This was a very slow, albeit very short film, with a running time of 81 minutes. At its heart it seems to be about changing the way in which women are perceived by some men in Saudi society. The premise where the men visit a mysterious hotel to fulfill their hearts desires without knowing what to expect is not a particularly novel idea. That said, the focus - indicated early in the story, that the hotel provided very quick arranged marriages was not something that i have come across before. I was drawn enough into the story to be curious about where it would go. This film certainly will have many detractors, but i was intrigued and it kept me interested all the way to the end.
Reviews
16 Reviews
Gyeong-ah's Daughter
(2022)
Understated but powerful account of the long-term impact of revenge
20 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I try on long haul flights to always watch movies that i would otherwise be unlikely to see. Such was the case on my latest flight with British Airways when one of the Korean movies available was Gyeong-ah's Daughter. A film dominated by two powerful perfomances from Kim Jeong-Yong and Ha Yoon-Kyung (the latter widely known outside Korea for her role as lawyer Choi Su-yoen in Extraordinary Attorney Woo). The story opens with a Skype call between a mother (Gyeong-Ah) and her daughter Yeon-Soo, a young teacher living alone in Seoul. The bond between the two seems strong; yet Gyeong-Ah worries about her daughter's naivety around men. Yeon-Soo assures her that she is not in a relationship, going so far as to show all the limited space in her apartment over Skype. Yeon-Soo is a very diligent teacher who engages well with her students and is popular with her fellow teachers. It soon becomes clear however that all is not perfect and very early on in the story we learn that she is trying to end the relationship with her boyfriend. Resisting his pleas for one more chance she makes a complete break with him, and in the process goes to spend the weekend with her mother in Incheon. Their relationship is also far from perfect. What should be a pleasant weekend is somewhat marred by reminiscence about Yeon-Soos father. We learn that Gyeong-Ahs' late husband was often drunk and abusive to her. Yeon-Soo doesnt fully understand why her mother stayed with him, given his violence. Gyeong-Ah replies that her father worked hard to give them the house that they live in, and his hard work led to the alcohol abuse and violence. The story then takes a dramatic, unexpected turn when Gyeong-Ah receives an anonymous message about her daughter. This message is also received by several of Yeon-Soo's friends. The impacts are profound for both mother and daughter. What the follows is an understated but powerful account of the long term impact of what actually is a very brief act of character assassination and its malicious spread over electronic media. Once this malign information is in the public domain it is almost impossible to contain. Lives are changed; future dreams lost ; relationships shattered; identities hidden. The film charts at whether mother and daughter can overcome the trauma of this malign activity and heal their own relationship, let alone move on with their lives. As Yeon-Soo says to her mother at one point "You are not to blame....and i am not too blame". Gyeong-ah's daughter is thoroughly gripping from start to finish; it is hard hitting at times, with moments of tenderness, with great perfomances from the leads and supporting cast (again mainly women). I hope it gets a wider audience. It deserves to be seen by more people.
The Last Movie Star
(I) (2017)
Unexpectedly touching and warm film
4 September 2022
I must admit i was bowled over by how good this film turned out to be. I have never been a great fan of Burt Reynold's movies, but this is a small, simple but great movie. It really is all about coming to terms with the ageing process and learning to live with regrets. And it is very auto-biographical - Reynolds is looking back on his own career choices - really the path he could have chosen after Deliverance and the path he went down admittedly with great commercial success during the 70s. Burt plays Vic Edwards, an aged actor long forgotten by the public - shopping in his local supermarket and eating tv dinners. His mobility is very limited although his still fancies himself as a ladies man. Invited as guest of honour to a small time film festival in Nashville to receive a lifetime achievement award, the film really centres around the odd-couple relationship between Reynolds and his goth driver/assistant for the festival, Lil, played by Ariel Winter. There are some inevitable cliches and the film at times does descend into pathos, but it is never out of place. Unexpectedly touching, warm and at times life affirming, it is one of Reynolds best performances by some distance. That is because it cuts close to the bone and the portrayal of ageing and decline is very real. The.writer/director Adam Rifkin has said he planned the movie specifically for Burt Reynolds and it is hard to think of anyone else playing that part. A real surprise.
