October 2017 media review part 2

FILMS

DIE NIBERLUNGEN (1924) D- Fritz Lang
A young man is blessed by the Gods with invulnerability, except (there’s always an “except”, right?) for one little area on his body. As long as he keeps that secret, he’ll be fine. He falls in love with the daughter of the king, who returns his love with interest. But other high ranking courtiers aren’t best pleased by the match...
          It’s hard to know how much to reveal of the rather labyrinthine plot, which may in any event already be known to you. It is, after all, the plot of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, Germany’s most enduring myth. Suffice it to say that over the course of nearly five hours Lang produces one of  the greatest masterpieces of the silent era. Despite its length the time rips past as one great crisis after another develops and is then resolved, often in the most unpredictable manner. The cinematography is extraordinary, the acting exemplary and the whole experience, sublime.

SILENCE (2016) D- Martin Scorsese
A Jesuit missionary (Adam Driver) makes the brave, if foolhardy decision to convert medieval Japanese society to the way of the Lord. The authorities quickly apprehend him and insist he converts to their faith. An epic battle ensues. Will he give in, or hold out, even though his converts are horribly executed before his eyes? And what of another priest (Liam Neeson) who preceded him? Has he renounced his faith and embraced Buddhism? Or held out against all the torture?
Watch and find out.
            Scorsese, a devout catholic himself, had apparently been trying to make this film for years despite the naysayers who said it would never work, especially on this scale (it’s over three hours long). But he persisted, and the result is absorbing; highly atmospheric, deeply troubling and sometimes (as if often the case with this director) graphically horrific.

THE SETUP (1949) D- Robert Wise
A boxer (a terrific Robert Ryan in one of his strongest roles) in the twilight of his career is put up against an up-and-coming fighter who is an unknown quantity. The younger man is favoured by a local gangland boss who bribes Ryan’s manager to persuade him to take a fall. The manager is so convinced Ryan will lose he doesn’t bother telling him about the deal. And when the fight gets under way and it becomes clear Ryan is trying his hardest to win, the gangland boss is not best pleased...
          One of my perennial criticisms of movies, especially in the last few years, is that they’re too long. Silence (see above) is at least half an hour too long; indeed my wife thought a good hour could have been shaved off it. But here, in just 73 minutes, Robert Wise has been able to create a classic of film noir, tightly directed, superbly lit and featuring riveting performances from all the players involved, especially Ryan, who here turns in what he thought was one of his best performances on screen. Terrific stuff. Don’t miss it.

THE CHILDHOOD OF A LEADER (2016) D- Brody Corbet
France, 1919. The great powers are thrashing out the terms of the Versailles Treaty, and an American diplomat and his family are holed up in a requisitioned chateau while the discussions are taking place. But his son is causing at least as much trouble for him as the protracted negotiations...
          This young man is not a happy bunny. He hurls rocks at delegates emerging from church, throws tantrums at dinner parties and generally threatens to destroy the calm home life of the diplomat and his family.  A battle of wills develops, and as anyone who has children will confirm, these usually end in tears all round.
          Although it is never made clear, I think the idea is that this young man will go on to become some sort of charismatic fascist leader one day. In a way this is peripheral to the main story, which is: what is wrong with this troubled little boy, who on the surface is very easy to dislike, and what will happen next? What emerges is a fascinating piece of cinema, well acted and with a brilliant soundtrack to go with its dark themes of power and family disharmony. Intriguing...