Secret Agent Gal Movie Reviews

Jane Eyre *****

 

Mia Wasikowska updates classic heroine Jane Eyre with passion and aplomb in Cary Fukunaga’s remake of the Charlotte Bronte novel. 

This is Wasikowska’s breakout role. Her talent and screen presence have attracted notice lately in The Kids Are All Right, In Treatment and Alice in Wonderland.

The Australian-born actor lends intelligent yearning to “poor, obscure” Jane. Gazing out a window at horizons she may never cross, she conveys inner strength and a vast spirit despite her humble circumstances as a governess.

Delightfully sassy with impertinent wit, Jane speaks out to her cruel aunt Mrs. Reed (Sally Hawkins) and to heartless headmaster Mr. Brocklehurst (Simon McBurney).  Amelia Clarkson plays young Jane.

Wasikowska does Bronte proud, revealing an advocate for women’s rights before such ideas had a name. This Jane stands in time alongside the heroine rendered by Samantha Morton (1997), Charlotte Gainsbourg (1996) and Joan Fontaine (1944).

Michael Fassbender embodies pain and sarcasm as Edward Rochester. What comes through is the character’s loneliness. One senses the isolation of Jane, Mr. Rochester and Mrs. Fairfax (Judi Dench), each turning to the other to meet their needs in some way.

Rochester’s stealthy handling of the madwoman in the attic bristles even while Fassbender reveals a sympathetic, conflicted man.

Jamie Bell plays pious and ultimately domineering St. John Rivers. Holliday Grainger and Tamzin Merchant shine as the supportive, nurturing Rivers sisters.

Jane Eyre fans will enjoy this film while remembering the over-the-top frenzy of Rochesters past (Orson Welles in 1944; Ciaran Hinds in 1997). They might miss more screen time for the violent madwoman (played briefly by Valentina Cervia), and a more dramatized fire scene in the master’s bedroom.

Chronology is confused with early cross-cutting. In the stirring opening, Jane flees Thornfield and is rescued by St. John Rivers. Next we see a brief review of her orphan days at the family’s Gateshead estate, and later at the Lowood Institution. 

Fukunaga (Sin Nombre) finally settles the tale into its natural dramatic arc with Jane’s arrival at Thornfield and her tutelage of Mr. Rochester’s charge Adele (Romy Settbon Moore).

Spare, powerful writing by Moira Buffini and impassioned delivery give Jane Eyre its ringing, memorable lines. “Children, I exhort you to with hold the hand of friendship to Jane Eyre.” “Mr. Rochester’s visits are always unexpected.” “You transfix me, quite.”

Cinematographer Adriano Goldman captures action in beautiful shades of pewter, contrasted with bright outdoor vistas.

 

Judi Dench is masterful as Mrs. Fairfax, opinionated, warm and manipulative. As head housekeeper, she rivals her master (and distant relative) Mr. Rochester even while pooh-poohing her status.

We see less merrymaking by elite Blanche Ingram (Imogen Poots) and her entourage. Poots adds interest with a Blanche who is more threatened by Jane from the start.

The heroine receives an inheritance, adding more power late in the drama.  A return to Edward would not be Jane’s only option. 

The final reunion scene lacks the outward fire of previous Jane Eyre films, yet it leaves much to the imagination in quiet beauty.

If you like Jane Eyre, you might enjoy: The Young Victoria; The Kids Are All Right; Red Riding Hood.

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Jane Eyre     2011  /  PG-13  /  2 hours, 1 min

Cast Overview: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, Amelia Clarkson, Sally Hawkins, Freya Parks, Holliday Grainger, Tamzin Merchant, Imogen Poots, Valentina Cervi, Judi Dench

Director:  Cary Joji Fukunaga

Genre:  Drama, Romance, Period Piece, Drama Based on the Book

The Eagle ****

 
 

The Eagle explores an ancient Roman mystery, the disappearance of the Ninth Roman Legion – 5,000 men – in what is now Scotland.  Emperor Hadrian was so incensed by this apparent slaughter – a slap in the face for Rome – that he ordered Hadrian’s Wall built across Britain to isolate its fierce northern tribes.

Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum), a Roman military commander and son of the 9th’s leader, sets out on a suicide mission to the Highlands with his slave Esca (Jamie Bell, fantastic here) to recover the Eagle, the gleaming standard of Rome carried by each legion. 

The stakes are higher still as he seeks to redeem his family’s name and discover what happened to his father.  Doubt shrouds the mystery. How could a legion simply vanish? Rumors persist that the men simply deserted. 

