Category Archives: Basically Sad

2002, Basically Sad, Crime, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Drugs, Gangs, Gloomy, Redemption, Revenge, Violent, Wonderful acting

25th Hour (2002)

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From NetFlix:

Monty Brogan has 24 hours to spend with his two best friends and his girlfriend before he’s sent to prison for seven years for dealing drugs. Spike Lee directs this meditative drama set in post-9/11 New York.

Edward Norton does it again! His portrayal of a drug dealer, Monty Brogan, facing a seven year black hole of almost certain prison sexual abuse is powerful, unflinching, sympathetic and pitch perfect. In fact, some good part of his open expressions of fear center around that sexual abuse, so much so that towards the end (no spoiler) he addresses that problem in a unique way. What was “sympathetic” in his presentation was his openly tearful regret for having taken such a wrong turn in his life, a decision that is next to impossible to correct.

He interacts meaningfully with:

  • Philip Seymour Hoffman as his friend Jacob Elinsky. Hoffman is perfect as a repressed man ashamed of his position as a trust-fund baby.
  • Barry Pepper is wonderful as his other best friend Frank Slaughtery who loves Monty but says that Monty ruined many lives with those drugs and deserves his punishment. He played Lucky Ned Pepper in True Grit.
  • Rosario Dawson played Monty’s girlfriend Naturelle Riviera. She played Connie in Unstoppable.
  • Brian Cox plays Monty’s father James Brogan. He was Argyle Wallace in “Braveheart”.

Because the plot, characters, and acting are all so good, I consider this film a

DO NOT MISS!

1999, Acceptable Trash, AIDS, B-movie, Basically Sad, Crude Talk, Disturbing Image, Dysfunctional Lives, Explicit sex, Gay theme, Gloomy, Imperfect, Love Story, Mediocre, Sex Scenes, Unusual

The Velocity of Gary (1999)

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From NetFlix:

Though they’re rivals for the love of a bisexual porn star named Valentino, an aimless hustler and a volcanic waitress must find a way to set aside their differences as Valentino gradually succumbs to the AIDs virus.

If you are a Vincent D’Onofrio fan, then you are already used to abnormal behavior. In this poorly written film you get to see known stars at an early stage in their careers: VinceD’Onofrio (“Law and Order: Criminal Intent”), Thomas Jane (“Hung”), Salma Hayek (“Desperado”), and Ethan Hawke (“Gattaca”).

This review of a poor film is NOT a recommendation. But if you really want to see D’Onofrio and Jane engaging in French kissing, be my guest. Who would have thought?

2011, Acceptable for children, Basically Sad, Child Molestation, DO NOT MISS, French, Quiet, School Teacher, Suicide, Wonderful acting

Monsieur Lazhar (2011)

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From NetFlix:

When an Algerian immigrant seeking asylum in Montreal takes a position replacing an elementary school professor who committed suicide, he finds that his own secret, tragic background enables him to help the children with their loss.

As far as I am concerned, the major theme of this story is the cold adult-student separation enforced by teachers’ fear of being accused of something. You CANNOT hug a child student.

As you watch this quiet, thoughtful, well-acted film you will come to understand how this theme relates to the young woman who committed suicide and to the guilt felt by certain students.

Somewhat secondary as a theme is that life is just not fair. You must see the entire film to understand why I say that. This is NOT a feel-good film.

Relax as you watch this film in French with optional English subtitles. Nothing terrible happens. Expect to be charmed by the students’ interaction with Monsieur Lazhar and saddened by certain turn of events. Expect a wonderful, warm film.

Do Not Miss!

2011, Based on a Book, Basically Sad, British, Imperfect, Love Story, Mediocre, Melodrama, Not Feel Good, Orchestral Music, Quiet, Sex Scenes

The Deep Blue Sea (2011)

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From NetFlix:

This remake of the original 1955 film, adapted from a Terence Rattigan play, stars Rachel Weisz as a wedded woman who falls hard for a younger man. Her determination and emotional obsession lead her into tragic conflict with the morals of the day.

Up to a certain point good acting made the story interesting enough to watch. But in a pub scene disappointment set in. Have you ever seen an amateur production in which the actors are unable to deliver a strong emotion without recourse to yelling? At this point my opinion of Rachel Weisz as an actor fell quite a few notches.

Both Simon Russell Beale as the affectionate but dull husband and Barbara Jefford as his insufferable, snobbish, and cruel mother did a wonderful job.

Tom Hiddleston, the lover, you may recall as Loki in “The Avengers” or as Capt. James Nicholls in War Horse (2011).

At least we had the sobbing violins to tell us when something sad was happening.

