First time i saw this film (a few years ago) I thought it was dreadful. Irritating actors doing irritating characters doing irritating acting. And having seen it again they’re still irritating. There must come a point in Mike Leigh’s much vaunted “method” of character improvisation where he loses objective judgement; he’s so closely, and myopically, [...]
This might be Mike Leighs best film. It’s certainly one of the best i’ve seen. Probably cus David Thewlis as disaffected Manc loser-loner “Johnny” is so spot on. He carries you right into the heart of the hurt of his woundedness. With such a caustic sense of futile frightening no-hope. It’s uncomfortable to watch. And [...]
Absurd joke as a scouting party of Bosnians are caught somewhere behind enemy (Serbian) lines: “What’s the difference between an optimist and a pessimist? A pessimist thinks things can’t get any worse, an optimist knows they can!“ Things get worse in this film. They all get shot up. Then things get absurd. Ciki survives. Hit [...]
