Tired of special effects-laden blockbusters and endless sequels this summer? So are we.
Want to experience the delights of a lesser-known film? Actually watch a film that makes you think, with characters that aren’t cardboard cutouts? Why, yes, thank you!
Here we’ve highlighted some of the more excellent independent and foreign films released this year. If you can’t see them in the theater, look for them at your video store. It’ll be well worth your time.
Memento — One of the darlings at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Memento is just one of those movies that dares to be different and follows along the same lines as Being John Malkovich as far as a unique movie going experience. In a bizarre twist on the concept of time, the story revolves around Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce, L.A. Confidential), a man afflicted with a serious problem–he has lost his short-term memory. It seems ever since his wife was found dead, he has can’t remember what just happened to him a half-hour ago. He snaps photos to record events as they happen so he can at least get a glimpse of what he’s been up to. Judging from the photos, it’s nothing good. The plot is so intricate, we don’t want to give away too much. Just make sure you don’t miss the beginning; you have to pay close attention. Also stars Joe Pantoliano (The Sopranos) and Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix). Written and directed by Christopher Nolan (look for a possible Academy Award nomination).
Hedwig and the Angry Inch — Another big favorite at the Sundance Film Festival, this film won both the Audience Award and the Director’s Award and is a pure gem. The musical extravaganza is based on writer/director/star John Cameron Mitchell‘s critically acclaimed off-Broadway play of the same name. It’s a simple story about transsexual songwriter Hedwig (formerly Hansel), whose botched operation left her with the titular “inch.” When her lover steals her songs and leaves her to become a huge rock star, Hedwig and her band the Angry Inch shadow his tour, playing in diners and laundromats. During the course of this journey, Hedwig’s life story unfolds. Intriguing, yes. Blockbuster, no. But that’s exactly the point. It’s a wild ride with the extremely talented newcomer Mitchell.
Ghost World — Based on the underground comic book by Daniel Clowes, this quirky, offbeat film has been getting critical raves. A raw-edged comedy about two teenage girls, Enid (Thora Birch, American Beauty) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson, The Horse Whisperer), Ghost World explores what it’s like being out-of-sync with the rest of world–particularly these girls’ world of endless strip malls and fast-food chains. After graduating from high school, they must face the unpleasant task of working at mediocre jobs to save up for the apartment they want to get together. Until, that is, Enid becomes involved with an alienated malcontent (the always unnerving but typically fascinating Steve Buscemi). This is just one of those movies where the characters draw you in. Directed and co-written (with Daniel Clowes) by Terry Zwigoff (Crumb).
[PAGEBREAK]
Sexy Beast — Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley has never looked more menacing than in this excellent British dark comedy that’s on every critic’s must-see list. As the story goes, Gal (the quietly hilarious Ray Winstone) has retired from the gangster biz and is happily sunning himself in Spain along with his wife, Deedee. However, life is about to get slightly more complicated, starting with a giant boulder that nearly crashes down on him while he’s sitting poolside at his villa. Enter the boulder’s human equivalent, Don Logan (Kingsley), who wants Gal to participate in a high-stakes vault break-in in London, masterminded by the cool and suave Teddy Bass (Ian McShane). Don is a guy who won’t take no for an answer, no matter how much Gal says it. Things get pretty heated in this battle of wills, but nothing is stranger than Gal’s recurring dreams about a sexy, hairy beast. Directed by Jonathan Glazer.
Made — From those fellas who were just too “money” in 1996’s Swingers comes a dark comedy about two aspiring boxers and lifelong friends (writer/director Jon Favreau and his buddy Vince Vaughn) who get involved in a two-bit organized crime ring’s money-laundering scheme. Their goal? To become “made men” and reap the benefits. Anyone remember the stint Favreau did on HBO’s Sopranos last year where he played himself, working on a script about the mob? Well, here it is. And it’s just slaying ’em in the theaters. Also stars Famke Janssen, Peter Falk and Sean “Puffy” Combs.
Amores Perros — This Mexican film nominated for a Best Foreign Language Academy Award incorporates three stories: Octavio is a young aimless loser who lives in a barrio and has an obsessive crush on his sister-in-law, Susana, who is married to Ramiro, an abusive hoodlum. Meanwhile, Daniel, a successful editor, has ditched his wife and children to live in a dream apartment with Valeria, a shallow and neurotic supermodel. On the other hand, El Chivo, a bitter ex-con-turned-hit man, haunts the life of a pretty young girl with whom he has a secret relationship and is commissioned to kill a wealthy and philandering businessman. These people’s lives, and the fates of two dogs, get inextricably entangled in the heart of ever-changing, ever-violent Mexico City. An eye-opening experience.
Under the Sand — It’s almost criminal how good actress Charlotte Rampling looks at 56. In this French film, she not only gets to show off her good looks, but also her incredible talent. She plays Marie, a woman who loses her husband in a drowning accident (or is it?) while on vacation on the coast of France. The body is never found. She goes into denial that he is dead and continues her life as it might have been with him within the confines of their apartment. She has engaging conversations with him, even sex. Her friends try to help and she is even pursued by a handsome suitor, but nothing can bring her out of her shell. When the police find the body of decomposed man, she goes back to the scene of the crime to identify the body. Then, once you think she’ll finally heal, something even more surprising happens. A compelling story made even more so by Rampling‘s outstanding performance.
