The Writers' Resource

Fame is the drug of this era.  The paparazzi are both the villains and the pushers at centre in the celeb scene and raising the bar of exposé with every shot they take.  ‘Delirious’, (Dir.: Tom Di Cillo) another chance for Steve Buscemi to expand on the marginals of the world, tells of the uneasy friendship between a jealous and mediocre photographer (Buscemi) and a handsome homeless kid he takes in for a time.  The kid quickly finds a world to graft onto, almost in an ‘All About Eve’ switcheroo, but without the spite and malice.  In fact, Toby Grace (Michael Pitt) is altogether a nice chap.

This is a fun story well executed with all the frenzy that Tom DiCillo has established as his trademark.  Lots of laughs and escapism and people of the ilk of Elvis Costello playing themselves.  Yes, there are clichés a-plenty – the predatory older agent, the ingénue, uneasy star who takes an interest in Toby.

But it is fun from start to finish.

Opens today.

There’s a quiet, serene mood enveloping audiences when the closing credits roll on Jean Becker’s (son of the estimable Jacques Becker) ‘Conversations with My Gardener’. This is a clever, yet controversial, adaptation of Henri Cueco’s book and, as such, it has divided the French critics. Adaptations always do that, so I prefer not to read those comments and look at the film as an art form of its own. And it certainly does stand up. Why? The screenplay is almost, but not quite, a two-hander to the point that when other characters are involved, they feel a little intrusive. Actors playing the lead roles, Daniel Auteuil and Jean-Pierre Darroussin, engage in their most subtle and extraordinary performances to date. As the Eddie McGuires of the French movie scene, this pair is everywhere. So it was with a certain trepidation that I noted their attachment to this film even though I LOVE their work. However, the nuance-laden, small movements of say, an eyelid or cheek, marks this out for both men, the zenith of their acting careers. Cueco is somewhat of a Garrison Keilor of Europe, and his radio broadcasts are replete with the kind of sweet charm that runs throughout the film. It is perfectly captured from the first frame. Briefly the story is simple. A painter (guilty of a tad too much nude-model shagging) is on the brink of divorce. He leaves his Paris apartment for the quiet of his late mother’s Rhône-Alpes country home and, finding the garden has turned to a jungle, hires a local to clean it up. The gardener turns out to be one of his primary school mates and they share a prank-laden past. In adulthood, their paths are poles apart. But they share many bonds of common secrets and, fundamentally, an ethical view of life embodied more forthrightly in the life of the gardener. The script is deceptively simple, exploring philosophy, current issues and a gentle, moving plot. Through their quiet conversations, the strength of each moral code is revealed and the love and respect they share, is most touching. If you loved ‘Cinema Paradiso’, you will adore this. Here is a nice mix of diegetic and track music, beautifully placed. It has an honestly rare in the cinema today. Expertly directed and produced by the Beckers (Jean & Louis) each member of the crew excels and special note should be taken of the cinematography – Jean-Marie Dreujou. Add it to your list of ‘feel-good’ movies, take anyone who is feeling down. It is the kind of movie that takes you completely out of yourself. Wonderful! It will open November 11th at Cinema Nova, Classic Elsternwick, Palace Como, Palace Brighton Bay and Rivoli. WR.

I make it a rule not to read press kits till after I see a movie so that I don’t make allowances or bias my viewing experience, but it was with some trepidation that I trundled along to see ‘Outsourced’ thinking that it could be a cheesy Bollywood concoction.  Well, I was taken on an unexpected journey, the film’s sensitive script, beautiful casting of all roles and the whole darn directorial package adding up to a simply terrific movie experience.  I haven’t, frankly, been able to say that for a long time.  ‘Outsourced’, starring Josh Hamilton and the beautiful Ayesha Dharker, is directed by John Jeffcoat.  The story could seem a bit predictable (USA based call centre is outsourced to India, American chappie is sent there as a trouble-shooter and finds more than he bargained for) but it just isn’t at all.  Had ‘Crocodile Dundee’ had half the heart and charm of this film, I wouldn’t have curled my top lip at it quite as much.

So what makes this film work so brilliantly?

The gags are not laboured.  There’s that whole ‘fish-outta water’ thingy but it isn’t corny.  It’s more empathetic in delivery, from the cab gag, the accidental drinking of water through the Ice Kachang at the start to the deepening of the friendships throughout the learning curve of the call centre.  The personal growth aspect, so necessary in story effectiveness, is more than covered in the awakening of Mr. Toad’s character!

I don’t want to prejudice your enjoyment of this lovely small film, but I do think that the casting (by the amazing Ellen Chenoweth and Kathleen Chopin) was a key.  Look that double up on imdb.com.  They are queens of casting.  The script is great too which goes a long way towards assisting the actors to be so darn good.

Note that the film is independently distributed and will need some support here to crack the big time but the producers deserve it for the fact that, when given the chance to slick up this story, they seem to have opted to keep it honest.  The lovely touches of, for instance, the ‘leftover food on the wall’ gag, the character of Puro’s aunty and umpteen more, will have you smiling and laughing throughout.

‘Outsourced’ will have a limited run here, but maybe your interest in it could see the season extended.

It’s a real crowd pleaser without a shred of tackiness, but also has a lot that we love about Bollywood.

Opens November 1st at the Cinema Nova.