The Savages (black comedy)
Starring Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman as siblings Wendy and Jon Savage (note the Peter Pan reference) The Savages examines the universal fear of growing old. Wendy and Jon are forced to deal with this issue when their aging father Lenny’s health deteriorates and he’s diagnosed with dementia. Despite neither of them being to fond of dad due to an unhappy childhood situation, the pair take it upon themselves to attend to him daily at a nearby retirement home. Yes, I know what you’re thinking; “Oh no, not another dysfunctional family comedy, please lord noooooo.” Essentially I guess that’s what this is but The Savages surpasses that genre on many levels. The humour is black.
Nay, blacker than black and just the way I like it. The themes are confronting and bound to hit home given the sheer number addressed in the film (i.e. love, death, grief, commitment, success, intervention, companionship, family, loyalty, abandonment, faith etc). A small but superb cast only further compliment Tamara Jenkins’ stellar direction. It’s easy to see why Linney was nominated for an Oscar for this role earlier in the year. The Savages is showing in limited release but if you get the opportunity this is definitely a must see for 2008. I think it also has one of the best movie posters for 2008, kudos to the designer.
Hancock by Peter Berg
The next thing I hit up at the cinemas was director Peter Berg’s latest venture, Hancock. This was a disappointment because there was potential for a great, genre shifting film. Somehow it fell flat on its face despite Will Smith, Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman all delivering strong performances. I think the problems here come from a shiteous script with a ridiculous storyline and terrible TERRIBLE use of camera angles. Peter Berg what were you thinking?! You filmed the movie like you were some oily haired schmuck straight out of film school. WTF?The special effects were also craptacular and almost as bad as the pathetic CGI creatures in I Am Legend. Almost. Writers Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan underestimate their audience and the intelligence of comic book geeks when they threw together this dodgy script, despite a few funny one liners. Regardless Hancock went on to be another box office smash for Smith grossing upwards of $200 million. See Hancock at your own peril.