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Love Actually (2003)
Not Perfect, but worth seeing
Love Actually has something in it for anyone who has ever loved someone. And that's pretty much everyone, as this movie is not just about romantic love, but love in all it's forms. It also explores the love we feel for family and friends, and our attempts to reconcile that with romantic love.
Some of the story lines were better than others. Hugh Grant, while amusing, plays himself again. And the thought of him as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is not far short of farcical. However, this was made up for by the touching storyline played out by Emma Thompson of the wife who finds herself being overlooked by her husband, for a young flirtatious woman at his work.
Also, the storyline about the body doubles standing in for actors in nude sex scenes. While this was pretty ridiculous on the surface, it was a great story for two reasons. Firstly, the fun it poked at the quaint English manners - it would be hard to think of a less appropriate setting for such formality. And secondly, I think it made a very interesting point which to me was the background theme of the whole movie - that what really matters in human relationships is not just the physical (that is easy to come by), but an emotional connection. Without that, we are just going through the moves, without really knowing the other person.
The other thing I liked about this movie was the use of the airport arrivals scenes. It really tied together the fact that here was a series of stories about everyday people, and every single person has their own story. Next time I'm at the airport, I will be looking more closer at those around me, and wondering what interesting story has brought them there.
All in all, I would recommend this movie. If you have ever loved, you will find something in it you relate to.
Dancer in the Dark (2000)
Moving beyond words
Not a movie that you "enjoy" seeing, this was one of the most moving films I have ever seen.
*possible spoiler*
The ending spirals downwards, seemingly inevitably. The fact that you so want things to end differently points to how much the acting and cinematography has involved you in the characters. You keep hoping that somehow things will work out, while sensing the reality that life isn't always fair, bad people are out there and some people just get dealt a really **** hand.
This was the only time I've walked out of a cinema and been rendered completely speechless for some time by the sheer force of emotion and drama conveyed.
Once Were Warriors (1994)
Gut-wrenching
This is one of the most powerful and realistic movies I have ever seen.
A true modern-day tragedy, this movie shows the negative aspects of one indigenous culture in today's society. This is a very important movie as it forces you to look at issues that some have to live with on a daily basis.
This movie literally left me feeling sick in the stomach. Particularly with the knowledge that there are families out there living through this. The performance by Temuera Morrison was incredible.