-term festival favourites George Clooney and Kristin Scott Thomas only appear in one film each this time both thrillers the Cloonster in Anton Corbijns THE AMERICAN, and K.S.T. in yet another small, but perfectly formed French drama, IN YOUR HANDS. We still await the time when our two faves will appear together…
5. Gold Standard:
Allow me to mark your card further.
Music lovers will find much to admire (and tap their feet to) in UPSIDE DOWN: THE CREATION RECORDS STORY, THE BALLAD OF MOTT THE HOOPLE (right), LEMMY, STRANGE POWERS: STEPHIN MERRITT AND THE MAGNETIC FIELDS, and BENDA BILILI!, which span everything from record label mavericks and rock legends, to a group of disabled Congolese musicians and their rise to fame. Even Welsh pop diva Duffy turns up in an acting role in PATAGONIA.
From France come HANDS UP, LIVING ON LOVE ALONE, LOVE LIKE POISON, LITTLE WHITE LIES and YOUNG GIRLS IN BLACK. The rest of Europe promises to thrill, amuse and provoke with A SOMEWHAT GENTLE MAN, ARMADILLO, MYSTERIES OF LISBON, SENSATION, ADRIENN PAL, 3 SEASONS IN HELL, FOR 80 DAYS, SILENT SOULS, MALAVOGLIA and THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF NICOLAE CEAUCESCU.
South Korean drama POETRY, from Secret Sunshine director Lee Chandong, will be blindingly brilliant even if its only half as good as its predecessor. A welcome late addition to the festival, Charles Fergusons INSIDE JOB is a timely US documentary about the financial crisis, narrated by Matt Damon. And pretty much every other part of the world is your lobster too, for two weeks only, with CHONGQING BLUES, SAWAKO DECIDES, WHEN LOVE COMES, I AM SINDHUTAI SAPKAI and DEAR DOCTOR from the East, INFILTRATION from Israel, THE LIGHT THIEF from Kyrgyzstan, LIFE ABOVE ALL from South Africa, THE TAQWACORES from Buffalo, New York, OCTOBER from Peru, and REVOLUCION showcasing ten of the best Mexican directors.
Restored to their original brilliance are classics like BOUDU SAVED FROM DROWNING, MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA, PANDORAS BOX and THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (right). And families can get their collective enjoyment from AFRICA UNITED, THE BOOK OF MASTERS, PUDANA and SUPER BROTHER.
Now go for it. Get booking. You know it makes sense!
Check out the official London Film Festival website and book your tickets at: bfi.org.uk/lff or by phone on: 020 7928 3232.
Review copyright © Helen M Jerome 2009.
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.