Handsome. Clever. Rich.

What is it about Emma Woodhouse that has everyone captivated? As the most adapted Jane Austen, she not only stands out from the other heroines for being the most unlikeable, but she is also the only protagonist to boast her own fortune and be from the ‘wealthier’ set. Of all the images of Emma we’ve seen, whether it is a modern day adaption set in Beverly Hills, multiple TV series in the Regency period, a web series where she is a life coach or even in present day Dehli, Emma is always the same captivating, cunning, interfering, somewhat elitist centre of the universe of whatever world she finds herself in.

Previously published at Vulturehound HERE.

Jane Austen adaptations seem to come around every few years or at least it feels like they do. Rarely with a new twist or new interpretation, they are usually set in the era they were written and with the announcement that, yes, another adaptation of ‘Emma’, Austen’s most adapted novel and heroin seen on the big, small and Youtube screen, is being made, you might stop and ask, do we really need another? However, with the release of the trailer a different attitude was taken. There is a quick smart wit shared between characters as well as the feeling that they are ‘in’ on the joke about what is happening, something missing from previous adaptations. In other words, this was not quite what was expected.

Emma; clever, handsome, rich is a self-proclaimed matchmaker after successfully bringing together her former governess and widowed family friend. She sets her sights on the naïve Charlotte who welcomes this new friendship and unaware of Emma’s matchmaking plans. This is all observed by Mr Knightly, Emma’s close friend and sometime confident, who warns her actions are not in Charlotte’s interest but her own. So goes another romantic comedy drama from the master storyteller, Jane Austen.

What sets ‘Emma’ apart from Austen’s other novels is the character Emma herself. Unlike all the other heroines who are impoverished or not wealthy but still part of the gentry, Emma is wealthy. While she does offer charity and want to help where she can, she is also somewhat unlikeable. Being vain, she looks down on people who don’t meet her standards, makes fun of those who are less fortunate and can be quite tactless. It is only through her friendship with Charlotte and thought of losing Mr Knightly does she start to see the error of her ways.

The approach to this fresh-faced adaption from director Autumn De Wilde is that everyone in the film is fully aware of the caricatures they are portraying. This makes all the amusing scenes and jokes ‘land’ instead of being hidden amongst heavy dialogue. Another aspect of the film which was welcome was the chemistry Emma and Charlotte, their friendship feels realistic and genuine, thanks very much to Anya Taylor-Joy and Mia Goth. Equally you actually feel the 'heat' between Emma and Knightly (Youtube series ‘Emma Approved’ also gets this chemistry, but its modern day so its slightly different circumstances) but you also feel the connection between Harriet and Farmer Roberts which is a new and again welcome exploration (again except in ‘Emma Approved’).

On the surface this may ‘look’ like any other Jane Austen, costume drama but there is a wit and open awareness that is unlike other versions that came before it. It’s a shame that the film wasn’t given a fighting chance at the box office, hopefully it will find an audience on home entertainment release and appreciated beyond the usual expectations of its genre.

Scenes From The Floor

It’s been a while since I film has affected me in such a way where I have physically wanted to scream out in anger at the screen. There are times where I do talk back to what is happening in the film or TV show but not with such rage. Kitty Green’s latest film has been seen as comment or a continuing response to the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement.

 

The film spans one day in the life of Jane, a junior assistant at a film production company. We see her day to day duties, how her co-workers treat her, interact with her and how everyone reacts to her boss, the head of the company, and his actions. The main event in the day is when Jane decides to go to HR as she suspects that her boss is harming young women.

 

Choosing to tell a story, probing the culture at a film company, from the perspective of an assistant shows what and how everyone else thinks. The film is more revealing of those who are compliant in the actions of one. Jane knows that something isn’t right and does what she thinks is the right thing to do but only 2 months into the job, she doesn’t know how the system works. She can’t trust anyone. But it’s her meeting with the HR manager where she is broken down and made to feel like she’s in the wrong, threatened and told how lucky she is to be there. There are cutting moments throughout but one that sticks with you until the end and beyond, is his final throwaway remark that she should be fine as she’s not his (her boss’) type. Saying that this film is just about the cases of sexual harassment would do the film disservice as its about showing how wide the net of silence goes and also how poisonous the industry is.

 

I’m worried that people who go to watch the film or rent it, stream it etc will go in expecting a suspenseful thriller and be confused or disappointed by what they see. The film is a thriller but it isn’t of the slow burn variety which it could be mistaken, there is no twist or surprise. It is a story, like so many others that I have yet to see on screen until now, where the tense atmosphere and uneasy feeling of on-coming dread can be felt in almost every scene. There are the small things that don’t build up, they stay in the memory. The feeling that something awful is happening or happened is never far away. The film is superb how it captures the exact feeling of what it is like to be an assistant in a film or TV company.

