I'm well aware that in compiling this list, people aren't going to agree with me but trust me, I've put a lot of thought into it. 2011 has been a really great year for films but it has, equally, produced a huge amount of trash. This list showcases, in my opinion, films which have stood out through their brilliance and which deserve a special mention as I look back on the year that was 2011. To demonstrate just how good a year 2011 has been for films, let me mention some films which didn't make the Top Five. Bridesmaids, for example, reinvigorated the rom-com and demonstrated that you didn't have to alienate all the men in the audience to explore the empowerment of women in modern society. The film had a depth which was not reduced by the humour which was genuinely funny and original and the film was an unexpected treat. Warrior, likewise, surprised with its emotional punch (quite literally) and used the medium of sport to create a feel-good film which was delicately executed. These films, however, failed to make my Top Five – an indication of the quality of the films which did. Whether you agree with me or cry in horror 'how is that film not on the list?!', I urge you to watch my Top Five films of 2011. You'll be a better person for it. Honest.
5) The King's Speech (and yes, the official release date was 07/01/2011)
A surprise hit and the winner of four Oscars, The King's Speech, directed by Tom Hooper and starring the ever-versatile Colin Firth, is an example of a film which appealed to an audience wider than Julia Robert's smile. Rarely could you walk into a cinema screen and see a such a mix of people; from armies of geriatric cinema-goers complaining that the seats were uncomfortable, to teenagers flashing their phones at the back, the wide demographic who went to see The King's Speech left the cinema almost unanimously won over by a charming script and performances which were both humorous and sensitive. Hooper's direction was dynamic and retained the edge of the costume-drama which the British do so well. Firth's tongue-tied monarch was the classical example of the everyday man (okay, maybe not) overcoming a personal problem with the aid of an unlikely friend. Standard stuff but superbly executed. It's little wonder that the Americans loved it.
4) Hugo
You'll know by now that I hate 3D. It's the work of the devil. So it may be surprising that a film which relies so much on 3D has made it in at Number Four. Martin Scorsese's Hugo is crammed full of good, old-fashioned fun with a magic which replicates that felt by the pioneers of cinema. The beautiful art design and stunning cinematography, combined with engaging performances (especially from Asa Butterfield in the title role) created a film which will appeal to both adults and children alike. Scorsese's love for cinema is plain to see in this film and the film's 3D element works because of this love for the mechanics of cinema. 3D distances the audience from the film and makes them aware that what they are watching is simply a mechanical process. This ties in nicely with Hugo's themes and leads to an enjoyable and enchanting family film. I'll say it once, and once only. I liked the 3D. You'll never hear me say that again. Ever.
3) Super 8
In at Number Three we have Super 8 – a joint venture between Star Trek's J. J. Abrams and one of the most successful directors of the twentieth century, Steven Spielberg. Set in 1970s small town America, the film follows a group of children who witness strange and unsettling events as they try to make their own film. Released back in the summer, Super 8 is a warm, nostalgic and solid piece of film-making which is a throwback to Spielberg's earlier children's works. The characters are engaging and the acting solid, whilst the ending is genuinely uplifting without spilling into over-sentimental rubbish which is so often seen. Beautifully shot and scored, the film deserves to be seen by as many people as possible and rarely does a family film such as this come along: I applaud Spielberg and Abrams for their work. If you haven't seen it, you're missing a treat.
2) The Help
Some have called The Help, based on the best-selling book by Kathryn Stockett, mawkish and sloppy with a tendency to skirt over the issue of civil rights. Um, no. Whilst I did feel that the subject matter was not explored to its full extent, the charm and good nature of the film is more than enough to take you on an emotional rollercoaster. A touching script and a moving soundtrack, together with a fantastic mise-en-scène, created a racially-prejudiced world which should have never existed but this is, perhaps, the film's greatest achievement. Its focus on black segregation ensures that the issue is never forgotten and is highlighted for a new generation who may not be fully aware of the darker side of American history. With terrific performances, especially from Viola Davis, and a potent mix of humour and tragedy, The Help is a worthy adaptation which deserves all the praise it has garnered. If you're not crying by the end of the film, you've either had your tear ducts surgically removed or you're simply dead inside.
1) We Need To Talk About Kevin
And so, my Number One film of 2011. We Need To Talk About Kevin. Many of you won't have seen it. Many of you should see it. It is a supreme example of film-making at its very best and everything about this film screams quality. Eva's struggle after her son commits a terrible crime is both moving and disturbing, and the dialogue and performances (Swinton in particular) are first class. Adapted from a novel by Lynne Ramsay, the film's most unsettling aspect is Ezra Miller's performance which is manipulative, chilling and all-to-real. The haunting cinematography, with its distinctive colour palette and the use of flashbacks works wonders and shows just how powerful the medium of film can be. As I said in my original review, it is difficult to say whether you will 'enjoy' the film in the usual sense. But I reckon you will. We Need To Talk About Kevin is certainly the film event of the year. And you need to promise yourself to see it. Or, even better, make it one of your New Year's resolutions. Come on, it'll be much easier to keep than your other one to not eat as much chocolate.
Agree/disagree with this list? I'd love to hear your ideas. You'll be wrong, but still.
No comments:
Post a Comment