Lady Chatterley’s Lover: Netflix Throws Another Book On The Bonfire

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Yet another classic work of British literature is given the Netflix treatment and soiled.

Netflix and for that matter most non-British production studios just can’t ever seem to get right the very British sentiment behind these books, be it this or the works of Jane Austen, the themes and ideas that in many senses are timeless. So what do they do instead? They do what all hacks do they modernise, they take something timeless and they date it in the current year, they make yet another Bridgeton which some people like sure but that is also a million miles away from the spirit of the text.

The central romance, if you can call it that, is incredibly stunted and at times just plain awkward, it is fairly clear neither of the leads have any chemistry with the other, or even seem to like each other, and all of the forced romance scenes comes across as incredibly cold, emotionless and a little silly. I would say of the two Emma Corin has the far worse showing, with this and My Policeman really starting to make me question how they were ever able to get into acting in the first place as they clearly lack talent. A rich parent is probably the answer.

Overall, Netflix needs to realise that they can only push their Bridgeton esque pap so far.

1/5

Pros.

I’m struggling

Cons.

It doesn’t understand the spirit of the text at all

The romance is awkward and cringe

The leads have no chemistry

It is boring and a slog to watch

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Bleeder: Ah To Have Worked In A Video Store

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

The film follows a working class group of friends who live in Denmark as they try and find a way through life, with lashings of gritty drama thrown in for good measure.

I enjoyed this film quite a bit, before watching I had seen a lot of comparisons to Refn’s other film Pusher with this film coming off less favourably, however, I think this film may be just as good if not better in a few ways. Additionally I think both are quite different beasts so that a strong comparison between the two is impossible.

I think the reason this film spoke to me personally so much is because of Mads Mikkelsen’s Lenny who I related to in far too many ways. Lenny’s journey over the course of the film was for me the best bit, and I enjoyed it more than the central storyline of Leo, played by Kim Bodnia, becoming self-destructive and imploding his life. I suppose the two contrasting storylines show different pathways in life and how everyone’s journey can take them to different places both good and bad, and of course there is a lot to say about masculinity as there is in most if not all of Refn’s work.

I felt myself in many ways applauding the bad things that happen to Leo later in the film as he really does become a love to hate them sort of character as the film progresses, and unlike with Bodnia’s character in Pusher doesn’t really have any redeemable qualities.

My one criticism of this film, which might seem silly when thinking more broadly about Refn’s filmography, is that the darkness here feels all-consuming, though content wise it likely isn’t this feels like Refn’s most sombre and melancholy film which at times can border on the depressing.

Overall, a good film and one that fans of Refn will surely love, if a little depressing.

Pros.

Mikkelsen

The hopeful ending

A sense of karmic justice in the fate of Leo

The long discussions about film

Cons.

It can be a little depressing at times

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Pieces: Peril In The Parish

2/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

The film follows the disappearance of a priest’s wife.

Whilst this film is watchable, the mystery really isn’t anything to write home about at all. Everything that happens over the course of the film feels like a checkbox that the writers are ticking off as they go along whilst constantly referring back to the how to write a cliched mystery film guide book. Nothing feels surprising or organic whenever something happens it is met with a well obviously.

In addition the film finds it hard to maintain a sense of tension and for the most part struggled to keep my attention. I found myself getting distracted a lot whilst watching or just switching off because the film was not engaging me in anyway. What makes this worse is the incredibly slow pace that only draws out these problems to a point where they become unbearable.

The film isn’t awful and the performances do raise the bar somewhat and try and make up for the other weaker elements but even they aren’t enough.

Overall, a weak and incredibly obvious mystery film.

Pros.

It is watchable

The performances are mostly good

Cons.

It is obvious

It is cliched

It is boring

The pace is painful at times

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Disquietude: Getting Through The Day

4.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

An abuse survivor becomes trapped within her PTSD isolation.

This was a moving film in many ways. I think it says a lot about trauma and how we process it and in some cases carry it around with us for the rest of our lives and struggle everyday under the weight of it. I think this film needs to be seen as it gives us a window into the suffering of our fellow humans and helps us to be better and to think more about the trials of other people.

This film made me cry several times over its short runtime, it is very powerful. It is hard not to care about the characters and care about what is happening to them, over the course of the short you become sucked into their dark world and see things through their eyes and trust me when I say it will stay with you.

Overall, this film is powerful and a must see for many reasons, but the darkness of it can be a little overwhelming at times however despite that I think this is a great film.

Pros.

The emotion

The message

The performances

The character journey

The ending

Cons.

The darkness can be a little overwhelming at times

Disquietude will be released early next year on veck_gems_productions YouTube channel, keep an eye out for it over there.

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Nightfall: In Service Of A Scream

3/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Whilst working from home James, played by Michael Lake, hears a scream that changes his life forever and sets him off down a twisting course of mystery.

For the most part I really enjoyed this film, I thought the central mystery was good and it kept me guessing right up until the end. However, the ending for me felt a little obvious and I would have liked it more if they had gone with something a little more out of left field, in which case I would have given the film higher and the mystery would have been great all the way through.

In terms of tension I think the film manages to keep a pretty good tone, the tension slowly ramps over the first act and then really sets into going into act two. In this sense the film is quite compelling to watch and can at times be hard to look away from.

The performances are all good, however, I would single Lake out for praise here as he really does take his character on a journey over the course of the film and isn’t afraid of showing both the highs and lows of the human condition.

Overall, a mostly good mystery film that is a little undone by the ending.

Pros.

Lake

The tension

It kept me guessing

Cons.

