The BC Review: Blue Valentine

I've been struggling with how to write this review. As I was placing the DVD back into its Netflix (soon-to-be Qwikster) envelope last night I remember liking it. And I think I still do. I'm just realizing the word "blue" in the title is more apropos than I originally thought. I'm not going to sugar coat it, this pick is a doosey. So, with that said, enjoy (?) the review!

At its core, Blue Valentine is a love story (and looking at the movie poster the phrase "A Love Story" under the title confirms my opinion, funny enough I did not notice that before starting this post! Apparently I've taken away from the film the point they wanted me too. Ha ha). The film begs the question, "Maybe not all love is meant to last?" Despite the feelings that exist between two people, in some cases love just isn't enough...(not the most uplifting of films, but valiant in its assertions).

Blue Valentine showcases two people who fell in love as young adults, eloped, and started what they expected to be a happy, if not stable, life together. But that's where the story goes awry... or is it life that gets away from them? As the film opens we see a little brunette girl standing in a field calling "Megan" at the top of her lungs with an exasperated expression on her face. She quickly turns and runs inside to a house with children's playground equipment outside. The little girl jaunts through the back of the house and leaps onto the bed, waking her father, Dean (played by Ryan Gosling) and the two head out to the backyard to inspect a broken fence surrounding a dog house. In the resulting moments the father and daughter run to wake up mom, Cindy (played by Michelle Williams), enthusiastically jumping on her bed and eliciting a tired and tousled mother. A bit of expertly employed foreshadowing is at work here. Life is not as it should be for this rural Pennsylvania family.

Cindy, is the at times confused and utterly unhappy wife of Dean and a medical professional administering sonograms to ebullient expectant mothers with the pained look of a woman suffering from what could only qualify as regret. As we learn, Cindy was full of potential and far-out-shined Dean in the brains department but we get the distinct impression her life has not taken her where she thought she'd be.

The film flashes back and forth between the present (including a slightly heftier version of Dean with less hair and a drunken swagger) to the past, showing us two young lovers who met under atypical circumstances and fell head over heels for each other. I should point out, much to the film's credit and romantic appeal to me, it is the male character, Dean, who was really the initiator of the relationship and questions whether a person can truly fall in love at first sight (Ryan Gosling playing a strikingly similar role in The Notebook ring any bells?).

Following days of tense looks across the kitchen and petty arguments over the trivial goings on of day-to-day life, Dean "whisks" his adoring (?) wife away for a romantic get away to "the future room" (a corny and completely depressing hotel suite) to rekindle what's left of their love life.

*Spoiler Alert* - it does not go as planned.

Blue Valentine is recommended for fans of the King of Indies, Ryan Gosling, and enthusiasts of off-beat loves stories (i.e. 500 Days of Summer).

The Bee Charmer Review Rating: A

The BC Review: The Whistleblower

I was first made aware of this riveting drama detailing the hideous involvement of United Nations personnel in post-war Bosnia sex trafficking from a friend of mine a few weeks ago. It had yet to be released in the United States, but I knew from the trailer posted on Movietickets.com that I had to see it as soon as it made its way to the local theatres here in NOVA.

Disclaimer: When I set out to write this review, I could not see how I could do the film justice without delving into some of the history of the conflict and the hideous nature of sexual violence to provide some context to the film. Much of my graduate studies focused on the conflict and specifically the 1995 Dayton Accords, so I do know a fair amount about the conflict and the accompanying post-conflict and subsequent peacebuilding efforts undertaken by the United Nations, but I promise to keep these details as short as possible and will attempt to weave these in coherent way throughout my review.

The Whistleblower is based on the true account of an American policewoman who took a job as a United Nations peacekeeper in 1999, following the historic signing of the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords and the "end" of the Bosnian war. This was not wholly uncommon at the time as an international police force was formed to facilitate the country's evolvement from post-conflict to sustainable peace. Police officers, former military, and even every day citizens from the United States, Britain, Holland, Italy, and elsewhere in Western Europe joined the force to make a difference in Bosnia. But with any group or organization, there is bound to be corruption, and sometimes it runs rampant.

Seeking a transfer from her home police district, Kathryn Bolkovac, a Nebraska cop takes a highly lucrative job as a private military contractor for a British-based defense contractor known in the film as "Democras" (I'll let you do the research to find out the company's true name) and soon uncovers a devastating and depraved sex trafficking ring, involving UN personnel profiting from girls trafficked across the border from such countries as Ukraine into post-war Bosnia. And yes, this is a true story.

Rachel Wiesz, in a role very reminiscent to her portrayal of Ralph Fiennes' wife in The Constant Gardner (another excellent film portraying the world of foreign policy as seen through the eyes of Western diplomats), is authentic in her characterization of what I would imagine the real Kathryn Bolkovac might be like. Her appearance in the film is not your typical Angelina Jolie-esque glamorous woman at all times complete with perfectly coiffed hair, applied lipstick, and heels -- Kathryn is dressed in a blue International Police Task Force (IPTF) uniform, complete with sensible shoes for traipsing around post-conflict Sarajevo, and as one might expect, her long brunette hair is tied back in a variety of not quite perfect ponytails and braids. And throughout the film, she becomes increasingly disheveled. The emotional toll of what she is encountering is evident in her appearance and her increasingly visceral reaction to events.

