Tag: Ciarian Hinds

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY – The Review

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY

If the rapidly falling temps didn’t drive the notion home, the release of the new film should definitely tell you that Summer is over, time to get serious. Really serious. For this is not a love story, but rather an end of love story. Or to be precise the end of a marriage. First time feature director, and the film’s screenwriter, Ned Benson had the notion of putting a he/she spin on this tale of romantic disintegration. It would be two features with the subtitles her and him, so one would be from the husband POV, the other from the wife. After showing the pair at the Toronto film fest in 2013, Benson then decided to combine the two into the single film now in release. Word is that the duo flicks may get a very limited release next month, but for now let’s travel that rocky to love’s end via THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY.

Benson begins the film with a flashback to happy times as the couple, Eleanor (Jessica Chastain) and Conor (James McAvoy) giggle through a NYC restaurant dinner romp capped off by a roll on the grass of a public park illuminated by the moon and several lightning bugs. We’re then quickly thrust to the present day as Eleanor almost makes a fatal mistake, perhaps it’s a desperate cry for help. Soon she’s living in the suburban house she grew up in with her kid sister (who’s got her own adorable tot) Katy (Jess Weixler), retired musician mother Mary (Isabelle Huppert), and concerned college prof pop Julian (William Hurt). At her father’s suggestion Eleanor returns to the city for some classes at Cooper Union taught by the cynical, acerbic Professor Friedman (Viola Davis), who soon becomes a mentor and confidant. Meanwhile Conor continues to attempt to contact Eleanor. He’s forced to move back in with his estranged successful restaurateur father Spencer (Ciaran Hinds) as his own bar/eatery struggles to survive. Luckily Conor is aided by his best pal and chef Stuart (Bill Hader) and flirty bartender/hostess Alexis (Nina Arianda). As the couple attempt to reconcile, we slowly learn of the tragedy that broke them apart, one that may completely extinguish their love for good.

Chastain is the film’s damaged, but still beating heart as the woman wanting to move forward, but still held back by a heartbreaking past. It will be interesting to see if her solo version of the story can possibly add more to this complex soul than this combined piece. Chastain shows us Eleanor’s fragile state in the first scenes and we slowly get to see her struggle to break free and begin again. There’s anger and disappointment with her spouse, but the affection tries to return. The conversations with Friedman reveal her strength and returning humor while we get a hint of that playful side in her exchanges with Katy. This is another complex character in Chastain’s impressive screen resume. McAvoy holds his own as her partner, whose life and career seem to be in a downward spiral. As his business implodes, he desperately reaches back out to his wife. Conor may not be able to fix the bistro, but he’ll fix his marriage. He too must deal with the anger and heartbreak, but without a strong family base. Benson has assembled a stellar supporting cast. Hader follows up his excellent lead work in THE SKELETON TWINS with a terrific sidekick turn as the sarcastic chief providing such more needed comic relief. Davis takes her surly teacher role and twists it into a tough older sister/sounding board for Eleanor. Hinds is clueless distant dad who can only assist his son financially and not emotionally. Huppert is an exotic, nurturing Earth mother who doesn’t quite know how to break through her daughter sadness. The real standout may be Hurt’s quiet, restrained work as the academic trying to find the tools to repair his broken family. The scene in which he relates the harrowing story of a day at the beach in France with baby Eleanor is spellbinding.

With all the wonderful acting showcased, it’s a pity that the film seems to meander, often unfocused. Subplots involving illicit flings and brief flashbacks of joyous passion subvert the pacing and drain off needed energy. The New York locations gave the proceeding a great backdrop, but the main story is too much a mystery. By the final scenes we get enough information to understand what prompted Eleanor’s actions in the film’s first moments, but we are kept in the dark for much of the heated conversations between the couple. This film is still essential for any fans of the two lead actors, and for fans of great acting in general. Let’s hope the solo versions do get some set of release, even if it’s only in a deluxe home video edition because the talents of Chastain and McAvoy make THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY a mystery well worth pursuing.

3.5 Out of 5

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY opens everywhere and screens exclusively in the St. Louis area at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinemas

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THE DEBT (2010) – The Review

This movie re-enforces the old adage “what goes around comes around.” Or more specifically that it’s always easier to tell the truth than try to keep track of a lie. With John Madden’s (SHAKESPEAARE IN LOVE) new drama/thriller based on an Israeli film from 2007, three people must deal with a ghost form the past that returns to haunt them more than thirty years later. The question becomes whether they can continue  their story and keep the past buried.

The film begins in 1997 at the release party for a book that Sarah Gold has written about the capture of the notorious Nazi Dr. Dieter Vogel (a Dr. Mengale-type) by her mother Rachel Singer (Helen Mirren), father Stephan Gold (Tom Wilkinson), and David Peretz (Ciaran Hinds), all former Mossad agents. A recent tragedy causes the former married couple, Rachel and Stephan, to reflect on the true events that inspired the new book. We then return to East Berlin, 1966, where young Rachel ( Jessica Chastain ) meets with fellow agents Stephan (Marton Csokas) and David (Sam Worthington). Their mission is to capture Vogel, now posing as a gynecologist named Bernhardt, smuggle him into West Berlin, and ship him to Israel where he will stand trial for his war crimes. All three suffered great losses during World War II, and while training become enmeshed in a romantic triangle. After much preparation the day of the capture arrives. And, as they say, “Even the best laid plans…” Can they now retired agents keep their pledge to each other?