Try some other film.

2011, Basically Sad, Psychological Drama, War Veterans

Return (2011)

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From NetFlix:

After a tour of duty in the Middle East, Kelli expects her life to return to normal when she rejoins her husband and two children at home. But she finds herself unable to fit in as she realizes her family and friends have changed during her absence.

Undoubtedly Kelli’s experiences when she returns from war to civilian life are typical for many. Today (May 28, 2012) in the newspaper I read that 46% of all returning vets are applying for disability. As in any war the physical and mental damage to the returning veterans is extensive and horrific. Today we (supposedly) pay more attention to their problems.

HOWEVER, the NetFlix summary in my opinion is incorrect. Rather, it is Kelli herself who has changed and seems to refuse to re-enter her former life. Yes, her drunken friends seem stupidly superficial. Yes, her factory job seems boring and pointless (but wasn’t it always?). But her husband, played by Michael Shannon (the psychotic father in Take Shelter (2011)), is a hard-working, dedicated, caring person. She simply rejects him without our knowing why. She quits her job, drinks too much, is convicted of a DUI, and becomes promiscuous. Never mind that it gets worse. My complaint with this film is that it just portrays one of today’s common life patterns without ever delving into the “why”.

Finally I just lost sympathy for the poor lost soul that Kelli becomes. Such a downer! You are warned!

2011, Acceptable for children, Based on a Book, Based on true facts, Basically Sad, Bullying, DO NOT MISS, Race Relations, Wonderful acting

The Help (2011)

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From NetFlix:

In 1960s Jackson, Miss., aspiring writer Eugenia Phelan crosses taboo racial lines by conversing with Aibileen Clark about her life as a housekeeper, and their ensuing friendship upsets the fragile dynamic between the haves and the have-nots. When other long-silent black servants begin opening up to Eugenia, the disapproving conservative Southern town soon gets swept up in the turbulence of changing times.

After viewing this film for about 15 minutes I was glued to my seat while cringing and steaming the entire time at the Southern culture of that civil rights era in the Jim Crow south. At first I almost decided to stop watching because surely those self-centered, empty-headed, racist Southern belles were only some caricature invented by Hollywood. Even so, just watching their superb performances was enough to set my blood boiling. That probably means the actresses were doing their job well.

Despite the tension throughout the film, I will spoil you only by saying that if you persevere you will finally feel happy.

Somehow I would like to know if Mississippi has changed (without having to visit Jackson). Mississippi is often cited these days as the worst state in the union. Here are just a few statistics from the US census bureau:

  • Black population 37.0% (12.6% US)
  • High school graduates (over 25) 79.6% (85.0% US)
  • Bachelor’s degree (over 25) 19.5% (27.9% US)
  • Median household income $37,881 ($51,914 US)
  • Persons below poverty line 21.2% (13.8% US)

Baltimore has always been split between northern and southern sympathizers. In my childhood in Baltimore I had many racist friends and close relatives. Hence I need to avoid feeling smug about those “ignorant” southerners.

Kathy says the book, which I have not yet read, was wonderful. As far as this film is concerned:

DO NOT MISS THIS FILM !!!

2002, Basically Sad, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Love Story, Magic Realism, Quiet, Redemption, Sex Scenes, Slow, Unusual

Till Human Voices Wake Us (2002)

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From NetFlix:

Dr. Sam Frank is haunted by his first love, an unforgettable romance that ended in loss and terror. Years later, he’s become an expert in the psychology of repression but remains a loner. Then, a beautiful stranger on a train changes everything.

At the end of this quiet, slow, sad love story, do not expect everything to have made sense. Just appreciate the parallel between Sam’s boyhood first love and his encounter as an adult with Helena Bonham Carter. Expect a semi-happy ending of acceptance with a bit of magic realism thrown in.

2009, Basically Sad, Crime, Detective, Imperfect, Italian, Love Story, Nudity, Plot Twist, Quiet, Sex Scenes

The Double Hour (2009)

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From NetFlix:

In the wrong place at the wrong time, Sonia takes a bullet to the head during an art robbery. She survives, but later finds herself haunted by visions. Her mysterious past, meanwhile, comes to light under the watchful eye of a suspicious policeman.

Unfortunately the plot of this Italian film (with non-optional subtitles) is somewhat flawed. Sonia’s double life does not really work or even matter to the film except in some trivial details. For the following reasons this film might be worth viewing:

  • There are some surprise plot twists.
  • All the actors do a good job at their craft.
  • Ambivalence and an underlying sadness lend some urgency to the plot.
  • Listening to an easy Italian is fun.

Nothing special, but I enjoyed the film.