The London Film Festival

So, I feel bad about how haphazardly I produced my post on Amsterdam. It was written in between two things (a shower and a movie) and seemed really transitory. So I apologize. I will try to be more direct and precise with this one, which is about my wonderful time at the London Film Festival.

I suppose I should discuss the feeling of it, before getting down to the movies themselves. This was the first of my lone adventures (to come are solo trips to Brussels, Prague and Rome) and as such, was a learning experience, a lithmus test, if you will, for how well I do on my own. And I must say, if such determinations mattered, it was a success. The feeling of riding on a train by oneself, having no one expecting you, it's exhilirating. It goes the same for wandering the streets of London. When I arrived, I had the idea that I could get to Leicester Square from Liverpool Station by foot. I had directions, but they only got me as far as a couple of blocks from the station (I swear to you, if I didn't run into it much later in my trip I would be convinced that Shaftsbury Lane did not exist). Anyway, rather than becoming perturbed, I walked on. I knew vaguely the direction I was heading in, so I went that way. I realized that had I been with someone there would have been quite a hubub of "Where are we? Where are we going? What are we doing?" But I had two hours to kill before my first screening and it didn't matter. Walking was better than sitting around, idly. I have the legs for it. I could withstand a little exercise. And it became fun. Stressful, sure. But a sense of adventure coursed through me and a little adrenaline I'm sure. I perservered.

Now, I wish I could say that I got there all on my own, but that would be an exaggeration. As the hour of the film neared, I imagined that I was heading in the complete wrong direction and that all was lost and that I must, I simply must track down a taxi. I did, and after mispronouncing Leicester (Lie-chester versus Lester) and apologizing for my sheer Americanness, I found that it was only a 3 pound 50 cabfare away. I was that close. But I got there, and that's what's key.

At first, it wasn't much glitz or pomp or frills (that would start in the evening). My screening of 'Up in the Air" was a mellow affair and comforting and low-key. Same goes for my screening of 'Bright Star' right afterward. However, there was that feeling that I was surrounded by people who really and genuinely loved film. The conversations to be overheard before the hush-hush of the dimmed lights was alluring. People had strong opinions. I found that, unlike most of the film students at USC I hear discussing movies, there was no battle to be won, it was no pissing contest. It was simple, frank conversation. There were no big phrases like mise-en-scene or name dropping like, "This is obviously an homage to Godard." It was simple...and heartening for someone who very much loves the medium but hates the rigamarole. So maybe it's just you USC film students. Maybe it's all your fault. But I digress.

That night was the premiere of An Education, which is a really wonderful little film. So I got to see the much-buzzed-about Carey Mulligan. And hey, if she becomes an Oscar-winner this year, that's going to be something to say down the road. She is stunning and adorable and affable. But I was only on the sidelines, unfortunately. I wouldn't see An Education until the next day.

Also, I should probably mention that I wasn't entirely alone in my trip. The wonderful Prith housed and entertained me in the late evening hours. We wandered, tried to find Trafalgar Square, had a drink at a pub and went home. It was cool and a nice little reminder of home.

My second day I had a lot of time to myself, so I took in another movie: Zombieland, which was a nice change of pace from the other fare. Entertaining and not half-bad. Jesse Eisenberg's such a nice guy. I feel like other people (not me, because that would be weird) should start comparing him to me.

After my real London BMI Film Festival movies screened, I tried once more to navigate the three or four miles between Leicester Square and Liverpool Street Station. It was damn near impossible, I tell you, but I had even more time, so this go was successful. Score one for Ian!

Now to the movies:

Up in the Air - a really great simple film. It had been hyped so much and maybe I was expecting something different, but when it started I was a little disappointed. I think I was expecting something heavier or more profound. But don't be fooled. The film is as light as its title would suggest, and that's what is so damn good about it. It's got pluck. And I enjoyed the hell out of it. Oh, Anna Kendrick. If you get an Oscar nomination for this, I'm going to be so happy. She kicks the hell out of her role and is brilliant in that Anna Kendrick way. I wish it ended a little earlier than it did. It seemed to ramble on in its last twenty minutes or so. The end revelation seemed almost like a tacked on gimmick to me. But otherwise, it's fucking delightful.

Bright Star - So, here is the heavy stuff. It's quite long and sometimes dull, but it often alights on profundity and is visually stunning. It was sort of a tug-of-war with me on this one. I think some of it was a little bit overdone - almost too self-conscious. Also, I'm not a fan of the romance - not the typical romance at least. This one was just so well done that I can't much complain. It was beautiful and didn't fall into unnecessary cliches. There is a moment toward the end when there is a hug between the two protagonists on a bed which is shot from above and it is just a powerful combination of the performances, the placement of the camera, the art direction, everything. It was lovely.

An Education - I really really loved this one. Again, very simple, very precise. Nothing dressy or gaudy. It was just a small story and a couple of stunning performances. And quite a few laughs. Nick Hornby was the writer on this one, and I've got to say that the script is a powerhouse. I would have had the same "this was so built up, what's the big deal?" moment as in Up in the Air but I was prepared for it. You just have to decide to like it for what it is, not what people say about it. And it was just a great movie-going experience.

The Scouting Book for Boys - So this was the obscure one that I picked, and I got to go to the premiere, because the obscure premieres aren't sold out. For a bit of the story: the relationship between two very close friends who live in a trailer park is compromised when the girl (Emily) is told that she must go live with her father. The boy (David) helps her run away and brings food and clothes to the cave she takes shelter in. Outside, she is presumed kidnapped and revelations occur which rock the relationship between David and Emily (namely, that Emily has been sleeping with the much older security guard, Steve). This was a very dark film, but again, very subtle. For the most part, I think that it was a success. It was believable and despite the climax hinging on an act very close to the climax from Misery I felt it was very original. And it wasn't unwatchable as many tiny indies are. Many people could like this, which is why I say it is a success. I was not a huge fan, and it was all for one reason: the main character's acting. I really wanted to like it, and I don't know if this was a choice of the director of the actor, but all that the David character does is react to things with this deadpan "I'm disturbed" expression. There is so little of a change in his features throughout the entire film, that I was just tired of it by he end. I'm sure others hardly noticed it, but to me it was just like...if this character is just looking at things with a screwed-up face as though he doesn't understand what's going on, what is the point?