Movie Buzz
Poster courtesy of Wikipedia
One of the things that I love to do is going to the movies. I go to the movies once or twice a week (sometimes even more if a few good ones are screening on the same week) so you can say I’m a movie fan. Sorry, no Filipino films for me, unless the occasional, once in a blue moon, critically acclaimed ones. That’s why I always dread this time of the year when all Metro Manila theaters will only screen Filipino films (thru the so-called Metro Manila Film Festival) for the whole two weeks starting Christmas day, coz that means nothing that I could see and enjoy during the holiday break. Whatever foreign movie out there that I could see before then I’d already watch before leaving the country and travel to places where I can catch new Hollywood releases (which will only be shown in the Philippines in the new year after the filmfest run). I haven’t written a movie review yet so having one is sort of a breather from all the travel, food, health, and positivity articles in this blog.
The title of this review seems to be misleading coz it’s actually titles of two movies that I have seen recently and really liked. Figuratively speaking though, “knives out” bear semblance to the theme of Downton Abbey, a period film that came on the heels of a successful TV series run (which I haven’t watched a single episode, so going into the movie I wasn’t really sure if I would be able to appreciate it given the lack of familiarity). That theme refers to the actions of the Downton Abbey household helpers (particularly the kitchen staff) when they staged some sort of a coup after they have been relegated to almost nothing during the very important visit and stay of the King and Queen of UK. It’s not often that his and her royal majesties stay in your own house, so I could only sympathize with the household staff when they have been pushed aside by the royal staff (which Buckingham Palace sent as advance party) in their own house. In their eagerness to leave a good impression to their royal guests and to show their kind of hospitality in this once in a lifetime opportunity, they plotted against the snotty minions and came out victorious in the end. This of course is without the absence of comical situations along the way.
There were other themes explored by the movie with the purpose of getting that message of tolerance and inclusivity across. This is a period film, so the prevalence of intolerance against LGBT and women rights have been put into proper context. The movie, by itself, has successfully manifested the fact that in this day and age, humanity has gone a long way in accepting LGBT community and independent women, without the need to hide one’s truth. Pride and prejudice (like that other period film with the same title) run in the veins of this movie, and placed carefully not to offend the senses but to categorically make a statement of what human nature is about. Our propensity to please, hide our truth afraid of its consequences (isn’t it that truth should actually set us free?), varying degrees of jealousy, and self-preservation are all shown in a simple, clear, no frill manner but presented as situational comedy. This is where I believe the film succeeded the most.
Poster courtesy of Wikipedia
It helped that the ensemble cast was a delight to watch. Maggie Smith (of the Harry Potter series and First Wives Club) was the perfect choice for the role of the household matriarch who has this long standing feud with a distant cousin played by Imelda Staunton (of Maleficent) who is now part of the royal entourage and for the longest time guarding her own truth. The characters Tom Branson (played by Allen Leech) and Thomas Barrow (played by Rob James-Collier) have their own impact-filled stories to tell amidst the drama and already chaotic household. Lady Mary Crawley (played by Michelle Dockery who was nominated 3 consecutive times in the Emmys for her performance in the TV series) raised that question which most of us would have asked at least once in our lifetime: “Is it all worth it?” There are times in our lives where everything seems to be a struggle, so it is a valid and reasonable question to ask even just at the back of our minds.
Another movie that explored the varying facets of human nature (and how these manifest in different shapes and form) as well as the human psyche is Knives Out. It is another whodunnit film along the same genre as 2017’s Murder On The Orient Express (where Kenneth Branagh’s character seems to live parallel lives with that of Daniel Craig’s character) but served two, three, four ways. The protagonists in both films were commissioned to investigate a murder and went thru a roller coaster of a ride to find the truth (truth can be evasive nowadays) but unlike its predecessor, the new film stands out because of its wicked screenplay and storytelling that keeps you second guessing yourself. Never a dull moment. In Knives Out, a wealthy family patriarch (played by Christopher Plummer who seems to be typecasted in these roles such as in 2017’s All The Money In The World) was found dead in his den and an investigator was brought in (played by the prolific Daniel Craig who is popularly known as the recent reincarnation of James Bond) to determine whether the cause of death was murder or suicide. Of course everyone is a suspect (or person of interest), and this is where it gets interesting, when each family member, all of whom have a stake on the family fortune and automatically gave each a motive to kill, has other reasons why he or she wants him dead. Secrets, lies, murder (or suicide?). Essential elements that were placed like Easter eggs which Detective Blanc (Daniel’s character) has to hunt.
It’s a delicious and sexy movie that Rian Johnson (director known for 2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi) has put together with the help of a splendid screenplay. Shout out to the writer of the screenplay. Well played. Like Downton Abbey, the cast was a delight to watch. Ana de Armas’ (of 2017’s Blade Runner 2049) performance resonated well with me (no wonder she was just recently nominated for a Golden Globes Best Actress Award). She is the Tom Branson in this movie. Michael Shannon still gives me the creeps, even if he isn’t playing a mean guy in this movie (like in 2017’s The Shape of Water and 2012’s Premium Rush), or is he? If you miss Don Johnson (millennials would probably know him as Dakota Johnson’s dad), you’ll surely get a hell of a comeback in this movie. You’ll also find out what’s the big fuss over Chris Evans’ sweater. Of course, Daniel Craig gave another polished performance, just like almost everything else in his body of work.
Go catch these movies while you can. If you ask “is it all worth it?” then I say, yes, it is.
columbusbee 