From a re-imagined novel to the life of a cult writer through the eyes of a cult director to a celebration of a madcap Miss World competition, the film reviews on The Arts Desk this week cover a wide spectrum.
A documentary charting the story of the Alternative Miss World competition, 'The British Guide to Showing Off' was one of the more offbeat movie releases this week. Compiled from early archive fragments and more recent TV and personal footage, director Jes Benstock has fashioned the story into a glowing scrapbook-style piece.
'Sun Flower and the Secret Fan' is essentially a chick flick attempting to be something more. Two parallel stories are told - one in the modern day and one in the 19th century - of laotang, the special best friendship between two women, pre-arranged from birth. Though beautifully filmed, the movie cannot reach beyond its tired formula and proved to be particularly disappointing.
Andrea Arnold's take on Emily Bronte's classic novel 'Wuthering Heights' is tackled with a degree of authenticity but traditional period drama is eschewed and it is largely unsuccessful. One of the main disappointments of the film is that Arnold largely dispenses with dialogue, despite the power of the novel's language. Hand-held cameras are used and the only soundtrack is provided by the savage winds.
In his pre-LSD days in the early 1960s when he was a talented, eager young journalist, an affectionate homage to the Hunter S Thompson can be seen in 'The Rum Diary'. Overall, the film seems to be unsure of itself and the tone is quite slapstick rather than elegiac as in the novel. The lead role is played by Johnny Depp but his performances seem to be becoming mere caricatures.
Graham Fuller took a fresh look at Wim Wenders' 1982 neo noir 'Hammett' in this week's DVD releases. With a distinctive Wenders feel, the film is an absolute gem, humorous yet melancholy, with a dark and claustrophobic atmosphere.
A documentary charting the story of the Alternative Miss World competition, 'The British Guide to Showing Off' was one of the more offbeat movie releases this week. Compiled from early archive fragments and more recent TV and personal footage, director Jes Benstock has fashioned the story into a glowing scrapbook-style piece.
'Sun Flower and the Secret Fan' is essentially a chick flick attempting to be something more. Two parallel stories are told - one in the modern day and one in the 19th century - of laotang, the special best friendship between two women, pre-arranged from birth. Though beautifully filmed, the movie cannot reach beyond its tired formula and proved to be particularly disappointing.
Andrea Arnold's take on Emily Bronte's classic novel 'Wuthering Heights' is tackled with a degree of authenticity but traditional period drama is eschewed and it is largely unsuccessful. One of the main disappointments of the film is that Arnold largely dispenses with dialogue, despite the power of the novel's language. Hand-held cameras are used and the only soundtrack is provided by the savage winds.
In his pre-LSD days in the early 1960s when he was a talented, eager young journalist, an affectionate homage to the Hunter S Thompson can be seen in 'The Rum Diary'. Overall, the film seems to be unsure of itself and the tone is quite slapstick rather than elegiac as in the novel. The lead role is played by Johnny Depp but his performances seem to be becoming mere caricatures.
Graham Fuller took a fresh look at Wim Wenders' 1982 neo noir 'Hammett' in this week's DVD releases. With a distinctive Wenders feel, the film is an absolute gem, humorous yet melancholy, with a dark and claustrophobic atmosphere.
About the Author:
Steve Alexander is a writer who enjoys reading the latest film reviews in the UK. For more information and film reviews, visit theartsdesk.com.
