july book and film review

BOOKS

THE GIFT OF THE MAGI AND OTHER STORIES, by O Henry. The language and style of these stories have dated somewhat in the 100-plus years since they were written, but O still teaches how it is done: good characterisation, a narrative that sucks you in then delivers a surprise ending almost in the last sentence. If you only want to try one, then read the story from which the book derives its name: it's an absolute gem.
PARIS STORIES, by Mavis Gallant. Gallant's stories are much subtler than O Henry's with layers of meaning unstated in the text, but floating in the air around the story. Absorbing.
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S and other stories, by Truman Capote. The story that brought the attention of the world to Capote's great creation, Holly Golightly. Quite simply, a minor masterpiece. And the other stories, especially "House of Flowers" are a delight too.
THE SONG OF ROWLAND (French, anon, early 12th century) In the 8th century, Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne and his trusty lieutenant Rowland clash with a Moorish army intent on occupying France and converting all Europe to Islam. An epic tale of valour and betrayal that they ought to make into a Hollywood blockbuster. One is immediately drawn into an alien and frightening world, which continues to hold its grip on the reader even 800 years after it was first set down on paper.
FINNEGAN'S WAKE, by James Joyce (Naxos audiobooks, read by Jim Norton) Well known as one of the most impenetrable books of the 20th century, this is perhaps a reasonable taster for the real thing. It may be abstruse or even apparently gobblydegook at times, but it is also extremely funny and moving. Jim Norton's gentle Irish brogue brings the narrative to life, while the listener settles into a world of delight and confusion.
My best FW story: a friend, an eminent man of letters who read classics at Oxford, told me the only person he'd ever met who'd read it all the way through was the night porter at Merton Collage. Sweet...

FILMS

SALT (2010) D-Philip Noyce. Angelina Jolie plays one of those communist sleepers (remember the Manchurian Candidate?) but exactly whose side is she on? It's a slick, high-end actioner, but the end result is essentially sterile.
FLASHPOINT (2007) D-Wilson Yip. In pre-handover Hong Kong, cop Donnie Yen fights the evil drug dealers. The new Bruce Lee he ain't, but if you like a lot of highly authentic-looking kicking and punching, you'll like this a lot.
THE TURNING POINT (1979) D-Herbert Ross. A prima-ballerina is approaching her sell-by date, while her friend, who abandoned her dancing career to raise a family, compare notes. With a stellar cast (Shirley Maclaine and Anne Bancroft) and a top director, this should have been excellent, but it seems strangely dated today. Only the scenes of the actual performances, especially when the incomparable Baryshnikov is on screen, still shine.
CENTRAL STATION (1998, Brazil)D-Walter Salles. A woman befriends an abandoned child, and for reasons unclear even to her, helps him search for his father. A touching little piece, beautifully realised.
MAN OF ARAN (1934) D-Robert Flaherty. In the remote Aran islands off Ireland's west coast, a family ekes out an existence that hasn't changed much for a thousand years. One of the first "mocumentaries", this moving, highly naturalistic film was enormously influential in the development of the documentary film. Amazing.
THE DEVIL, PROBABLY (1977) D-Robert Bresson. A young man tries politics, psychotherapy and even the Catholic church in his search for meaning, but despite the fact that a number of very good-looking women seem to find him irresistible, happiness remains elusive. One of Bresson's best, with his usual slow-motion style nonetheless gripping the attention throughout.
SHE DONE HIM WRONG (1934)D-Lowelll Sherman. A good-time girl gets mixed up with the mob, while an incredibly youthful-looking Cary Grant can't take his eyes off her. But is he everything he seems? Early Mae West vehicle which showcased her talent as the wise-cracking vamp who's smarter than everyone around her. Watchable.
THE VIRGIN SPRING (1959) D-Ingmar Bergman. A family of devout Christians live out their lives in rural Sweden, but their adopted daughter makes secret offerings to Odin... Tremendously atmospheric piece from the master. Unmissable.
RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE (2010) D-PWS Anderson. From the sublime to the... One of those movies that has spun off from a computer game, and it shows. Most notable for its strong female leads (Milla Jovavitch and Ali Larter) who don't need no men to prevail against evil.
IT'S COMPLICATED (2009)D-Nancy Meyers. Yes, and a bit boring too. Streep has been distinguishing every movie she's been in for 3 decades, but even so I found this over-long and pleased with itself.
TAMARA DREWE (2010) D-Stephen Frears. A novelist and his wife rent their house to aspiring writers, but then their own behaviour begins to provide material as well as B and B for their guests...Based on Posy Simmonds' graphic novel, this is the kind of film we Brits do well. Good acting, writing and directing make this a perfectly satisfying and undemanding piece of light entertainment.