GILBERT’S BEST 10 FILMS OF 2005
The time has come around when the best of the year's films are selected. The list, in alphabetical order is based on films that open in Canada during the period of January 1st to December 31st, 2005. I do not claim to have seen all films released but I make it a point to catch all the worthwhile ones. It should be noted that BAD EDUCATION opened in the U.S. and Europe in 2004 but only in January of 2005 in Canada. Overall, a surprising year for documentaries (RIZE, MARCH OF THE PENGUINS, ENRON and MAD HOT BALLROOM are all worthy of mention) and films dealing with a gay theme (BAD EDUCATION, MYSTERIOUS SKIN, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN). Notably, more American films made my best 10 list than last year.
"BAD EDUCATION" (Spain 2004)
Directed by Pedro Almodovar
Almodovar at his peak! A story told in flashback that eventually evolves into a film within a film. A trickle of blood on a buggered boy's forehead that splits the screen into two halves revealing the two men that ultimately affects the boy's later life. A fade out of two lovers superimposed on the same two - sixteen years later - when they meet once again. And just when you thought the film's plot was getting a bit complex, director Almodovar offers a breather with a 10-minute teaser of Mexican hottie, sex-on-legs Gael Garcia Bernal in skimpy underwear frolicking in a friend's swimming pool. These are just a few of the pleasures that await viewers of Pedro Almodovar's latest tribute to film noir, a film that involves a love triangle between two 10-year old boys and their catholic school priest. BAD EDUCATION is layered, funny, sad, moving, semi-autobiographical and clearly Pedro Almodovar's personal masterpiece.
"BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN" (USA 2005)
Directed by Ang Lee
Based on a short story of the same title by Annie Proulx and adapted to the screen by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, the film takes its time to unfold and allows the audience to ponder over the mysteries, strength and power of love. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal deliver credible and at times riveting performances as the ranch hand, Ennis Del Mar and rodeo cowboy, Jack Twist respectively who fall in love while herding sheep in the early 60's. Though both initially claim that they are not queer, emotions and loneliness do take their course. Director Lee allows the viewer to observe the beautiful mountainous country, fickle yet astonishing weather, sunset, dawn and skies but eventually convinces that love prevails whether accepted on not during these hard times. Though set in Wyoming, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN was filmed largely in Alberta and around the city of Calgary, Canada. Though the film is bit lengthy (but necessary upon careful consideration) in its closure, it allows viewers to ponder over the happenings and what Lee wants to say by the closing credits. Compelling, powerful and intelligent!
"COMME UNE IMAGE" (LOOK AT ME) (France 2004)
Directed by Agnes Jaoui
COOME UNE IMAGE is the most expressive human film I have viewed this year. It opens with 20-year old Lolita Cassard (Marilou Berry) in a taxi driven by an irritated and rude driver with attitude (Jean-Pierre Lazzerini). He will not turn the music down when Lolita is on her cellular and she is told off by him when waiting to pick up her dad in the car. As it turns out, to much of the viewer's glee, the father is the famous author Etienne Cassard (the excellent Jean-Pierre Bacri), who is one more up in the irritability and attitude department. He tells off the driver to the tune of "Ever heard of courtesy?" and "I have had enough?", so much so that the driver responds with a timid "Yes sir!". Though the scene may appear inconsequential to the plot, it is essential in establishing the character and behaviour of the film's two principals. The compelling scene also attests that more dramatic scenes are yet to come. As the film unfolds, it turns out the story (co-written by Jaoui and Bacri) features other interacting characters such as Lolita's music teacher, Sylvia (played by Jaoui herself), her husband, Pierre (Laurent Grevill) and a host of others. Jaoui has the gift of making each character important as an individual - so much so that the plot of the film does not matter after a while. The viewer is engaged in watching human beings interact, feel and live. IMAGE boasts magnificent performances from Bacri, Jaoui and particularly, rising young actress Marilou Berry
"CRASH" (USA 2005)
Directed by Paul Haggis
Los Angeles. Emotionless people there have to literally crash into each other in order to make a connection. This is the premise of Paul Haggis' impressive directorial debut CRASH, where the car accident forms the catalyst for different races to interact.
The film is comprised of several vignettes; similar in structure to Steven Soderberg's drug film TRAFFIC, but it is now racial prejudice that replaces the drug destroying human lives. The action takes place within the time span of 36 hours. CRASH opens with an accident, then flashbacks to the day before. The whites in the film are a D.A., Rick (Brendan Fraser) and his bitchy wife, Jean (Sandra Bullock). Their SUV, stolen by two blacks, Anthony (Chris Bridges) and Peter (Larenz Tate) accidentally runs over a Korean. A racist cop (Matt Dillon in definitely his best role) and rookie partner (Ryan Phillipe) stop and abuse a black television director, Cameron (Terrence Howard) and his wife, Christine (Thandie Newton). Writer/director Haggis (Oscar nominated scenarist of last year's MILLION DOLLAR BABY) moves into the picture more characters. Interactions occur resulting in life changes and lessons learnt. Paul Haggis, a native of L.A. himself has drawn on his experiences and has created an impressive first effort. CRASH packs quite a dramatic impact!
