Irrational Man (2015) film review

Year: 2015
Running Time: 95 minutes
Director and Writer: Woody Allen
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Parker Posey, Jamie Blackley, Tom Kemp

Irrational Man opens in Australian cinemas on August 20 and is distributed by Entertainment One. Now showing in the United States and opening in the United Kingdom September 11.

Irrational Man sees the return of Woody Allen's cynical and intriguingly morbid screenwriting that comes with a pinch of black humour and has divided audiences for decades, but with weak underlying themes which do not inspire nor provoke. Professor Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) arrives at his new Rhode Island college in a flurry of gossip, rumours and female admirers. Despite how many people welcome Abe with open arms, he remains dissatisfied with his life and struggles to find meaning or any sense of optimism in his daily activities. However, a chance encounter by he and his love and star struck pupil, Jill (Emma Stone) allows him to find the enjoyment in life that he has been missing by taking a stranger's matters into his own hands.

With Irrational Man returns Woody Allen's evil streak that comes hand in hand with his flair for black humour, which is often lost on many. Allen's film making style is often referred to by many as an acquired taste, but one does not feel the true extent of his talent in Irrational Man. The film seems to be Allen's take on sadism in his storytelling, where one feels pleasure because of another's pain, as well as imposing the moral question of whether inflicting pain or death on another is ever justified. While the lead character of Abe is obviously a damaged human being, the side of the argument he represents is not strong enough to make one contemplate this notion once they leave the cinema.  The story itself is intriguing and also unpredictable which makes for a film that is watchable, but with underlying themes that remain weak.

Despite the label of black humour being attached to Irrational Man, it is very hard to categorise the film as a comedy, yet it is too light-hearted to be seen as a drama. It relies more on situational humour rather than verbal humour, but this is still not overtly evident. The film could be categorised more as amusing rather than comical and it is this with it's quirky screenplay. Visually, it is rather a beautiful film with the Rhode Island scenery on show. Full use is made of the New England landscape as well as the towns architecture and gives the film a peaceful and serene front to it's evil narrative.

Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone work well together on screen and have a great deal of chemistry, despite some flimsy dialogue spoken between the two to each other. Phoenix is a chameleon by nature so he has the ability to switch from damaged and self-destructive to likable and charismatic in the film and be both characters wonderfully. Emma Stone is also very good as Jill and towards the end of the film her performance gets radically stronger. However, both Phoenix and Stone are given dialogue which is not particularly strong (but still remains Allen-esque) and makes their performances seem a little forced.

Despite being entertaining and unpredictable, Irrational Man is not one of the Woody Allen films that will be worth coming back to over time. It is a film that is trying to be a lesson in morality, but gets lost within itself too easily.

5.5/10

Inherent Vice (2014) film review

Year: 2014
Running Time: 148 minutes
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Writers: Thomas Pynchon (novel), Paul Thomas Anderson (screenplay)
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Katherne Waterston, Jena Malone, Reese Witherspoon, Joanna Newsom, Eric Roberts, Bencio Del Toro, Maya Rudolph
Inherent Vice is now showing in cinemas everywhere and is distributed in Australia by Roadshow Films.

Based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Pynchon, Inherent Vice is a wonderfully unique and nostalgic journey back to the very early days of the 1970's when Los Angeles was experiencing a change in identity. Larry "Doc" Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) is a detective living the hippy lifestyle who the officials, including Lt. Det. Christian "Bigfoot" Bjornsen (Josh Brolin) ridicule and his friends rely on. When he is visited by ex-girlfriend, Shasta (Katherine Waterston), he becomes caught up in a web of illegal activities and cover ups in a world where everyone he meets is somehow connected. However, when Shasta goes missing, it all turns personal for Doc.

Paul Thomas Anderson's adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's novel is a fine one. Anyone who has read the book will find that the film mirrors the book in the best of ways and Anderson has overcome the features of the book that may have been problematic in the process of adaption with style. However, the novel "Inherent Vice" is one that has divided opinions which inevitably leads to the film being quite the same way. Many people enjoyed the novel for it's nostalgic and vivid imagery, but Pynchon's writing style and method of storytelling can be troublesome for others. Those who are troubled by the latter will find that the screenplay is much like the book and therefore will not understand the attraction that others feel to it as they will feel that there is too much going on with too many characters. The psychedelic drug fuelled and sexual nature of the film will also take away from the enjoyment of other viewers. Yet with an open mind, Inherent Vice is a lot of fun and rather hilarious. The script is incredibly witty with colourful dialogue and there are plenty of laugh out loud moments.

