3D Alice In Wonderland (2010); fantasy adventure film review

Poster artwork for the fantasy adventure film Alice In Wonderland.

Wonderless Wanderings by Linh

Director Tim Burton’s visually stunning film adaptation comes courtesy of author Lewis Carroll’s beloved novels Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass. For his adaptation of Alice In Wonderland, Burton has combined both the novels into a film that at first generates sparks of interest but soon fizzles out. The performances from the live action and voice casts range from brilliant to average, which is a shame as there are plenty of excellent actors in the film whose talents are under-utilised.

MAGICAL MEANDERINGS: Alice (Mia Wasikowska) is in awe of her surroundings in the film Alice In Wonderland. Image: Walt Disney Pictures.

The 3D effects do little to support the muddled story which seems to have lost its own plot.  Perhaps Alice has been enlisted to retrieve the missing plot? The sketchy narrative appears and re-appears as often as the smiling Cheshire Cat, making Alice’s wanderings and encounters with anthropomorphic characters insignificant and a leisurely way to pass the time. These characters have so much potential to contribute and assist Alice, yet they are given little opportunity to shine.

MASTER MILLINER: The Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) checks his timing in the film Alice In Wonderland. Image: Walt Disney Pictures.

This version of the classic story sees Alice Kingsley of Victorian England as a nineteen year old who must decide on whether or not to marry the foppish Lord Hamish. She is soon distracted by a white rabbit in a waist-coast carrying a pocket watch, and follows it until she falls into a rabbit hole.

Alice In Wonderland has been filmed many times before with better results. Tim Burton’s version is not a complete disappointment, and it is saved by the lead cast’s strong performances, and the nostalgic memories of reading the novels as a child. Thankfully, Johnny Depp’s few-and-far between appearances bring enough mad-cap eccentricity to his role as the Mad Hatter to make the film watchable. Other stand-out performances include Helena Bonham Carter’s self-indulgent, tempestuous and cruel Red Queen whose sense of humour is deadly; Anne Hathaway makes the most of her minor role as the deposed ruler, the White Queen; Matt Lucas of Little Britain fame drew a few laughs from the audience as the tubby twins Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee; Crispin Glover is Stayne the Knave of Hearts and he has some great moments as the ‘go-to-guy’ for the Red Queen; Australian actress Mia Wasikowska is suitably cast as the naïve and curious Alice whose sweet innocence is believable but her performance is not enough to carry the film.

REGAL RAGE: The Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) lashes out at those who stole her tarts in the film Alice In Wonderland. Image: Walt Disney Pictures.

Interestingly, Tim Burton has family-friendly Walt Disney Pictures distributing this film, which may account for its lack of darkness in themes and poor depth in story-telling. In the books, there are the darker tones facing Alice the child but in this film adaptation, it seems to be about the young adult Alice’s decision to marry or become an independent single woman ready to embark on adventures.

KIND QUEEN: The White Queen (Anne Hathaway) concocts a special potion in the film Alice In Wonderland. Image: Walt Disney Pictures.

Director: Tim Burton

Writers: Linda Woolverton (screenplay), Lewis Carroll (books Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass)

Live Action Cast:  Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas, Leo Bill, Tim Pigott-Smith, Frances de la Tour, Lindsay Duncan, Jemma Powell , Marton Csokas , Eleanor Gecks, Eleanor Tomlinson, Mairi Ella Challen

Voice Cast: Stephen Fry, Alan Rickman, Christopher Lee, Imelda Staunton, Barbara Windsor, Michael Sheen, Paul Whitehouse, Timothy Spall, Michael Gough

Producers: Tim Burton, Richard D. Zanuck, Linda Woolverton, Joe Roth, Suzanne Todd , Jennifer Todd, Peter M. Tobyansen, Chris Lebenzon, Katterli Frauenfelder, Mark L. Rosen, Derek Frey

Cinematographer: Dariusz Wolski

Original Music Composer: Danny Elfman   

Film Editor: Chris Lebenzon        

Production: Robert Stromberg (Production Designer), Andrew L. Jones, Christina Wilson, Todd Cherniawsky, Mike Stassi, Stefan Dechant (Art Directors), Karen O’Hara (Set Decorator)

Costume Designer: Colleen Atwood

                 

Running Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

CURIOUS CREW: Dodo (Michael Gough), Dormouse (Barbara Windsor) Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee (Matt Lucas) and the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen) all help Alice in the film Alice In Wonderland. Image: Walt Disney Pictures.

Rachel Getting Married (2008); family drama film review

Poster artwork for the family drama film Rachel Getting Married.

