4 out of 5. Thomas McCarthy is a really fantastic director and THE VISITOR is just as good if not better than his other works. I think being an actor really helps if one sets out to direct. I generally see better performances overall and Richard Jenkins does great as the lead. Usually I find a lot of unique story situations come out of South East Asia or especially when they are culturally specific. This is a unique story where the recently widowed main character finds illegal immigrants living in his apartment. The setup is great and possibilities keep you guessing, making this film feel fresh and believable as everyone finds their way. It's a great film with deep repercussions.
=s=
5 out of 5. THE BURMESE HARP by Kon Ichikawa
was a surprising film. There's a lot going on here and the backdrop of
Burma is well-suited to it. The male chorale aspect of the film is both
haunting and uplifting. I'm not a fan of
musicals but this was incredibly effective. The lone character of
Mizushima, the harp player was the antithesis of change brought on by
the conflicts of war. But how he changes is really intriguing and the
way Ichikawa films it is quite masterful. If you like the Apu trilogy or
Frank Capra films, you will totally dig this. Try not to weep too much.
;)
=s=
3 out of 5. Alan Parker's THE COMMITMENTS
comes to mind as one of the more solid music-based films. I loved the
Buddy Holly Story and La Bamba when I was younger and this I think is
the best combination of filmmaking and
undiscovered musical talent. The energy and dynamics of this large cast
is infectious. Maybe I'm a sucker for these types of films since I
really can't stand musicals. But you could do worse with a 118 minutes.
=s=
4 out of 5. It's worth mentioning the terrific
tale of TOGETHER WITH YOU by Kaige Chen as well. Again he cements relationships
and characters with real purpose and heartbreak. The seemingly colorless
despair of poverty just makes this piece shine even more as a father
does everything he can to help his son survive.
=s=
