Wednesday 1 April 2015

Film: 'Cinderella'

Firstly, a regretful situation has arisen in which, because of a change of screening times at my two most oft-frequented cinemas (both in Brighton and both 'art-house', belonging to the same chain)  the morning matinees, which I normally attend, have been shifted forward by 30 mins, which means that for at least one of these cinemas I'm unable to make it in time using my Senior Citizens' free bus pass. I would be able to manage it by taking the train but that would mean paying more than the actual price of admission in addition, which is something I'd have been willing to do had I money to spare, but as it is, it's not going to be possible. Even getting to the other cinema in time is going to be touch-and-go, leading to occasional wretchedly wasted journeys, I fear. 
The change was made some weeks ago and already there have been a good six or seven films which I would ordinarily have seen, thus accounting for my failing to post anything here for a longer than usual interval.
I had actually, in any case, been considering winding down my attendances, and hence postings of reviews, either when I reached a specifically round 5,000 films viewed (some 340 still to go) or when I attained the age of seven-zero in 18 months time. Taken out of my hands, it looks like that situation may arise before either of these numerical 'landmarks' arrives.
Still, I shall dauntingly press on, though it looks as though the future films which I cover will be of a more limited range. Truly sorry about that, as you may appreciate.


 So to Kenneth Branagh's well-received 'Cinderella' - and yet again I find myself swimming against the tide. I found this a turgid affair. Eschewing the 'waistful' mention of liquid diets, it was, without doubt, gloriously visually accomplished. However, apart from Cate Blanchett as C's blisteringly spiteful stepmother, I found little to stave off the boredom. The two step-sisters were just too annoyingly daft for words. (Am I alone in thinking that there are few things as UNfunny as someone deliberately singing out of tune, while we are supposed to believe that they are trying their best?).
I found both Lily James in the title role and Richard Madden as the Prince insipid and forgettable whilst Helena Bonham Carter's Fairy Godmother was just plain irritating. (Two principal-minor roles are taken by Derek Jacobi and Stellan Skarsgard.)

The film faithfully sticks to the basics of the story with which we are all familiar, save for a moderately significant embellishment towards the end, though it all seems to be expanded, to its detriment, to the point of attenuation. It would have been much more effective at half the length; even a single hour would have more than sufficed.

Branagh's direction and swirling camerawork is done with the panache we've come to expect of him, while scenery, costumes and locations are as lavish and opulent as one could wish. The transformation of Cinderella, pumpkin and accoutrements was impressively achieved - the de-transformation at midnight even moreso.

I have to confess never to have been a fan of Patrick Doyle's music in any film where he's written the soundtrack score, and here it's distractingly upfront - though I dare say that those who were not put out by the negatives I've noted up to now may not notice it especially.
Praise has been accorded to Chris Weitz's screenplay though I didn't find it witty as some have said, and far less than the story deserves in order to keep it fresh.

I did go to a morning matinee at my closest cinema, and shouldn't have been too surprised, on entering, to be hit by a thick fug of sweet-smelling confections emanating from the purchases of scores upon scores of shouty kids, mostly adult-accompanied, including quite a number of toddlers and even a few babies. The din before the curtains went up was near-deafening, though I have to say that once the film started they were, for the most part, reasonably attentive (except for two instances of wailing babies, hastily carried out). It didn't really affect my 'enjoyment' of the experience, such as it was.

It's clear that I am way outside the target group for this film. Even so, I had expected there to have been more in it to have kept me entertained...............................3/10.

