Raining Stones.
Post-Thatcher Manchester. Les Battersby Bruce Jones, is trying to make his way in life without a steady source of income; a situation all too familiar to those born north of the line that has divided the UK since the Industrial Revolution, and a recurring theme of director Ken Loach. When Bob, our protagonist, is not stealing sheep to sell to butchers or (semi-) voluntarily wading through shit, he is taking any paying job on offer. It is not only survival on Bob’s mind, however. His daughter’s first communion is approaching and he is determined to buy her a dress for the occasion and, due to his proud nature, he will not accept charity or second-hand garments. The film begins as a comedy, with humour found in the very real interactions of the characters, but as Bob’s actions become more desperate, the film spirals into a tense gripping drama that becomes impossible to tear away from. Bruce Jones is excellently cast as Bob, as is his hapless “colleague” portayed by a brilliant Ricky Tomlinson, who is effortlessly hilarious and equally heartbreaking. Ken Loach at his gritty, raw best.
Madadayo.
How strange it is that the first “foreign” film in this list is Akira Kurosawa’s last, released five years before his death in 1998. Set in Tokyo nearing the end of World War II, Madadayo centres around a Japanese professor and his relationship with retirement and old age, a theme that was increasingly relevant for the aging Kurosawa. Ever the comedian, the professor (“Sensei” to his students) is well liked and respected, a patriarch of the family he has accumulated over his years of teaching. Sensei finds humour in all aspects of life, even the air raids that would seek to destroy his beloved city. Madadyo has no antagonist to speak of, however that is not to say it is without tragedy. We witness Sensei grow old but his demeanour rarely changes, a lesson to be learned that as we approach death, we should not be fearful or change our behaviour but continue as we have lived and revel in the things that bring us joy. Mahda kai? Madadayo!
In the Name of the Father.
Gerry Conlon is an average bloke in Belfast at the height of the Troubles. He is understandably not overly fond of the British but is far from being a member of the IRA. Gerry enjoys antagonising the British soldiers that patrol the streets, however after causing one too many problems for the IRA in doing so, he is shipped off to London. The Troubles, however, are inescapable. After being falsely accused of a bombing in Guildford, Gerry and three of his cohabitants are arrested and brutally interrogated. The “Guildford Four”, as they were called, are then sentenced to prison by a justice system more concerned with arrests than the truth. Daniel Day Lewis is, of course, brilliant as Gerry, with Pete Postlethwaite equally so as his father, Guiseppe, in a film about justice and redemption but also, on a human level, the fractured relationship between a father and son. Set to an incredible soundtrack including Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Kinks and Bob Marley, In the Name of the Father is a wonderfully crafted film that should be seen by everyone.
Carlito’s Way.
New York. 1975. Carlito Brigante is released from prison five years into a thirty year sentence due to illegal methods in the investigation. Al Pacino’s Carlito is a reformed man and wants out of the crime game for good, a fact his former associates, and his morally questionable lawyer, don’t believe. His quest is comparable to Paradise Lost read in reverse, with selling rental cars in the Bahamas Carlito’s vision of heaven. Carlito’s Way is a tense action thriller, following Carlito as he is slowly dragged back into the criminal underworld, with Sean Penn as his “friend” and lawyer on one shoulder, and Penelope Ann Miller the other. Brian De Palma, predictably, directs an incredible film rich in colour, emotion, action, tension and just about anything else you could want from a trip to the movies. Enjoyed Scarface? Watch this immediately.
Schindler’s List.
If you fancy a harrowing experience this is the perfect film for you. Over three hours of pure harrow. Everybody knows what happened to Jews in Europe during the Second World War, but it is so easy to avoid the brutal reality or even deny the entire event. Schindler’s List does not shy away from the truth and in doing so makes the film an agonising watch. Oskar Schindler is a German businessman who begins the film socialising with SS officers and is popular with every nazi he encounters. Schindler owns a factory in Krakow and realises that Jewish workers are cheaper to hire than Poles, since they are effectively slaves. As the war continues, Schindler’s factory makes money hand over fist, while continuing to hire Jews making the factory a haven, much to Schindler’s disapproval. Jews are shipped out of Krakow and into concentration camps, forcing Schindler to witness the atrocities they experience on a daily basis. Throughout the course of film we watch the horror of Jewish life and how Schindler grows empathetic to his fellow human beings. The film is well acted, in particular Ralph Fiennes as the sadistic Goeth, exhuisitly shot, brilliantly directed and scored beautifully; the best picture of the year? Very possibly.
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