SPOTLIGHT - review

SPOTLIGHT
Director: Tom McCarthy
Cast: Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, John Slattery, Liev Schreiber, Brian d'Arcy James, Stanley Tucci

Synopsis: When the Boston Globe's tenacious "Spotlight" team of reporters delves into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston's religious, legal and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world.

Well shiiiit. That was some fairly heavy viewing for a rainy Thursday night. I went into the Sun knowing that I was going to see one of two films - the last two available to me on the Best Picture nominee list because Brooklyn isn't out yet because Australia - either SPOTLIGHT or THE ROOM. I knew both were going to be heavy, and I wasn't fussed which I saw so I let the lovely staff decide for me. They chose SPOTLIGHT, so off I went with my coconut choc top (the lactose intolerant person has no regrets, the bloating and cramps are totally worth it) and settled in with my crochet to tick another film off my list. Walking out of the cinema I saw the friendly staff member who chose my film and she asked "how was it?" My reply? "Well shiiiit."

Well shiiiit is exactly what these guys are thinking too let me tell you

Image via eOne Entertainment

Unless you've been living under a rock (no judgements) you will know the story of the Catholic Church and the years of abuse scandals and cover ups and controversy, and you might also well know the story of the crack team of journalists who really brought it to the fore in a Pulitzer winning piece of journalism. I knew what I was in for, but I really didn't think it would hit me so hard. I've read the articles, I'm up with the facts, but holy hell, seeing it on screen like that...I mean wow. It's really screwed up.

The Globe gets a new editor, he wants the Spotlight team to investigate a story about a Catholic priest under fire for abuse. Little did any of them know they would uncover a further 69 priests along the way. The lies, the under rug sweeping of it all really gets my goat, at least it would if I had a goat (I never understood that saying, but I digress). All those years and not one person listened to the few people who tried to say something, the thought horrifies me.

Liev Schreiber as Marty Baron 

Image via eOne Entertainment

McCarthy has put together a slow building, meticulous and gripping film that is incredibly sobering. Like a good piece of journalism it gathers tidbits of information and puts them together like a giant puzzle, each piece revealing a little more of the picture, but also revealing that there are more pieces than you thought. SPOTLIGHT has been nominated for 6 Academy Awards this year and I can see why. Best Motion Picture, Best Achievement in Directing, Best Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo), Best Supporting Actress (Rachel McAdams), Best Writing Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen and Best Achievement in Editing. SPOTLIGHT is deserving of all of these noms, although the sadly I  don't think it will take home the hallowed trophy for any of them.

Let's talk about Mark Ruffalo, underrated and under appreciated for so many years, he was incredible in this film. I don't know much about the real people of the real Spotlight team, but when Mike Rezendes (Ruffalo) dropped his bundle, I dropped mine too. I got really mad right along side him, yet at the same time I could completely see where Walter 'Robby' Robinson (Michael Keaton) was coming from. If that's not a sign of a good script and spectacular acting and direction I'm not sure what is. Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams) had the pretty shitty job of interviewing survivors, and McAdams I thought could have done a little tiny bit more - I didn't see her feeling all of the feels, and I wanted to. To be fair, that's not her fault, that's the script and the limitations of time. If you'd seen her feel all of the feels every time it might have killed you and her and it would have made the film about 70 million hours longer. I just wanted a little something extra on that front.

Their faces say it all - when you realise you're going to need a bigger boat

Image via eOne Entertainment. 

On a side note, the one person I didn't get enough of in this film is Stanley Tucci, who played Mitchell Garabedian, the lawyer representing survivors in court, no under rug sweeping allowed. I wanted more of that story, but I think that's because I'm partial to Stanley Tucci and the more screen time he gets ever the better off the world is in general. Seriously though, I am going to find out more about that little side plot that we get glimpses of because that man is a hero to many, and I want to know about it. Stanley Tucci made me want to know about it.

Mitchell Garabedian - the lone wolf, the hero 

Image via eOne Entertainment. 

If you don't mind something heavy and you're prepared to deal with the sobering fact that the world we live in is bullshit and that people are asshats, and to have yourself wondering for hours "how the hell could so many people let this happen" then I think you'll enjoy SPOTLIGHT. It is a beautifully put together film, and the ensemble cast is wonderful - not a bad apple among them. A slow build, but with a driving pace that keeps you locked into the story. Also if you have an appreciated for underrated actors like Ruffalo and Tucci then you'll want to see them in these roles. I even liked Liev Schreiber in this film and that's saying something - credit to Tom McCarthy for that one. Anyway, if you can deal with the heaviness, then I think SPOTLIGHT is worth forking out the 20-something dollars (plus snacks, it's a long haul). "Well shiiiit" is a good phrase to know, becuase there are no other words at least not ones that are appropriate and lady like and your'e going to want to say something.

