Father Geek here posting Euro-AICN's report on the 4th day of the CANNES Film Festival for 2000, including 2 more looks at the Coen Brothers motion picture O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU? Check it out below...
Hello guys !! Here's the new report from Cannes from
our friends Grozilla and Stanley... with the much
awaited review of the new Coen movie O BROTHER WHERE
ART THOU ?... Two different reviews, two different
approaches (and no spoiler)... I am so anxious to see
that one, Clooney + the Coen Bros... hard to think it
can miss... But I know you were waiting for it, so I
will shut up now and for a change... Here's Grozilla
first :
Here's Grozilla first :
Remember The Marx Brothers ? Figure George Clooney as Groucho, John Turturro as Chico and Tim Blake Nelson as Harpo. Put'em in the deep hillbilly south from the 30's great depression. Here's O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU ? The new epic from Joel & Ethan Coen. Our three fellas are on the long road to fortune. They just escaped from penitentiary and search for a treasure, on their way they'll meet legendary icons as Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil on crossroads or Baby Face Nelson, the mad gangster who robs banks and kills cows. Inspired by Homer's Odysseus, Oh brother... has also to be connected with Preston Struges'Sullivan's Travels but made in some soul food ways. Believe me pals, this film got rythm, the Coen Bros. can't run out of gas with this engine who keeps going and going from sequence to sequence with the rhythm of a comic epic. Oh brother is surely the most fun of Coen's movies,not only of the script. Oh brother... owes a lot to the cartoonesque acting of the three guys : more than Clooney & Turturro -don't miss his dance !- Tim Blake Nelson is quite terrific as a dumb face like Roberto Begnini in Jarmusch's Dawn by law was. As far as Cannes is on, I guess this guy is the first to claim the male interpretation part... If Besson's jury decides to célebrate a comedy (which would be quite a premiere on Cannes history). Oh brother is also one of the most poetic films of the directors : Roger Deakins photography is somptueuse ; sometimes burnt by green or yellow color, some other times as dried by the south sun. As are the T.Bone Burnett music & songs (more than a dozen) who wrap the film, it is the sour dough of the deep south gospels and blues. There's a astonishing scene who resume thoses talents : three mermaids who mesmerize by songs and alcohol our funny bunch. A real moment touched by grace. Uh-oh I almost forget two special guests : John Goodman is as brilliant as his Karl Mund in Barton Fink, this guy is a real ogre. And Miss Holly Hunter, as a sweet tiny lady who didn't wait for the return of his Ulysseus. Oh brother, although not as strong than some coen's previous movies maybe because of its light tone, is a lot of fun. Anyway, I can't think it will be rewarded as I look back at the Cannes" trophées", the Coen already get it here.
Some stupid projects you see only in Cannes :
The Elian Gonzalez story. No need to resume the pitch of this film which is of course a Menahem Golan project !
Cho Cho the talking dog. More than Talking this puppy is also a... master of Kung- fu !!!
Soon another report from The Croisette
Grozilla
Next is Stanley...
Hi,here is Stanley with todays update.
Yesterday evening we watched the 1953 WAR OF THE WORLDS. A true classic, although the quality of the print was pretty bad, especially the sound.
This morning started with the much anticipated Coen Brothers Movie, O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU. Bad news, my friends, the film is no good. I don't think that it was the anticipation that was quite big after having seen and loved so many of their movies, nor do I think it was the fact that Ethan did not sign me an autograph.
First things first. Being 08.30 a.m. in the morning when the film started we expected special. George Clooney, John Torturro and Tim Blake Nelson, all do their best. John Goodman has a very brief, uninteresting role. Neither Steve Buscemi and William H. Macy are there - and I did miss them. Three guys brake out from forced labour/prison kind of thing and run from the law. There is a lot of music, even good music, but then again...
They say, well actually Clooney's character does, that they have to get to some treasure of 1.2 mio $ within 4 days because a whole valley is going to be flodded and then they won't be able to ever get their again. On their way they stop at a local radio station where they record a song, which helps them pay their gas bill. Clooney, who has been getting all the press attention down here, has a funny role and shows some great slapstick potential. But neither his nor any other performance would be able to ever take off in this piece that is in the end sad. The Coen's have a great name now and as so often it shows that they don't need to fight so hard anymore.
The film has a few funny moments but in general it is not a good film, it is boring, predictable and made very formulaic. There is some nice camera-work and - as mentioned - music, but this is not the Coen Brothers at their best.
The other movie I watched today, Friday, was APRIL CAPTAINS. Remember Maria de Meideiros from Pulp Fiction? Well she has been in a number of lesser known movies, and she often was brilliant in them. This film is her feature directing debut. It is about the Portuguese revolution. It it a very personal film that shows how decissions are often taken in critical situations, very strong, passionate and emotional. I doubt that it will please mass audiences, but if you want to know a little bit about a countries history and want to see a good movie, then go see it.
Tomorrow, THE GOLDEN BOWL by James IVORY.
Stanley
