Babies (Documentary)

I was dying to see this doco at the Sydney Film Festival last year but unfortunately it sold out in a jiffy. So I was more than a little excited to learn that ‘Babies’ (or ‘Bebes’ as it was originally titled given the French director, Thomas Balmes) was going to be on short release here at a few independent cinemas.

‘Babies’ follows four babies from different parts of the world and compares and contrasts their first year of life. First of all there’s cheeky little Ponijao born into a Namibian village, then the super-relaxed Bayer from a farm in Mongolia, then feisty Mari from Tokyo, and finally little Hattie born into privilege in San Francisco. These four choices perfectly showcase the spectrum of economic, technological, and social development and the impact - if any – these aspects might have on a baby’s first year.

Trust me - you don’t need to be a parent to find this film adorable! I’m quite sure anyone with a heartbeat will enjoy and appreciate the beautiful images, the lyrical musical score, and the subtle commentary on Western society. And there is no dialogue, aside from a few ‘goo-goos’and ’ga-gas’ which makes it very easy to sit back and just focus on the visual feast.

What I found most striking was not that so many themes were universal across the four different cultures, but rather it was the few differences that really struck me. First up, you really notice how natural the process of childbirth can be vs. the medical procedure that it’s become in Western society.

‘Babies’ also really drives home how unnecessarily over protective we’ve become about routines, eating habits, cleanliness, contact with animals, etc. I delighted in watching little Bayer from Mongolia travel home from hospital on the back of his dad’s motor bike; entertain himself by climbing all over the three family goats in the middle of their pen; and take a bath while one of the goats simultaneously drinks from his bathwater. I suddenly felt quite ridiculous about the hand sanitiser I was rubbing vigorously into my hands as I was getting ready to feed my little one!

Another really salient point the film makes is how lonely and isolating child rearing has become in our society –it was so lovely to see the Namibian women hanging out in groups all day with their children, to the point where sometimes I wasn’t even sure who was the mother of which child! I never thought I would ever say this but thank god for Mother’s group!

Finally, it quietly demonstrated how so many activities are such a natural part of life in less developed societies (e.g. dance, music, language, learning etc) vs. Western society where it feels like these activities have become completely segregated and almost artificial. In fact, I felt more than a little silly as Lilliana and I sheepishly rushed out of the cinema at the end of the film to ensure that we weren’t late for our baby Einsteinz music class!

‘Babies’ is 79 minutes of love and beauty and gentleness which is such a nice distraction from the fear, and tragedy and violence that has graced our TV screens of late. There are so many beautiful moments in this film. In fact that’s exactly what this film is: a collection of beautiful moments. And who wouldn’t enjoy that?

Water for Elephants (Drama)

‘Water for Elephants’, a film based on the novel by Sara Gruen, was much better than I was expecting. I realise this assessment probably isn’t very useful seeing as it’s totally relative. So ..... let me tell you what I wasn’t expecting and that might help you decide whether ‘Water for Elephants’ is worth seeing .

Firstly, I wasn’t expecting quite so much eye candy. I’d never understood what all the fuss was about when it came to Robert Pattinson. Perhaps that’s because I’ve only ever seen him looking all white and pastey and playing the same mopey character three times over in the twilight series. But RPatz (as he’s known to die-hard – and recently converted - fans) is brilliant as the leading man Jacob in ‘Water for Elephants’ who abandons his studies to join the travelling circus as it’s resident vet after a tragedy involving his parents and is brilliant. I’d read a few reviews prior to seeing the film that claimed ‘Water for Elephants’ is his best work yet and I’m inclined to agree. Did I mention he was easy on the eye?