"EL CRIMEN FERPECTO" (PERFECT CRIME) (Spain/Italy 2004)
Directed by Alex De la Iglesia
The funniest film of the year! Originally entitled FERPECT CRIME (EL CRIMEN FERPECTO), director Alex De la Iglesia's (PERDITA DURANGO, DAY OF THE BEAST) latest offering combines the black tale of the (hate) relationship between its two leads - the perfect uglies - with the over the top humor of all his other mostly horror films. The protagonist in PERFECT CRIME is the over confident Don Juan, Rafael (Guillermo Toledo) who's theory in life is he is just an elegant man just wanting to live in an elegant world and that he would rather die than live in mediocrity. So, he grabs whatever he can get. Iglesia knows how to stage his scenes to get the biggest laughs. The dinner segment of Loudres' dysfunctional family is priceless as is the meticulously staged introduction of the cross-eyed police inspector at the top of the escalator waiting to put Rafael in cuffs. His outrageous plays of dialogue like claiming Aristotle said: Don't Worry - Be Happy! work well too.
"A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE" (USA 2005)
Directed David Cronenberg
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE is less a character study but a story of the pains a human being has to go through in order to effect a genuine change in his life for the better. Tom Stall's (Viggo Mortensen) life takes a different course when he becomes the local small town hero after thwarting a robbery in the diner that he runs. Being then on the national news, he is visited by a sinister Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) who believes him to be someone else who had wronged him in the past. Carl demands revenge at all costs. Cronenberg knows how to play scenes and how to manipulate the viewers' emotions. The robbery and fight scenes are executed with skilled precision - reminiscent of Don Siegel's films. Aided by powerful performances, particularly by Viggo Mortensen (in his best role) and Ashton Holmes (as the son, Jack), Cronenberg's film comes close to perfect in achieving all its goals.
"MOOLAADE" (France/Senegal 2004)
Directed by Ousmane Sembane
MOOLADE runs like a fairy tale. The action is set in a magical kingdom ruled by a happy king. The inhabitants go about their daily chores, draped in colorful attire while their children enjoy the fruits of the land. Food and water are sufficient and all the good folk appear to live in harmony. But there is an evil that is destroying the kingdom. Children are being murdered by an ugly beast that must be banished from the Kingdom so that all can once again live happily ever after. The protagonist is Colle (Fatoumata Coulibaly), a second wife to a villager. The trouble arises when she shields four little girls from the ritual of female genital circumcision. The reason behind the move is the resulting deaths of her two daughters from this traditional ceremony. She had therefore refused her third, Asmatou (Salimata Traore) making her a Bilakoro. Asmatou is therefore unclean and unwed, because of old beliefs. So, Colle declares MOOLADE, protecting the girls, but engaging the wrath of the elders and her husband. This is the story of how this evil is banished from the land, but not after terrible human sacrifice, beatings and mental torture. The film can certainly not been pulled off without the almost perfect act of Fatoumata Coulibaly in the role of Colle. 81-year old director Sembane tells his tale with conviction, power and sensitivity. MOOLADE is filmed in French and Bambara.
"MUNICH" (USA 2005)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Spielberg in serious mode! MUNICH, inspired by true events, traces the plight of a hired Mossad killer (Eric Bana) as he avenges Israel (the Jews) over the terrorist killing of the Israeli athletes during the MUNICH Olympics. Filmed in gorgeous cold colours by Janusz Kaminski, MUNICH has an eerie nightmarish look to it from start to finish. Spielberg's film examines the motives, loyalty, obsession and certain bewilderment of the team assembled. He also offers arguments of both the Palestinian and Israeli sides. Performances are top-notch especially Bana's and French veteran Michel Lonsdale's as the papa of information. MUNICH also rings of old classics (and has a feel of) such as Truffaut's THE BRIDE WORE BLACK and Hitchcock's TOPAZ.
"MYSTERIOUS SKIN" (USA/Netherlands 2004)
Directed by Gregg Araki
Bad gay boy Gregg Araki (THE DOOM GENERATION, ALL F***CKED UP, THE LIVING END) returns after a 5-year absence with a more polished and matured piece MYSTERIOUS SKIN based on the acclaimed novel by Scott Heim. MYSTERIOUS SKIN alternates between two protagonists. What they share in common (besides being gay) is the child sex abuse they endured while under training as kids with the same baseball coach. One survives, the other barely. Araki interweaves the two stories together the way he knows best, creating humour (mostly dead-pan) in the oddest of moments and sympathy often when needed most. Grotesqueness is balanced with sensitivity but the Araki's viewers must possess a fortitude just as much as his most long-suffering victim has to endure. Compared to the many recent films (BAD EDUCATION, MYSTIC RIVER) dealing with child abuse, Araki's never judges or offers any solutions. The protagonists eventually have to come to terms with the truth - but in that achievement alone lies a certain peace.
"RIZE" (USA 2005)
Directed by David LaChapelle
RIZE introduces the viewers to a whole new vitalized world of a new dance phenomenon - clowning, krumping and stripper dance. Fast, furious and almost too incredible to be true, this is not a trend, as one of the dancers in the doc insists, but the real thing that will exist for a very long while. RIZE features performers like Tommy the clown, Larry, Dragon, Ms. Prissy, Baby Tight Eyes, Lil C, Tight Eyez among others. Director LaChapelle, (this is his first feature), has his experience in surreal fashion photography and music videos does it right. RIZE is not without LaChapelle's odd sense of doc humor. He answers irrelevant questions like what clown krumping is and how many clown groups there are. Though he ties in RIZE with the history of the 1975 and1992 (Rodney King) black riots and African dance, it really does not matter as the dance, music and performers are the real thing!
- Gilbert Seah -