Recent Movies: Drive My Car; Old Movies: Jane Eyre; Meek’s Cutoff; Of Gods and Men; The Topp Twins

Recent Movies

Drive My Car

Based on the short story “Men without Women” by Haruki Murakami: Yusuke (Hidetoshi Nishijima) is a middle-aged theatre artist in Tokyo who travels to Hiroshima to direct a multilingual version of “Uncle Vanya”. Once there, the theatre company assigns him a young chauffeur, Misaki (Toko Miura), to drive him in his own car whenever he needs to be driven. Although Yusuke initially resents this condition of his being a theatre resident, he eventually bonds in a special way to the young woman who is quiet, dutiful, trustworthy, and an excellent driver.

The film’s first hour is intriguing in ways that are sensuous, chic, and mysterious. It covers events in Yusuke’s life before he travels to Hiroshima including a shocking life change. This segment stands out on its own before the film changes direction.

The film’s best scenes are in monologues and dialogues that take place during rides in Yusuke’s red Saab. They reveal greater depth of the two main characters and how past tragedies in their lives make them connect in a special way. There is also a fascinating monologue from Koji (Masaki Okada), an actor in the Uncle Vanya production who also had a peculiar connection with Yusuke in Tokyo before the trip to Hiroshima. This monologue scene (maybe the best in the film) goes beneath Koji’s bad-boy persona while exposing a more humane side to someone who initially seems unlikeable.

For its film genre, “Drive My Car” occasionally feels long at three hours but director Ryusuke Hamaguchi has created a film filled with depth while also compassionately dealing with grief and mental health.

RATING (out of four stars): * * *

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Older Movies

Jane Eyre (2011 – UK)

Based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë: this film follows the life of the title character as a young orphan placed in various homes and schools in England around the early 1800s. Her adult life as a live-in governess causes tensions as she and the master of the house are attracted to each other.

This was my first exposure to the story, not having read the novel nor seeing any of the previous film versions. While the story within the film is good, I suspect that it would be worthwhile to read the classic novel to gain a richer understanding.

The production values are beautiful. The interior settings and the outdoor scenes are lovely in a moody sort of way. The acting is fine as well though the lead player, Mia Wasikouska, is occasionally incomprehensible in some of her lines. Other than that, she does fine work.

RATING: * * *

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Meek’s Cutoff (2010 – US Indie)

In 1845, three settler families travelling across the Oregon Trail suspect that their guide might not know where he is leading them.

This film is admirable for its mix of a slow, subtle style with a storyline that has tension and conflict. While the pace may seem too slow, it is neither dull nor less than intriguing. In fact, the slow pace is appropriate as it allows the viewer to feel closer to the day by day events of the characters who seem to be in a constant search that might not lead them to their destination.

Director Kelly Reichardt does a wonderful job in allowing the tension to rise simply without any special techniques. The photography and sound effects play well with the beautiful natural setting whether it be a cloudy day, a sunny day, or night-time. Despite the characters’ predicament, they have no idea of the beauty that surrounds them.

There is also tension between the white settlers and a Native American. The story deserves praise here by not vilifying whites or “Indians” but just showing the conflicts without hype.

Reichardt’s previous film, “Wendy and Lucy” also starred Michelle Williams who does an equally fine job in “Meek’s Cutoff”. Both films had endings that seemed to end at odd times. But after thinking of the ending in either film (not revealed here), they made sense in an odd way. I look forward to seeing more films by Reichardt.

RATING: * * * ½

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Of Gods and Men (2010 – France)

Based on a true story, this film depicts a small group of French Catholic monks who lived in a monastery in Algeria and worked in harmony with local Muslim villagers. In the mid-1990s, the monks and the villagers’ lives are threatened by a growing terrorism movement and increased military presence.

This film can be credited for authenticity. Most of the actors playing the monks are ordinary-looking and the style of directing and acting is austere and somber. While this would be the expected feeling for a monastery, I found the overall mood a bit too drab at times. This film might have learnt from the style of another recent film of monastic life, “Vision: The Life of Hildegard von Bingen” which occasionally used directing techniques to add to the beauty of the atmosphere while still seeming authentic.

Despite this misgiving, there is still much to admire in “Of Gods and Men”. Most important are the debates among the monks on whether they should leave the country for their safety or stay to continue to help the villagers who would be worse off if the monks leave. There are also genuine discussions on faith, destiny and one’s true calling in life. These discussions (along with some beautiful chanting by the monks) are the foundation of the film.

RATING: * * *

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The Topp Twins (2009 – New Zealand – Documentary / LGBT)

This New Zealand documentary exposes the lives and careers and Lynda and Jules Topp, superstars in their home country for their country singing and comedy routines. They’re also openly lesbian, activists on many causes, and they live on a farm as they did when they grew up.

The above description has so many apparent contradictions that I had to see this movie. There is so much to like about these women and the principles by which they live. Here are some examples:

– many good causes including anti-discrimination laws, aboriginal land claims, and nuclear disarmament.
– using humour, friendliness, and inclusion to draw in middle-of-the-road voters during a debate for a bill that would outlaw discrimination against gays and lesbians.
– staying true to their roots by entertaining rural audiences while still being out lesbians.
– also staying true to their roots by refusing to “update” themselves to be more palatable to audiences in the US or England.

The footage of their careers goes back to the early 1980s. The film also has a moving turn when the family must deal with cancer.

Overall, the fun spirit is what moves this film. Even the names of some of their characters can cause a laugh. Imagine a pair of hoity-toity rich sisters named Prue and Dilly Ramsbottom.

Very entertaining.

RATING: * * * 1/2