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AMORES PERROS (LIFE'S A BITCH): Directed and produced by Alejandro González Iñárritu. Written by Guillermo Arriaga. Executive producers, Francisco González Compean, Martha Sosa. Cinematography, Rodrigo Prieto. Production design, Brigitte Broch. Costumes, Gabriela Diaque. Sound, Martin Hernandez. Music, Gustavo Santaolalla. Starring Emilio Echevarría, Gael García Bernal, Vanessa Bauche, Goya Toledo, Álvaro Guerrero, Rodrigo Murray and Jorge Salinas. Lions Gate Films. NR. 154 minutes.
The opening sequence begins in medias res, smack in the middle of a fast car chase through crowded streets. In the back seat of the car being pursued, a large Rottweiller is losing blood from a seeping bullet wound. As the drivers careen through traffic and speed through narrow streets, the rhythm of the chase picks up. The first car runs a red light and crashes violently into a smaller car in the intersection, driven by a woman. A homeless man watches. This first taste of the film's reckless immersion in the violence and brutality of life on the streets either whets the appetite for more action or sets off a warning bell that worse is yet to come. With either response comes the awareness that here's a stylistic filmmaker of some substance working in what is basically Quentin Tarantino territory. And if you stay through the dog fights that Iñárritu peppers throughout the next 20 minutes or so, you're probably going to watch the whole thing. To his credit, the director assures the public that no dog was harmed in the making of the film. Nevertheless, the simulated fights and bloodied carcasses are quite realistic and offputting. "Octavio and Susana" tells the story of the entangled emotional lives of three young people struggling with poverty and dreams of a better life. Octavio (Gael García Bernal) is in love with his elder brother's wife, Susana (Vanessa Bauche). But this young mother of a small son loves her husband despite his cruelties. To earn enough money to get away from the city, hopefully taking Susana and the baby with him, Octavio enters Cofi in dog fights. The middle story, "Daniel and Valeria," is less gritty (and less satisfying) because the characters live a privileged life, far above the street. Daniel (Álvaro Guerrero) has left his family to live with his lover, supermodel Valeria (Goya Toledo). Valeria's icy narcissism and Daniel's cold-blooded dumping of his family are not endearing characteristics. After Valeria's accident, when her little white-mop dog goes missing below the floorboards, they spend more time trying to rescue the dog than learning to communicate. The third story, "El Chivo and Maru," is the most compelling, primarily because Emilio Echevarría enlivens every scene he's in. He plays an old leftist revolutionary who abandoned his wife and daughter, kidnapped a businessman, bombed a building, was caught and served his years in prison. Now he's a squatter who roams the streets, pushing his cart, followed by a loyal cadre of canine friends. He also takes work as a hit man, but his life changes after he rescues Cofi. A movie to make you sit up and take notice, it's an imperfect cinematic experience you probably don't want to miss. Highly recommended, it opens at the Bijou Friday, May 18.
THE TAILOR OF PANAMA: Directed, co-written and produced by John Boorman. Co-producer, Kevan Barker. Executive producer and co-writer, John le Carré. Co-writer Andrew Davies. Cinematography, Philippe Rousselot. Production design, Derek Wallace. Editor, Ron Davis. Costumes, Maeve Paterson. Composer, Shaun Davey. Starring Jeffrey Rush, Pierce Brosnan and Jamie Lee Curtis, with Brendan Gleeson, Leonor Varela, Catherine McCormack, Harold Pinter, David Hayman, John Fortune, Daniel Radcliffe and Lola Boorman. Columbia Pictures, 2001. R. 110 minutes.