However, Inherent Vice lacks the thing that one has come to expect from an Anderson film as such and that is the presence of impressive cinematography with amazing visuals. The film is nostalgic and very atmospheric of the times, but the one thing that is missed in the film as opposed to the book is the love felt for the Los Angeles landscape. It feels as though an opportunity is missed in this respect, as Pynchon's book lovingly created these vivid pictures of Doc's home beside the sea. These lingering shots of the featured locations are missed, but the nostalgia is created by the costumes and production design which add to the overall atmosphere of the film. The soundtrack is also completely fitting for the year of 1970 and is unique in the way that it isn't a compilation of over played songs from that era.

While Inherent Vice provides a visually nostalgic imprint of Los Angeles in the year of 1970, it is also a snapshot of the times with a focus on a type of prejudice that was brand new. Throughout the film, the character of Doc is continuously ridiculed and insulted for being a hippy and living the lifestyle associated with being a hippy. The two girls of his life, Penny and Shasta were both once part of the hippy lifestyle, but they have both cleaned themselves up to seem more respectable in society and Penny in particular makes it no secret that she has conformed. This hippy hate in Los Angeles was the doing of Charles Manson and his band of followers known as The Manson Family. When the murders that shook Los Angeles were committed by this group of free spirits under Manson's spell, hippies were no longer seen as the innocent members of society they once were, but as sinister and a mark on society. Of course we see in Inherent Vice that this was not true of all hippies as there is nothing sinister about Doc and the movie does a fine job at demonstrating society's view on this sub-culture at this point in time.

The colourful characters and their wonderful dialogue are brought to life by way of perfect casting and fine performances. Joaquin Phoenix is truly brilliant as Doc Sportello. Phoenix brings a very natural comedic style to the role which is neither forced nor dull and it is a style which is perfect for the character. His character of Doc is incredibly likable and despite how much verbal abuse he receives throughout the film from almost everyone, remains so laid back (whether that be with some support) and harmless. It is a role which one can imagine Phoenix would have had a great deal of fun with as he is a real treat to watch.

Josh Brolin is also tremendously entertaining as tough talking cop, Bigfoot Bjornsen. Brolin's memorable character arguably gets some of the best lines in the film and is truly hilarious. Joanna Newsom, who's character Sortilege acts as narrator, does a wonderful job of holding her own in the film and is the personification of the typical carefree Californian girl of 1970. Benicio Del Toro and Owen Wilson are also very funny and entertaining.

Inherent Vice is not your average comedy and is completely unique. This uniqueness will be too quirky for some, but an open mind will lead to a rather fun experience at the hands of Paul Thomas Anderson.

7/10

The Immigrant (2013)

Year: 2013
Running Time: 120 minutes
Director: James Gray
Writers: James Gray and Ric Menello
Cast: Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Renner, Angela Sarafyan

The Immigrant opens in limited release in Australia on the 25th of September 2014 and is distributed by Roadshow Films.

James Gray's The Immigrant is a truly exquisite piece of work. Visually stunning and reminiscent of 1920's New York City, the tale of a woman's journey to a new and promising land which turns to disaster is extraordinarily tight knit and flows wonderfully without being clichéd or predictable. Marion Cotillard and Joaquin Phoenix are both superb as two strong characters with a great deal of complexity and depth. The Immigrant is as stunning on the surface as it is subtly complex.

Polish immigrant, Ewa Cybulska (Marion Cotillard) and her sister, Magda (Angela Sarafyan) arrive on Ellis Island, New York City in 1921 in order to escape the horrors of their war torn homeland and make a new start in the land of opportunity. When Magda is denied entry to the United States on account of her bad health, Ewa is nearly deported herself when nobody arrives to meet her and she is accused of participating in immoral activities aboard the boat. Her luck seemingly changes when she meets Bruno Weiss (Joaquin Phoenix) who takes her to the mainland and gives her a place to sleep and a position at his theatre. However, under the influence of Bruno, Ewa finds herself thrown into the world of prostitution against her all her morals. Her only escape may lie with the enigmatic Orlando the Magician (Jeremy Renner), whom already has a long standing feud with his cousin, Bruno.

