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Flash Movie Review: Absolutely Fabulous
The cigarette was hanging from their lips like a tired diving board. Whenever they took it out of their mouth it was only to discard the ashes on the floor with a flick of their fingernail. They were sitting across from me but I did not know them since they were part of the groom’s family. Someone told me they were a relative of some kind. I thought it was odd they were sitting at our table; but for the fact the banquet hall did not allow smoking, I figured something was up. It did not take long before I realized this person was a real character. Let me just say they were saying some things that were not appropriate to say at a table of strangers. Their conversation was sprinkled with curse words. No topic was off limits evidently because I heard about various medical procedures, their prejudices and people they had dated. I was uncomfortable as well as the other guests around the table. The wait staff was constantly being asked to bring them a drink; I am not sure how many they had since each empty glass was replaced with a full one. During the dinner portion of the evening the bride and groom made their way around the room, stopping at each table to talk to the guests. When the newlyweds made it to my table the groom apologized to his relative for the seating arrangements. It appeared there was not an open space at the other tables. Turning to the rest of us the groom asked in a joking way if his relative was behaving. What could we say that their relative would be a perfect guest for this movie? DESPERATE to meet Kate Moss the fashion model Edina, played by Jennifer Saunders (A Midwinter’s Tale, French and Saunders-TV), accidently knocked her over into the Thames River where she went missing. With the paparazzi and police hounding her Edina and her best friend Patsy, played by Joanna Lumley (The Wolf of Wall Street, Late Bloomers), came up with a plan that would take them to the French Riviera. Sitting and watching this comedy at the theater was a wild experience for me. I had never seen the television show though I was somewhat familiar with the characters. The crowd was absolutely into this film and it was obvious they knew more than I did about the characters which also included Jane Horrocks (Little Voice, Trollied-TV) as Bubble and Julia Sawalha (Venus and Mars, Lark Rise to Candleford-TV) as Saffy. The story was simple enough and the script was loaded with comments that did not fit into a politically correct world; in other words inappropriate and naughty. I enjoyed the variety of cameo appearances and could see the attraction of Patsy and Edina. However I found the script was too loose; I felt I was watching a series of similar situations. After the initial shock of the comments and scenarios I got bored. It was like being with the wedding guest I described earlier. On a certain level they can be humorous, say things that others are only thinking and maybe even be entertaining; but after it is all over there is some relief you do not have to listen anymore.
2 ¼ stars
Flash Movie Review: Renoir
Depending on where I stand the light hits her eyes, making them glow brightly. I turn the corner and come upon a beautiful park with people leisurely strolling or relaxing on the ground. It looks so inviting and peaceful; but with my time constraints, I cannot stay and continue on my way. Walking into a dimly lit area I feel as if I have just fallen down the proverbial rabbit hole. Before me I see rooms too small for me to fit into with my sudden giant size; the chairs are only big enough to support something the size of a nickel. These are some of the escapades I experience when I visit the city’s amazing art museum. Since my mother was an artist, she started taking me to the museum when I was a little kid. Whether I was walking through a room filled with armored, battle ready mannequins or sitting and pretending the painted fields were gently moving in the breeze, each trip was an adventure for me. I had those same feelings as I sat and watched this gorgeous film about the artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Set in a country estate in the French Riviera, the landscapes were exquisite. The lushness was a counterpoint to the increasing physical pain taking place within Renoir; played by Michel Bouquet (The Bride Wore Black, All the Mornings of the World). It was the early 1900’s and Renoir’s son Jean, played by Vincent Rottiers (Last Winter, I’m Glad my Mother is Alive), came home to recuperate from a war injury. To his surprise he found the free spirited Andree Heuschling, played by Christa Theret (Twiggy, Le Couperet), a new model who seemed to have infused fresh life into his father. It was not long before Jean too became enchanted with the carefree woman. The biggest enjoyment for me in this film was imagining I was actually watching a part of Renoir’s life. I thought the actor was excellent in showing and creating the beauty that was all around him despite his physical agony. There was not much substance to the story; the film felt more like a painting that was coming to life. Sitting in the movie theater, memories of me walking around that art museum came to mind. I was mingling and sitting among gifted artists. French with English subtitles.
3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Priceless
A funny movie that captured the screwball comedy genre of the 1930’s and 40’s, I got a big kick from watching this DVD. The setting was the French Riviera where seated at the hotel bar was Irene, played by Audrey Tautou (The Da Vinci Code, Coco Before Chanel), celebrating her birthday. Her companion, a much older wealthy gentleman, had fallen asleep in their hotel room. You see, beautiful Irene was a gold digger. Spotting the well groomed Jean, played by Gad Elmaleh (Midnight in Paris, The Round Up), she believed she found a younger replacement for her aging boyfriend. Plus it did not hurt that Jean, a bartender at the hotel, brought her up to one of the swanky suites, pretending it was his place. From this point on, the movie took off on a madcap game with Irene and Jean as the contestants. I thought the chemistry between the two stars was flawless, along with Gad’s impressive comedic timing. There was something about his demeanor and facial expressions that reminded me of Buster Keaton. The film kept a steady level of zaniness and the reading of the subtitles was not an issue for me. It was a wonderful surprise to experience that old time Hollywood fun via France. French with English subtitles.
3 stars — DVD
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