Burning
(2018)
Left me thinking
13 April 2022
When a film leaves you thinking days after you have watched it, you realise that it has made more of an impression on you than you first imagined. At least this was my experience of Burning. Yoo Ah-In, plays Lee Jong-su, a young man struggling to find his voice as an aspiring writer in today's Korea where social and economic inequalities are very visible. Ah-In holds the film together superbly, he is in virtually every scene. Befriended by another somewhat lost but beguiling young soul, Hae-mi, played by debutante. Jeon Jong-seo, he agrees to look after her cat while she goes on a long planned trip to Africa. In turn she also befriends another Korean on her way back from Africa, Ben, played by Steven Yeun, (recently Oscar nominated for his performance in Minari). In contrast to Lee Jong-su he is super rich,cool and calm, telling them both that he hasn't shed a tear since he was a child. At first this appears to play out as a three way love triangle, and a tale of the social class divide, but then the film takes a very different turn when Ben reveals his somewhat unusual hobby.......... This is a thought provoking film, deliberately slow, which leaves much to the viewers imagination.
Night Boat to Dublin
(1946)
Implausible but enjoyable
1 August 2020
This film caught my attention solely on the basis of the title. An rather implausible wartime yarn of how British Military Intelligence attempt to track down a kidnapped Swedish scientist who may be on the verge of a major breakthrough in nuclear technology. The story moves along at pace on the basis of hunch and coincidence, but that said moves along in an enjoyable way. Robert Newton is fine as the lead, but the real star for me at least is Guy Middleton who provides amusing quips throughout. Edited by Flora Newton one of a number of women editors working in the British Film Industry at this time.
The Phone
(2015)
Decent thriller covering similar territory to Frequency
2 April 2016
The Phone is a perfectly decent watch. Son Hyun-Joo is the businessman who by going on a drinking session with his work colleagues is unable to stop the brutal murder of his wife. It also happens to be a day when there is extremely unusual solar activity which interferes with mobile phone communication. Fast forward 12 months and Hyun-Joo is beginning to put the pieces of his life back together and return to his job as a lawyer for the first time since his wife's death. Again there is unusual solar activity and on his way to work he apparently receives a phone call from his dead wife; dismissive at first he comes to realise that he is actually speaking to his wife on the day of her death. Hyun-Joo then desperately tries to convince his wife that her life is in danger in the hope of changing the course of events. This also has an impact on events in the present as history is constantly rewritten to take account of every change in the past. It is now not only his wife who is in danger; her killer is also aware that history is in danger of changing. The film moves along at a pace and certainly kept my attention; there are some similarities to the Dennis Quaid / Jim Caviezel film Frequency; not just the explanation for the ability to communicate across time, but also in the way that current events literally change before ones eyes as the past is rewritten. It is a stylish film which i hope gets a chance for some attention outside of Korea. Well worth a watch.
Fast Freddie, the Widow and Me
(2011 TV Movie)
Car dealer having to do community service seeks to make a dying boy's wishes come true
28 December 2011
Sentimental but not overly mawkish Christmas drama. Laurence Fox plays wealthy London car dealer Jonathan Donald, whose life revolves around closing the next big deal. Sentenced to 60 hours community service helping a group of disadvantaged special needs children, including a boy with a terminal heart condition, he reappraises the priorities in his life. Good performances from cast, with Jack McMullen as Fast Freddie and Sarah Smart as a dedicated community worker stand out. While this drama will not live long in the memory and has a rather leaden script, it passes the time well enough and is amiable albeit rather gritty fare for Christmas.