From the film's beautiful opening of nostalgic images of 1920's Ellis Island and New York City, The Immigrant is an extremely respectable piece of work with outstanding performances that carry the complexity of the situation, characters and relationships. Not only is James Gray's direction incredibly special, but the screenplay which he has co-written with Ric Menello is superb.  The story is intriguing, unpredictable and even if a little slow paced, never tedious. Elements of The Immigrant are still relatable today for many who leave their homeland in search of a better life. They escape horrors, but arrive in a new land as a stranger with no clear pathway to their new life with the opportunities they know are available. Many arrive jobless and although the majority wouldn't be in Ewa's situation, many have to start with nothing to eventually find happiness and success.

1920's New York is recreated with a startling degree of realism. The Immigrant's production design is truly remarkable, particularly of Ellis Island and the streets of New York City where the visuals are able to provoke other senses as well as sight and sound. The way the camera captures the Statue of Liberty on the harbour is inspiring and a constant reminder of the freedom and opportunity the immigrants arriving at Ellis Island have come to America for. There are some spectacular pieces of cinematography throughout the film, including during Ewa's confessional scene and the unforgettable final shot. The nostalgic nature of the film is also captured in the beautiful costume design and mesmerising musical score.

Marion Cotillard and Joaquin Phoenix give exceptionally strong performances of highly complex characters which are anything but one-dimensional. Cotillard's Ewa is a woman who treads the line between fragile and strong in a way which some may find a troubling character trait. However, a woman in her position would indeed be neither be one nor the other. Ewa is fragile and weak as she is a stranger in a new land with no one to help her get a proper job and a sorry reputation that she cannot get rid of, but she has to be strong as she knows she is her sister's only hope. When she is in the presence of money, Ewa is her stronger self as her strength feeds off the memory of her sister. Her ordeal cuts down her optimism, but her strength as the big sister she is remains. As Ewa, Cotillard demonstrates the double side to her personality with complete sincerity. She gives a beautiful performance in which she forms an emotional attachment and captures the audiences complete sympathy.

Joaquin Phoenix's Bruno Weiss is on the surface the villain of the film, but is he truly a villain? It is true that the things he makes Ewa do for his own profit are despicable, but he truly cares for his working girls and in his heart believes he is doing them all a favour by finding them work and not allowing them to succumb to poverty. There will always be the debate of whether the activities he makes them do are ethical and it is not an untruth to say that Bruno is also concerned with his finances. However, all the girls are thankful to him and idolise him for what he has done for them, besides Ewa and even then, while Ewa does not show any compassion or warmth towards Bruno, he does not repay her with the same spite and maintains that he cares very much for her. Underneath his domineering physical presence, Bruno may well be just a lonely soul looking for love and appreciation and finding this in his girls by feeling like he is doing something to change their lives for the better. Phoenix does a brilliant job at portraying this complex and layered character. As Bruno, Phoenix has an incredible presence about him and is extremely intimidating, yet incredibly charismatic.

While Jeremy Renner's Orlando/ Emil doesn't have as much screen time as Ewa or Bruno, he creates a memorable impression with the time he does have. The character of Emil is extremely likable and charismatic, which makes it clear to see why Bruno is jealous of him and Ewa falls for him. The chemistry between Renner and Cotillard is wonderfully romantic and provides hope in a dark world.

The Immigrant is a truly remarkable period piece not only for it's stunning visuals and nostalgic atmosphere, but also for the depth of it's story and main characters. The incredible final shot leaves one with the memory of two of the best constructed characters and the memory of a truly exquisite piece of film.

9/10

Her (2013)

Year: 2013
Running Time: 126 minutes
Director: Spike Jonze
Writer: Spike Jonze
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt, Olivia Wilde, Portia Doubleday,
Scarlett Johansson (voice)

Her will be released in Australian cinemas on the 16th January 2014 and is distributed by Sony Pictures. Now showing in the USA and opening in the UK on the 14th February.