Honor, bravery and ambition were the guiding principles of 140 A.D. when Rome ruled Britain. It was a time of glory and cruelty. Slavery was commonplace. Hand-to-hand fights to the death were frequent between conquerors and natives.

Marcus Aquila prepares his men for a surprise attack in the dead of night.  His vigilance saves lives, and he begins to earn the men’s respect.  Still, superstition persists that he will bring bad luck to Roman soldiers.

Esca is the son of a slain Brigante chief who proves himself to Marcus when he bravely faces certain death during an exhibition match.  Watching from the audience, Marcus moves to save the slave, and the crowd follows his lead. Esca’s life is spared.

Marcus does not want a slave, but his uncle insists that he needs one after he is wounded in battle. The uneasy relationship between slave and master is a high point of the film.

 
 

Beautiful cinematography (Anthony Dod Mantle) enhances this stirring adventure along with excellent costumes, set design and sound crafting. While historical details are not always accurate – the Seal People look more like Native Americans than British Highlanders – the effect of the movie overall is inspiring.

French actor Tahar Rahim (A Prophet) displays dignity and cunning as the leader of the Seal People.

Tatum delivers a good but less than commanding performance. His role cries out for more emotion.  Great veteran actor Donald Sutherland brings warmth as Marcus' uncle. Denis O’Hare plays a Roman military official.

Jamie Bell conveys tension and nobility as enslaved Esca.  He respects the man who saved his life and vows to serve him.  Yet as a slave of the Romans who killed his entire family, he carries rage within and yearns for freedom.  The relationship between the two men is tried during their hazardous journey. It’s a test of character and trust.

Lukacs Bicskey portrays one of the last survivors of the 9th who has settled down and started a family in the foreign land.

A lean, taut plot makes this an excellent adaptation of the popular 1954 children’s novel The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff.  The film’s inspiring musical score by Atli Orvarsson captures Celtic whimsy and Roman majesty. 

With the promise of a sequel, The Eagle is set to delve further into a fascinating historical period.

If you like The Eagle, you might enjoy: Clash of the Titans; A Prophet.

The Eagle   2011  /  PG-13  /  1 hour, 54 min

Cast Overview:  Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, Mark Strong, Denis O’Hare, Tahar Rahim, Lukacs Bicskey

Director:  Kevin Macdonald

Genres:  Adventure, Drama, Period Piece, Movie Based on the Book

 

The Young Victoria *****

 

A surprisingly fresh love story lies at the heart of The Young Victoria, a drama about the early years of Great Britain's longest ruling monarch. Jean Marc-Vallee directs this delightful look at a quietly determined, opinionated Victoria who fervently aims to rule her people well, and especially to help the poor.

Livelier than most period pieces with well-paced action, it was filmed at stately Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and other royal locales. The Young Victoria won the Academy Award for costume design. It succeeds despite subdued passions, especially in the bedroom.

Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) captures the smart, playful rebel surrounded by stringent elders, stultifying rules and huge expectations. Brought up in strict isolation, Victoria displays daring in small and large ways. Breaking taboo, she candidly shares personal feelings with servants. She stands firm through a power play by scheming Sir John Conroy (Mark Strong), who in cahoots with her mother the Duchess of Kent (Miranda Richardson), demands that she sign over her authority to him as regent.

Victoria is fond of Albert (Rupert Friend), son of King Leopold of Belgium and her first cousin. Over the years their attraction grows. Albert has been inculcated with his father's agenda and an emphasis on Belgium's best interests. Yet when Victoria and Albert are alone together, they share honestly their hopes and visions. The two correspond despite prying eyes that preview their letters.

At 18, she insists on taking the throne upon the death of her uncle King William (a tipsy Jim Broadbent), even though everyone tells her she's too young and dangerously inexperienced. Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany) lends ongoing dramatic tension as the young queen's advisor. Victoria chooses to trust the controversial politician even though he contributes to a scandal early in her reign.

 

The queen learns from some early mistakes. The anger of her people pains her most. She genuinely loves them, and so much wants their love in return.

Victoria delays marriage, although clearly she has the honorable Albert in mind. She savors being single. As her wise confidante Baroness Lehzen (Jeanette Hain) advises, she will never truly be free. The push and pull of many parties and their disparate needs is ceaseless.

Victoria's coronation, her marriage and the birth of her child (the first of nine children), are shown with detailed richness. Especially interesting is the queen's resistance to granting Albert an active role in her kingdom. It seems he'd be helpful in repairing the palace's internal bickering and bleeding finances.

