THE GOOD, THE NOT SO BAD AND THE UGLY: AFI 2015, Part 4: Married Without Children – 45 Years and Macbeth
Posted: December 8, 2015 | Author: Donald | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 45 Years, Andrew Haigh, Charlotte Rampling, David Constantine, David Thewlis, Justin Kurzel, Macbeth, Marion Cotillard, Michael Fassbender, Paddy Considine, Snowtown, Tom Courtenay, William Shakespeare | 31 Comments »First, a word from our sponsors: I am now offering a new service: so much emphasis has been given lately to the importance of the opening of your screenplay, I now offer coverage for the first twenty pages at the cost of $20.00. For those who don’t want to have full coverage on their screenplay at this time, but want to know how well their script is working with the opening pages, this is perfect for you. I’ll help you not lose the reader on page one.
Ever wonder what a reader for a contest or agency thinks when he reads your screenplay? Check out my new e-book published on Amazon: Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, including my series of essays, What I Learned Reading for Contests This Year, and my film reviews of 2013. Only $2.99. http://ow.ly/xN31r
and check out my Script Consultation Services: http://ow.ly/HPxKE
Warning: SPOILERS
Is this the year of the older, older woman?
For some reason, a number of films have been released this year with a central character that is probably not only not in any recognized quadrant of the four that studios so dream of capturing, it’s a target audience many producers probably consider non-existent: a female in her somewhat twilight years.
These include I’ll See You In My Dreams (Blythe Danner as a widow discovering that life isn’t over by any stretch of the imagination); Grandma (Lily Tomlin as a grandmother helping her granddaughter raise money for an abortion); Youth (Jane Fonda as an aging actress desperately trying to hold on to her career); The Woman in the Van (curmudgeon Maggie Smith as…a curmudgeon in a van).
And now we have Charlotte Rampling as Kate Mercer in 45 Years, a heartbreaking and at times emotionally devastating film about a wife who has to reevaluate her more than four decade long marriage in the days leading up to her and her husband’s anniversary.
It’s a roster that perhaps is worthy of an entry in the Guinness Books.
There’s something odd about my memory of 45 Years. I keep swearing that it was in black and white when I saw it. Yet whenever I see a preview of it, there it is in color. Muted hues, perhaps, but in color all the same.
Perhaps it’s my mind creating a metaphor for the film, a bleak and, yes, ultimately downbeat study of a relationship.
The basic story revolves around Kate and her mate Geoff, two seniors who are planning a party to celebrate the longevity of their marriage. But a week before the festivities, Geoff receives a letter from the authorities in Switzerland. Before Geoff ever met Kate, he took a vacation traveling through the Alps when his girlfriend of the time fell tragically into a crevice. She was never located. Until now. After a freak thaw finally revealed her body.
And Kate now has to reconsider everything about her marriage as Geoff seems unable in letting this new information go. He is suddenly thrown into the past, leaving Kate more and more behind at times, while he pretends there is nothing different, nothing going on, like a methinks he doth protest too much cheating husband.
But Kate has to fully face the truth that she was never Geoff’s first choice and is only married to him because his original love suddenly disappeared one day. If the woman were alive, Kate would probably never have met Geoff and it might be the other woman who would be celebrating an anniversary this year.
Even more devastating, it’s also quite possible that this was also the reason why she and Geoff never had any children.
Goeff is played by Tom Courtenay and I’m not sure that either he or Rampling have ever been better. I especially think that for Rampling, this has to be her finest performance. Every hurt, every pain, every bit of anger is so obviously buried in her soul. Meanwhile, she has to pretend that everything is all right, even though she is dying inside, as symbolized by the song played to open their party, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, a woeful ballad about people who hide the fact that they are suffering.
The movie is a touching and moving broken valentine for these two veteran performers and is a wonderful tribute to their long careers.
Written and directed by Andrew Haigh, adapted from a short story by David Constantine. Haigh has previously given us Weekend and the TV series Looking.