Spike Jonze's Her is like no other. Cynical and thought provoking, yet incredibly sweet and romantic.

Her is a scary reminder of how dependant we are becoming on technology and the future we are heading towards as a result of this dependence, yet it is also a reminder of how beautiful life is. A sweet but unconventional love story which see's Joaquin Phoenix give yet another incredible performance is a pleasure to behold on screen and is an absolute must see.

Set in Los Angeles in many years to come, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) is still recovering from his marriage breakdown when he decides to obtain a new Operating System (OS) which is a voice like our Siri, but actually interacts with you on a conversational level. Theodore's new OS, Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johnasson) becomes more than just a great help with his technology, but soon helps cure his loneliness and gives him the companionship he has been craving. Like any relationship, these two experience ups and downs, but further complications were always going to arise when one of the two doesn't exist in physical form.

In the place in time which we are now, the idea of someone falling in love with a Siri type entity seems ludicrous. However, in Her, director and writer Spike Jonze establishes right from the beginning of the film how technology has evolved to become something which members of society are even more reliant upon. With this basis set for the film, the idea of a human falling in love with an OS does not seem as ludicrous. Everything seems to be made easier by technology that some people don't even need to take the online dating path and just need to purchase an OS and they have a new friend. As entertaining as it is on screen, it is startling to glimpse into the future and see the direction in which we are heading. Are we losing touch with reality? And then we can also ask ourselves, what is reality? Do we determine what is our reality and what isn't?

Yet before you start thinking that Her is a little heavy as it makes you question and fear the future, you realise what makes the screenplay truly brilliant. At the core it may be cynical and a little philosophical in regards to it's stance on technological dependence, but it is combined with a very sweet love story. The screenplay is incredibly well written to incorporate both of these and is often very funny. Listening to the way Theodore and Samantha talk to one another and hearing the way Theodore describes what he sees and Samantha describes how she feels and the way she sees the world when she cannot see it is intoxicating. It is easy to find yourself appreciating the beauty if words and how the way things are said can alter your perception of how you see things.

Her is also visually beautiful. The use of colour is amazing throughout the film and gives the film a completely unique atmosphere, as though we are not just watching a unique feel, but feeling something truly different as well. The creation of a dystopian Los Angeles is almost addictive, as you feel like you want to explore more of this new world. The city has grown in such an interesting way with an updated (and seemingly much more popular) rail system and an extravagant upside down airplane outside the Pacific Design Centre. Yet you have the contrast of beautiful nature such as the beach and a cabin in the woods in the snow. Music is also of great importance in the film and the musical score is very fitting for the film.

Joaquin Phoenix is so incredibly lovable in this film. Phoenix has often played complicated individuals in his past film and while Her see's him playing an unconventional character once again, this is perhaps the greatest connection he has established with an audience. He is so likable and you immediately feel sympathy for his character to the point where you feel you should reach into the world of Her and give him a big hug. In a film where reality is questioned, the way which he exhibits his emotions is extremely real. His character just adds to the beauty of the film and Phoenix's final scenes are perfection.

While Scarlett Johansson doesn't appear in the film in a physical sense, she gives a fantastic vocal performance. You may only be able to hear her, but you often forget that you are not seeing Samantha as her emotions are all so visible in her voice. It seems crazy how much you actually feel for her character as well, only to remember that this character is an OS and not a real person. Amy Adams plays a fragile character in Theodore's good friend, Amy. She does well, and like Theodore, is a very real character in a strange situation. Olivia Wilde has a small role as Theodore's blind date, but also does well and Kristen Wiig lends her voice to Theodore's adult chat partner, SexyKitten and is hilarious. The scene with Phoenix and Rooney Mara, who plays his ex wife Catherine, is so real that it is haunting. A meeting between once husband and wife on the verge of divorce where they start off on good terms, but end up fighting about the way things were, which also results in Phoenix's Theodore second guessing himself in a way that only an ex can make you do.

Her is pure brilliance in the way that it thoroughly entertains and shows you the beauty in the world, but is also cynical about the world. While the technology aspect of the film may make you question how real our reality is, the beauty of the film is absolutely real.

9.5/10

The Master (2012

The Master

Year: 2012

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Laura Dern

Before I begin my review….

