Borat: Released in 2006, Sacha Baron Cohen's "Borat" became in my mind the pinnacle of film comedy. It was edgy, smart, repulsive, and ultimately a film that had frenetic laugh, after frenetic laugh. Yet, the key pieces to "Borat" were the unsuspecting interviewees and Sacha Baron Cohen. By using real interview subjects, Cohen was able to capture authentic reactions that would not only make the audience laugh, but also mumble in disgust, depending on what kind of immoral bile spilled out. In many respects it's like a natural observation and with that, you also capture the unpredictability of human interaction. Certainly Baron Cohen coaxed many interviewees into behaving badly, but his ability to draw out a range of reaction and emotions allowed for almost a novel and unpredictable feel to the film. Obviously there have been comedies that had "mockumentary" narratives, but never had a comedy gone to the streets and desired to create a documentary (in some ways) based off of a farce. Finally, this brings me to Cohen himself, who creates a character that is not only naive and foolish ,but one that's very endearing, thus allowing 'Borat' to become something bigger than a caricature. And that's what I can say about "Borat"; it became a comedy film that went above and beyond what is typically expected. In many ways it redefined the concept of not only a comedy, but also in some ways a documentary. Using real people as the bait, "Borat" was able to expose a nation full of racial, sexual, and religious bias at the expense of our laughs. Of course we all know there is a seedy underbelly of America, but it was jarring to see it play out on the screen in the given context. Furthermore, it was just as shocking to see Sacha Baron Cohen push his character to an unbelievable height.Clip:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYYoGnFpahQ
Children of Men: If you want to watch a film that is extremely harrowing, but uplifting then you'll find few better than "Children of Men". Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, "Children of Men" takes place in a not so distant future where humans can no longer reproduce. With the world being infertile and many political factions establishing, the world is falling apart and its gotten to the point that many people worship the young. Yet, amongst the chaos a seed of hope is found in a young woman who, through some miracle or work of science, is pregnant. From this comes the tale of a man who risks everything to protect a woman and her baby, as well as the future of mankind. The story itself is extremely gripping and taut, yet from an aesthetic and direction standpoint, "Children of Men" is well executed. With the use of handheld cameras, director Alfonso Cuaron immerses us in a world on the brink of extinction, which only propels us further into the drama that unfolds. Furthermore, Cuaron and his production team create a world, when compared to other films in the sci-fi genre, that is relatively stripped down and organic. This not only allows for a heightened sense of 'realism', but allows for the production pieces to compliment the story, not drown it out. Of course, the most important factor that makes "Children of Men" a film to be seen is its story. It has twists, it has action, it has moments of triumph and failure, and most of all it has a heart that continuously beats throughout. Very few films, let alone a sci-fi film, can develop a story that can work on many different levels. When it's all said and done, the film has astounding production pieces that immerses the viewer in the decay society sees itself in. Along with amazing cinematography and tremendous direction by Cuaron, "Children of Men" is one of the few films that can deliver a message about society without beating it to death. Oh and it also doesn't hurt when the cast is full of extremely good actors.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: One of the most honest and beautiful films I've seen in my life. "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is a piece of work that not only defies convention, but is poetry in motion. Adapted from the memoir with the same name, "The Diving Bell..." tells the story of Jean Dominique Bauby, the former editor of French Elle who had a stroke and subsequently was paralyzed from the neck down (aside from his left eye). This particular condition is known as "locked-in syndrome", where the patient can actively think, but can't speak nor move most of their extremities. Having no true form of communication, Bauby learned to communicate through the use of blinking his left eye and through this method, he wrote his memoir. The story itself is extremely powerful, and really needs no expansion but what pays off in dividends is how the story is told. First off, a lot of credit must be given to Julian Schnabel, who spits in the face of convention and creates a film that is almost entirely shot from the character's point of view ( I'd say about 60% of the film is in first person). This is unprecedented considering that very few films have attempted to deliver such a perspective. Yet, Schnabel's instincts pay off as he puts us in the shoes of Jean Dominique Bauby, allowing us to feel the claustrophobia Bauby himself felt as his body became a prison. Secondly, screenwriter Ronald Harwood deserves some kudos as well simply because his screenplay dares not to make Bauby into a saint. In both flashbacks (which isn't shot in first person) and Bauby's 'locked in' state, Harwood creates a character that is very uplifting, but one that is also fragmented and full of guilt. Of course we never truly come to dislike Bauby, but we don't come to love him on cheap sympathy points either. He is simply human. From this, an undeniable connection is made between the character and the audience, which makes the staggering last moments of Bauby's life beautiful, inspirational, and poetic. In the hands of Hollywood, this film would've been simple fodder dripped in sentimentality, but thanks to Schnabel and company, the film is a reflection on not only Bauby, but the potential of our own lives as well.
Brokeback Mountain: With the success of "Brokeback Mountain", you'll see more films exploring the boundaries of love and the limits ( or lack thereof) it possesses. Now, have there been many other films that tackled a gay love story before? Yes, but none have really struck a chord as much as "Brokeback Mountain" nor has any handled the topic with such grace. Filled with complex and terrific performances from Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, "Brokeback Mountain" is a film that in many ways made homosexual relationships acceptable in mainstream film. This could be chalked up to the great screenplay, but Ang Lee and his actors deserve much of the credit as they make the film full of tenderness and sincerity. Never does the film feel like a gimmick; it's always a living, breathing ode to love. Whether it's the connection of Ledger and Gyllenhaal's characters or the true love and detail Lee shows for his characters, "Brokeback" is always full of love and life. Of course, the film deftly details the many stigmas associated with homosexuality, but at its core, "Brokeback" is just like any love story as it details the many jubilations and downfalls that would come between any couple. So in many ways, "Brokeback" is universal in its language. It's something we all could connect to in some fashion, regardless of our own notions and when a film can do that, it's truly a special piece of work. After all, love is love.Trailer:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wug0aUcTJDE
Honorable Mentions:
4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days:I've seen a lot of foreign films from this decade, but what makes "4 Months" such a startling piece of work is that it is invested in creating drama from the small, quiet moments. There are no big scenes, or over plotted twists, instead it’s simply a film that details a friendship that is being pushed to the limits and the moral complications that arise from it. It’s gritty, well acted, and most of all possesses a sickening power.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFeUS7hQq3k
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFeUS7hQq3k
Lost in Translation: A film that in many respects has become the blueprint for a lot of indie films. It’s quirky, small and full of idiosyncrasies. But the film sets itself apart with a deadpan performance from Bill Murray who elevates the already terrific material. The film adequately captures the communication breakdown many face in a foreign land, but more importantly it captures the communication breakdown that can occur between two people. With it being more so about friendship and connection than about love, the film has a broad appeal that most people can identify with.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNn-2CTXzAw
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNn-2CTXzAw
City of God: The precursor to "Slumdog Millionaire", "City..." details the lives that reside in the slums of Rio di Janeiro. Full with a cast of colorful characters, director Fernando Meirelles captures many different vantage points, and ultimately creates a vibrant look at slum politics and living. Scary, funny, and always poignant, "City of God" is an exciting piece of film making.
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