September 11
Me Myself I
Directed by Pip Karmel
Cast: Rachel Griffiths, David Roberts, Sandy Winton, Yael Stone, Shaun Loseby, Trent Sullivan
U.S. Distribution: Sony Pictures Classics
** / CBy nature, fantasies infer a certain sense of wonder and imagination. Pip Karmel's feature film debut, Me Myself I, is a comic fantasy lacking invention; it's a thoroughly passable, exceedingly obvious crowdpleaser without the benefit of a single original idea.
The premise is familiar and straightforward -- lonely SWF Pamela, a successful journalist, hits the big 3-0 filled with pangs of regret over her refusal of her dream man's marriage proposal 13 years ago, and wonders what her life would've been like had she made a different decision. After a magical collision, she inexplicably meets an alternate Pamela who did get married to Robert Dickson and bore three children, and abruptly takes on this new identity.
Essentially a twist on Peggy Sue Got Married with shades of Freaky Friday, Me Myself I answers its What If? wish fulfillment scenario with the most generic and expected lessons imaginable. Punctuated with liberal use of broad comic gags (mostly derived from Pamela's bewilderment with the details of married life), it's all inoffensive and determinedly accessible, but never challenging or remotely exciting. While technically solid throughout, it's difficult to derive much enthusiasm over the film, save for its sole saving grace.
That would be Rachel Griffiths's winning performance as the film's heroine. She effortlessly plows through the role, engaging in her expressive depiction of Pamela's neuroses and desires while reinforcing her comic abilities with shrewd timing, and gamely carries the picture as well as any A-list Hollywood actress could ever hope to do. It's a shame to waste such a splendid actress on such mediocre material.
In attendance: director Pip Karmel, composer Charlie Chan
[France/U.S.A. / 104 minutes / Gala / Uptown 1]
Ride With Devil
Directed by Ang Lee
Cast: Skeet Ulrich, Tobey Maguire, Jewel, Jeffrey Wright, Simon Baker, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
U.S. Distribution: Universal
*** / BIf there's one thing that can be said about Ang Lee, it's that he's versatile.
Comments upcoming ...
[U.S.A. / 134 minutes / Gala / Varsity 8]
Les Amants Criminels (Criminal Lovers)
Directed by François Ozon
Cast: Natacha Régnier, Jérémie Renier, Miki Manojlovic, Salim Kechiouche, Yasmine Belmadi
U.S. Distribution: none as of this writing
** / CInitially disuassive, but improves upon reflection and analysis.
Comments upcoming ...
[France / 90 minutes / Contemporary World Cinema / Varsity 8]
Un Dérangement Considérable
Directed by Bernard Stora
Cast: Mireille Perrier, Jalil Lespert, Chantal Banlier, Clément Sibony
U.S. Distribution: none as of this writing
** ½ / B-Thoroughly European in its perspective of a May-December romance.
Comments upcoming ...
In attendance: director Bernard Stora
[France / 110 minutes / Contemporary World Cinema / Varsity 1]
The Jaundiced Eye
Directed by Nonny de la Peña
U.S. Distribution: will be playing limited cities (independent run?)
*** / BIn its broad outlines -- seemingly wrongly-accused suspects sent to prison for a heinous crime in a quirky little U.S. town -- The Jaundiced Eye would seem to be reminiscent of the superb 1996 documentary Paradise Lost: The Child Murders Of Robin Hood Hills, but it's sadly nowhere nearly as gripping or powerful.
Documenting the final few months of the decade-long ordeal of Stephen Matthews and his father Melvin, both convicted of sexually abusing Stephen's five-year-old son in 1989 despite a complete lack of any physical evidence (incredible when considering one of the accusations is of anal penetration with a machete) and numerous indications of witness coaching (shades of the infamous McMartin trial -- even anatomically-correct dolls were similarly used during psychiatric sessions), the film is generally coherent and always engaging, but lacks the strong narrative thrust which typified the Joe Berlinger / Bruce Sinofsky documentary. There's only a muted sense of drama, and little is generated in the way of moral indignation. Stephen and Melvin come across as amiable, but there isn't much in the way of emotional investment in their plights.
The Jaundiced Eye perfunctorily explores both sides of the case, interviewing parties on both factions. de la Peña's film ultimately argues that the Matthews are clearly innocent -- the victims of malicious accusations stemming from the influence of the child's homophobic stepfather (the paternal father, Stephen, is gay) -- and all evidence points to the same conclusion, but the case the movie builds to support this position is surprisingly flimsy given the potent ammunition available. The Jaundiced Eye is merely persuasive in its stance when it could be indisputable.
Nonetheless, it's a worthwhile picture -- compelling, briskly-paced (although some of the visuals selected to accompanying voice recordings are ill-chosen), and terribly relevant. The film clearly illustrates the erosion of a defendent's ability to withstand a charge of child abuse, regardless of guilt, and also breaks from its sober tone to allow for a few glimpses of humour (a key player's fandom for Barry Manilow is glibly illustrated), and leaves seeds for future subject matter; the legal assistance received by the Matthews is stunning in its neglectfulness -- there could be a whole documentary right there.
In attendance: director Nonny de la Peña, producer Dan Gifford, executive producer Amy Sommer Gifford
[U.S.A. / 90 minutes / Real To Reel / Cumberland 3]
Random Notes: Nonny de la Peña's articulate, incisive Q&A in support of her The Jaundiced Eye was the best I've ever seen at the festival (then again, given that she's an investigative reporter, perhaps this shouldn't come as a surprise) ...
Alex Fung (aw220@freenet.carleton.ca)
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