32-33 Relationship Feature_final.indd - Out In The City

FLANDERS
FILMS OUT IN JULY
DIE HARD 4.0
SHERRYBABY
Maggie Gyllenhaal (sister of Jake) stretches her acting chops in this low-budget piece of American
indie cinema. She plays former heroin addict Sherry Swanson, an ex-con who’s determined to rebuild
her life and be a proper mother to daughter Alexis. However, life on the outside is much harder than
she anticipated, and her young daughter has already established a strong bond with Sherry’s brother
and his wife, who have been looking after the girl while Sherry was in jail.
Although bleak, this is an accomplished piece of filmmaking and Gyllenhaal turns in a suitably
authentic performance. Strangley though - given its subject matter - it doesn’t quite succeed in
delivering a truly emotional punch.
OUT: 27 JULY
***
THE BEST DVDS
JULY ’07
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
LETTERS FROM IWO
JIMA
OUT: 2 JULY
Director Clint Eastwood’s two
epics about the 35-day World
War II battle for the island
of Iwo Jima, told from the
viewpoint of the American
troops (Flags Of Our Fathers)
and the Japanese (Letters From Iwo Jima). The latter was
praised as the finer movie, but it’s probably best to view
the two films as companion pieces. Both examine the
human response to the horrors of war and the true nature
of heroism.
**1/2 FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
**** LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
THE ILLUSIONIST
OUT: 9 JULY
Edward Norton stars at the
titular magician in turn of the
century Vienna, who finds
himself reunited with his true
love. The only problem is that
she is now the bride-to-be
of the local crown prince,
who doesn’t take kindly to
Norton’s reappearance. With solid characters, old-fashioned
storytelling, and evocative cinematography, this deserves a
wider audience than its cinematic release enjoyed.
***1/2
SLEEPING DOGS
OUT: 16 JULY
Receiving only a very limited
cinematic release earlier
this year, this low-budget
production is our favourite
romantic comedy of the year
so far. Melinda Page Hamilton
plays Amy, the young teacher
who’s life is turned upside down
when she confesses to her fiancé her darkest secret – that
she once gave a blow job to a dog. Despite the rather gross
premise, this is a gently-paced, warm-hearted slice of
American indie cinema.
****1/2
VENUS
OUT: 23 JULY
A late career highlight here for
Peter O’Toole, who plays ageing
actor and Lothario Maurice.
His long-standing friendship
with fellow thespian Ian (Leslie
Phillips) is disrupted when Ian’s
teenage niece Jessie, played by
Jodie Whittaker, comes to visit.
O’Toole immediately falls under her spell, for although his
looks may have faded, his interest in the ladies remains
undiminished. A gently-paced but comic outing.
***
REVIEWS BY DAVID HUDSON