Renaissance [Christian Volckman, 2006]
As I left the cinema I heard several people saying the film was ‘visually stunning’. That’s almost an understatement: I think it is the most impressive ‘animation’ film I’ve seen – to look at, anyway. And there’s the problem – the story is mediocre and clichéd, leaving just a beautiful husk.
A wasted opportunity.
[IMDB link: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0386741/ ]
A Scanner Darkly [Richard Linklater, 2006]
As with Renaissance, here is an animated film which looks good, but which is badly let down by its content. At least in this instance the story has some potential, but it’s a lost opportunity: Philip K Dick’s source material is somehow turned into something bland and unconvincing.
[IMDB link: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0405296/ ]
Little Fish [Rowan Woods, 2005]
On the way home, I read a rather damning review of Little Fish that complained how long it takes for the characters to be fully explained in the storyline. I couldn’t disagree strongly enough. The great strength of this film is the manner in which it gradually reveals the characters to the audience. This means that the film becomes as much a journey of understanding and empathy for the audience, as an emotional journey for the characters themselves.
Cate Blanchett is brilliant in the lead role; but this is a story which is as much about the network of people surrounding her. The supporting cast are fantastic, in particular Hugo Weaving and Sam Neill. These are performances of great conviction and authenticity.
[IMDB link: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0382810/ ]