Secondly, I wasn’t expecting to come out of this film wanting a yellow and purple pant suit so much! Reese Witherspoon plays RPatz’s leading lady, Marlena, and her wardrobe is amazing. From her skimpy, spangley circus leotards to her sexy but simple evening dresses, it made me want to go and buy up big on 1930’s fashion as soon as I got out of the cinema. Marlena is married to the very scary August, the circus owner played by Christoph Waltz, and is obviously supposed to be off limits so all hell breaks loose when a flame starts to flicker between Marlena and Jacob.

Furthermore, I really didn’t expect to feel nostalgic for a time when life was as simple as a circus being in town to totally captivate and mystify kids and adults alike. Nor did I expect to be so transported by some of the visually stimulating sets in ‘Water for Elephants’. On a number of occasions I could almost feel the sense of excitement that came with sitting on the front row bench under the yellow and red big top, pink fairy floss in hand. Sadly, I very much doubt my daughter, with all of the entertainment options she’ll have at her fingertips, will ever find a circus quite so captivating! I especially loved an early scene when RPatz discusses his employment terms with his new boss August as they run along the roof of the moving circus train, jumping carriages against a starry night sky.

Finally, I didn’t expect to come away thinking about how selfish love can be. As caught up as I was in the love story between Marlena and Jacob, it got me thinking about how many casualties there often are just so two people can be together. Obviously the casualties in this film are a little atypical but still a love affair often leaves much in its wake: ex’s who end up with their hearts broken, unsupportive friends fall be the wayside, disapproving family members become distanced.

Sometimes love has a lot to answer for!

‘Water for Elephants’ was a lot of things I wasn’t necessarily expecting but overall, it’s just a really nice, light, entertaining love story to get swept away with on a cold autumn afternoon. It’s also a nice reminder that we all need a little illusion in our lives from time to time. So go buy yourselves a ticket to the big top, treat yourself to some RPatz eye candy while you’re there, and don’t forget some Water for the Elephants.....

Brighton Rock (Crime/Thriller)

This film has a number of great things going for it: acting by Helen Mirren and John Hurt; production by Paul Webster (same guy that produced Atonement); and a story based on a popular 1938 Graham Greene novel. Unfortunately, these things weren’t enough for me......

‘Brighton Rock’ is set in the sleepy English seaside town of Brighton in 1964. The story follows the rapid rise and fall of Pinkie (played by Sam Riley from the 2007 indie film ‘Control’), a teenage gangster who takes matters into his own hands when his gang gets accused of committing a revenge killing.

First of all, there were way too many characters for my liking. I was one of those annoying movie goers who keeps whispering to their friend – ‘What did he say?’, ‘Who’s that again?’, ‘Why did he do that to that other bloke?’!. .Secondly, whilst I found the performances of the main characters convincing, I had trouble empathising with their characters (for example, Pinkie seemed too young and immature to rise to any kind of significant role in an established gang and Rose, who falls for bad boy Pinkie, was too whiny and stupid to pity). Which as you know is quite unusual for me, usually I can easily find some character to project myself onto!

In summary, I was lost and bored. I was seriously tempted to leave. Now I should confess it’s not unusual that I find myself lost during gang/ crime movies so my judgement could be a little harsh but I could count on one hand the number of times I’ve found myself wanting to walk out on a movie before it’s finished. In this case, I managed to stick it out till the end and I have to admit that I’m moderately glad I stayed seeing as the ending includes a nice little twist that I found to be one of the films redeeming features. Another redeeming feature is the actress who plays Rose, the ditzy girl that falls for Pinkie – Andrea Riseborough - a newcomer to the big screen. She was incredible and was deservedly nominated for two awards at the British Independent Film Awards (best actress and most promising newcomer). Apparently Cary Mulligan was originally cast to play Rose but pulled out to do ‘Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps’.

‘Brighton Rock’ is a DVD flick at best. The original starring Richard Attenborough might be more worthy if you’re a real Grahame Greene fan but this version of ‘Brighton Rock’ is too long, over complicated, and kind of boring. The only thing it did for me was give me an overwhelming desire to wander down the Brighton Pier with an ice cream in hand.