Harold Shipman: Doctor Death
(2002 TV Movie)
Good if very uncomfortable viewing
9 July 2002
This drama retraced some of the murders commited by primary care physician Harold Shipman in the Manchester area of the UK in the late 90s. Shipman was convicted of injecting his patients with lethal doses of diamorphine. Despite the highly unusual number of deaths in his practice his actions went unnoticed for a long period of time, and even now the authorities are unsure about the number of people that he may have killed. The film is low key, and does not attemot to provide any insight or reasoning into Shipman's motives, it simply documents the events as recorded in court transcripts. Nevertheless it is a powerful film; James Bolam a stalwart of light comedy in the UK is well cast. The film has caused some controversy here, as it has been shown on television before the inquiries into Shipman have been completed. Relatives of those who died tried to prevent the film been shown at this stage. On balance the events are documented as sensitively as possible; and the drama is good if very very uncomfortable viewing.
The Lost Son
(1999)
Compelling if at times uncomfortable viewing
26 December 2001
Daniel Auteil gives a commanding performance as a French private investigator working in London following self imposed exile from Paris following the murder of his family. Making ends meet through a combination of blackmail of those involved in extra marital affairs and fees from their partners, Auteil is a weary character with little joy or passion in life, with the exception of football, and his friendship with a fellow French exile, Nathalie a high class prostitute. However when he takes on a case looking for the missing son of a wealthy industrialist, he finds himself embroiled in the sordid world of the child sex trade. A gripping story with good performances all round, especially from Auteil, this film tackles a taboo subject in a sensitive yet realistic fashion. Auteil's unorthodox methods to secure information should fill an audience with revulsion, yet in this situation, they seem entirely appropriate. Excellent if at times uncomfortable viewing.
The Baby
(1973)
Unusual gothic horror
27 October 2000
This is a strange film, its compelling when watched and the performances are great but ultimately the film disappoints. The ending though does have a genuine twist, which gives previous events a different light. A highly original tale.
Finding Kelly
(2000)
Good Saturday afternoon viewing for all the family
15 October 2000
Charming movie which offers something for adults as well as children. The story itself is not particularly original but the performances particularly that of Brighton Hertford as the intrepid and precocious sleuth Geneva keep the action moving along nicely. Good Saturday afternoon viewing for all the family.
Mr. Rice's Secret
(1999)
Deals well with a difficult subject
11 October 2000
Death is always a difficult subject to cover in the movies. Even more so when dealing with terminally ill children. Mr Rice's Secret succeeds in covering the issues in a sensitive but not mawkish way. Bowie gives a measured performance as the ancient mystic who befriends a young boy with Hodgkin's disease. The real star though is Bill Switzer, who excels as the boy fearing death who must learn to love life.
Rome Express
(1932)
Seldom seen gem of a movie.
4 July 2000
Although this film has dated somewhat it remains a classic in it's genre, and surely is the inspiration for other such train based thrillers as Murder on the Orient Express and the Lady Vanishes. Conrad Veidt was never better and is well supported by an illustrious cast. Technically the sound quality in 1932 leaves a little to be desired but this should not detract from a little seen gem of a movie
The Talented Mr. Ripley
(1999)
Matt Damon is no Alain Delon
6 March 2000
Beautifully shot remake of Plein Soleil, with Jude Law giving an outstanding performance. Overall however the film is patchy, and looses it's what somewhat in the second half of the film. Matt Damon is no Alain Delon, and substitutes the cold calculating calm of Mr Ripley in Plein Soleil for a vulnerable, sexually repressed character, which doesn't work as well. Ultimately an enjoyable two hours but the original remains more tense and satisfying
The Waiting Time
(1999 TV Movie)
Cracking post-cold war thriller
5 November 1999
Cracking post cold war thriller set largely in former Eastern Germany. All of cast on top form, especially leads, Thaw and Turner. Climax is satisfying and has an unexpected sting in the tail. Ambivolence of intelligence services in post cold war era is well portrayed.
Adventures of Don Juan
(1948)
splendid romp - Flynn still cutting the mustard
30 June 1999
Don Juan really was Flynn's last big budget extravaganza, and it really is a sumptous production. If ever any one was born to play Don Juan then it was Flynn. Solid support from Viveca Lindfors, Robert Douglas and Alan Hale. The film is up there with Robin Hood and its a shame that it is not more widely seen today. Enjoy.
Tell Your Friends