At the beginning of director Justin Kurzel’s new interpretation of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Macbeth, Lord and Lady M lay to rest their only child. It’s a scene not in the play (the Macbeths are simply childless with no explanation).
It’s a nice touch. A nice addition to the story. A nice interpretation of the play.
Unfortunately, as highly original as this addition is, it is about the only aspect that anyone involved in the movie brings of any value to the story (I will give the filmmakers one more credit—at the end, rather than have Birnham Wood be chopped down and used as shields for the approaching Macduff army, Macbeth sets it ablaze and the ashes make their way to the murderer’s castle).
I fully realize that this version of the play whose title you dare not mention in a theatre without risking a superstitious catastrophe, has its fervent supporters.
As for me, it is an utter failure, and on almost every level.
The whole movie feels shot in a one note style. The cinematography rarely changes color. Like the sets and costumes, it is muted to the dullest of earth tones.
That I might have been fine with. It’s a downbeat play, so there’s no reason it shouldn’t have a downbeat look.
But where the movie lost me was with the acting and line readings, the verse delivered with flat and even intonations with what seemed to be no effort to make it remotely understandable. No one seems to even try to give their lines any clear meaning.
The performances were so weak and bland that a fellow audience member said to me, “if they were going to say everything in monotone, they might as well have cast Keanu Reeves in the part.”
And I’m not certain I can disagree.
This is the fourth film version of the play that I have seen and like many in the U.S., I had to study it in school. Thankfully, I should add, because if I hadn’t, I’m not sure I would have had the remotest idea what the basic plot was (another friend had simply no idea what Lady Macbeth was talking about during her famous soliloquy, “Out, out, damned spot”).
I suppose in all fairness I should mention that this version of the Scottish play is getting all sorts of praise in many circles, and Kurzel is known for a fantastic bit of an equally downbeat earlier vision of cinematic nihilism called Snowtown.
But this Macbeth simply didn’t register with me at all.
With Michael Fassbender as Macbeth; Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth; David Thewlis as Duncan; and Paddy Considine as Banquo.
The adaption was done by committee. For some reason it actually took three writers to create this version of the play.
31 Comments on “THE GOOD, THE NOT SO BAD AND THE UGLY: AFI 2015, Part 4: Married Without Children – 45 Years and Macbeth”
Leave a Reply
REAL Short Box Subscribe!
501191 188659 An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I believe which you ought to write much more on this subject, it may not be a taboo subject but typically individuals are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers 376974
941920 365744I feel this really is among the most vital info for me. And im glad reading your article. But wanna remark on couple of general issues, The site style is perfect, the articles is truly fantastic : D. Great job, cheers 241851
908979 791858Woh I really like your posts , bookmarked ! My wife and i take concern along together with your last point. 308451
504874 188611I truly enjoy examining on this website , it has good content . 476253
938688 731605Housing a different movement in a genuine case or re-dialed model. 172824
815991 762905Delighted for you to discovered this site write-up, My group is shopping far more often than not regarding this. This can be at this moment certainly what I are already seeking and I own book-marked this specific site online far too, Ill often be maintain returning soon enough to look at on your exclusive weblog post. 906279
977332 250307When do you feel this Real Estate market will go back in a positive direction? Or is it nonetheless too early to tell? We are seeing a lot of housing foreclosures in Altamonte Springs Florida. What about you? Would adore to get your feedback on this. 521204
758499 784953This post contains fantastic original thinking. The informational content here proves that points arent so black and white. I feel smarter from just reading this. 759105
149664 843054Thanks for blogging and i enjoy the blog posting so no public comments.,,,,,,,,,,, 366036
490056 400199replica watches are wonderful reproduction of original authentic swiss luxury time pieces. 985282
239118 622159Really very good written write-up. It will be beneficial to anybody who usess it, including myself. Maintain up the good work – canr wait to read far more posts. 938366
242348 423841Awesome blog, Im going to spend much more time researching this subject 304467
601624 743310very good day, your website is really unquie. Anways, i do appreciate your function 736624
870648 478056Pretty! This was a really fantastic post. Thank you for your provided information. cool desktop 119186
74552 32639Im agitated all these post directories. It sure would be good to have every write-up directory that instantly accepts articles. 61321
750438 133627That being said by use it all, planet is genuinely restored a bit far more. This situation in addition will this certain Skin tightening and starting to be moved and into the mood of these producing activities. daily deal livingsocial discount baltimore washington 672448
52895 343351I got what you intend, saved to favorites , really decent internet internet site . 569491
Great article.
