Austenland Review

The Plot:

Jane a modern day singleton obsessed with the world of Jane Austen and romantic ideals of Pride & Prejudice impulsively spends her life savings to visit an Austen themed holiday resort. Living in costume surrounded by professional actors, Jane hopes for a life changing experience living out her fantasies. But as the sparks of real life romance start to fly it soon becomes hard to tell where make believe ends and real love starts.

The Good:

Austen’s well known romantic clichés and the devoted obsession it inspires in modern day fans provide an easy target for comedy. It’s not too challenging to parody stern heartthrobs in britches and dashing sideburns or hysterical heroines in corsets and bonnets. Many will no doubt be pleased to see this silly satire take aim at the melodramatic seriousness of Mr Darcy themed fantasies.

Keri Russell does an adequate job as Austen obsessive and hapless romantic Jane.  Though it’s actually JJ Fields and Flight of the Conchords star Brett McKenzie that commendably breathe some valuable likeability into the pretend Mr Darcy and real life stable hand that might both prove the answer to Jane’s romantic dreams. This at least gives the film some intrigue in its later stages.

Those with a real life love of Colin Firth’s smouldering Mr Darcy may take some joy from seeing it lampooned, especially if they have a taste for uncomplicated farce.

The Bad:

Much like Hess’s breakout success Napoleon Dynamite, Austenland is slow moving and will irritate some just as much as it amuses others. Hess’s obvious taste in eccentric oddity and campy kitsch definitely isn’t universally shared. Ultimately it just depends whether you prefer to greet frequent displays of cringe inducing awkwardness with a whimsical smile or an infuriated sneer.

As an example Jennifer Coolidge, best known for memorable supporting turns in American Pie and Legally Blonde, yet again plays a tactless buxom loudmouth. In previous roles this may have been amusing or endearing, but listening to her mangled deliberately awful attempts at an English accent is simply excruciating. It’s a perfect indication of the kind of heavy handed laughs the film continually offers up.

Brash American’s failing atrociously to imitate British accents, wit and sophistication is the kind of lazy laughs often found in children’s films. The same could be said of much of the film’s slapstick attempts at humour. Many of Austenland’s inhabitants, including snobbish proprietor Mrs. Wattlesbrook played by Jane Seymour, seem to be borrowed from a film aimed at a much younger audience than Hess likely ever intended.

The Ugly Truth:

Austenland gradually improves but never succeeds in matching the romantic heights of real Austen. A good soundtrack and occasional flashes of comedic or romantic chemistry keep thing’s watchable but feel more like redeeming features than a real joy. Ultimately Austenland provides a little light amusement, especially if you have a particular passion for period drama.

Martin Freeman For Fargo TV Series

Sherlock Holmes and The Hobbit star Martin Freeman has reportedly been cast in the Coen Brothers new Fargo TV series. Freeman will play Lester Nygaard, a character based on the part played by William H. Macy in the cult classic film version.

Filming is set to start in Canada,with Coen brother’s favourite Billy Bob Thornton also confirmed among the cast of the new show. Thornton will play Lorne Malvo and sinister figure who takes advantage of Freeman’s meek mannered insurance salesman.

Freeman will next be seen in the spectacular second installment of The Hobbit trilogy, The Desolation of Smaug, due in cinemas this Christmas. It will be followed quickly by the  long awaited third series of Sherlock, with Benedict Cumberbatch, which will also be back on UK TV screens at the start of 2014.

Irrfan Khan Attacks Unimaginative Bollywood

Irrfan Khan the star of over 100 Bollywood films as well as Life Of Pi and Slumdog Millionaire has launched an outspoken attack on the lack of creativity in modern Indian cinema during an interview with the BBC.

“I think the songs are being used unimaginatively. Earlier, in the 50s and 60s, we had our own unique language and the songs were used in a very imaginative way; songs were the strength of the film. Now we have become complacent, the songs have become a burden. That’s why universal audiences from the West cannot connect. There’s no credibility”

Talking about the recent centenary celebration of India’s first silent feature the actor seemed unenthusiastic about the milestone:

“We don’t have many sources of entertainment – that is the reason we have survived 100 years. There was outstanding work, fabulous work which was done earlier. We had fantastic directors, there were films which were made in so-called Indian style, with song and dance, but they used to deal with complex problems; they used to address the issues of society, but we lost that magic. We have been surviving 100 years, but it does not mean we have any reason to celebrate it”.

Speaking about his own preference for serious drama over lighter efforts.

“There are films which are like a one night stand: You indulge and you forget. I don’t enjoy those kinds of films very much. I try to do films which leave a longer impact, which speak to you and which keep coming back to you after you’ve seen them; I prefer movies which have a longer relationship.”

Khan’s new film The Lunchbox will screen at this year’s London Film Festival next month, having already picked up the viewer’s choice award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Fox Makes Commissioner Gordon TV Series

The Fox television network is making a Batman spin-off TV series based on the origin story of Police Commissioner Gordon. Written by Bruno Heller (Rome & The Mentalist) the new show will feature Gordon as a young detective, squaring off against some of Batman’s best known foes without the help of the dark knight. Gary Oldman played Gordon in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy but is almost certain to be replaced with a younger actor for the new series.

The news came just hours before the American television debut of Marvel’s new Avengers spin-off series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Fox’s new Batman inspired series will go under the title Gotham and the network has already commissioned a full series. Fox are also developing comic book adaptations for both Unthinkable and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. 

