Hey folks, Harry here - Tribeca is finally getting underway in earnest... and Sheldrake and all his regular Irregulars are sending in reports to make sure we're in on it... what ever that tantalizing it may be. To kick off this report Eli Cross serves up Matthew Vaughn, director of X-MEN 3, and his first film LAYER CAKE... rise up with your plastic forks and enjoy the read...
Eli here, all points to the hand!!!
The Tribeca Festival has started, from this wide eye sky view, and what looks to be some promise from the past and the present, there are four different looks all with a look into both as well as a small fraction of the future.
LAYER CAKE
2.35:1
When Matthew Vaughn produced films for Guy Ritchie, this viewer is sure in the back of his mind that he would do a crime film of his own that can stand up or one up and in this case on his feature film debut, he does a bit of the latter in a tale that is sweet and tasty but can be deadly at the same time. No matter where you slice it, it still remains an intriguing piece of Layer Cake.
It's a small link into the food chain of cocaine and a man (Daniel Craig) gets paid a lot of money and has set aside enough for himself in this dirty business to seperate from it. Before he does that, he gets caught up in some unfinished business that involves all that is around them and, through it all, makes it difficult to make his retirement a reality.
It's complex, and it has it share of curveballs but one thing to note is that it is gutsy structurally as Vaughn makes sense of the random acts people make in this film. When one thing doesn't make sense, as one character says, all it takes is patience and if you stick with it everything will figure itself out.
Out with a boom and in with a bang, Layer Cake is tasty enough without lacking bite. It opts to have a wider scope than Guy Ritchie and some ambition in a style of a David Fincher (which is very evident in the opening moments of the film that can be a tip of the hat to Fight Club).
Daniel Craig makes a cold yet interesting character that has hit the big time but finds it not so big when getting out is tougher than pulling off the job itself. The other associates in his world, like Colm Meaney and Michael Gambon, chew the scenery very nicely and add another layer to this complicated package.
I didn't know how the whole thing was going to finish but whether you like it or not, as sweet as Layer Cake can be, it certainly doesn't lack bite and does so in a most delicious way.
THROUGH THE FIRE
1.85:1
A long time ago in a NY borough far far away, a young basketball player from Coney Island had dreams of making it to the NBA. His name is Jamal Telfair. When it came time to enter into the draft, he was ignored and left in a standstill of what to do next in what he loved. Meanwhile, his younger brother Sebastian made waves of his own as a basketball player in high school and every team in his league and in college wanted a piece of Sebastian. As Jamal was making a name for himself internationally, Sebastian has the same predicament as Jamal when an interest in the NBA comes into place. With Jamal's disappointment as a college player looking to go pro, Sebastian has to make a choice as to whether he wants to go to college and build up to the draft or directly go for the NBA and take his chances.
I couldn't have imagined a more fitting way to open up the documentaries of this festival than a solidly true underdog story. As a former basketball coach myself, I can relate to the loss of a chance and having a taste of victory and the agony of defeat. I noticed here was somebody special who was not going to let anything get in his way of his dream and that the lesson he learned from his brother will work to his advantage proving that anyone can learn more from their mistakes than their successes.
This is a very good film that has an energy that is felt throughout the entire piece. Whether it's the motivation of any other game or the disappointments or obstacles in life, if you can come through it on two feet and say that you can do it, it is possible. No matter whether this kid plays on a rival team it will be very interesting to see where he goes to from here. The ending leaves room for another chapter in this family's life and I'm very interested to see where that path will go. Through the Fire is not only the title of one of my favorite Chaka Khan songs but also one solid documentary that burns bright without burning out it's whole package.
MY SISTER EILEEN
2.35:1
From a new documentary to an older musical that some might not have heard of. Little did anyone realize that before Bob Fosse became a great director, he dabbled in acting and he co-starred in this romp about two sisters who move to New York for work. Ruth (Betty Garrett) dabbles as a writer and Eileen (Janet Leigh) tries her hand at acting. One is attractive and could get a job anywhere while the other feels that she will be a victim of being on her coattails and getting the lesser end of the bargain both at work and in the company of men. While both dream of a life outside their search, two men encounter them when they least suspect. Frank (Bob Fosse) a soda jerk is dazzled by Eileen's beauty while an unexpected meeting with an editor named Bob (Jack Lemmon) takes Ruth's breath away and so the complications of their lower living and constant struggle continue within 30 days of their lives.
This is a new CinemaScope speck cut print and the look of the film is great and for all it's great dance scenes and cheery musical moments, its silly but fun. It's also nice to note a few unexpected sights of television's future in this film for all you Bewitched and Dick Van Dyke fans out there. Through it all the sisters and their situations play out like a television show complete with happy resolved endings and all but the one setback to this film from being a great experience was on the print, there was this unbearable hum on the track that was distracting at some key moments in reel 2 and 3.
Nevertheless, despite that one unfortunate part of the viewing experience, My Sister Eileen is charming, entertaining and captivating to watch the Fosse choreography in it's early stages before life becomes the cabaret of all that jazz. It is a good time and enough to well appreciate all its charms with all of the past on leads.
ALL WE ARE SAYING
1.85:1
Actress Rosanna Arquette set out to interview 50 musicians in her quest of the love of music and the people involved with it. What she got out of it were a lot of takes on what the future holds for music in terms of downloading and the genres that once were dominant were put off to the side in hopes that another day can see another rise.
What's interesting about this particular film is that in it's appearance it looks like the influence of rock from the rock and rollers who had been there. What it turns out to be is an honest approach to show that music for what it's worth is not what it used to be but what it might become and it is seen from many genres from punk to rock to country to alternative. They don't all come to the same conclusion and all don't all have the same stories to tell, but what they have to say is that there is a lot that feeds into their music and through it all, the work matters and the music is their lifeline.
It is like a dream of Arquette's where it doesn't have a clear beginning and it doesn't have a clear ending but what is in the middle is as far from the Behind The Music approach and can be effective without the mix of conversation and performance. Everything is talk and what these musicians have to say whether it's few or many words says a lot of what they feel. There are funny moments and there are serious moments but these musicians care and no matter which way they view it, it isn't spread with sugar and it isn't plastered with makeup. It's real enough and it's good enough. All We Are Saying is a good piece that says a lot and it can be heard very well by this viewers ears and very clearly.
To all that have come in Eli's path, thank you for your company
...and so the ride goes on and on if only for another 22 SECONDS!!!!
EliCross
