the F word

With 20+ years between my fav coworkers and I, today's lunch conversation took a funny turn. The two mothers mention how awful their respective sons' language gets when they are talking to their friends. One remarks 'The F word is no big deal to them. It's just another word.'They both turn to me; I grabbed another bite of salad and smiled.

So, the F word. I use it and it is just another word, I guess. Sometimes used in jest, definately used in frustration at times, but it doesn't carry the stigma that it does with the older generation. It's sounds really awesome when a British bloke says it.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)

Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) doesn't suffer fools and has has lost yet another nanny position due to her no nonsense attitude. Unemployed and homeless in London at the turn of the Century, Miss Pettigrew seizes an opportunity by sneakily answering Delysia Lafosse's (Amy Adams) request for an assistant. Hopeful American starlet, Miss Lafosse finds herself in a pickle. Caught between three men, Michael, Nick, and Phil--all who can offer her different things, Delysia must choose between them. Soon inseparable, Delysia and her new social secretary Miss Pettigrew are navigating the myriad of parties and men of high society with hysterical results.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a charming romance set in the 1940s. Lavish and wonderfully entertaining, the film knows exactly what it's doing. It's pure fluff, but all in extravagant fun. Amy Adams is enchanting as she bobs her way along. As Delysia, Adams is exuberant and aloof. Prim and proper as Miss Pettigrew, Frances McDormand is a hoot. She brings a wonderful comedic touch to the film. Her ongoing joke about eating is so subtle, you don't quite pick up on it until the film fades to black. It's funny in retrospect. Cirian Hinds (BBC staple and SO underrated) and Lee Pace play our love interests.

The film is extravagant with settings and costuming. Pre-war high society London is alive and vivacious. The film embraces the taboos of the day and enjoys them. The pace is lively and the big band score furthers the vibrant tone. The whole film is just bopping along; it's fresh and quite lovely.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is lighthearted entertainment--a nice change to my melancholic, drama laden palate as of late. Perhaps the story is a bit far fetched, but it's almost too easy to enjoy this one thanks to genuine performances from the cast and lively settings.

The Art of Travel (2008)

This independent offering is lackluster. Christopher Masterson stars as Conner Layne, fresh out of high school and newly jilted by his high school sweetheart. His single honeymoon in Latin American soon turns into a year long, coming of age adventure.

The Art of Travel should have been exciting and authentic. Instead it's ho-hum and mediocre. Masterson is dull. Where is the passion and trepidation of a young adult on the cusp of an adventure? The film needs more life. The B-fabulous cast also includes Johnny Messner, Brooke Burns, and Bijou Phillips. No one can be accused of trying to hard in this one.

Suspend belief will help the audience get through the year long trek through the Darien, a hotly contested bit of Panamanian jungle. Their trek is {big surprise} uneventful, save for a snake, a stuck Jeep, and a run-in with a less than threatening FARC commander.

The Art of Travel is a good idea, poorly rendered. For wanderlust, go watch The Discovery Channel. This one is destined for weekend afternoon TV billing and nothing more.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

The curious case of Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt)begins at his birth in New Orleans at the turn of WWI. Rejected and abandoned by his father, Benjamin has all the health problems of an 80 year old at birth. Blinded by cataracts, his small body rife with arthritis, Benjamin is taken in by Queenie (Taraji P. Henson) a black care-giver in an old folks home. Benjamin, born with the mind and body of an old man is aging in reverse. Daisy (Cate Blanchett), the granddaughter of a resident, notices Benjamin during a visit and what a curious case he is.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is going to be a polarizing film. My feeling is that you'll either love or loathe this one. Clocking in at just under three hours, you are investing not only time, but emotion is this beautiful interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novella. Told in a nonlinear fashion {frustrating for some}, the film is told through the journal entries of Benjamin Button and the memories of the ailing Daisy, now in the late stages of life.

David Fincher's task here is monumental. With a screenplay from Eric Roth, director Fincher creates an endearing love story with unusual circumstances. Key to the film's success, is powerful performances from Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Pitt is amazing and despite being CG'd almost the entire movie, he is fascinating as Button. He moves with understanding of the character; it's amazing to behold. Equally stunning is Cate Blanchett. Her character, Daisy, is a dancer. Not only is she convincing as a dancer, but Cate ages wonderfully. Her grace and skill are exciting. Julia Ormond, Tilda Swinton, and Jared Harris are among the costars.

You can't help but fall in love with Benjamin. He's an odd sort at every age, but he's progressively getting younger--it's remarkable. The frustration and resignation of Benjamin's circumstances are always looming and beautifully rendered.

{This review is getting no where. My apologies.}

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a study of mortality with powerful performances delivered by all. Told with a beautiful melancholy of the inevitable, this film is masterpiece of love, loss, and life. As I see it, if you're willing, you will be rewarded.

Gran Torino (2008)

All American curmudgeon Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) hasn't changed since the Korean War. Long-held prejudices and general crotchetiness define the veteran. As his Michigan neighborhood decays around him, filling with immigrants and gangs, Kowalski wonders with harassed amusement. His neighbors, an Asian immigrant family, are just another thorn in his side. When their teen son, Tao, tries to steal Walt's beloved '72 Gran Torino as part of a gang initation, Walt is no longer a passive player in this story. Kowalski confronts his prejudices and assumes an unlikely role in the life of the vulnerable teen.

Gran Torino is a deceptively simple character driven story produced and directed by Eastwood. The film gets off to a shaky start as Eastwood seems to be almost a caricature of himself. Something clicks {about the time Kowalski takes a long drawl from his Pabst} and Eastwood transcends the setting and delivers a hard fought performance.

As a snarling, no-nonsense, racial-epithet spewing veteran, Eastwood is amazing to watch. At 70-something, this veteran has earned the right to say whatever he damn well pleases, but this is modern day. Kids nowadays are dangerous. Or are they really? As Kowalski, Eastwood is pitch perfect. {Quite frankly, he is reminiscent of my late grandfather--the garage scene with Tao brought back memories of my Pap.} Eastwood is blue-collar America.

Gran Torino examines many themes: pride, family, loss, friendship, honor and sacrifice, prejudice and redemption. Thanks to true dialogue, top-notch direction, subtle pacing, and tender humor what should have been a predictable story turns into something more genuine.

As Eastwood growls the final song, you can't help but thing you saw something special here. And if it turns out to be his last performance onscreen, then Gran Torino isn't a bad way to go. The film ends on an unexpected note, but for the best. Gran Torino is a bittersweet, but memorable piece and a must see treat for Eastwood fans.