"The Ides of March", the politics of betrayal

The Ides of March

Loyalty and betrayal are always relevant topics, whether we are talking about personal relations, work, or, like "The Ides of March", about politics. Being such a delicate subject for a film focused on a democrat's primary elections, the risk of resulting forced, or a caricaturisation, or a preachy and unwanted moral lesson, was obvious, but George Clooney and his top-notch cast achieve what seemed almost impossible due the nature (and development) of the film: leaving us wondering about the characters while our bowels are still shaking.

Because "The Ides of March" is bleak, even to the point of depression. It doesn't talk about material corruption, something that's so frequent around us that for example in Spain that our government has decided to concede an amnesty (sorry for the side note, but this is so shameful I will need to vent it from time to time). No, its much worse. Its about human condition and its corruption, its degradation. In that sense, the film is not just a political thriller-drama (as director, Clooney uses wisely both styles/tones). It's about people taking chances, some of them based in their aspirations and some even in their "ideals", and how these decisions turn into dramatic consequences, affecting others, and forcing the adoption of new measures. Come hell or high water? That's the dilemma that the movie poses, and Clooney's message, although somewhat open, is discouraging for humans.

As Clooney did with the brilliant "Good Night, and Good Luck", he directs, co-writes (again with Grant Heslov plus Beau Willimon, author of the play "Farragut North" in which the film is based) and acts. He excels in the three areas, showing a firm pulse in what regards to style, close to the 70s (but the good, meaningful seventies, recalling Sidney Lumet's films) and aplomb on the script, with a rewarding care on the actors.

And of course, we need to talk about the cast. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ryan Gosling and Paul Giamatti together, plus Clooney? How can someone do wrong with such a trio of amazing actors? The scenes between Gosling and Giamatti are superb, and the same can be said about where Gosling and Hoffman share the screen. Unfortunately, there aren't "duels" between Hoffman and Giamatti (they only share one scene). I have goosebumps just thinking of that possibility. Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei and the aforementioned are equally excellent in their secondary roles. Side note: the reasons why Gosling is among the best actors I have seen in decades can be clearly found in "The Ides of March" (or "Blue Valentine"), not in "Drive".  

I do believe "The Ides of March" could have even been better, though. The story itself , the thriller that "explodes" and justifies the superficial development of the film is a bit questionable, allowing Clooney the "cat and mouse" games that, in my opinion, are a bit too spectacular, drifting from 0 to 100% too fast. But I do understand that what lies behind of these "games" are just for the sake of showing human behaviours when they are put into so much pressure and tension, when their career and ideals are confronted, when anger shows, when they fear loosing, and when their (our too) miseries are revealed. "The Ides of March" shows, that politicians (Republicans and Democrats, both get their share), journalists (Clooney hits hard again here, so deservedly) can be as mean as human. All our doubts, complexities, insecurities, ambitions and miseries are reflected on Gosling's face at the unforgettable final scene of the film. Yes, we can (be like that).

SCORE: 7,5/10

"The Quitter", Harvey Pekar's unexpected victory

The Quitter- Harvey Pekar, with Dean Haspiel

I don't believe Harvey Pekar needs to be introduced, at least to anyone with a little interest on comic books/graphic novels. After launching the series “American Splendor” in 1976, in collaboration with cartoonist Robert Crumb (among others) he became an underground celebrity. If you want to know more about it, I vividly recommend you to watch "American Splendor", the excellent 2005 movie with Paul Giamatti as Pekar.

Pekar became a reference in the comic books world with his biographic, realistic, everyday life stories. "The Quitter" follows that path. It's a personal trip to his childhood, adolescence, manhood, with glimpses of his later years, told by the older Pekar, narrator and interjecting presence.

Autobiographies could be very boring if they can't connect with the reader. But that is not the case with "The Quitter". First, because Harvey Pekar, if anything, should be remembered as a particularly good storyteller, making this memoir intriguing and attractive to read. Second, because of the excellent (especially with facial expressions, revealing so much) work of illustrator Dean Haspiel, who's remarkable and varied talent mixes wisely with the narration. And third, because the book might be an autobiography on the surface, but it is done through a very specific prism: failure and the fear it provokes.