For the mid-section of the film set in 1966, THE DEBT is a tense, taut edge0of your-seat thriller that reminded me of another recent film about the Mossad, MUNICH. Chastain (who’s having quite a year with great roles in THE HELP an TREE OF LIFE) shows her chops as an action hero to great effect particularly in the scenes set in Bernhardt’s examining room. Worthington has an effecting, smoldering intensity as the emotionally wounded David. I was impressed by relative screen newcomer Csokas’s cynical, world-weary portrayal of Stephan. The scenes of them dashing through the Berlin streets and hiding at a train station are very suspenseful. My problem with the film is in the return to Israel 1997. Wilkinson and Mirren are in top form as usual, but the sequences of her returning to her spying days are fairly unbelievable (she was much more convincing in the much lighter recent action flick RED). The final scenes at a medical facilities seem laughably ludicrous compared to the earlier 1966 mission set pieces. I would enjoyed the film more if it just concerned that thirty year old tale of dedicated Nazi hunters. Two thirds of THE DEBT is a terrific, first class thriller. It’s a shame the other third isn’t as compelling.

Overall Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

New Trailer For THE RITE

Warner Bros. Pictures has released a brand new trailer for THE RITE. “Inspired by true events” – still creepy, still haunting.

Synopsis:

Inspired by true events, THE RITE follows skeptical seminary student Michael Kovak (Colin O’Donoghue), who reluctantly attends exorcism school at the Vatican. While in Rome, he meets an unorthodox priest, Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins), who introduces him to the darker side of his faith.

Directed by Mikael Håfström (“1408”), “The Rite” is a supernatural thriller that uncovers the devil’s reach to even one of the holiest places on Earth. Contrafilms’ Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson (“The Exorcism of Emily Rose”) are producing the film. The screenplay was penned by Michael Petroni (upcoming “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”), inspired by the book by Matt Baglio. Christy Fletcher and Emma Parry are co-producing. Richard Brener, Merideth Finn and Robert Bernacchi serve as executive producers.

Hopkins stars as Father Lucas. An Oscar® winner for his iconic portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs,” Hopkins’ impressive career includes “The Remains of the Day” and this year’s “The Wolfman,” as well as the upcoming comics-based film “Thor.”

Making his feature film debut, O’Donoghue stars as Michael Kovak, the disillusioned American seminary student. Alice Braga plays the role of Angeline, a journalist in Rome doing research on exorcisms. Braga will next be seen this summer in “Predators.” Her additional credits include “I Am Legend” and “City of God.” Ciarán Hinds portrays Father Xavier. Known for his role as Gaius Julius Caesar in HBO’s “Rome,” Hinds will soon be seen in the upcoming “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” films. Toby Jones plays the role of Father Matthew. Jones has appeared in such films as “Frost/Nixon,” “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” and “The Painted Veil” and will soon be seen in “Captain America: The First Avenger.” Veteran actor Rutger Hauer takes on the role of Michael’s father, Istvan Kovak. Hauer’s career includes roles in “Blade Runner,” “The Hitcher,” “Sin City” and “Batman Begins.”

Håfström previously directed the John Cusack thriller “1408,” and “Derailed,” starring Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston. His most recent film, “Shanghai,” also starring John Cusack, will be in theaters later this year. His film “Evil,” which he wrote and directed, was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2004 Academy Awards® and won three Swedish Guldbagge Awards, including Best Film.

From New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, THE RITE will be in theatres on January 28, 2011. Visit the film’s official site here, like it on Facebook here, and follow it on Twitter here.

THE RITE Trailer Scares!

Calling all skeptics and believers of demonic possessions and exorcisms, the new trailer for THE RITE starring Anthony Hopkins is here. The trailer had its debut on Tuesday night during Spike-TV’s Scream 2010 by none other than Sir Tony himself.

It’s always that part about “Inspired by a true story” in a horror film that gives me the chills!

Inspired by true events, THE RITE follows skeptical seminary student Michael Kovak (Colin O’Donoghue), who reluctantly attends exorcism school at the Vatican. While in Rome, he meets an unorthodox priest, Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins), who introduces him to the darker side of his faith.

Directed by Mikael Håfström (“1408”), “The Rite” is a supernatural thriller that uncovers the devil’s reach to even one of the holiest places on Earth. Contrafilms’ Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson (“The Exorcism of Emily Rose”) are producing the film. The screenplay was penned by Michael Petroni (upcoming “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”), inspired by the book by Matt Baglio. Christy Fletcher and Emma Parry are co-producing. Richard Brener, Merideth Finn and Robert Bernacchi serve as executive producers.

Hopkins stars as Father Lucas. An Oscar® winner for his iconic portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs,” Hopkins’ impressive career includes “The Remains of the Day” and this year’s “The Wolfman,” as well as the upcoming comics-based film “Thor.”

Making his feature film debut, O’Donoghue stars as Michael Kovak, the disillusioned American seminary student.

Alice Braga plays the role of Angeline, a journalist in Rome doing research on exorcisms. Braga will next be seen this summer in “Predators.” Her additional credits include “I Am Legend” and “City of God.”

Ciarán Hinds portrays Father Xavier. Known for his role as Gaius Julius Caesar in HBO’s “Rome,” Hinds will soon be seen in the upcoming “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” films.

Toby Jones plays the role of Father Matthew. Jones has appeared in such films as “Frost/Nixon,” “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” and “The Painted Veil” and will soon be seen in “Captain America: The First Avenger.”

Veteran actor Rutger Hauer takes on the role of Michael’s father, Istvan Kovak. Hauer’s career includes roles in “Blade Runner,” “The Hitcher,” “Sin City” and “Batman Begins.”

Håfström previously directed the John Cusack thriller “1408,” and “Derailed,” starring Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston. His most recent film, “Shanghai,” also starring John Cusack, will be in theaters later this year. His film “Evil,” which he wrote and directed, was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2004 Academy Awards® and won three Swedish Guldbagge Awards, including Best Film.

From New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, THE RITE will be in theatres on January 28, 2011. Visit the film’s official site here, like it on Facebook here, and follow it on Twitter here.