The Young Victoria shows the human side of the monarchy and the plump, stern widow who ruled until age 81.

If you like The Young Victoria, you might enjoy: The King's Speech; Another Year; An Education.

The Young Victoria 2009 / PG / 1 hr, 45 min

Cast Overview: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, Jim Broadbent, Thomas Kretschmann, Mark Strong, Jesper Christensen, Harriet Walter, Julian Glover, Martin Scorsese

Director: Jean-Marc Vallee

Genres: Drama, Romantic Drama, Period Piece

 

True Grit ****

 
 

Ethan and Joel Coen’s remake of the 1969 classic True Grit sparkles with dark humor and lovely cinematography reminiscent of John Ford westerns. 

Top billing should go to Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross.  True Grit is her movie.  The rest of the cast complements her admirably.

It’s 14-year-old Mattie who hires Marshal Rooster Cogburn to avenge the shooting death of her father.  He is the angriest if not the best bounty hunter, she is told.  He has grit, the determination to get the job done.

Kim Darby was 22 when she portrayed Mattie in the original.  Steinfeld (who was 13 during filming) commands the screen as a determined, fast-talking Arkansas girl who insists on tracking down the felon Tom Chaney. She is all spunk and emotionally direct.

Jeff Bridges updates John Wayne’s Cogburn as an ominous rascal with a heart of gold. Yet Bridges may have relied too heavily on Crazy Heart’s Bad Blake as his inspiration.  This Rooster is sloshed a bit too often. Ultimately though, Bridges delivers a grittier, warmer performance than the Duke’s.

Matt Damon plays Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (pronounced “LaBeef”) with deadpan self-importance.  Damon is pursuing Chaney for his own reasons. A hefty bounty awaits him if he can return the killer to Texas, where he killed a senator.  Damon’s rough and gentle flirtation with Mattie adds interest.

The legendary, one-eyed Rooster isn’t about to let LaBoeuf outdo him.  The two decide to travel together, then apart, in pursuit of Chaney.  Neither wants young Mattie tagging along. 

 
 

Mattie insists on accompanying Cogburn and LaBoeuf into Choctaw territory.  She wants to capture Chaney alive and bring him to justice for her father. Dramatically, she fords a river on horseback to keep up with the two men.  The scene is marred only when Mattie confronts the pair on the opposite shore – completely dry.  

Josh Brolin does well in his brief appearance as sly, desperate and slow-witted Chaney. On the run, Brolin has been traveling with Lucky Ned Pepper (originally played by Robert Duvall, brought to life here by scraggly-bad Barry Pepper). Chaney underestimates Mattie at his peril.

The Coens relied on the novel True Grit by Charles Portis to evoke the period.  Each character’s voice reflects Portis’ rich dialogue. The words are chosen thoughtfully. Characters describe their world with flair, rage, or bemused wonderment. Words like “remonstrate” and “depradations” add aural richness and dimension. These heroes do not use contractions.

True Grit evokes a sense of camaraderie among strangers. In pioneer times, each encounter was savored. Conversations hold weight and significance. The faces of the film's extras convey all the hardship and valor of the era. The Coens' editing keeps lumbering action moving along with purpose.

Roger Deakins provides rich, evocative cinematography, most beautifully in a scene shot beneath a brilliant night sky. At a public hanging in the town square, Mattie looks on amidst the assembled townsfolk.  In an iconic scene Cogburn, reins in his teeth, rides directly into a phalanx of criminals, his two guns blazing.

Mattie’s fall into a snake-filled cave provides another symbolic moment.  The fates of Cogburn, LaBoeuf and Mattie are finally revealed.

If you like True Grit, you might enjoy: The Fighter; Conviction; Winter's Bone; Crazy Heart.

True Grit  2010  /  PG-13  /  1 hour, 50 min

Cast Overview:  Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper

Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Genres:  Drama, Western, Adventure

 

The King's Speech *****

 

The stakes could not be higher as Colin Firth portrays King George VI in The King’s Speech, a historical drama about a remarkable friendship and personal triumph over disability during one of history’s darkest hours. Tom Hooper’s film humanizes British royalty along the lines of The Queen (2006) and The Young Victoria (2009).

The King's Speech won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Writing (Original Screenplay), as well as a Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film. Firth won an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

Firth suffers from a devastating stutter. After his father dies, his profligate brother (Guy Pearce) steps up and soon abdicates the throne amidst scandal. The new king will be required to speak publicly – often to an entire nation. Winston Churchill (Timothy Spall) informs him that England’s declaration of war against Germany is inevitable.