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…..

I love Christmas, but I am not talking about Christmas. I am talking about a film lover’s Christmas which is awards season!

So for another film which has Oscar buzz surrounding it, The Master. What is my opinion of the Oscar buzz for it after seeing it? Well, I’m not convinced it is the film that is going to win the big one, although it will most probably be one of the ten films in the running. Paul Thomas Anderson should receive a nomination for Best Director, but I don’t think the film has the same suspense of those films chosen for the number one honour in the past few years and may be a tad too confronting.

The acting is the main draw for this film. I am fairly certain that Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams will all earn nominations for this film. It is going to be a big year for the Best Actor category. Including Phoenix, I can see four actors who are going to be up there for the category. That being Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln, Anthony Hopkins for Hitchcock, John Hawkes for The Sessions and Phoenix for The Master. As I haven’t reviewed the other films as yet, it is impossible for me to determine who will win, but as far as Phoenix is concerned, he does give a brilliant performance. However, as he has made his dislike for awards season and everything to do with it known, his chances may have been slaughtered significantly as it is more than likely he would ruffle some feathers of those who make the final decision.

I’ve always been a great admirer of Phoenix’s acting so his outspoken opinion on the matter of nominations and top honours did not really impress me, as I would love to see him win an Academy Award one day, but I would like to see him win it in a gracious and grateful manner.

On the other hand, Hoffman is a big chance for Best Supporting Actor and very much deserving. Adams could well be nominated for Best Supporting Actress and if she does it will be the fourth time she would have been nominated in the category. Even though she was very good, I am not convinced this year will be her year. Again, I will make a more accurate opinion when I see all the other films which have nominees. Rumour has it it may well be the year of Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables.

Review

                The Master is Paul Thomas Anderson’s long awaited follow up to his superb There Will Be Blood. His new film contains the same brilliance in direction and knockout performances as it’s predecessor, but is very confronting and as a result isn’t a film for everyone.

                Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) has returned home from the war front into a life without direction and without purpose. One night, he by chance encounters the leader of faith based organisation The Cause, Lancaster Dodd (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) who takes Quell under his wing and tries to change his life. However, through the many tests Dodd gives Quell, he still exhibits violent actions and erratic emotions, which makes other members of The Cause, including Dodd’s wife, Peggy (Amy Adams) wonder if Quell can really be changed.

                The basis of the film is really an interesting one. Can people really be changed? Quell displays all the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder which has been brought on by his experiences while at war, but no matter what Dodd puts him through, he doesn’t seem to stray too far from the behaviour we see him exhibit at the beginning of the film. Maybe he was always this person even before the war, or maybe Dodd’s strategies for changing him are just not adequate or useful in such a situation. Or did Quell even really want to change?

                The Master is a very confronting film. Partially based on Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard, the activities that you see members of The Cause are quite disturbing and unsettling. The thoughts and activities of Quell are also unsettling. So this film is really not one for the faint hearted and one some people will find vulgar and other people will find weird.

                The pace of the film is very slow and there really is no suspense or feeling of wanting to find out what is going to happen at the end. At no point in time you can see how the film is going to end, which isn’t a bad thing, but what is a bad thing is that lack of wanting to know what is going to happen.

                However, Anderson’s direction is very good. Anderson has a real knack for making things which are not normally considered beautiful so with his choice of images, editing and audio. The film in many ways is a winner visually as he takes pride in every single scene and how it is presented.

                The acting in The Master is just superb by the three main actors. Joaquin Phoenix makes his acting comeback with an explosion. He has some brilliant scenes such as when he is subjected to Dodd’s processing, which are very intense and scary due to his fine performance.

                Phillip Seymour Hoffman is also brilliant. He is extremely charismatic as Dodd and is believable as the sect’s leader who has so many people hanging off his every word. He embodies everything of what this character should be. Amy Adams is also very good as his wife, Peggy. She is a strong female figure that the film needs alongside two very strong male leads.

                The Master is a brilliant film for certain aspects and film scholars will love dissecting each part it. However, it’s slow pace and confrontational façade make it a film which isn’t everyone’s taste.

7.5/10

References
Just Jared
The Internet Movie Database
The Guardian