John Boorman (The General, Hope and Glory, Deliverance)
produced, directed and co-wrote this highly entertaining fare from Excellent performances include those by Jeffrey Rush as Harry Pendel, the Cockney ex-con turned tailor to Panamanian power brokers and first families; Pierce Brosnan as Andy Osnard, a seedy 007-type agent, eager to put one last deal together and get out of the game; Jamie Lee Curtis as Harry's wife, Louisa, a pragmatist working for Panama's progressive new president; Brendan Gleeson (The General) as Harry's old friend and former revolutionary firebrand, Mickie Abraxas; Leonor Varela as Harry's good friend from the old days; and Catherine McCormac as the cool British agent Andy casually beds. Our Man in Havana (1960) is the prototype for this acidic, tongue-in-cheek spy genre. A British film directed by Carol Reed and written by Graham Greene, based on his novel, it stars Alec Guiness as a vacuum cleaner salesman corrupted into spying for British intelligence by a spy played with great finesse by playwright and actor Noel Coward. There are a number of disturbingly similar screen moments between the 41-year old Reed and Greene creation and this Boorman, le Carré production. Reed's film was shot in Cuba just after the fall of dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1969 (but before Castro invited the Russians in), while Boorman's was shot in Panama shortly after the U.S. "invaded" the country and took away its drug-dealing military dictator, General Manuel Noriega. A scene set in a country club men's room in Our Man was very daring in the 1960s because of the spy's (Coward) intention to compromise the salesman (Guiness) he's recruiting. With a nod to today's more liberal audience, Tailor makes the occasion a visit to a gay night club in Panama City. At Andy's insistence, he and Harry slow dance on a crowded dance floor, quarreling in a bitchy sort of way. What a critic of the 1960 film called "social squalor" also suits the scenes with Harry's friend Abraxis. It's very sly of Boorman to make this spy spoof just as the old Cold Warriors and pro-intelligence, national security nuts finally have an administration in Washington of their own kind. The movie entertains as it paints a sardonic vision of the mentality of such spooks, while Brosnan's not-as-smart-as-James Bond agent is an oily, amoral sexist seen here in his true, shifty light. Great fun, The Tailor of Panama is now playing at Cinemark. Highly recommended.
Desire
and Devotion THE WIDOW OF SAINT-PIERRE: Directed by Patrice Leconte. Produced by Gilles Legrand, Frédéric Brillion. Written by Claude Faraldo. Cinematography, Eduardo Sarra. Editor, Joëlle Hache. Set decorator, Ivan Maussion. Costumes, Christian Gasc. Music, Pascal Esteve. Starring Daniel Auteuil, Juliette Binoche and Emir Kusturica, with Philippe Magnan and Michel Duchaussoy. Lions Gate Films, 2000. R. 108 minutes.
Wrapped around the tale of Neel Auguste and what becomes of him is the story of the island's French military commandant, the Captain (Daniel Auteuil), and his wife, Madame La (Juliette Binoche). They are extraordinary people by any standard: principled, respectful and joyously in love with one another. As a bored, envious wife of a local government bigwig notices how they look at each other, she bets they don't waste their nights together snoring. But in the eyes of the officials, both the non-conformist captain and his dangerously beautiful wife are suspect. The bureaucrats send away to France for a guillotine to carry out the grisly sentence, meanwhile imprisoning Auguste in a cell adjacent to the captain and his wife's living quarters. Alone with her husband, the captain's wife questions whether the death sentence is justified. In response, he gives permission for the prisoner to do community work under his wife's supervision. She clearly believes that trusting the prisoner will result in his rehabilitation. After Auguste makes a truly heroic rescue observed by the whole village, they see him as a valuable member of the community. He marries but still returns to his cell at night. The bureaucrats are not swayed, however, joking about the captain's wife and the prisoner, slandering them as lovers. But the captain allows no gossip about his wife, nor does his support of her waver. The film is based on a true story that happened to Auguste Neel on Saint-Pierre in the mid-19th century. During the eight-month wait for a guillotine, the prisoner endeared himself to the community, prompting what the filmmakers called the "troublesome question, is the man who was sentenced the same man who is to be executed?" Screenwriter Claude Faraldo researched historical court transcripts to explore the theme, but he avoids taking a preachy or doctrinaire tone. Performances by Auteuil, Binoche and Kusturica are small, quiet gems, underplayed and persuasive in their purity. One of France's most versatile directors, Leconte makes intelligent, elegant films with characters you don't easily forget. He doesn't rush the simple story here but allows its complexities and nuances to develop naturally. We are so unaccustomed to characters with principles worth living and dying for that we hardly remember how to wait for them to show us what it means to care so much. The deliriously carnal marriage relationship in this film is unusual because it's accompanied by mutual respect and trust. Likewise, the larger ethical issues the film raises rarely surface in contemporary cinema. Bravo, Leconte! The beautiful Widow of Saint-Pierre opens Friday, May 18, at the Bijou. Don't miss it!