The ending is a little obvious and that then derails the whole mystery

Some slight pacing issues

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Street Smart: Save Our Souls

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

After turning 18 Brooke, played by Chrystal Rothery, is forced onto the street therein enduring the horrors of homelessness.

This film really hit a nerve with me, too often we think when we see homeless people on the street that they have ended up there because of drink or drugs but far too often the real cause is bad circumstance and no societal safety net to help them when they needed it. This film explores these issues and notions around our perception of the homeless and does so in a really clever way that forces you to readdress your own beliefs.

Moreover, the message of the film, as I took it at least, that something needs to be done about the ever rising number of homeless people on our streets in that they need to be better treated, and have more means to save themselves and that as a society we have failed them is incredibly powerful and poignant.

The central performances are also both very good and encapsulate this idea of struggle to a tee.

Overall, a very worthwhile film.

Pros.

The characters

The message

The questions it raises and the statements it makes

The ending

Cons.

A bit of a slow start

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My Old Lady: A Deeply Depressing Trip To France

1.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

A man, played by Kevin Kline, inherits an apartment only to find it being occupied by an old woman, played by Maggie Smith.

Whilst this film does have some old world European charm to it, for the most part it can’t shake a deeply depressing air that makes it not only hard to watch, but hard to review. I struggled with this film I will be upfront with you and say that, sometimes the heaviness of it got a little too much for me and it made it hard for me to carry on watching it. To think that this film is labelled a comedy drama is somewhat baffling as there is very little funny about it.

The performances were all very much as you would expect, that is not necessarily a criticism but instead a comment in that no one is really playing against type here. If you like Maggie Smith’s recent usual persona you will likely like her here as well, the same can be said for Kristen Scott Thomas.

Overall, I found this one quite hard to get through as I found it at times to be quite depressing and draining.

Pros.

Smith

It is watchable

Cons.

It is deeply depressing

There is no humour to be found

It is quite a slog to get through

The charm quickly fades

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Tar: The Darkside Of Genius

3/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

A venerated conductor, played by Cate Blanchett, has her life upturned when someone from her past commits suicide after accusing her on improper behaviour.

The trailers for this film made it look far more cerebral than it actually was, it looked far more liked a stylised concept whereas what this film actually turns out to be is fairly conventional in most regards.

I enjoyed that this film felt like a direct response to #metoo and cancel culture and asked questions that aren’t often thought about such as what happens after the accusations are made, how do these people continue on, how do they live with themselves for what they have done, what is the power of an accusation? Though the plot has been roughly done before, I thought that this film did bring some nuance to the conversation and reframe things.

As always Blanchett was terrific and completely chameleon esque, she sank fully into the role to such a point where you question whether this is a fiction film or a documentary and question the boundary between art and reality. Though I suppose that was the point.

My main issue with this film was that the runtime was far too long. Not only does this make the film feel far more inaccessible as it leads to pacing issues but it also feels incredibly self-indulgent, there could have been a fairly solid two hour film here, but they get far too cocky and decide to try and stretch it out, this leads to problems.

Overall, an interesting concept coupled with a great performance from Blanchett are met with an off putting runtime that leads to large pacing issues.

Pros.

Blanchett

The film’s take on #MeToo

The style

Cons.

The runtime

It feels a little too smug at times

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50/50: Laughter In The Face Of Tough Questions

4.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Adam Lerner, played by Joseph Gordan Levitt, finds out he has cancer and that his odds aren’t good.

I thought this film was one of the most genuine and touching that I have watched in a while. It made me cry at several points as I think the beauty of the film really is quite powerful to behold, not only does the film deal with heavy themes but it does so through a lens of optimism and to a degree happiness. I found this to be a really lovely film in many ways.

In terms of performances Levitt proves once again just how great he is here, his character goes on a real journey and in the end when his character is finally free of cancer it is a real fist in the air sort of moment. The film earns that. Seth Rogen is also unusually good here in a more paired down dramatic role, though some of his usual schtick does come through here and there. I think Rogen can be a really charming and talented dramatic actor given the right roles.

The comedy drama mix of the film is fairly mixed, I would say it leans more towards the latter than the former although there are a few funny moments here and there that actually did make me laugh.

Overall, a strong film that everyone should see.

Pros.

It is funny

It is sweet

It takes you on an incredibly nuanced ride

It isn’t afraid to ask and tackle tough questions and topics

Levitt

Cons.

A few minor pacing issues

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Living: Make The Most Out Of Every Second

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

An office worker, played by Bill Nighy, discovers he only has a few months to live and sets out to live his life to the fullest during his remaining days.

I will preface this review by saying that this is not an easy film to watch on multiple levels, it is both depressing and also at times extremely cringey, especially when the overly formal period characters can’t express themselves at all, but that is all part of it and part of what makes this film so good.

This film truly feels like a British film, by that I mean if it were an American film especially one made by a Hollywood studio then it would have been overly sentimental and sickly sweet, this wasn’t that. The things left unsaid because the character physically couldn’t say them and the bittersweet enjoyment to the man’s final months feels raw and authentic and in that the film presents us with real truth. In that regard I found the ending of the film particularly powerful.

The performances across the board were strong but of course both Bill Nighy and Aimee Lou Wood deserve to be singled out for extra praise. Nighy conveys a lot whilst saying very little and really puts his character through an emotional ringer over the course of the film. Whilst Wood manages a real warmth and plays of Nighy well, they make for a strong on-screen pair.

Overall, not an easy watch, but an enriching one.

Pros.

Nighy

Wood

The emotional nuance

The ending

Cons.

Pacing issues

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