Film Review: BLUE VELVET (1986)

Writer/Director: David Lynch
Running time: 120 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 18

Genre: Crime/Mystery/Thriller
USA Release date: 19th September 1986

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 6th March 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

A bit of amateur sleuthing is always good value, but put it in the hands of someone like David Lynch and you’ll get something very different. After having had this one recommended to me by several people I decided to give it a viewing when it came up on TV recently. I have to admit, it’s pretty good… very strange in places, but still, very watchable and very compelling. But more of my thought later, here’s a brief summary first (summary haters and those that don’t wish to know anything about the plot please hide in that closet while I write the next paragraph).

Young Jeffrey Beaumont comes across a human ear in a field near his home. Being a responsible type, he takes it to a policeman he knows, Detective Williams. The detective looks into the matter and later tells Jeffrey that he cannot discuss the case but he will tell him everything after the investigation. Jeffrey is not satisfied with this and is determined to find out more. Detective William’s daughter, Sandy, tells Jeffery that she overheard her father say that a woman called Dorothy Vallens may be involved. The pair decides to try and find some evidence. Sneaking into her apartment and hiding in a closet, Jeffery discovers more than he bargained for when a violent and shady character called Frank Booth turns up. I will leave my short summary here… I think that’s enough to intrigue you for now.

A very well made film with some great moments and also some totally strange moments. I found it very compelling and also quite bizarre in places. Great performances all round, particularly from Dennis Hopper as Frank Booth; he really gets to chew all the scenery in this one! Also worthy of note is Isabella Rossellini as Dorothy Vallens, again, a stellar performance. Kyle MacLachlan was excellent as Jeffrey Beaumont, as was Laura Dern as Sandy Williams. I should also give an honourable mention to Dean Stockwell who I hardly recognised as Ben.

As I’ve already said, this is a very compelling film with lots of quite strange and bizarre touches. I liked it a lot, but found the whole tone rather muted which, I felt, took away some of the impact of it. I would definitely watch it again though because I’m sure there are many nuances I missed first time around. Over all, it’s a very compelling story told it a way that is, at times, quite bizarre, but even so, very enjoyable… Recommended.

My score: 7.6/10

LINKS:
(RT = Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0090756/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blue_velvet/
Trailer: http://www.alltrailers.net/blue-velvet.html

Film Review: TRUE GRIT (1969)

Director: Henry Hathaway
Running time: 128 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): PG

Genre: Drama/Western/Adventure
UK release date 28th December 1969

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 12th February 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I have seen this film quite a few times over the years; it always reminds me of dull damp Sunday afternoons because that’s when it always seemed to be on. I also remember the picture quality was never great on TV back then, but now, re-vamped and digitised, it looks great. But more of my thoughts later, here’s a brief summary first (summary haters please unsaddle the horses and corral them while I write the next paragraph).

After her father, Frank, is shot dead, teenager Mattie Ross decides to seek revenge on the man that perpetrated this evil act. To this end she employs U.S. Marshall ‘Rooster’ Cogburn to help her find him in Indian Territory where, they believe, he has joined the outlaw Ned Pepper’s gang. The man in question, Tom Chaney, is also wanted by a Texas Ranger called La Boeuf, or ‘LeBeef’, as he prefers. The three of them set off, after a bit of an argument about whether Mattie should be allowed to go with them, and soon find a couple of vagabonds called Emmett Quincy and Moon. Having been shot, Moon spills the beans that Ned Pepper is coming to their location soon for fresh horses. More deaths ensue, but Pepper gets away with the unlikely trio in hot pursuit. I know there may be one or two out there that aren’t familiar with the tale, so I’ll stop there.

I had forgotten just how long this film is, at just over two hours it’s a lot of western, but pretty enjoyable nonetheless. Most of the exteriors were shot in Colorado and California and I must say it makes for a pretty spectacular backdrop for this story. For the most part the performances were excellent, particularly (of course) John Wayne as Marshall Reuben J. ‘Rooster’ Cogburn and Kim Darby as Mattie Ross. Also worthy of note were; Jeremy Slate as Emmett Quincy, Robert Duvall as Ned Pepper and Dennis Hopper as Moon. Not quite so good, performance wise, was Glen Campbell as La Boeuf (he latterly decided to stick to singing… good move).

It’s probably the best film I’ve seen starring John Wayne, but I’m sure I’ll be corrected on that point by someone. I thought it was a very well made film with some spectacular scenery. The only thing that grated slightly was the soundtrack; to me it seems a bit too dominant in the mix in places which I found a little distracting. Over all, I like this film, not only because it’s become a classic over the years, but also because it’s a good story done well, and you can’t go too far wrong when you start with a good yarn… Recommended.

My score: 7.8/10

LINKS:
(RT = Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0065126/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/true_grit/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/screenplay/vi3741254425/