 

I have a personal connection to this film, only because I know exactly what it’s like to be in Jane’s shoes. It doesn’t matter how big the company is, you feel trapped. There seems to be an unwritten rule within these industries that you have to ‘do your time’ at entry level and be expected to be treated like dirt and be told that you’re lucky to be where you are. Thankfully, I’ve never worked anywhere (within film & TV) where I’ve suspected my managers of sexual harassment. Julia Garner is fantastic in what looks like an understated role but just from one slight flicker of her eyes, you know exactly what she’s feeling or thinking. I’ve been Jane making endless photocopies only to be told they are the wrong ones. I’ve been Jane cleaning up in the kitchen only to have the careless colleagues ignore me and leave a whole load of plates and cups for me to deal with. I’ve been Jane cleaning up a meeting room (how the hell do they make it so messy?!) only to have a group of people sigh in annoyance and block the door so I can’t get out. I’ve been Jane sending apology emails to managers when I really shouldn’t have. I’ve been Jane arriving first and not being allowed to leave until my boss wants to go home, even if its 11pm at night. I was always astounded by the behaviour from the senior staff members. They would let doors shut in people’s faces, request ridiculous things, expect things to be done whenever they snapped their fingers, it’s as if they had never been entry level or conveniently forgotten how to treat human beings. Their arrogance knows no bounds. These things may seem odd to connect to and specific to the film & TV world, but they are. These work places can be poisonous for some. Others thrive and can carve out a career, of course, after ‘doing their time’ first. But it’s the stories told from the perspective of the assistants, the interns, the entry level workers that are key.

 

I won’t go on about my own experiences as there are so many like mine, like Jane’s, that I’m sure these have been documented in books, online in new stories over decades but rarely have they been told on screen. The industries don’t like to show the truth about working in film or TV and I don’t mean on set. No one really cares. Apart from those who have lived it and either walked away or gone further in.

 

Close to Home

I usually steer clear of horror films that aren't thrillers and mystery but I like Mary J Blige and was hoping that this would do her justice. Unfortunately due to the current mood of the world, stories about police officers are probably not wanted and needed. So I will leave this up you if you want to watch this film. If you like the genre I'd say this was worth a watch.

Previously published on Vulturehound HERE.

The horror genre has very few places to go, either back to basics or stride forward with technology. This time, the horror comes at us from two angles, the known and unknown and it is all too familiar and very close to home.

When one of their fellow police officers is killed in an unusual and horrific way, Officer Renee Lomito-Smith (Mary J Blige) and her new rookie partner delve deeper into the incident and find some disturbing evidence linking to a cover up of police actions.

The line between cinematic and theatrical horror involving supernatural entities can be terrifying in itself but when it’s there to mask the real horror that we would hear about in the news or even worse, witness is far more terrifying. The everyday horror that you would be shocked by and believe it at the same time is unsettling which is what ‘Body Cam’ evokes, especially with the what is happening in the news currently. The assumption that there is going to be something eerie appearing on the body cam of the police officers or that suspicious footage will be captured leads up to the actual horror near the climax of the film and the title becomes more relevant than ‘just another found footage horror film’.

Stepping away from the politically charged message, this story is about a grieving mother trying to do her best in her job but becomes rattled by a disturbing case. The script is not the most electrifying, especially its dialogue but Mary J Blige does her best with the material given to her. Other characters, including Nat Wolfe as her rookie partner, aren’t fleshed out as much, reduced and deduced to stereotypical characteristics and given little more than a few lines and scenes of explanation. Even the suspected antagonist throughout isn’t given much explanation, only finding out about her through clues. A few more scenes with Anika Noni Rose with context would have been more beneficial for the story. The ‘traditional’ aspects of horror that occurs is strange and twisted, keeping us hooked on the investigation, guessing if this is all supernatural or has an edge of hard truth to it. Trying to include several topics; the loss of a child, grief, police brutality, supernatural elements and everyday horrors is a challenge throughout the film.

Watching Psycho

In all honesty, I don’t remember the first time I watched ‘Psycho’ but I know it was after I saw the 1998 remake. I was at a Halloween party, I think I was 15 or 16, I don’t remember the costume I wore but I know it was not a ‘sexy looking’ outfit. I went to an all-girls school and all the attendees of the party were girls so I didn’t have anyone to impress. As this was pre-Facebook days, I don’t have any photographs from that night. I say it was a party but really it was just a night of playing a few games and watching a ‘scary’ film while eating sweets. My memory is hazy so I don’t know what the other film choice was but I definitely had a hand in picking ‘Psycho’. This was because I thought it was going to be Hitchcock’s version. I was incredibly disappointed to find it was Gus Van Sant’s remake. On top of all that, it wasn’t particularly scary so most of the girls were annoyed and made fun of me for wanting to see it. It’s not as if I was the one who rented it from Blockbuster.

Growing up in a time when I’d only seen Vince Vaughn is mediocre comedies, seeing him as Norman Bates, one of the most famous characters in Hollywood film, seemed out of place and terribly miscast. I wrote in a post back in 2014 (please excuse my writing back then, I was still finding my style) that he was cast against type which is exactly that and upon reflection, is actually out of the box casting choice. He has that horrible disturbing laugh that fits in with the character’s mindset and you could easily believe, this guy is unhinged and definitely could be a killer.

