[star rating=”4″]
VIR DIE VOËLS (For the Birds). Directed by Quentin Krog, with Simoné Nortmann, Francois Jacobs, Elize Cawood
Reviews: JANE MAYNE
If you can remember the time when feminists fleetingly regarded Maggie Thatcher as a potent female icon (before the Iron Lady’s anti-sisterhood misogyny surfaced) – then this is applicable to the time-frame of this romantic drama set in a conservative little dorpie. The movie is actually inspired by the true story of a young bride-to-be in the late 70’s.
Here a gutsy teen’s free-spirited attitude goes against the grain, but her independent outlook soon entices a childhood friend. Both leads, Nortmann as Irma and Jacobs as Sampie, bring a chemistry to the budding frisson. And veteran Elize Cawood contributes a quiet, solid presence in the background,.
Spunky Irma has attitude, and she’s fun to watch trailblazing her way through her white, conformist, church-loving ‘volk’. Escaping from an abusive father, she’s wise to patriarchal privilege and has no plans to become yet another statistic imprisoned by domestic drudgery.
Director Krog (Ballade vir ‘n Enkeling) has birthed a quirky drama with comedic undertones delightfully steered by Nortmann as the plucky lead – she narrates and stars, which gives additional insight into her wayward observations.
Thoroughly enjoyable, with apt colouring like carpets on car dashboards and fabulous classic Afrikaans tunes from yesteryear.
English subtitles. EXTRAS: Trailer, teaser trailer, the story behind the story.
[star rating=”3″]
THE 9TH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX. Directed by Alexandre Aja, with Jamie Dornan, Sarah Gadon, Aiden Longworth, Barbara Hershey, Aaron Paul.
Things are seldom exactly as they seem, and this adaptation of Liz Jensen’s book ultimately speaks to the viewer more because of the underlying twist, rather than any impactful screenplay. The cinematography is good, clear and has visual depth, but there’s no standout hooks to reel you in, or stellar dramatic Oscar-winning moments for added depth.
Dreamy Dornan is easy on the eye, and one could only wish to secure his sensitive services in any medical emergency. Precocious 8-year-old Drax (Longworth), conveys the most presence, and will be interesting to see his career henceforth.
There’s a symbolic fantasy element that many will probably find alienating, but it’s a device to wise you up on the essential workings of the story.
https://youtu.be/fSTQaZGnG84
With everything in place it’s a pity this reworking panned out into a somewhat amorphous viewing experience – because there’s insight to be gained on abuse and it’s many forms.
The storyline: After surviving eight near-death accidents, accident-prone Louis plunges off a cliff on his ninth birthday. When police investigate the cause of his near-fatal fall and whereabouts of his father, neurologist Dr Pascal (Dornan) uses unorthodox techniques to try tap into the boy’s unconscious.
The wrap: slim on drama and sensual heat, and as someone said, Pascal is a bit of a dullard – and this vagueness sets the tone for what could have been a perceptive, hard-hitting drama.
[star rating=”1.5″]
INTRUDER. Directed by Travis Zariwny, with Louise Linton, Steven Beckingham, Moby, Teresa Decher.
As scares go, this only delivers middle-of-the-road thrills. There’s a bank of stalker flicks constructed around the adult peek-a-boo motif, so a little invention, or good eye candy, is crucial to rise above the average ‘birdbrain fails to notice she has a houseguest’ scenario.
Linton, who plays a young woman living in Portland, Oregon, who’s just got offered a dream job playing cello in the London Philharmonic, mostly potters around at home.
It’s stormy, she showers, she plays loud music, and is generally not wised-up to the fact that some fruitcake thinks she’d make an excellent next vic. But of course her attentive cat knows better.
So for the viewer it’s pretty much a waiting game for some kind of action to tip you over the edge into Fright Night, as most tension is provided by the cat’s knowing gaze.
This isn’t unlike a run-of-the-mill late night TV movie, which reminds you to secure all entry points before bed.
Linton and director Zariwny are old associates (they collaborated on Cabin Fever) and this unsatisfying little home invasion thriller doesn’t add any new energy to the liaison.
Other recent Ster-Kinekor’s home entertainment titles: When the Bough Breaks and Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween
WS