998843 935286Ich kenne einige Leute, die aus Kanadakommen. Eines Tages werde ich auch dorthin reisen Lg Daniela 42384
deep web sites the dark internet darknet drugs
Забота о вашем доме – это забота о благополучии. Термомодернизация фасадов – это не только стильный внешний вид, но и обеспечение сохранения тепла в вашем уютном уголке. Специалисты, наши мастера, предлагаем вам сделать ваш дом в идеальный уголок для проживания.
Наши дизайнерские решения – это не просто тепловая обработка, это творческий подход к каждому деталю. Мы придерживаемся совершенному сочетанию между красотой и практичностью, чтобы ваш дом преобразился не только теплым и стильным, но и роскошным.
И самое существенное – удовлетворительная стоимость! Мы уверены, что профессиональные услуги не должны быть дорогим удовольствием. Утепление дома цена за квадратный метр работа начинается всего начиная с 1250 рублей за квадрат.
Использование современных материалов и технологий позволяют нам создавать изоляцию, которая долго сохраняет свои свойства и надежна. Позабудьте о проблеме холодных стен и избегайте дополнительных расходов на отопление – наше утепление станет вашим надежным барьером от холода.
Подробнее на ppu-prof.ru/
Не откладывайте на потом заботу о комфорте своего дома. Обращайтесь к экспертам, и ваш уголок станет настоящим архитектурным искусством, которое подарит вам тепло и уют. Вместе мы создадим жилище, в котором вам будет по-настоящему уютно!
Измучились простужаться зимой и переплатить за отопление?
обогрев фасада – решение проблемы!
Компания “Тепло и уют” с 2010 года предлагает опытные услуги по инсуляции фасадов зданий любой сложности. За это время мы зарекомендовали себя как надежный и благонадежный партнер, о чем свидетельствуют многочисленные отзывы наших клиентов.
Почему стоит выбрать нас?
доступные цены. Утепление стен дома снаружи цена от 1350 руб/м2.
практичность и мастерство. Наши бригады имеют обширный опыт работы в сфере обогрева фасадов. Мы используем только аттестованные материалы и новые технологии, что гарантирует повышенное качество работ.
Личный подход. Мы подберем для вас наилучшее решение с учетом ваших потребностей и бюджета.
Бесплатная консультация и выезд замерщика. Наши специалисты бесплатно проконсультируют вас по всем вопросам обтепления фасада и произведут точные замеры.
Наш сайт: https://stroystandart-kirov.ru/
Обеспечение качества. Мы предоставляем гарантию на все виды работ.
Звоните нам сегодня и получите бесплатную консультацию!
Мы сделаем ваш дом уютным, уютным и экономичным!
650693 607105I cant say that I completely agree, but then once again Ive never truly thought of it quite like that before. Thanks for giving me something to consider when Im supposed to have an empty mind even though trying to fall asleep tonight lol.. 307505
835011 69751Hello. outstanding job. I did not anticipate this. This really is a splendid articles. Thanks! 88470
978947 442600This will probably be a terrific web website, will you be involved in performing an interview regarding how you developed it? If so e-mail me! 125697
darknet market https://mydarkmarket.com/ – drug markets dark web darknet marketplace
darkmarket https://mydarknetmarketlinks.com/ – dark internet dark web drug marketplace
darknet search engine https://mydarknetmarketlinks.com/ – tor markets links dark web drug marketplace
616849 489366How do I know if a WordPress theme supports a subscribe option? 899902
472091 940157Dead written articles , appreciate it for entropy. 794427
302444 467866Yeah bookmaking this wasnt a high risk determination outstanding post! . 113445