50th Post Guest Blog

It’s Been A Long Time General has reached the half century! To mark the occasion I present the first of a few ‘guest blogs’ First up, the esteemed Tom Pattison.

So Pete generously has given me quite a lot of leeway for the format. I thought I would offer my thoughts on two films. One that is not considered a 'classic' that I adore and another which is considered a 'classic' that I abhor (see what I did there?). So I'll start with a film few would consider anything special that I dearly love:

Reasons I should hate this film: It is a shameless cash in on the TV popularity of the lead star; It is an arguably unnecessary retelling of a story already portrayed many times before; The director's CV includes such prestigious works as The Sweetest Thing, Just Friends and Furry Vengeance.
Guessed it yet?

Cruel Intentions (1999, directed by Roger Kumble)

I first saw this film on what turned out to be quite an unusual trip to a tiny cinema screen in Bowness. It was slightly odd thanks to the make up of the group; two friends and my sister. I made it my policy during my teenage years to keep my hormone ravaged friends at a safe distance from my blonde, older sister.
On this occasion an exception was made due to a mutual desire to drool - the object of my sister's affection was the admittedly handsome Ryan Phillipe and it will come as no surprise that for three impressionable adolescent boys in 1999 the chance to see Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a sex obsessed femme fatale was one we dare not miss. Our motives then were entirely indecent and the quality of the film was frankly a very minor side issue.

Imagine my shock then when the film turned out to be really quite good, actually scratch that, bloody fantastic. I knew my estimations had been offensively low within the first few minutes. The opening shots of Manhattan from the air, following the Jaguar whilst Bryan Molko declares 'sucker love is heaven sent, you pucker up our passions spent' is superb and really sets the tone for the film. It will come as no surprise to regular readers of my blog that soundtrack is a big deal to me (my two favourite films of the last decade Cidade de Deus and Juno are testament to the fact). This film has an absolutely belting soundtrack which is used effectively to enhance each key point of the film - Colorblind by Counting Crows perfectly encapsulates the melancholic regret of the guilt-ravaged Sebastian and Bitter Sweet Symphony is the perfect accompaniment to the unveiling of Kathryn's meticulously manufactured public fraud. This film is unfortunately remembered by many for the lesbian kiss between Gellar and Blair.

This is certainly a necessary scene but the frat-boy approach at the time of MTV amongst others really overshadowed the film as a whole. Unfairly so as the film features some terrific performances; Phillipe is magnificent in his portrayal of Sebastian's uncomfortable transition from heartless rich boy to caring lover and Gellar is comparably good in reflecting Kathryn's unwillingness to accept it. The supporting cast also deserve recognition; especially the always excellent Joshua Jackson as Sebastian's deliciously caustic gay accomplice. You will no doubt remember Jackson as Pacy Witter in Dawson's Creek but you might not know that he was amongst a small group of actors considered for the role in Batman Begins which of course went to Christian Bale. The screenplay is tight and almost has a Shakespearean influence as the characters interactions are often short, witty, one-liners. The exchanges between Gellar and Phillipe are delivered with such relish it was clearly a script the actors enjoyed delivering. Another interesting factor to the film is the off-screen relationship of Phillipe and Witherspoon who were married at the time and very much viewed as the up and coming golden couple in Tinseltown. I am loathe to reveal too much of the script but the intimate scenes featuring the two far from being tittilating are remarkably tender.

Anyway I'm beginning to babble which is incredibly rude given this is someone else's blog so I will move on. To summarise, if you've never considered watching Cruel Intentions then do - it's excellent. As for the straight to DVD sequels, avoid like the plague.

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Reasons I should like this film: It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from many critics and friends who's opinion I respect; It stars a lead actor who's performances I have truly enjoyed in the past; It focuses on a period of history and subject matter I have a keen interest in.

What film do I speak of that I fully expected to love but would rather attend Anfield than sit through again?

There Will Be Blood (2007, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson)
Daniel Day Lewis is a frustrating actor - he is undoubtedly brilliant and his performances in My Left Foot and Gangs of New York mean he is rightly regarded as one of the best in his business. Where my frustration lies is his limited output; I love the Walkens, Pescis and Buscemis of this world who believe variety is the spice of life and see no shame in appearing in Billy Madison or Home Alone after Goodfellas and Reservoir Dogs.

Day Lewis has cultivated a mystique of only appearing in special motion pictures. However this is not why I have no time for TWBB. The reason I loathe this film is it is utterly consumed by belief in its own brilliance. Hubris is perhaps a hyperbolic description but after the first hour, as the pace dragged along, as shots lingered far longer than would be necessary under any circumstances I couldn't escape the feeling that I was expected to feel privileged and savour each minute of footage that I have been lucky enough to sit through. The script was laboured, the direction was self-indulgent and the performances were outrageously hammy. The oft-quoted 'bring me my milkshake' deservedly being derided by some as the nadir of this laborious chore of a movie. I could well be wrong for two reasons; perhaps it was actually a wonderful piece of parody of 'worthy' Oscar vehicles, or maybe I'm simply too stupid and uncouth to 'get' TWBB. But get it I did not. Day Lewis is a wonderful actor and perhaps the best thing that could happen was the failure of the similarly dreadful Nine, I believe he is an incredibly gifted character actor and hope he returns with something of the quality of Last of the Mohicans.

Similarly Anderson is a capable film-maker who deservedly received acclaim for the daring Magnolia and Boogie Nights. I just hope they steer well clear of one another. To return to my earlier derision of the mystique of Day Lewis, I firmly believe this to be the driving reason behind the fawning critical reception There Will Be Blood enjoyed.

Thanks again to Pete for inviting me to blog and please visit my own blog at listenwithdanger.blogspot.com for music reviews.