In today’s round-up:
(2012)
Pascal Thomas | 105 mins | streaming (HD) | 1.85:1 | France / French & Italian | 12
André Dussollier and Catherine Frot star as Agatha Christie’s married investigators Tommy and Tuppence (here renamed Bélisaire and Prudence) in this third in a series of French adaptations of Christie stories (best I can tell, the first two aren’t readily available in English-friendly versions).
Based on the short story The Case of the Missing Lady, it sees Tommy and Tuppence Bélisaire and Prudence investigating the disappearance of a Russian heiress at a suspicious health farm, while also quarrelling about their relationship. It’s very gentle comedy-drama, even by the standard of Christie adaptations, with a thin mystery, thin humour, and thin character drama, which all feels a little stretched over its not-that-long-but-too-long running time. I shan’t be seeking out its two antecedents.
(2007)
Jon Poll | 97 mins | streaming (HD) | 1.85:1 | USA / English | 15 / R
Anton Yelchin is the eponymous rich kid trying to fit in at a regular high school, which he does by becoming an amateur psychiatrist to his classmates, in a comedy-drama that plays as the ’00s answer to Ferris Bueller. It starts out feeling rather formulaic and predictable, running on familiar high school movie characters and tropes, but later develops into something quite emotional. It’s powered by excellent performances from Yelchin and Robert Downey Jr, as the school’s unpopular and unprepared principal.
(2016)
Stephen Frears | 106 mins | streaming (HD) | 2.35:1 | UK / English | PG / PG-13
Try to ignore the fact Meryl Streep nabbed an Oscar nomination away from someone more deserving (for example, Amy Adams. Well, no, definitely Amy Adams), and she gives a good turn as the titular society lady who couldn’t sing for toffee but thought she was fantastic, and used her wealth and influence to launch a concert career. She’s only enabled by her doting… assistant? Lover? Husband? You know, the film blurs that line (deliberately, I think) and I’ve forgotten what he was. Anyway, he’s played by Hugh Grant, who is also good.
It’s a gently funny comedy, as you’d expect from the subject matter, but one that reveals a surprising amount of heart and depth through Florence’s attitude to life, as well as how her men (who also include The Big Bang Theory’s Simon Helberg as the third lead; also good) attempt to care for her needs.
I kind of love Charlie Bartlett in its imperfect little way. Makes me sad for Anton all over again.
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He’s brilliant in it too. Such a likeable performance, it really carries the film at times.
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Watched CHARLIE BARTLETT on the back of your recommendation – cool little film, reminded me of PUMP UP THE VOLUME as well as the obvious FERRIS BUELLER. The casting’s almost perfect, isn’t it? When I watch RDJ do this sort of thing and do it convincingly I’m tempted to wonder how much he drew on his real life experiences.
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Glad you enjoyed it! I’ve not seen Pump Up the Volume, though now you mention it I saw it recommended somewhere the other month. It too will go on the list.
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