Invictus (2009)

Thus far, I haven't been a big lover of Eastwood's zest for directing. I don't know how many movies he managed to release in this decade but it's enough to give kudos for staying active. On one hand Eastwood is everything i praise about the craft, the challenge it present us. I'm always the most impressed by the people who can be found in several avenues of film, be it in front of the camera or behind it; that’s how you really leave a mark on cinema. On the other hand, know your strengths, what if Madonna was an excellent key-grip, or better yet sound technician; and was Swept Away necessary, I digress, sometimes the glove doesn't fit. I find that to be the case when I watch a film directed by Eastwood, I secretly hope for him to show up and possible start shooting stuff. I'm not really impressed at life as seen through this man's eye, and more over, the way he views it with such drab, and ugly undertones, never visually impressed by him for some reason, the scenes are saved by the actors. So in viewing Invictus, I still don't get the love, and maybe this man's crapped out one to many ideas to give his double zeros much care, they almost blend together in their defused schemes.

Invictus which is both about Nelson Mandela's first year as president, and the Rugby team that united the country at his will, changing the identity of the country forever. This is actually an interesting piece of sports and political history, and it's interesting how in simply rallying people around something they all can enjoy leads to peaceful coalition elsewhere. The bond between the President (Morgan Freeman) and the Teams Captain (Matt Damon) is very strong, as our comparisons in the world they face. Both actors do pretty good here, Freeman often allows believable escape into someone who is vastly recognized, while Damon is able to be anonymous and his performance comes across very well, he's the regular Joe whose world is changed by the people and the pressures that he faces. That reads well on Damon who really should be taken serious as an actor by now (remember when he was attached to that other guy), it’s a very good physical role too and he was also able to bring across the characters inspiration and determination Top marks in the acting, big cast too, everyone is decent. Love the hot secretaries.

The movie comes close to mining actual emotion but seems stunted by the length of the scenes. The film is also overly poetic and thus takes away from the central beauty of the event. And the films final act is a series of shots of crowds cheering and teams scoring ad nauseam. It kind of took something that was interesting and over sentimentalized it to the point of winning white fluffy kittens at the end. Kind of lost its point, just be happening everyone got home safe.

So if sports history, political history, or these people’s lives seem interesting to you, there’s something in this film that you will find interest in. However everyone else just gets treated to an overlong biopic that lacks above all things direction. That looks like it has cataracts and gets to the line of passionate viewer response, and farts. None-the-less his films attract talented people to them, and that shows, these performances are decent and can carry the movie through to its overly rewarding conclusion. Good for Eastwood, Palatable, and bland for the rest of us, proceed with caution.

The Milk of Sorrow (2009)

What an interesting surprise this film turned out to be, despite all odds, I really enjoyed this deeply. The Milk of Sorrow is the first film from Peru I have seen and it has one of the most out there plots I have seen in awhile. The best thing is that this story is handled so maturely and properly that it can’t help but generate interest in its topic, in its characters, and in its themes. The well restrained direction makes this ridiculous and awkward story play with complete sincerity; and despite some bad pacing between the acts, it’s really a film that came out of nowhere to impress me. Definitely a foreign film contender in my mind, and a film worthy of all the praise it can get.
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The Milk of Sorrow is all about a girl named Faustia who was born with a depression passed on from her mother thru breast milk, making Faustia melancholic, anti-social and fearful of men. To make matters worse, at a young age, Faustia somehow managed to lodge a potato in her vagina that has now, years later, become a medical problem. We first meet Faustia on her mother’s deathbed, her final words sung out as an ode to her dead husband Jesofo; she wishes to be buried beside him where he lay miles away. Faustia being both devastated and reliant on her mother must now find a way to accomplish her mother’s final wish. This event forces Faustia into the world, and we follow her down her sorrowful and uncomfortable path, as she find work with an understanding pianist who tries to break Faustia's shell through song. There are others around her who both help, and hinder Faustia in her trials and travels; various elements of comedy and tragedy prevail here. Does redemption and clarity lie at the end of Faustia’s tale? One must watch to find out.
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So when this film unravelled itself in the first twenty minutes, I had to admit that this was an extremely far fetched story. Or in another way, I felt it was a story I could never relate to. But again it’s the wonderful restraint that the director and actress works here that makes the film really believable. And what a performance this lady gives here, I mean understated for sure, but completely compelling with her seriousness and charm. There are a lot of silent moments, as Faustia doesn’t say much and is very timid, but something about the performance intrigued me, and had me thinking about the Faustia inside, what was going through her mind ect. It just felt like a very honest performance, it would be nice to see some attention there. A side from Magaly Solier in the titular role, the rest of the cast is decent, brilliantly cast, wonderful bit performances all around. The film is lush and beautiful, taking in all the sites and lifestyle of Peruvian living. A lot of wonderful ironic moments occur in the film that keeps it alive, and the protagonist complex and interesting. Just an all around well played affair that uses all the right techniques to get it’s deranged and thought provoking ideas across. It could of been more lively in certain parts, and the ending could’ve had more impact, but overall, Faustia’s world of sorrow was enchanting and enthralling to visit.
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So on the whole I definitely would recommend this film in a sea of foreign films that haven’t really won me over save a few. I think this film stands out for its unique plot and brilliant acting directing. I won’t lie, this is a film that you will have to accept for how ridiculous it seems, but it’s worth it to watch someone live with these problems and how they make a go of it. A great deal of class and tact went into this exotic little piece of cinema that very little in the Milk of Sorrow ever curdles. Recommended.