Elvis

Went to see the film Elvis last night. I wasn't sure whether it would pass muster but I must admit I was impressed. No doubt there are errors and simplifications but it basically gives you the story as it is understood, suggesting what a phenomenon Elvis was, what an advantage and disadvantage it was to have the Colonel as his promoter, Elvis's church and world background, etc. Perhaps it could have had a bit more gospel. Elvis recorded nearly 90 gospel songs (His Hand in Mine, In My Father's House, Joshua Fit the Battle, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, How Great Thou Art, By and By, Peace in the Valley, etc) but none are noted. The introduction of rap I understand but could have done without. Those are quibbles though. 

Some recent films

Unusually, I've been out to the cinema three times in as many weeks. I enjoyed all three films.

1. A beautiful day in the neighbourhood with Tom Hanks is a lovely quiet film (it even includes a period of silence at one point - rare in films). It is based on the true story of Fred Rogers and the journalist Tom Junod (called Eric Vogel.in the film).  It was particularly good to have someone who prayed and read his Bible as a central character in a film and not to see him mocked. Rogers was  a PCUSA minister I don't know how sound he was or was not. Anyway I was glad I caught the film. Worth checking out on any size screen.

2. Emma was the only one I manged to see with someone - it was Valentine's Day and this was just the film for the day. The film went for every laugh it could muster (having Bill Nighy and Miranda Hart in the cast really helps) but still stuck pretty much to Austen as far as I could see. All the comedy meant that the cringing point when Emma is mean to Miss Bates is very powerful. Great stuff. 

3. Little women is also of literary stamp and this new version I found delectable. I loved every bit of it (themes, actors, costumes, scenery, etc, etc). Of course, it's been presented as a feminist piece but most of the points made in that direction I thought were pretty fair. Louisa May Alcott was of Transcendentalist Unitarian stock so there is a lot missing but on its own terms the book is wonderful and this version just beautiful.

I notice that two of the three films were directed by women (Marielle Heller and Greta Gerwig; I thought Autumn de Wild might be a woman but it is a man).
PS As I initially thought, all three are women. Apologies for the confusion.

Captain Phillips

One of the things we did on holiday together this week was to watch a DVD. We had talked about going to the cinema but then decided on a DVD. This is not easy as there are six of us with quite varied tastes (plus the fact two or three of the boys have seen quite a few things already). Anyway we were in a department store where we found Captain Phillips going at a reasonable price. The fact Tom Hanks was in it gave us confidence (rightly). The film appeared in 2013 and tells the true story of an American captain whose cargo ship is boarded by Somali pirates (in 2009) and who is then kidnapped and taken away in a small lifeboat. It is not the greatest film ever but with high production values, an interesting enough script and some good moments it kept us happy for an evening.

More on Saving Mr Banks 2 Modern censorship

I came across this fascinating clip on Youtube.

Six stars for Saving Mr Banks

 

Saw the film Saving Mr Banks this week with Tom Hanks (Walt Disney) and Emma Thompson (P L Travers). I went with Eleri as it was one of those rare moments when we both think we'll like a film and we're able to get round to seeing it. Put simply, it was absolutely stunningly brilliant. This is what films should be like but rarely are - funny, sad, interesting, evocative, nostalgic, simple but compelling, telling a story. It is even worth knowing why it has the title it does.

I do not honestly know whether I have seen a film in the cinema that both made me laugh out loud and quietly cry. It's extremely rare for a film to do even one of those things. When you throw in the fact that it is about a film I know (Mary Poppins) and yet a story that I don't know (the life of P L Travers) then the recipe is a powerful one. I especially loved the moments when the Sherman brothers are writing a song and trying to get it right and because you know how it should go you get a tremendous buzz waiting fro them to work it out.

What was so funny? The hilarious way the Emma Thompson character objects to almost everything that is suggested and treats the co-writers like naughty schoolboys. So sad? Chiefly P L Travers inability to forgive herself but plenty of sadness from Walt and others too.

Seeing this film has convinced me that Gravity was very poor indeed as are most of the films that come out. Almost never do I want to see a film again but this one I would happily see again. I'd also like to watch Mary Poppins again some time.