14 comments:

  1. Ray,
    First, I am truly sorry to hear that your future viewing and reviewing of films will diminish because of the changes you mentioned. That is a shame because your blog (and reviews) are one of the true few gems in the blogosphere. Hopefully you will find new subjects of which to blog. We all have interesting lives even though, sometimes we think we lead boring lives. We don't, none of us do.
    Now for your review of Cinderella. I've always liked Cate Blanchett and may see this film just for that reason. And of course I've always liked a good Cinderella story too and am interested in the different interpretations of this classic fairy tale. Kenneth Branagh I find tiresome as I do Derek Jacobi and Helene Bonham Carter's method of "tick" acting. Try straight acting folks for a change.
    Thanks for the review Ray.
    Ron

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    1. Ron, I hope the cinemas will change their timings back to what they were. I'm probably not the only one being put out by this, though can't be sure as most of their audience will certainly be much more locally residenced than I am. Wait and see, but it sure is a pity. Thanks for your ever-welcome kind words, though.
      Ms Blanchett is the BEST reason to see this at all - probably the only reason. She doesn't disappoint here and can, with consummate ease, play bitch up to the hilt.
      Branagh is one of the most showy of directors. I find a lot of his films good or very good, so you'd think that with this fairy tale he'd be in his element. But it's all terribly OTT. Nice for kids, mind (there's just about no 'adult' stuff at all that would go over their heads), but it was all a bit tediously monotonous. As for Helena BC, I do wish she'd take a sabbatical - an extra long one for her health - and ours!

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    2. Ray,
      I agree with you on Ms. Blanchett. She is one of those actresses, that when she is on screen, one simply cannot take one's eyes off of her. ow Ms. Helena Bonham Carter, she's a parody of herself now. She's actually annoying.
      I do hope your cinema times change. Your reviews are always most welcome.
      Ron

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    3. Yes, can never have too much of Cate B but we were already seeing too much of HBC about 20 years ago. She deserves a nice long break - a permanent one I'd suggest.

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  2. Damn transit! Damn theaters! But soldier on ...

    I have no desire to see this as I think it's one of those stories that does not change ever, and so, if you've seen it once, why see it again--even with The Great Cate!

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    1. As I tell Ron, above, Bob, C.B. is as good a reason as it gets to see this. Without her my score may not have been above a '1'. So, as you're the fan that you indicate you are, you might well get your money's worth.

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  3. Just seen marigold hotel!
    Hummmmmm

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    1. Just read your review of 'Marigold' to determine what your "Hmmmm" meant. A fair disparity, then, between your '7' and my '4.5'. I always thought of myself as being fairly a sentimental soul, but if this caught you near-blubbing, well you're far moreso than I am. Probably those same parts that make you do that kind of thing are where I'd be cringing the most.
      Didn't find Dev Patel too talky but I can see how his character might be irritating. If he brought that side out again in yet another 'Marigold' film (heaven forbid!) I'd be siding with you.
      Not a film I'd want to sit through again.

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    2. His role, i though bordered on the distastful

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    3. I suppose you mean stereotypical. If you do I'm with you to some extent, but it was clear (to me at least) that his character was an intelligent youth, though whether that helps against your feeling of 'distaste' is arguable. I found him one of the few redeeming features of the film, but there you are!

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  4. I don't think that I could be paid to see this Ray but I did want to comment and offer my best wishes for you with regard to your timetable change. I hope that it corrects itself in the near future, whether it be the bus timetable or the cinema timing.

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    1. Thanks, Craig. I can only hope that my routine can revert to what it was. Meanwhile I'm watching with grave disappointment as films that I dearly would like to have seen pass by and disappear over the horizon, knowing that I won't see them on TV because I hardly ever bother with that. If it means that I'm only left with blockbusters like the above to see, what's the point in going at all? However, fingers remain crossed.

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  5. Too bad about the change in times... As for the film, I'm so disappointed. I had hoped that the entire thing would rise to the level of Cate Blanchett.

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    1. Yes, the change on screening times is so tantalisingly maddening to see film after film slipping beyond my grasp. Can only wait and hope but doesn't look good.

      It's Cate B. herself who raises 'Cinderella' up to the ranks of the (just) tolerable, Mitch. Without her it would have been a TOTAL write-off.

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