Being ‘into film’ in secondary school was a like navigating a maze. I had to be into the films that everyone else wanted to watch, like ‘8 Mile’, ‘The Notebook’, ‘Honey’, ‘Notting Hill’, while also maintaining my edge of wanting to watch all genres of films from all eras. I read Empire while they all read Grazia and Heat. I am guilty of buying the latter on occasion but mostly, I read film and music magazines. I was and am an avid old movie watcher and probably only had one or two friends I could talk to about films so seeing the chance to watch and try and get a group of my peers to watch ‘Psycho’ was a big moment. I gave the remake a chance but I actually forgot most of it after the film ended. I asked my parents if we could get a copy of Hitchcock’s original. I think I had to wait 2 more years before I actually got to watch the film.

I’d seen other Hitchcock films and asked for a boxset for Christmas one year so I could devour as many as possible. ‘Psycho’ has always been one of those revered films that all the film critics, theorists and filmmakers say to watch only then to twist round a decade later and say its really awful. Usually. My personal experience of the film was as if I was learning how to make films and appreciate the story structure, as I had decided I wanted to go to film school. I was finally able to watch the film I knew so much about, seen clips and scenes from and able to piece together what made this film a masterpiece. Sometimes it takes a few viewings of a film to see how great or bad it is, but ‘Psycho’ is a film, for me, that I could see just how brilliant it was from the first viewing, even mentally removing the remake from my mind to make room for the occasion.

Like Something From A Novel

Often films about or centred around teenagers, are described as ‘coming of age’ which is a broad genre in itself, but this term is actually accurate and encompasses more than one way of coming of age for the main characters who each have their ‘demons’ to overcome, fears to face and strength to find.

 

Set in the 1960s, in a small, closed minded, religious town in Oklahoma, quiet, shy, introverted Iris is bullied by her peers on a daily basis as well as facing ridicule from her bitter mother. But when the charismatic Maggie joins her school, newly arrived from the city, the two soon becomes friends, giving Iris the courage, she needs. But a dark cloud hangs over Maggie’s head making her home life as well as her personal one difficult to control.

 

For a film that wasn’t adapted from a novel, the story really does play out and feel as if it were structured from a book first. Maybe it’s the setting, the period, the characters or the truth about why Maggie and her family had to move to a small town in the middle of nowhere. For a story that appears to be about people finding their voice or trying to accept who they are, there really is far more to unpack within the story. Even with the smallest of snippets from the ‘mean girls’ at the high school or from Iris’ mother getting drunk again and commenting spitefully on how her daughter looks, or when the town’s hairdresser, Hazel, reveals to have an equally mysterious past, they all piece together how the town perceives outsiders, as well as capturing the mindset of the time.

 

Although the town is filled with possible stereotypes, they are never over dramatized and equally give the main characters room to breathe. Both Kara Haywood and Liana Liberato as Iris and Maggie have great chemistry and each with their own individual character struggles bring a sense of innocence and wonder to the film. Lucas Jade Zumann as lone wolf and object of Iris’ desire, Jeff, deserves a special mention. He’s been racking up credits as the soulful genuine ‘good guy’ but isn’t getting the recognition you’d expect from his great performances.

 

Although this is director Martha Stephens’ fourth feature, it feels absurd that we haven’t heard more about her previous films. Premiering at Sundance last year, the film was set to be released this year but due to a world pandemic, that was changed, like so many other films. You can watch the trailer HERE and rent/buy the film on various different platforms, well worth the time and effort.

 

Unlike other stories in the coming of age drama, there is no solid conclusion, in fact there is further destruction and an open-ended mystery. Iris is given hope and we left feeling hopefully for hers and Maggie’s futures. If this was a novel, a possible sequel would be welcome.

To The Stars will be available on Digital Download from 1st June on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Sky, Virgin, Chili

 

 

For One Month Only

Seeing as we are all still in a state of unease and cut off from one another, I wanted to share something with everyone. For one month only.

Back in May 2017 a Kickstarter campaign was started to help fund a short low/no budget film 'Late Night at the Movies'. This was co-produced and co-directed (by me) from a story I had spent years writing. I'd always wanted to shoot in a cinema and write a story about a hitman (well, woman) and this was it.

Livien, a professional killer, who goes to the late night film screenings to unwind and hide away from her job, her clients and anyone else who is after her. Somewhere along the line she ended up working for an organization and signed the wrong kind of contract. Middleman Jack meets with her at the movies and tells what to do and where to go. At first this was an intrusion to her, at the place she calls her sanctuary, but over time Jack and Livien have become more than just colleagues. This complicates matters however, as Livien struggles with her feelings whilst trying to protect the one she cares about.

The film will be available to watch for one month. Its only 10 minutes long so hopefully this brings a spark of enjoyment to your day.

The film can be watched HERE. THIS FILM IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

Thank you to everyone who was involved and made this possible, especially to the person who has helped so many times, especially when I thought everything was literally falling to pieces, you saved the day.