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December 2015

Review – Spotlight

Spotlight  2015
Dir. Tom McCarthy.  From USA  Seen: Dec 12, 2015

Thank goodness for investigative journalism.
Spotlight is the dramatisation of the true story of how the Boston Globe newspaper uncovered the child abuse/paedophile activities and the cover-up of the Catholic Archdiocese in Boston and beyond.

Spotlight is name of the Boston Globe’s investigative team played convincingly here by Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keating, Rachel McAdams and John Slattery.

The film documents the forensic and arduous investigative journey of the team as they strive to shine a spotlight on the evil darkness inside this institution.
It’s a serious treatment of a serious subject. I like that it doesn’t glorify or embellish the journalists, keeping our attention on the battle, the evasiveness of the Church and it’s obstructionist approach in denying such hideous betrayals of trust.

Performances from all the main cast are excellent (Stanley Tucci and Liev Schreiber are excellent too). McCarthy’s good direction is appropriately unobtrusive which is a good thing with a story like this.
One of the best films of 2015.

Score: 9/10

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Review – 45 years

45 Years
2015  From England.  Dir: Andrew Haigh.  Seen: Dec 18, 2015

A sublime two hander about a long term marriage and how even seemingly rock-solid relationships can be undermined and damaged by events in the distant past and by thoughts and feelings unspoken or not shared.

Two of Britain’s best – Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay play Kate and Geoff Mercer, married for 45 years (hence the film’s title) and planning a party to celebrate the fact. Then a letter arrives referring to an event, pre-dating their marriage but threatening to undermine it.

The mood and intensity of this film comes from the disturbing notion that a comfortable middle class long term marriage is not what it appears. There are secrets and fears presented through powerful performances from Rampling and Courtenay. No histrionics here but lots of intensity.

It’s a disturbing film in many ways but so well crafted and with breathtaking performances from Rampling and Courtenay.

I found it very rewarding.

 Score: 9.5/10

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