As told by himself, Pekar's life can be resumed as a succession of activities and possibilities that turn wrong, the majority of them with our unlikely "hero" quitting when shortcomings have or might appear. Sports, the Navy, many part-time jobs, college... Everything turns into a failure, everything slips away. With that structure, it could have worked as an humorous (grim humour of course) novel, but the suffering, the anxiety confronting or advancing each situation is so real, that "The Quitter" quickly reveals itself as a dramatic and mundane tale of human condition. Pekar is a very contradictory character: full of ambition and ego, but frightened to death to do what it takes to achieve his goal because of the chance of failing. Aren't we all a bit like him (at least sometimes)?

Of course, we know the end of the story (jazz, meeting Robert Crumb, working together), and how his lack of persistence eventually gave Pekar finding the are where he could excel: the graphic novels world. But even then, when in the hands of another author that would become a succeeding example of finally finding what one has been looking for (sort of an "American dream" tale), Pekar manages to  bring doubt, uncertainty and fear for the future. Would the success last? For how long? What if...?

Don't have many complaints to point out to "The Quitter". Its an absorbing, vivid and direct portray of someone so recognisable as a person that immediately connects with you. If any, I would have liked a much longer story, developing much further his latest years. Or a more detailed account of the "pivotal persons" of his life, which are almost non-existent. But I guess that's another example of Harvey Pekar's unexpected victory. He managed to do what he wanted with his art, the same as he did with his life.

SCORE: 7,25/10

"The Hangover Part II", wilder, crazier, bigger, bolder...

The Hangover Part II

...But by no means better. Director Todd Phillips and the whole "wolfpack" wanted to repeat the succesful formula of the engaging and fresh first movie, but they do so without really adding anything new (aside from some stunning scenery of Thailand) to the original "The Hangover". But by just repeating it, they loose some part of the charm, and lot of the fun.

The plot is quite simple. Stu (Ed Helms) is getting married in Thailand. So along with Doug (Justin Bartha), Phil (Bradley Cooper), Teddy (brother of Stu's fianceé) and, regretfully, Alan (Zach Galifianakis), they enjoy a quiet night previous to awakening in the midst of a catasthropic room remembering nothing. Again.

So, Phil, Stu, and Alan, are back into a run-against-time race, but this time the troubles and adventures of our gang take place in Bangkok, while they try to find Teddy before Stu's weeding. And they more they know about the night, the crazier the situation turns. If you thought the first "Hangover" was wild, you have seen nothing yet.

This hyper-vitaminated and exotic version of "The Hangover", have some hilarious moments (majority of them involving Alan), but they are few compared with its first part. Besides, the movie is never able of escaping from the parameters of its predecesor. Unfortunately, director Todd Philips is not interested in offering anything else except a sequel. But the formula is obviously too stretched towards the middle section of the film, and despite Mr. Chow's bigger role (not really funny as he has a quite short palette of gags) and the apparition of Paul Giamatti, there's not much to offer. Worse, as you are forced to compare, there's not much to laugh about.

Its easy to understand that director, producer and film cast were eager to put a second part on theathers. But although the "The Hangover Part II" is a pleasant and fun ride, now the threat of making a franchise of it (why not? the producers may be asking themselves, Alan is still single, so the premise for a third chapter is easy) is evidently there, and it seriously damages the quality of the final product. Hope they think about it.

SCORE: 5,75/10

New video from The National: "Think You Can Wait"

We already showed you the new wonderful song from The National, "Think You Can Wait", their contribution to the independent film "Win Win", directed by Tom McCarthy and with Paul Giamatti in the lead role. And now we announce you the song has an official video, where you can see them playing with guest collaborator Sharon Van Etten. And although the behind-the-scenes clips from the movie are always a bad idea, the cannot distract you enough from the greatness of the music.  The track is available now, but just as a digital download by now (damn it, I want the song and the album cover!!).

"Win Win"....with The National

You probably noticed before... but I love The National. And they are contributing with the main theme for the soundtrack of "Win Win", the new film from Tom McCarthy, the filmmaker responsible of the great "The Station Agent" and the excellent "The Visitor", and with Paul Giamatti on the starring role.

March 18th is the premiere day in theaters, so we'll have to wait until then to hear the song. But for the impatient fan, if you go to www.foxsearchlight.com/winwin/ and let the background music play...you'll be counting the days until Friday, like me.

Well, and now to compensate this freaky post, here's the new video for "Conversation 16", the latest single from "High Violet", their third consecutive masterpiece.