4 out of 5

Xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

A LITTLE CHAOS - review

A LITTLE CHAOS

Director - Alan Rickman
Cast - Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Alan Rickman, Stanley Tucci

Well wasn't that an unexpected surprise. A date night with myself after a tiresome day at work, to catch a film I didn't really know anything about other than Alan Rickman, Stanley Tucci and Kate Winslet were in it. I'm here to tell you that if you don't know anything about this film watch the trailer right now - here let me assist you with that;

and now that you've seen the trailer, tell me that you don't want to see it. Go on, I dare you! Alright, I appreciate that there are probably some of you who have no interest in seeing this film, but for those of you whose fancies were tickled by the trailer, you should definitely go. A superb cast, outstanding cinematography, a fantastic script, a score to be reckoned with and a set that takes the wind right out of you.

Madame Sabine De Barra, a female landscape gardener gets a highly coveted position of designing and building part of the gardens of the yet to be completed palace of Versailles. Her mind is chaotic - you can tell by looking at her - and her gardening style is equally chaotic, yet incredibly captivating. The chappie that hires her is very clinical in his gardening style and everything is ordered and very classical. Polar opposites in landscape gardening, and in life, and yet it seems they are each exactly what the other needs.

As she builds on her creation, she is drawn to her employer Andre Le Notre and he is equally drawn to her. Part of her magic is that she is unassuming and does not suffer the need to pander to the wants and needs of those around her. She is honest, hardworking and passionate and that shines through in Winslets performance of De Barra. What also shines through is her internal torment and it is captivating.

Winslet as Sabine De Barra in a garden shrine - sublime

There is sufficient scandal and intrigue in the story to keep the mind ticking and as readable as De Barra is, Le Notre is mysterious and tormented in his own way. I wanted to know more of his suffering outside of his marital issues - what caused his marriage to collapse aside from his philandering wife, what torment did he suffer to drive his wife to become so unfaithful? Why was she so heartless and cruel in a time that he needed her most? So many unanswered questions in the story of his life. He puts in beautifully when telling Sabine of his crumbled marriage in that they must have taught each other to behave the way that they did and that the blame was as much his as it was hers. I found that to be a very real description of relationships - we teach each other how to behave and how to treat one another. It resonated strongly with me.

The intricacies of the characters in this story were lovely and well played out, not only in the script, but also in what was told through the looks given and the gesticulation. I was captivated not only by the main characters - King Louis XIV, De Barra and Le Notre - but also the supporting characters, Madame De Montespan, Madame Le Notre, Duras and the others.

Sabine and Andre at the unveiling of the garden 

Let me rave a little more about Winslet, she is exquisite in her fear and her honesty and her openness. This is a film in which she shone and made me remember what I love about her as an actress. *gush gush gush*.

Rickman was not only outstanding as King Louis XIV is this film, but his direction was marvellous. I have not seen the other film that he has directed (THE WINTER GUEST 1997), but I do so want to see it now, because the direction of A LITTLE CHAOS was measured and appropriate and brought an beautiful story to life on the screen. Thumbs up for him on both counts in this film.

Rickman as King Louis XIV and his court

The script is wonderful, the acting exceptional and the direction and cinematography is captivating. I felt all of the emotions in this film that were being felt by the characters and I felt drawn to their stories. The film runs just shy of two hours and I did not feel bored, or conscious of the time once. In fact, I could have continued to watch as the story played out.

One of the most magical moments in this film is where we see Sabine breakdown and we discover the true reason for her torment and the way that Andre helps her deal with it. It shows the magnitude of their love and of the beauty of their personalities. It was incredible to watch it unfold even for the brief moment it was on the screen. Each a little broken in their own way, but coupled their broken pieces seem to fit together.

The unveiling of the garden

The film ended beautifully in the completed garden (which was magnificent), which was of course the best place for it to end, but I could have watched for another two hours before we reached that point just discovering the stories of the characters in this film.



I would highly recommend that you spend the 20-something dollars to see this film if you like the trailer.

4.5 out of 5 for this gorgeous piece of cinema.

xox
The Blonde Bombshell