The film is benefited by the addition of Vanessa Redgrave as the head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Madeleine Rees. As you might know, UNHCR representatives dispatched to Bosnia to address the thousands returning from displacement and hiding in the aftermath of the war to find their family homes destroyed, pillaged, or even sold to third parties who in turn sold them to ethnic rivals. In Rees, Kathryn finds a friend, a fellow woman working to help other women, some of whom suffered at the hands of men who employed rape as a tool of war.

There are of course several problems -- the overbearing policy of the United Nations for one, bureaucratic institutions are not known for their expediency and flexibility in navigating around their own systems even if it is to the detriment of the very people they are charged to protect and save -- and the attitudes of local police towards women. We see a glimpse of this as Kathryn begins her first investigation as part of the IPTF and comes up against local attitudes toward a Muslim woman's account of intimate partner violence at the hands of her husband. In short, the men do not see why this woman's plight should be any of their concern because in their minds intimate partner violence is a "woman's issue".

Despite these ignorant attitudes and the almost constant stonewalling of UN officials and IPTF's primary contract holder, Kathryn forges ahead with conviction and nerves of steel and she is ultimately able to make a real difference in the lives of some Bosnian women. Sadly, she is not successful in all.

The Whistleblower is not for the faint of heart. It is recommended for fans of true-life dramas and those with a passion for human rights.

The Bee Charmer Review rating: A-

The BC Review: The Trip

I'm sorry to report that my life has become increasingly busy these last couple of months and as a result my film watching (and reviewing for that matter!) has suffered.

Until last Friday evening when my husband so pleasantly surprised me with a "date night" trip downtown to catch one of my beloved Indie flicks, the last movie I caught was back in April and well, it was Scream 4. Yes, you read that correctly, I spent good money to catch the fourth installation of the 1990s era horror sensation and well, actually it wasn't terrible. Certainly not Bee Charmer Review worthy, but if you are a fan of the slasher series, you'll likely enjoy it.

In any case, if you're wondering why the title of this post makes no reference to Wes Craven, I will tell you (probably to the delight of most) that I am not reviewing Scream 4, and instead will compose my thoughts on that Indie film I mentioned, pleasantly and appropriately titled, The Trip.

The Trip, starring British actor Steven Coogan (you may recognize him from The Good Guys) and Welsh funny man Rob Brydon, is the delightful tale of two friends who set off on a week's road trip throughout the picturesque northern country side of England, tasting gourmet food and wine (yes, I realize the oddity of this - British cuisine not always associated with the description "gourmet" but surprisingly some of the dishes do in fact look delicious), sleeping in quaint and sometimes famous inns (one locale the basis for Bronte's Wuthering Heights) and well - just enjoying themselves along the way.

And that certainly goes for us too - this riproarious comedy depends on these two friends, one-Coogan- a womanizing, not entirely unattractive in that Englishman with long hair and awkward speech, struggling to find that one break out acting role that will bring his career to new heights and his funnyman friend Rob (Brydon) who's pleasantly content with his young wife and baby at home and his positively expert impersonations, the likes of which include Al Pacino, Michael Caine, Billy Connelly, and Hugh Grant.

And the impersonations - let me just say, these are what make the film. As we follow these two on their journey (true, there is a bit of a more serious underlying story of Coogan trying to find meaning in his life), but it is the constant dueling of two that will start you and keep you rolling in the aisles. My favorites including the battle"this is how Michael Caine speaks" wherein each believes his impression reigns supreme (and it is truely difficult to say which one best characterizes the famed British actor) and Brydon's "small man in a box" (if you have the time, check out these two segments posted on Youtube).

Overall, a light and enjoyable film that may end in you standing in front of the mirror making your own effort to impersonate the best of the best!

The Trip is recommended for those inclined for a good laugh and all lovers of food!

The BC Review Rating - B+

The BC Review: Black Swan

Perhaps one of the flicks I was most excited about seeing this year, Natalie Portman's Black Swan, was none other than an ultimately thrilling, and very dark portrait of a prima ballerina plummeting her way down her own personal rabbit hole.

In case you haven't heard about this one, don't worry - you are not alone. Black Swan is in limited release, largely circulating among the "Indie" crowd. Honestly, I'm not sure why - it seems the film has enough twists and turns (literal and figurative) to please most audiences.

Black Swan is the story of Nina Sayers (played by Natalie Portman) a prima ballerina in NYC competing for the coveted role of the Swan Queen in the ballet classic "Swan Lake". Upon attaining that goal, she finds herself coming apart at the seems, physically and emotionally. And this is where it gets really good. The film mirrors the story of Swan lake, the story of a princess who is turned into a swan (the White Swan) by a spell. The spell can only be broken by her true love. But of course, there's a twist, her prince is seduced by her evil twin (the Black Swan) and upon learning of this, the White Swan realizes she can only be free in death and thus commits suicide.

