Reviews
L'appartement (1996)
Get set for the emotional rollercoaster
This is a fabulous film.
The plot is a good yarn, and is imaginatively told in a series of flashbacks and alternative points of view. What was deliberate, and what was coincidence? Who is in love with who?
You get the chance to put yourselves in the shoes of each of the characters in turn (sometimes literally), and this helps define each character to a satisfying depth.
With a bit of effort following the twists and turns, you can understand each of the characters; and key events in the film are reshot from the point of view of different people.
Take the opportunity if it comes again to your arthouse cinema; it looks good on the big screen.
More than keeping you guessing, the plot twists to such an extent that you just sit and watch what unfolds - I defy anyone to predict!
But more likely you will need more than one viewing - I saw this at the pictures on its original release three times, and it got better each time.
The acting was very good, with a standout performance by Romane Bohringer as Alice torn in three directions by the three other characters in the ensemble.
A classic. The second-best film of the 1990s.
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
Set the VCR
This is one of those films which creeps up on you.
On the surface, it is a romantic cliche, but it is extremely well done. The main characters, especially Watts (a very young Mary Stuart Masterson), turn in superb performances, and lift this way above the ordinary.
Good comic-relief from the support cast - watch especially for the scenes with Keith's sister Laura, and the one between Watts and her admirer - which is a real hoot!
For sheer romantic escapism, this film is close enough to perfect. And can be seen over and over.
Enjoy.
The Lighthorsemen (1987)
The ultimate legend of the ANZACs
The "Charge of the Light Horse" has gone down in the annals of legend, as indeed of history. This, the definitive film of the event so far, is based on the true story of one couple's involvement in the events of the 1917 desert campaign. Like the earlier "Forty Thousand Horsemen" (1940), a very similar film in many respects, it leads up to the momentous charge on Beersheeba with style, tension and humour.
It was partly a starring vehicle for the wonderfully charismatic action hero Jon Blake, whose sad incapacitation has robbed Australian cinema of one of its shining lights.
The scene of the charge is superbly choreographed and filmed, and deserves to be right up there with the chariot race scene from Ben Hur.
I cannot conceive of anything more scary than being on the wrong end of a cavalry charge, and this will have you out of your seat.
I personally rate this as the best film (of any genre) I have ever seen.