Angel Eyes: Luis Mandoki's romance between a cop (Jennifer Lopez) and a mysterious man (Jim Caviezel) also stars Sonia Braga. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. Billy Elliot: British film directed by Stephen Daldry about a boy from a mining community who takes boxing lessons but longs to dance. The wonderful Jamie Bell is the young dancer; Julie Walters is his teacher; and Gary Lewis plays his reluctant-to-approve dad. Sentimental, predictable movie, but Bell is great!. R. Movies 12. See review. Even Dwarfs Started Small (Germany): Allegory about the depravity of wardens in which imprisoned dwarfs rebel against their keepers. 7 pm on 5/22 in 122 Pacific. Free. Evgeny Evtushenko: Short documentary film shown with Joseph Brodsky and Voice From Russia: The World of Vysotsky at 6:30 pm on 5/21 in 115 Pacific. Free. Exit Wounds: Steven Seagal, DMX and Tom Arnold mix it up in this action flick about rogue cops directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak. R. Movies 12. Josie and the Pussycats: Rachel Leigh Cook, Tara Reid and Rosario Dawson, life-long friends from the 'burbs, put their garage band on the road to success until they run into a nefarious pair of schemers. PG-13. Movies 12. Night at the Opera, A: Marx Bros. 1935 classic farce is a send-up of grand opera. They used their first big budget "to reach epic anarchic heights," according to Videohound's Golden Movie Retriever. At 7 pm on 5/21 in 138 Gilbert. Free. Out For Love and On the Edge: Documentaries on the Rabin assassination and the Middle East peace process. At 7:30 pm on 5/21 in 115 Pacific. Free. Shrek: Computer-animated fairy tale (by Pacific Data Images, makers of Antz) stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark. Tribute to Paul Robeson, A: Short biography of Robeson follows The Proud Valley, a 1940 film in which Robeson plays a Welsh mining town hero. At 7 pm on 5/23 in 180 PLC. Free. Widow of Saint-Pierre, The: Patrice Leconte directs Daniel Auteuil, Juliette Binoche and Emir Kustirica in a passionate love story wrapped around the tale of a condemned man on a French-run island in the 19th century who must wait for a guillotine to arrive that will kill him. R. Bijou. See review.
Blow: Ted Demme directs Johnny Depp as George Jung, now in prison, but in the 1970s the first American to import cocaine from Carlos Escobar's Colombian cartel to the U.S. Based on book by Bruce Porter, movie also stars Penelope Cruz, Ray Liotta, Rachel Griffiths and Paul Reubens. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. Bridget Jones' Diary: Renée Zellwegger plays the neurotic but witty Londoner on the prowl for a man. Hugh Grant's her boss, and Colin Firth is an old friend. Sharon Maguire's directorial debut. Script by Helen Fielding, Andrew Davies and Richard Curtis. Fun movie, highly recommended. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. See review. Cast Away: Tom Hanks learns to survive when his plane crashes and he washes up on a remote tropical island. Helen Hunt is the girlfriend he left behind. Intimate direction by Robert Zemeckis, a lean script by William Broyles Jr., and an edgy performance by Hanks. Highly recommended. PG-13. Movies 12. See review. Crocodile Dundee in L.A.: Simon Wencer directs the return of the old Aussie fave played by Paul Hogan, with Linda Kozlowski as the love interest. PG. Cinemark. Double Take: It's Trading Places for the new century as NY investment banker (Orlando Jones) switches identities with a petty thief (Eddie Griffin). George Gallow directs. PG-13. Movies 12. Driven: Sylvester Stallone in a racetrack action picture directed by Renny Harlin. PG-13. Cinemark. Emperor's New Groove, The: Disney animation, Sting's music, and the voices of David Spade, Eartha Kitt and John Goodman enliven this tale of a young emperor who's turned into a llama and learns to be nicer to others. G. Movies 12. Hannibal: Ridley Scott chronicles Hannibal Lector's inevitable return in this gruesome sequel starring Julianne Moore and Anthony Hopkins. Script by David Mamet, Steven Zaillian. Bloodsoaked, creepy movie earns its rating. R. Movies 12. See review. Heartbreakers: Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt play mother/daughter con artists. Ray Liotta and Gene Hackman are marked men. David Mirkin directs. PG-13. Movies 12. See review. Knight's Tale, A: Aimed at 12-year-olds, this medieval adventure fantasy stars Heath Ledger, Shannyn Sossamon, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell. Directed by Brian Helgeland, co-writer of L.A. Confidential. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark 17. Memento: Written, directed by Christopher Nolan, based on his brother Jonathan's story. Stars Guy Pearce as a man whose memory loss following a crime in which his wife was raped and killed propels him toward vengeance. With Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano. Question the film's skewed reality at every opportunity. R. Bijou. See review. Mexican, The: Comic road movie stars Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and James Gandolfini in a mobbed-up escapade south of the border. Has its moment, but murder isn't really all that funny. R. Movies 12. See review. Mummy Returns, The: Starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz star in this thriller directed by Stephen Sommers. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. O Brother, Where Art Thou?: Ethan and Joel Coen's feel-good Depression-era comedy and homage to old timey music is their best ever. Stars George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson, with Holly Hunter, Charles Durning, John Goodman. Highest recommendation. Fabulous screenplay, cinematography and CD. PG-13. Cinema World. See review. Spy Kids: Robert Rodriguez directs this youth-oriented tale about superspies (Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino) who leave the life to marry and have kids. When they're kidnapped, only their kids can save them. PG. Cinemark. Cinema World. Tailor of Panama, The: Critics say John Boorman's film, based on a John le Carré novel, shows how hard it is to make a good espionage thriller since the end of the Cold War. Stars Pierce Brosnan as a bored British agent who tries to put the moves on Catherine McCormack while tying his fate to a British ex-con (Geoffrey Rush) who's married to Jamie Lee Curtis. R. Cinemark 17. See review. Town & Country: Peter Chelsom directs Michael Laughlin and Buck Henry's comic script about marriage, friendship and love. Stars Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn and Garry Shandling. R. Movies 12. Traffic: Steven Soderbergh's acclaimed film stars Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Don Cheadle, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Erica Christensen. Academy Awards for Soderbergh's direction, Del Toro's acting, Gaghan's screenplay and Mirrione's film editing. Best film of 2000. R. Movies 12. See review. What Women Want: Mel Gibson as an accident victim who can
suddenly hear the private thoughts of women -- Helen Hunt, Marisa Tomei and Lauren
Holly. PG-13. Movies 12. Bijou
Art Cinemas Regal
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Theaters
Bongwater: Luke Wilson, Alicia Witt, Jamie Kennedy, Jack Black and Andy Dick star in this comedy about a dope dealer's travails directed by Richard Frears. R.. Dungeons and Dragons: Fantasy adventure stars Jeremy Irons and Thora Birch (American Beauty), based on the popular game. Courtney Solomon directs. PG-13. Requiem for a Dream: Brilliant, deeply disturbing film directed by Darren Aronofsky (Pi) from a script by Hubert Selby Jr. (Last Exit to Brooklyn). Jared Leto, Ellen Burstyn, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans give realistic, gritty and courageous performances here as junkies on the down slope. The film is innovative and beautiful, but you will not sleep well after this one. Unrated. Vertical Limit: Action adventure tale of a former mountain climber (Chris O'Donnell) who has to save a sibling (Robin Tunney) trapped at 26,000 feet. Directed by Martin Campbell. PG-13. Next week: House of Mirth, Shadow of the Vampire
and Traffic.
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