DVDs This Week
Pick of the Week
Stuart: A Life Backwards – It’s taken a while to make it to DVD but this excellent drama deserves some attention. Tom Hardy is outstanding at the eponymous homeless man befriended by a posh lad trying to write a book about his life. It’s a beautiful relationship that blossoms, even as Stuart’s life spirals out of control. Also read the book.
Also out
Nim’s Island – Not seen but a pretty unappealing looking Robinsons style desert island family comedy thing. Not interested I’m afraid.
Joy Division – A documentary companion piece to Control, Anton Corbjin’s account last year of Ian Curtis and Joy Division. A really decent piece of work that explores the origins of one of the most influential bands of all time.
Deception – Tawdry-looking slice of silliness which seems to have managed to drag in an array of talent (including Ewan MacGregor, Hugh Jackman and the wonderful Michelle Williams) for what looks to amount to a Channel Five late-night ‘adult-thriller’. No thanks.
The Last Mistress – If ever a meeting of minds was needed, it was Asia Argento and Catherine Breillat. Both agent provocateurs of the highest mind, this is the role where Argento is able to harness her feral sexuality and provide a performance to match her history. Breillat, often somewhat erratic in her explorations of the darker side of human personal life, finally also streamlines herself to provide a film to match her earlier, brilliant, piece, A Ma Soeur.
The Band’s Visit – Not seen but apparently a heart-warming and joyful piece of work. Will be seeing very soon I hope.
My Sassy Girl – Remake of the deeply strange Stephen Chow film from a few years ago, transplanted to America with Elisha Cuthbert. Deeply unappealing to me.
