Last week was full of melancholy and death-centered narratives, and this week—I got some more of both, along with some daring relationship dramas. It was both brutal and beautiful.
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Rabbit Hole ~ Directed by John Cameron Mitchell
This is Mitchell’s third directorial effort (after Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Shortbus), and despite my ambivalence about Nicole Kidman, my hopes were high for this one. Based on David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer-winning play and scripted by the author, Rabbit Hole proved even better than I expected. This melancholy tale of parents (Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) mourning the death of their young son is deftly told with subtlety and humor. It’s the best thing Kidman’s done in years, and proved once again Mitchell is a master of mixing heartbreaking drama with incisive humor.
After the screening, the film’s cinematographer, Frank G. DeMarco, dropped by and revealed some fun facts about the film’s production. Check them out here.
Nominations: Best Director—John Cameron Mitchell, Best Screenplay—David Lindsay-Abaire, Best Female Lead—Nicole Kidman, Best Male Lead—Aaron Eckhart
Snubbed? A great film, it’s pretty well represented in the major categories.
Lovers of Hate ~ Directed by Bryan Poyser
One of the oddest love triangle tales I’ve ever seen, this mumblecore narrative craftily mingles elements of horror and broad comedy to create a truly engaging cross-genre film. Lovers centers on two brothers fighting over the love of one woman, but this tired premise is given a new spin when the three are (semi-unwittingly) sharing a house in Park City, Utah. Weirdly wonderful, this one was a vicious delight.
Nominations: John Cassavetes Award
Snubbed? A far more interesting premise than most, this mumblecore movie deserved a screenplay nod.
Life During Wartime ~ Directed by Todd Solondz
Ok. I admittedly loathe Todd Solondz movies as much as he seems to loathe his characters, so I am not the target audience for his kind-of sort-of sequel to 1998’s Happiness. This film, loosely centered on three drama-prone sisters, is so full of vile and reprehensible elements, it’s difficult to sit through and even harder to enjoy. His characters, played by some truly talented performers, are so broadly constructed they seem like cartoon characters deemed too morose for the pages Parade Magazine. When a self-centered screenwriter (played by Ally Sheedy) wines that people find her, “cruel and condescending, that I have no heart!” I felt certain it was Solondz’s not so subtle jab at critics who’ve made similar assertions. But pointing out these critiques doesn’t make them wrong.
Nominations: Best Screenplay—Todd Solondz, Best Supporting Female—Allison Janney
Snubbed? NO!
Thunder Soul ~ Directed by Mark Landsman
This nostalgia-heavy doc centers on the reunion of the Kashmere Stage Band and their leader, Houston’s answer to Mr. Holland’s Opus, Conrad ‘Prof’ Johnson. This uplifting picture reveals how one man presented a world of hope and music to a slew of black teens during the uncertain 1970s. He was more than a music teacher, as one former student puts it, “He didn’t just teach us the music, he taught us how to be men.” Full of funk music, heart and soul, this is less an informative doc than a love letter to Prof and the power of music. But it was a charming conclusion to the screenings.
Nominations: Best Documentary
Snubbed? No.
Monogamy~ Directed by Dana Adam Shapiro
This clever twist on the cold feet plot line revolves around Theo, a photographer (Chris Messina) whose wedding day jitters fuel and illicit obsession. By day Theo is a lovable fiancé to Nat (Rashida Jones) and a respectable (though bored) wedding photographer. But by night he is a paid stalker, tracking down paying clients to take candid shots of them. This is how he “meets” Subgirl, who contracts him to photograph her exhibitionistic trysts. So, a man in search of a little excitement/subversion/diversion/perversion finds an enigma in a mysterious woman that steadily draws him away from his impending wedding day. It’s an interesting effort, but the premise crumbles in the third act when a not-so-surprising secret is revealed. Still, it was good to see Messina and Jones get beefier roles in a film, as both are woefully underappreciated.
Nominations: Best First Screenplay—Dana Adam Shapiro & Evan M. Weiner
Snubbed? Despite my love of Messina and Jones, there are better performances out there than these.
This week by the Numbers:
Death Count: 8
Haunting Exes: 4
Artist as a Main Character: 7
Acts of Sexual Deviance: 6
Memorable Theme Songs: 4
Films Watched: 35/35 – a complete set!
Runningtime conquered: 3736 minutes
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MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
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State of Mind: I’m admittedly a bit tattered from all this indie drama, pretty much thoroughly emotionally drained. And yet, I already miss trekking to Tribeca in the dead of winter on a nightly basis. I think this endeavor has busted my sanity.
Since we’ve covered all the films, next week I’ll break down the nominees’ chances by category—just days before the winners are announced!
What are your thoughts on these nominees?