BFI London Film Festival 2013 Top 10 Must See Films

This year’s official line up for the BFI London Film Festival 2013 boasts over 230 features, many of which will be receiving world premieres on the red carpet in Leicester Square in the Heart of London. Here’s our top pick for the top 10 films you should be sure not to miss at this year’s public screenings:

1). Don Jon

Don Jon marks the bold directing debut of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, based on his own provocative screenplay.  The versatile rising superstar takes the lead, directing himself as walking Jersey Shore stereotype Jon Martello. The typically boyish actor transforms himself into a swaggering gym buff meathead, struggling to choose between his unashamed porn addiction and his real life Jersey dream girl, played by a smouldering Scarlett Johansson. Looking beyond easy laughs and lazy stereotypes, Don Jon promises to serve as both a brash love story and a timely comment on the perils of pervasive internet pornography.

2). 12 Years A Slave

Festival favourite Director Steve McQueen adds to his impressive resume (Hunger, Shame) with easily his most ambitious and large scale production to date; boasting an all-star cast which includes Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch and a career defining turn from Chiwetel Ejiofor. Based on the poignant real life memoirs of Solomon Northup, it’s the story of a free man kidnapped and forced into over a decade of brutal plantation slavery prior to the American Civil War. Expect it to a more searing psychological exploration of the true horrors of slavery than either Django Unchained or Lincoln.

3). Only Lovers Left Alive

Director Jim Jarmusch recaptures the aching gothic romance of vampirism with a sweeping tale of lust and longing between two centuries old vampires. The mesmeric Tom Hiddleston plays reclusive undead rock star Adam, while Tilda Swinton plays his former flame Eve. Their passionate reunion after many years of lustful separation is disrupted by Eve’s precocious sister Ava, in the tempting shape of Mia Wasikowska. The enviable cast is capable of providing the perfect mix of poised composure and barely restrained rampant passions needed.

*Tom Hiddleston fans should also make sure to check out short film Out of Darkness, with the compassionate star helping to deliver a very important message.

4). Nebraska

Distinguished actor Bruce Dern grabbed the Best Actor award in Cannes for his turn in Nebraska. He plays a cantankerous father taking an ill-advised road trip across the American Midwest with his son, on a doomed quest to claim some obviously fictitious lottery winnings. Director Alexander Payne (The Descendants) spins a sincere tale of sweet and sour self-discovery, balancing biting humour and genuine sadness. Nebraska promises to provide a deeply ambivalent portrait of small-town America that digs beneath sentimental stereotypes but stops short of uncomfortable total despair. It’s also worth watching to assess Dern’s prospects as an early Oscars candidate.

5).  Gavity

A painstaking  five year labour of love for Director Alfonso Cuaron, Gavity is an equally beautiful and terrifying space adventure that sees two astronauts stranded in orbit after satellite debris obliterates their shuttle. Sandra Bullock and George Clooney tackle the human drama whilst VFX supervisor Tim Webber gives audiences an immersive 3D vision of space unlike anything they’ll have seen before.

6). Inside LLewyn Davis

The Coen Brothers bring their unique cinematic melancholy to 1960s folk music, with a predictably stellar cast that includes Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaacs, Justin Timberlake and frequent collaborator John Goodman.  Expect a rambling homage to the sounds and self-indulgent sullen whimsy of the era. Oscar Issacs tackles lead role duties in a career launching turn as a shambolic musician struggling to pay his way whilst outstaying his welcome with increasingly frustrated friends. A lost marmalade cat and an inconvenient pregnancy help ramp up the drama.

7). Blue Is The Warmest Colour

Headline grabbing Cannes Palme d’Or winner Blue Is The Warmest Colour is a provocative tale of love between two young women. Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux give bravely uninhibited performances that sizzle with messy passion and sensuous lust. Director Abdellatif Kechiche stimulated controversy with his intimate taboo busting portrayal of lesbian romance. Going beyond simple voyeurism, the film offers delicate social observation and mesmerizingly intimate moments of sincere turbulent love.

8). The Double

The IT Crowd star Richard Ayoade follows up his impressive directorial debut Submarine with a quirky re-telling of Fydor Dostoevsky’s acclaimed novella. It’s a strange tale of an unappreciated office worker who finds himself pushed to the brink of madness when a charismatic man who looks exactly like him unexpectedly arrives.  Expect a film laced with wry dark humour complimented by the ensemble talents of Jesse Eisenberg, Noah Taylor, Wallace Shawn and Mia Wasikowska.

9). Under The Skin

Sexy Beast director Jonathan Glazer transforms Scarlett Johnasson into a predatory (occasionally naked) alien femme fatale, stalking the men of Glasgow and the desolate Scottish highways. It’s a jarring mix of warped psychosexual fantasy and gritty realism. Filmed on location in Scotland and accompanied by an ominous synth soundtrack expect this to be one of those weird gems that you encounter at the festival and lingers long in your memory after the closing night gala is all done and dusted.

10). Afternoon Delight

In this titillating comedy treat a wealthy LA housewife takes the unlikely step of inviting an alluring sex worker to stay at her home in the hopes of reigniting the passion in her sexually dysfunctional marriage.  Rising Star Juno Temple plays the provocative stripper, whilst Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother) and Kathry Hahn play the confused couple. Writer Director Jill Soloway made her name as one of the creative forces behind superb black comedy drama Six Feet Under so carries credible expectation. Expect Afternoon Delight to witty gritty weird and perhaps brilliant.