DrdownunderMum

Last year I was incredibly fortunate to see this adorable movie when it premiered at The Korean Film Festival in Auckland. It was showing at The Academy, which is an informal art-house cinema in the basement of The Public Library. I was the only non-Asian person there too. For a "Frock Movie" fan like myself this was the most wonderful experience. The lush locations, hyper-color cinematography, the superb costumes and beautiful set dressing alone, make it a must-see. The surprising thing about the story, is that it is a comedy. I might not have realised this watching it with just English sub titles. The audience at the festival were laughing a lot. It appears it is a spoof of a traditional story which everyone knows. The script is very tongue in cheek and a bit anarchic. Think 'Blackadder" view of historical events as a comparison. I wish this genre of films were more easily viewed. I am back in Cornwall now and there is no way I would have seen it here.

I have seen some comments that say this is a very Asian film and wonder what exactly that means? It could equally be very French, particularly the older man with younger lover aspect and the absolute perve-fest of soft-lit slo-mo romps through the sexual positions, seemingly to my mind stuck into the movie like an intermission (ha ha). These scenes are a right turn-off for me and just don't sit with the rest of the movie. Ang Lee auditioned thousands of girls and spent eleven days on a closed set for his 'love' scenes. This is sounding a bit mid-life crisis territory to me. Why didn't he (the director) just stick these on as extras on the CD and let the rest of the movie take it's course? Th remainder is quite watchable and some nice work has gone into the costume and cinematography. Not up to his usual standard though.

This amazing film has somehow crept under the radar and it simply not getting the credit it deserves. I have read some ridiculous criticisms about it, such as 'looks like a fashion shoot' and 'too British'. Alex Garland wrote the screenplay based on the original book. Well I haven't read that book, so just took the film at face value. I loved the way it looked. Just loved it. I have watched it twice now. Once for visceral emotional impact which left me feeling like I had been run over by a steamroller. OK it is a dehydrating sob-fest. The second time I watched it was in a more self-questioning mode teasing out the reasons for my own unexpected reactions. Perhaps you should know I am a golden-ager and this movie dredged up and revived stuff I haven't felt since I was a teenager. Tommy personified for me 'the boyfriend I never had' but really wanted. I didn't know I still harboured such bitter regrets . . but there they were. Like other people, I have severe reservations about an over exposed Keira Knightley but she was the perfect bitch in this. The film simply has great casting. The kids in it are all brilliant. Loved all the very 'mauve' worthy lady teachers. The art direction creates a slightly underpopulated feel and really posed as many questions as it answered. With all the cello music, there was no way, you can get to the end without blubbering your heart out though. So be warned.