The first word out of my mouth after seeing a “great” movie is more often than not, an expletive. Followed by an exhale. I would’ve have thought with “The Social Network”, closing with The Beatles classic “Baby, You’re a Rich Man” would have evoked that emotion. It didn’t. It did however after Leo DiCaprio’s final line of “Shutter Island”. This “ten” list is about, more than anything, being moved.
1. Never Let Me Go
A haunting, sci-fi tale, set in a not so distant past, about a group of young adults whose sole purpose in life is donate organs for more privileged human beings, while struggling with experiencing profound emotion, knowing the fate of their impending demise. I couldn’t help but think of the Springsteen line from “Mary Queen of Arkansas”; “I was not born to live to die…” while sitting in the theater. That’s the entire point of these lives. Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield (who completely transforms himself here; which, if you see him in “The Social Network”, that same praise is lauded to him there, as well). This is the most overlooked film of the year. With any luck, the film will find its audience on DVD.
2. Blue Valentine
Two days in the life of a marriage that unfolds over flashbacks of a blossoming courtship. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams go to emotional depths that haven’t been explored as lovingly and as articulately since Cassavetes’ “Faces” & “A Woman Under the Influence”. Derek Cianfrance has made one of the most honest love stories in ages. What he’s able to achieve in his two leads is to be marveled.
3. 127 Hours
Danny Boyle traps James Franco in a hole. Do you know how many women dream about this? And yet, no one has seen this life affirming piece of work? Franco has arrived. More people need to come out and greet him.
4. Inception
Here are my initial thoughts on Christopher Nolan’s film. They still apply.
5. The Town
“Gone, Baby Gone” was no fluke. Taking references from “The Friends of Eddie Coyle,” writer/director/star Ben Affleck updates the heist genre, with a stellar cast, notably with Jeremy Renner, who enters Pesci of “Goodfellas” territory.
6. The Kids Are All Right
The ensemble cast of the year. I recall “Terms of Endearment” in thinking about this film; not that there’s an overwhelmingly sad death at the end, but at it’s honest, and often humorous approach to the family unit, although not conventional. Annette Bening gives one of the best performances of the year. Completely nuanced, never over the top.
7. Black Swan
If you’ve seen Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s “The Red Shoes,” then it’s impossible to not draw comparisons to this film. Another story set in the ballet world about performance, passion, drive (like “Shoes”), and the depths one goes to get lost in the part. It’s a tour-de-force for Natalie Portman, and another milestone in Darren Aronosky’s filmography.
8. True Grit
The Coen Brothers remake evokes the spirit of John Ford while remaining definitively Coen. Jeff Bridges take on Rooster Cogburn is exceptional, but it’s the underrated and under praised work of Hattie Steinfeld that is the real reason to check out this gem.
9. The Ghost Writer
McKee says, “Wow them in the end, and you’ve got a hit.” With references to his own life and work, Roman Polanski’s modern day noir about a successful ghost writer who agrees to complete the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister exceeds all expectations. Career highs for Ewan McGregor’s ghost writer and Pierce Brosnan’s prime minister. Though it’s Olivia Williams performance as the prime minister’s better half that is most memorable, and least discussed.
10. Another Year
Mike Leigh’s funny and heartbreaking story that chronicles a year in the life of a blissfully happy couple in their golden years and their friends, who all seem to be lacking happiness in their own lives. Another great ensemble, led by Jim Broadbent, but it’s Leigh regular Lesley Manville’s performance that really keeps you glued.
