EIFF 2012: God Bless America Review

★★★1/2☆

Bobcat Goldthwait established himself as one of the most exciting comedy directors in recent years after his excellent 2009 film, World's Greatest Dad. His latest film, a biting satire on contemporary culture entitled God Bless America, proves equally as enjoyable.

Frank (Joel Murray) has just lost his job, he is divorced and has just been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Growing continually disillusioned by the ever growing idiocy of our society, Frank decides to rid the world of some of its most obnoxious citizens. After taking out a repellent reality television star, Frank discovers he has an admirer - sixteen year old Roxy (Tara Lynne Barr). The pair venture out on an obscure road trip full of strangely feel good serial killing.

It is hard not to sympathise slightly with Goldthwait's view of contemporary culture, regardless of how extreme it is. This is perfectly captured in the opening where Frank flicks through television channels, capturing society's obsession with fame, celebrities and social networking. Frank falls asleep watching a contestant being exploited on reality singing contest 'American Superstars' and wakes up to see the said contestant, the talking point of Breakfast Television. Other delights that Frank witnesses include "Tuff Girls" where one girl throws a bloodied tampon at another. This may be a rather extreme and blatant depiction of contemporary culture, but there is an alarming truth in Goldthwait's message.

Goldthwait's film is consistently amusing and boasts an enjoyably twisted feel good quality. We all harbour a small hatred for the people that talk in cinemas, extreme religious fundamentalists and obnoxious children, so it is hard not to be on Frank's side throughout. Of course, you could compare God Bless America to a drunken Grandparent's rant - complaining about all the things that annoy them, as Goldthwait does have a tendency to preach to the viewer, regardless to how thought provoking some of his points may be. This is completely evident in God Bless America's limp finale where it appears Goldthwait's message has stretched as far as is possible - it is the equivalent of the drunken Grandparent now falling asleep.

One of the strongest elements of God Bless America is they dynamic between the characters of Frank and Roxy. To Frank, Roxy provides a welcome alternative to his vile daughter - sharing his distaste of American culture. Roxy finds an escape from the tedium of her everyday life in the company of Frank. What results is a completely charming, relationship between the two - bonding over their various hates in society.

Joel Murray's understated performance is particularly fascinating, with the actor managing to capture Frank's struggles as a man who has been told he does not have long to live, alongside his growing hatred towards society and his somewhat sociopathic tendencies - yet still be completely likeable. After a shaky start, it is hard to find yourself not warming to Tara Lynne Barr's performance - with the eager young sociopath becoming quite endearing.

God Bless America is a thoroughly entertaining watch, which may also help challenge the way we look at contemporary culture. Goldthwait's message ultimately runs out of steam in the end, despite magnetic lead performances from Joel Murray and Tara Lynne Barr throughout.

Andrew McArthur

Stars:Joel Murray, Tara Lynne Barr Director: Bobcat Goldthwait
Release: 29th June (EIFF),4th July (UK, Limited), 9th July (UK DVD)
Rating: 15 (UK)
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God Bless America Trailer Published via LongTail.tv

EIFF 2012: Shadow Dancer Review

★★1/2☆☆

BBC Films latest production, Shadow Dancer has already met positive receptions at both this year's Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals. Now it is the turn of The Edinburgh International Film Festival to take on this slow-burning British thriller.

James Marsh (Man On Wire, Project Nim) directs Shadow Dancer, an adaptation of ITV Political Editor, Tom Bradby's novel of the same name. After a failed railway bombing, IRA member Colette McVeigh (Andrea Riseborough), is detained by MI5. In order to avoid a length prison sentence, McVeigh is left with no other choice but to act as an informant for the British authorities.

Shadow Dancer requires a lot of patience, this is a particularly slow and brooding, cat and mouse thriller. Marsh's films opens with a completely startling and heartbreaking, 1970s set opening sequence that completely encapsulates the Irish troubles of the time. We are quick to learn that this may be the story of one individual family, but Bradby's haunting story also represents a whole country going through turmoil.

When Shadow Dancer transfers to the 1990s, we see that these troubles are still highly prevalent. This is captured in a tense sequence where McVeigh attempts to detonate a bomb in a British railway station. The pace of the film completely slows after this, building up a brooding sense of unease and tension - a fitting representation of British and Irish relations of the time. Due to this lessened pace, it is quite a struggle to stay engaged with Marsh's film for its' first hour. However, the third act sees the story begin to unravel, as tensions reach boiling point - completely shaking the lives of McVeigh and her family.

At its heart, there is a profound story of family loyalty and dedication running through Shadow Dancer. The quiet resilience of the McVeigh family as they try and make the best out a dark situation is endearing. This is perfectly captured in Andrea Riseborough's stunning lead performance. The actress who thoroughly impressed in W.E. and Brighton Rock, proves to one of Britain's finest young talents with her powerful turn as Colette McVeigh.

Unfortunately, one of the most interesting aspects of Shadow Dancer - the relationship between McVeigh and MI5 agent, Mac (Clive Owen) is completely underutilised. The occasional meetings between the two characters are sporadic, yet prove to be some of the most tense aspects of the film. This is a role that Clive Owen could play in his sleep, giving a solid performance, despite it being a slightly predictable role. Strong supporting turns from Gillian Anderson and Aidan Gillen, add some moments of interest but prove equally underused.

While James Marsh's Shadow Dancer is excellent at building brooding atmosphere and capturing the tension of the time, it proves to be too slow paced to be classed as enjoyable. Andrea Riseborough's performance is the strongest element of the film and ultimately its saving grace.

Andrew McArthur

Rating:15
Release: 29th June (EIFF) & 24th August (UK)
Stars: Andrea Riseborough, Clive Owen, Aidan Gillen,  Gillian Anderson
Director: James Marsh

Killer Joe - William Friedkin Video Interview

To millions of cinephiles he’s the man who scared the living daylights out of them in the 1970′s with The Exorcist he also help make crime thrillers stylish and cool with French Connection. But since then its been quietly in the background waiting for his moment and this Friday it will arrive in the shape of Killer Joe, step forward William Friedkin and enjoy the video interview with the director himself.
Andrew caught Killer Joe last week at the Edinburgh Film Festivalfor The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse and heard nothing but praise for it, though I was munching away at Fried Chicken (though not long after it!).Its seems Friedkin has captured the films blend of dark twisted humour,sex, violence with such perfection that would give the old KFC Colonel a heart attack. We may have a scene or scenes that could be potentially be rated up next to the Blue Velvet and Killer Joe is certain to keep people talking long after they’ve seen the film.
Killer Joe stars Matthew McConaughy as ‘Killer’ Joe Cooper a Dallas detective who earns some extra cash on the side as a hitman who is offered a job by Chris (Emile Hirsch) a low life drug dealer. Chris wants his mother (Gina Gershon) knocked off so they can get his hands on her $50,000 life insurance however the problem starts as Joe requires a down payment. Joe has eyes on Chris sister Dottie (Juno Temple) and they use her as the retainer but from here the problems arise and everything is downhill.
Unfortunately due to things beyond our control we were unable to catch up with the director at Edinburgh Film Festival however our friends at HeyUguys (Thanks David!) have come to the rescue and shared their video interview with us. In the interview the iconic director chats about the film, about the sequels to his classic 1973 film The Exorcist but what we love about this interview is when he’s asked about the proposed tv series of the Exorcist his reply is a classic, enjoy!

Killer Joe will be released nationwide this Friday 29th June, Read Andrew's Review here.

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Director William Friedkin Interview for Killer Joe Published via LongTail.tv