I won't spoil the film for you, but suffice it to say - Nina begins to connect with both the White Swan and the Black Swan and must find a way to live both sides of her personality. The genius of the film hinges on this point, Nina's duality - both good and evil - co-existing within one person. The director really takes this to a whole new level as we see Nina battling her own psyche (sometimes in some shocking scenes) and interestingly developing the physical characteristics of the swan.

Natalie Portman (best known for The Professional, The Other Boleyn Girl, and Closer) is one of Hollywood's best kept secrets. Her roles tend to be far and few between, but when she makes an appearance she jumps head first into her role! Her role as Nina Sayers is no different; Portman purportedly studied ballet for a year in preparation for the role (both body and mind) and lost over 20 pounds (a sizable amount of weight for the petite actress). Not that I want to focus on the weight loss so much, of course, it definitely shows, but it is the way she transforms into Nina -vulnerable, fearful, striving for perfection to the point of physical and mental anguish.

A lesser known actress, Mila Kunis (catch her in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Date Night, and the voice of "Meg" in Family Guy) plays Lily - Nina's sometimes friend, sometimes nemesis. Lily is everything Nina is not; sexy, natural, and uninhibited, making for a formidable rival to the virginal Nina. Not surprisingly, Nina starts to believe her worst fear - Lily will take the Swan Queen role from her; ultimately replacing her. I think each of us can connect with this idea - someone wanting to replace you - your dreams, your accomplishments, your life... it's a scary prospect.

Finally, I would be remiss not to mention Barbara Hershey's visceral role as Erica Sayers, Nina's mother. Erica is tense to the point of horrifying, desperately trying to protect her daughter, while at the same time mourning for her own long-lost ballet career. Adorned all in black, with her hair tied securely in a bun, Erica represents the "what could happen" scenario for Nina; falling out of the spotlight and plummeting into darkness.

As I mentioned, due to its limited release you may have to dig a little deeper than usual to find a listing near you (but, believe me, it'll be worth it). Black Swan comes recommended for thriller fans seeking an out-of-the-ordinary flick with a talent for both beauty and the grotesque!

The Bee Charmer Review rating: A-

The BC Review: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Following our summertime trend this year, my husband and I ventured out on a random Monday evening to catch another light-hearted, distinctly summer-esque flick, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

As I am not a reader of graphic novels, I can't speak for the film's accuracy in terms of keeping close to the original story and/or depiction/illustration (for those of you who are, I'd love to hear your thoughts). But, I can say this - I thoroughly enjoyed this off-beat flick about a young man (Scott Pilgrim, played by Michael Cera) trying to find love and ultimately choosing self respect.

To accurately review this one, I feel it necessary to set the stage:

- First, you need to go into this one with a quirky sense of humor (think low-budget Indie flick, only without the low-budget aspect). The film is set in Toronto, but is in a video-game world. Quirkie, definitely quirkie. Complete with Super Mario Bros/Mortal Combat type images and sounds.

- Then you need to consider the crazy storyline and even crazier characters (keep an eye out for an absolutely diabolical Jason Schwartzman as Gideon).

- Finally, strap yourself in for one awesome ride!

As you can probably tell from the title, this one is about 22 year old Scott Pilgrim and his battles with "the world" which in reality range from playing in a "rock band", dating a 17 year old Catholic school girl, falling in love with a punk-styled Ramona, and then (and this is the kicker), battling Ramona's 7 evil exes (aka. ex-boyfriends and one ex-girlfriend) for not only the right to be with Ramona, but also the right to life!

Ramona Flowers (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is the alluring new girl in town with a positively punk attitude (and attire to match). First spotted in Scott's dream (yes, he sees her in his dreams before he ever sees her in real life), Ramona is instantly ingrained as the woman Scott is destined to be with. All he has to do is figure out A) how to meet her and B) how to get her to love him as much as he loves her. Of course, as with all love stories, this is not such an easy task. Ramona is nothing if not aloof.

For the sake of brevity (and not ruining the best parts of the film for you) I will say Scott ultimately "gets the girl". But much to his dismay upon discovering Ramona has a new man in her life these exes come seeking revenge. Scott is subsequently forced into fight to the death battles with these exes (don't worry, they don't come all at once, he of course has to fight each one individually, only succeeding in defeating them by discovering their weaknesses).

Of course, as I mentioned, this all takes place in a video-game type world so the "deaths" are not gruesome, but rather envision the hero defeating the evil villain in a Mortal Combat zone (think: when these guys fall they turn to coins).

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World comes recommended for fans of the Indie flick, and of course (due to his substantial role in the film), Michael Cera. Seriously, if you did not enjoy Arrested Development, Juno, or Superbad, might be best to leave this one alone.

New Feature: Watch the trailer!

The Bee Charmer Review Rating: B+