Fractured Family By Linh

Rachel Getting Married sees recovering drug addict Kym Buchman released from a rehab clinic for the weekend, to attend her sister Rachel's wedding. Kym's arrival causes painful memories to resurface and simmering resentment and hurt to erupt as the Buchman family deals with the tragic death of a family member several years ago. Amongst all this, the joyous moments of wedding celebrations continue with a diversity of cultures, eclectic music and quirky yet annoying wedding guests.

FEEL THE RIVALRY: Kym (Anne Hathaway) and Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt) attempt to get along in the film Rachel Getting Married. Image: Sony Pictures Classics.

Director Jonathan Demme has always loved the freedom, flexibility and limitless imagination involved in independent film-making, so Rachel Getting Married is a labour of love albeit slightly self indulgent for him. Filmed like a home movie yet with a professional polish to the product, Rachel Getting Married sets itself apart from Demme's big studio hits Silence Of The Lambs and Philadelphia. The roving camera cleverly catches the characters unawares giving the film a spontaneous and refreshing appeal.

Jenny Lumet's brilliant original script about a young, selfish and manipulative drug addict, intimate and involving cinematography by Declan Quinn and a cast as complex and diverse as one could imagine, makes Rachel Getting Married a harrowing, compelling and uplifting family drama filled with tears, tantrums, laughter and love.

FEEL THE JOY: Kym (Anne Hathaway), Sidney (Tunde Adebimpe), Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt) and Kieran (Mather Zickel) pose for a wedding photo in the film Rachel Getting Married. Image: Sony Pictures Classics.

Although not the title character of the film, Anne Hathaway's self-loathing Kym quickly becomes the central character with her uncontrolled outbursts and constant attention-seeking antics.

In one of her more serious acting choices, Anne Hathaway leaves behind her 'tiara' roles (The Princess Diaries and Ella Enchanted) and gives plenty of depth and substance to create a character both pitied and hated. Kym is a challenge to play and Hathaway has done a phenomenal task making the character believable and sometimes empathetic. It's a performance worthy of Hathaway's Academy Award nomination and a win would be fitting. However, she finally won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress as Fantine in the star-studded musical film adaptation Les Miserables.

Missing out on an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in this film, Rosemarie DeWitt is superb as the saintly and responsible sister Rachel, who continues to harbour deep hatred for her younger sister Kym whom she blames for a family tragedy. Rachel and Kym's relationship is strained yet Rachel makes an effort to forgive.

Veteran actress Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment, An Officer and a Gentleman) gives an excellent portrayal of the sisters' cold, distant and unforgiving mother, Abby.

Winger adds layers to Abby and gives a subtle and understated performance, with the 'bitch slap' scene between her and Hathaway bringing an emotional shock to the system for both characters.

FEEL THE LOVE: Kieran (Mather Zickel), Kym (Anne Hathaway), Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt) and Sidney (Tunde Adebimpe) share a group hug in the film Rachel Getting Married. Image: Sony Pictures Classics.

The supporting cast of wedding guests, family and friends include some of director Jonathan Demme's closest friends, and former colleagues who add colour, laughter and fun to the proceedings.

Bill Irwin as the patriarch Paul is gentle and perservering through the family conflicts; Mather Zickel is excellent as the dashing best man Kieran; singer and musician Tunde Adebimpe plays the groom Sidney, who brings out the passion and love in Rachel and Anise George shines in her minor role as Rachel's childhood friend Emma, who reluctantly gives up her role as Maid of Honour for the undeserving Kym.

Rachel Getting Married is a strong character-driven drama which provides heart-warming moments as well as heart-wrenching ones and is a film that makes you feel for and care about the main characters. Though they may irritate, surprise or amuse you, most of the characters leave a long lasting impression.

FEEL THE TENSION: Abby (Debra Winger), Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt) and Kym (Anne Hathaway) experience a strained mother-daughter relationship in the film Rachel Getting Married. Image: Sony Pictures Classics.

Director: Jonathan Demme 

Writer: Jenny Lumet (screenplay)

Cast: Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mather Zickel, Bill Irwin, Anna Deavere Smith, Anisa George, Tunde Adebimpe, Debra Winger

  

Producers: Jonathan Demme, Neda Armian, Carol Cuddy, Elizabeth Hayes, Ilona Herzberg, Marc E. Platt, Innbo Shim, Jared Yeater, H. H. Cooper, Emily Woodburne, Alyssa St. Vincent

 

Original Music Composer: Donald Harrison Jr., Zafer Tawil   

 

Cinematographer: Declan Quinn (Director of Photography)

 

Film Editor: Tim Squyres   

Production: Ford Wheeler (Production Designer), Kim Jennings (Art Director), Chryss Hionis (Set Decorator)

Costume Designer: Susan Lyall

Running Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes