list.co.uk/fi lm list.co.uk/fi lm MUSICAL PITCH PERFECT (12A) 112min ●●●●●
While the Glee concert movie proved to be a surprise flop earlier this year, the idea of packaging up chart songs and glamorous teenage starlets has been a Hollywood trope since the advent of sound. The latest effort, Pitch Perfect, is a simple enough piece of work, but by a happy combination of talents proves to be a lively crash-course in pop culture ephemera.
Anna Kendrick takes centre-stage as Beca, an
aspiring DJ who takes it upon herself to inject some pizazz into The Bellas, an all-female a cappella group. A growing romance with Jesse (Skylar Astin) encourages Beca to push her new girlfriends onto greater things, namely through riff-offs against the boyband that Jesse sings with. Director Jason Moore offers a surprisingly smart
take on the potentially clichéd material. Working from a script by regular 30 Rock scribe, Kay Cannon, Moore fashions an enjoyably lightweight jukebox of
recent pop hits. And Kendrick and Wilson have the right kind of sass to entertain; they may not be as glamorous as the kids in Glee, but in Pitch Perfect, they seem like the girls who are having all the fun. (Eddie Harrison) ■ General release from Fri 21 Dec.
DRAMA THE IMPOSSIBLE (12A) 114 min ●●●●●
It is hard to recall a film with the raw, visceral impact of The Impossible. Inspired by true events from the 2004 tsunami, it recreates the sense of nature being unleashed with astonishing verisimilitude. Buildings crumble and individuals become like rag dolls pulled along by a fierce current that twists their limbs and smashes their bones like a cruel puppeteer. Lives are lost in an instant and the viewer is overwhelmed by the bravura filmmaking of director Juan Antonio Bayona.
Bayona made The Orphanage and the The Impossible is no less haunting or atmospheric thanks to his ability to match astonishing technical virtuosity with edge-of-the-seat emotional impact. It is undeniably voyeuristic which may leave some viewers with qualms but only the hardest heart would remain unmoved by what he achieves. The tale begins on Christmas Eve, 2004 when Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry (Ewan McGregor) and
their three sons arrive at Khao Lak in Thailand for the Christmas holiday of a lifetime. The fact that we know what is about to happen marks their happiness with a palpable dread. When the tsunami hits, Maria and her son Lucas (Tom Holland) are swallowed up and spat out, badly injured and clinging desperately to the hope of life. What follows is a harrowing celebration of the human spirit and the will to survive. Ewan McGregor
has rarely been better, Tom Holland is terrific as the tenacious Lucas and Naomi Watts invests her character with stoicism and selfless heroism. It is perhaps worth noting that the family whose story inspired the film were Spanish and not quite as good looking as their screen counterparts. It is a minor issue in a major film. (Allan Hunter) ■ General release from Tue 1 Jan.
Reviews | FILM Reviews | FILM
APOCALYPSE Archives
Indo-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta, director of a new screen adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s Mid- night’s Children, chooses the films she’d save at the end of the world
1. Pather Panchali (Satyajit Ray, 1955) Sheer cinematic poetry. It was the birth of a new Indian cinema. It is a simple, essential narrative told through the eyes of a small boy. Ray gives such beauty and poign- ancy to the simple and ordinary – something that only the best of films are able to achieve.
2. Time of the Gypsies (Emir Kusturica, 1988) I love this film because of the crazy magical world it creates. There are only a few occasions I can recall being completely transported to a different universe and this is one of them. It is a visually mesmerising piece about a lost culture and a beautiful coming of age tale. The mysticism and magic of the gypsy culture is perfectly captured in the filmmaking. 3. Amour (Michael Haneke, 2012) A heartbreaking meditation on the inevitable – death. A complex and achingly honest look at the meaning of love, loyalty and disintegration. One of the best films of this year. I was blown away by this – a must-see. Difficult though.
4. Head-On (Fatih Akin, 2004) This is the birth of diaspora cinema. It’s a Turkish- German love story and clash of cultures story that’s filled with dark humour. It has a grittiness and edginess to it as well that is enhanced by a fantastic soundtrack. Even, almost ten years later, it is still fresh and on point.
5.Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Ang Lee, 2000) This was a never before experienced movie. Breathtaking. Balances moments of quiet beauty with edge of your seat action. Stunning choreography. A classic that is unforgettable and completely unique. ■ Midnight’s Children is on selected release from Thu 27 Dec. See review, page 92.
13 Dec 2012–24 Jan 2013 THE LIST 95 13 Dec 2012–24 Jan 2013 THE LIST 95