Film Reviews by DJ

Tragedy strikes a husband with a beautiful home, a successful career and a marriage to his boss's daughter. Already numb with dissatisfaction he doesn't react to his loss but instead goes through an existential examination. Questioning the structure of his life and dismantling the structure of his surroundings he finds a way to be true to himself. This film is quirky, assured and questioning.

If you like Jean-Marc Vallée's other work you'll probably enjoy this too.

The Young Pope is not thrilling or highly gripping; it is slow and rich and beautifully composed (including some typical eclectic music choices). Sorrentino is a very individual director with his own style. It's great to see someone like him getting creative control of a big budget series. It's not meant to be an insight into the reality of the Vatican but more an exploration of how a certain way of thinking might work within the idea of the vatican. Not everybody's cup of tea but if you like his films you'll enjoy this.

The original has always been a favourite and I don't understand why that 'flopped' at the box office but this sequel I do. There was sparkle amongst the gloom of the original and none of that here. There was fun and depth to Decker in the original, more wow in the design (though the sequel's design excels many times) and sexiness in the characters too. This one substituted sexiness with sexism. Strange addition.

The soundtrack has none of the big vision of Vangelis. I like Gosling and he's good casting for a replicant but he needed more balance from a 'character'. Ridley Scott says it should have had a half hour cut off and he's dead right - would have helped.

I really 'enjoyed' this film. Very strong visually and the music from the jazz band very atmospheric too (a precursor to the music in Pawlikowski's next film - Cold War). Not packed with action or drama but a vey intense portrayal of Poland at this time and the characters experiences. I say 'enjoy' because it is a melancholy story.

The kind of film that divides opinion. If you don't like slow moving artistic films then avoid this one!