CINEMA REVIEWS
BY JOHN CAMPBELL
STARS
BY LILITH
FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD
Hands up anybody who is still amazed by the technicoloured yawn of CGI. In this unspeakably dreary, convoluted and barely watchable blockbuster we are not so much wrapped in it as bludgeoned by it. The movie is the second instalment of an intended series of five (depressing, isn’t it?), which are meant to provide the back-story of the Harry Potter epic. Out of curiosity, I read the first of JK Rowling’s wizarding novels at the time of its publication and thought of it as a fantastical re-imagining of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five. I was astonished by the phenomenon that it evolved into, but can’t see how those kids who were Hogwarts devotees would be, as grown-ups, interested in going back in time to explore the pre-Harry days – unless Rowling, who hardly needs the money, wrote the screenplay aiming to win a whole new generation of fans. To be fair, it is visually pleasing prior to the smoke and mirrors taking over, when the action is set in Paris between the wars. In muted, warm tones and with the City of Light’s cobbled streets and cafes, it is easy to be lulled into thinking that director David Yates might be ushering us into a charming period piece – until, that is, the players produce their little magic wands, like chopsticks that they’ve pinched
from the local Chinese diner, and start pinging bizarre creatures and each other with jets of flame. How exciting – not. Newt Scamander (Eddy Redmayne) is the freckled hero; Jude Law, of whom we don’t see enough, is the éminence grise at Hogwarts; and the ridiculous Johnny Depp is the bad guy, Grindelwald. Around them swirl a plethora of not very well defined characters and what I took to be a pet platypus, except it does not have webbed feet. Carmen Ejogo and Zoë Kravitz provide agreeable eye-candy, but emotional connection is minimal and the jumpy narrative is incoherent. Obsession with visual effects and big noise reduce the whole to a shambles.
THE CHILDREN ACT If you can remember Ian McEwan’s novel Enduring Love (adapted for the screen in 2004), you will have some idea of the strange emotional territory that veteran director Richard Eyre’s new movie explores. This time, McEwan has also written the screenplay of his book, and if it’s not as unnerving
EXCLUSIVE: DIRECTORS Q&A AND
SCREENING WITH JOCELYN MOORHOUSE AND P.J. HOGAN. MURIELS WEDDING AND THE DRESSMAKER. SATURDAY DECEMBER 14TH.
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THUR 29TH NOVEMBER
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as Enduring Love (the ‘lover’ is harmless, rather than psychotic), it is in every other way just as absorbing. The peerless Emma Thompson plays Fiona Maye, a family court judge who, over the years, has let her job become her life, to the detriment of her marriage to university lecturer Jack (Stanley Tucci). When the case comes before her of seventeen-year-old Adam (Fionn Whitehead), who, with the assent of his parents as Jehovah’s Witnesses, steadfastly refuses a blood transfusion that will save him from certain death, she must decide whether or not, because he is still a minor, she should overrule his wishes. It is a complex question that involves the law, religious freedom, and the dignity of the individual. To help her arrive at a betterinformed conclusion, Fiona visits Adam in hospital. The boy is immediately taken with My Lady and when she sings WB Yeats’s Down by the Salley Gardens to him it is as though he has been cast under a spell. As a pivotal moment in the drama, it is sublime (Eyre did something similarly transfixing with Kate Winslet singing A lark in the clear air in 2001’s Iris). As smitten as the boy is, so too is Fiona suddenly susceptible to the ‘human condition’ that we cope with on a daily basis – her marriage is crumbling and the bench, from which she views the world on high, is no longer a safe harbour from the storms of the heart. It is a beautiful performance from Thompson, subtly exposing the frailties and uncertainties of a woman whose career has been built on inner strength and clarity of vision. Whitehead impresses as the dreamer while Tucci, as always, is rock solid. A must see.
WHILE THIS WEEK’S SUN AND JUPITER IN ENERGETIC SAGITTARIUS POWER FULL-FORWARD AHEAD, MERCURY INSISTS ON DOUBLE CHECKING DEETS, TWEETS, DATES, RATES, POSTS, AND COSTS…
ARIES: We’re in a cycle of communication snafus so before arcing up, stop, reflect and review: it’s easy for anyone to misremember when there’s a lot going on. Own any part you may have played in contributing to glitches, and if others need to have the last word, let them – your peace of mind’s more important.
LIBRA: Mars in your house of multitasking mania could activate your perfectionista streak this week, so if you’re starting to find fault lines in end-of-year arrangements, best put Venus the speechsweetener in charge. It’s really easy to overspend at the moment, so ban yourself from late-night online shopping sprees.
TAURUS: Collaboration’s the name of this week’s game, when misunderstandings multiply and two heads are definitely better than one for reality checks – ideally from a trusted other who’s uninvolved in the situation. Don’t be shy to talk shop at end-of-year socialising: a little strategic schmoozing could achieve quite surprising results.
SCORPIO: Best not make waves this week, or overreact to others seemingly intent on muddying the waters. And pause before making accusations: the mistake (red face) could end up being yours. But even with misjudgments and sparky arguments, November ends on a high note with Jupiter, planet wonderful, working some financial magic on your behalf.
GEMINI: Although it seems counterintuitive as the silly season busies up, Mercury retro’s the most important time to slow down, because it’s when most mistakes are made, and who needs the added stress of damage control at this time of year? Acknowledging you can’t be in two places at once is a good start. CANCER: Just as Venus gets clear, Mercury goes murky, but current friend and relationship spits and spats are only temporary course corrections, with astral x-factors of grace working on your behalf. Getting some serious stress-management strategies in place for the season of unreason is this driven week’s number one focus. LEO: While the current starry scenario could see a troublesome ex pop up, family drama erupt, or work restructure bring unwelcome news, don’t panic. The creative chemistry of Mars allows you to ride rogue waves of change in Leonine style, and choose from the new range of opportunities opening up for you. VIRGO: It’s always best to have an alternative plan B up your sleeve, and especially during this week of Mercurial mayhem. You care about details, but if the small stuff starts causing rifts, shift your focus to big-picture thinking. If that means totally reworking plans, then make them easier and more fun.
SAGITTARIUS: Raring to go while existence seems to be dragging its heels in slow mo? Or are your hooves flagging? Whatever, it’s still necessary to press Pause before sealing deals or agreements you haven’t entirely researched or thought through. Tempted to overshare? Be aware of not mangling others with the truth hammer. CAPRICORN: With assertive Mars in your communications centre coming on strong and Mercury retrograde, this week’s people may misinterpret your motives or where you’re coming from. Don’t take this personally, make assumptions, act on information without checking, or get upset about stuff: because the best things in life aren’t things. AQUARIUS: Accelerator Mars in go-ahead mode can make this a successful week, but stressful as well unless you gear down and pace yourself. So proofread texts, posts and emails before sending, check arrangements and backup data. And perhaps pause before telling it like (you think) it is – others may vehemently disagree. PISCES: With your planetary ruler Neptune swimming forward in Pisces, this week’s choreography is the Learning Curve. Starting with boundaries, and recognising that what’s fine for you might not be for somebody else. When socialising this week, read the room, assess the psychic climate and be sensitive to people’s personal borders.
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