The King's Speech swept many prizes, including a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Film Ensemble, and a Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film.  

Firth is nominated for Best Actor. He also won Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards for this role.

Firth is called upon to be a leader just as he’s ready to surrender. His wife (Helena Bonham Carter) has accompanied him to every speech therapist imaginable. Nothing has worked. In the excruciating opening scene, Firth is red-faced and furious, attempting to speak with a mouthful of marbles under a doctor’s direction.

Geoffrey Rush often steals the show with earthy, raucous humor. Lionel Logue is a bold Aussie and failed actor with plenty of experience coaching severe stutterers. In order for the treatments to work, Logue insists that the future king come to his speech studio in a rundown London flat. They must become “equals” and eventually friends. “Call me Lionel,” he insists.

Logue is no doctor. He doesn’t pretend to be. What he does share is ample wisdom and skill as the two men – a commoner and a royal – spar and get acquainted. Bertie, as the king’s family calls him privately, confides in Lionel about early childhood fears and his father’s cruelty.

 

Firth and Rush revel in their weighty roles, playing off each other superbly. Logue is as bold and expressive as the king is restrained and proper. Logue shares a warm and plain spoken relationship with his wife (Jennifer Ehle) and two sons (Dominic Applewhite and Ben Wimsett).

The speech coach brings just the insouciance needed to puncture the fears of the sensitive king. His is the perfect foil to royal stodginess. Bertie must learn to relax his tongue, breathe fully, and even lie down on the floor to loosen his diaphragm.

In one moving scene, Bertie shares a bedtime story with his adoring daughters Elizabeth and Margaret (Freya Wilson and Ramona Marquez). His wife, the future Queen Mum of England, looks on. Elizabeth is destined to succeed her father to the throne one day.

The king’s family and close associates cheer him on during a riveting three minute speech at the BBC. Logue accompanies Bertie into the sound booth, coaching him with silent care as the king urges the nation to stand together at the start of World War II.

Director Hooper is known for his Emmy Award winning miniseries John Adams (2008).

The film received an “R” rating due to a single scene where Firth spouts a string of expletives, desperate to vent his anxiety and express himself at last.

If you like The King's Speech, you might enjoy: The Young Victoria; Another Year; An Education.

The King’s Speech 2010 / R / 1 hour, 58 min

Cast Overview: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter

Director: Tom Hooper

Genres: Drama, History

Sherlock Holmes ****

 

Golden Globe winner Robert Downey Jr. marries heart and mind in this update of the Sherlock Holmes action thriller. Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) directs.

In the opening scene, Holmes and Dr. Watson (Jude Law) pursue demonic serial killer Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). After a dramatic chase and hand-to-hand combat, the team rescues a damsel from satanic sacrifice. Blackwell is captured and put to death by hanging.

Holmes and Watson have the chemistry of brothers as they share a passion for crime fighting. Holmes is the boy genius, while Watson saves his friend from himself (Holmes drinks and gets high between jobs) and from a number of street fighting foes.

This is the best role for Law in years as he matches Downey’s sharp repartee and athleticism.

Watson announces he will take Mary Morstan (Kelly Reilly) as his bride. Holmes pouts like a boy wonder who refuses to grow up. At this time Lord Blackwood is seen roaming the streets of London again. The two set aside their differences and rush to his crypt.

Impressive action scenes and special effects, combined with Holmes’ brilliant deductions and detective work, make Sherlock Holmes an entertaining blockbuster. Downey’s eccentric mastery and experiments (the equivalent of CSI in 1890’s London) are engaging. There are thrilling scenes in a boat yard and atop Tower Bridge.

Rachel McAdams plays a clever, gorgeous criminal foe. She is Holmes’ equal in every way, and fascinates him.

Finally a bomb powered by radio waves is defused. Holmes gazes out a window and marvels about the future with this new technology.

A sequel is planned for 2011. Brad Pitt was rumored to be considering the role of Holmes’ nemesis Professor Moriarty.

If you like Sherlock Holmes, you might enjoy:  The Ghost Writer; Shutter Island; True Grit; The American; The Wind Journeys.

Sherlock Holmes   2009 / PG-13 / 2 hrs, 8 min

Cast Overview: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly, Hans Matheson, William Hope

Director: Guy Ritchie

Genres: Action and Adventure, Action Thriller, Period Piece