This BBC film is based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood of the same name. It follows the journey of Isherwood (Matt Smith) to Berlin in the 1930s for the 'boys', having had it recommended to him by his friend and occasional lover W.H Auden (Pip Carter). He ends up living in a guest house run by Fraulein Thurau (Issy van Randwyck), where he lives alongside Gerald Hamilton (Toby Jones), Fraulein Mayer (Maggie Hayes) and the wannabe actress nightclub singer Jean Ross (Imogen Poots). Isherwood also takes time to sample the local nightlife, beginning a love affair with Caspar (Alexander Doetsch) which ends when he disppaears suddenly. He finds solace in his friendship with Jean, and another relationship with young Heinz (Douglas Booth).
Isherwood seems to be having something of a revival at the minute, his semi-autobiographical novel A Single Man inspired the wonderful film of the same name. This drama is wonderfully bought about; with the changing political situation in Germany very tastefully done. The conversations about how 'we can get used to everything', the way in which Hitler managed to make the poor believe in him and the depictions of Kristallnacht and the burning of books are very tastefully done. Isherwood's lack of ability to really properly join a cause, until he finds that Heinz may be at risk due to the Nazi's dislike of homosexuality is also very well done.
For someone who is interested in musical theatre, the nods to Cabaret, which was based on Isherwood's I Am A Camera were rather exciting. Thurau seems to have inspired Fraulein Schmidt, Fraulein Mayer inspired Fraulein Kost and, most obviously, Jean Ross inspired the wonderful character Sally Bowles; even down to lines 'perfectly marvellous' being one of them.
The performances from the cast were all very solid. Matt Smith proves that he's far more than just the Eleventh Doctor in Doctor Who, and I'm looking forward to seeing him do more work outside of that show (not that he's bad in that). He even brings a really interesting accent to Isherwood. Imogen Poots is wonderful as Jean Ross; I'd love to see her actually play Sally Bowles in Cabaret, she's not a strong singer, but that's kind of the point in that musical. She's wonderful optimistic, but also very smart and aware of the political systems at work. Douglas Booth, an English actor, does a brilliant non-comedy German accent and is rather easy on the eye as well. Other able support comes from Toby Jones whose character attempts to capatilise on the unsure political system and from Lindsay Duncan as Isherwood's mother.
This is being released on DVD tomorrow (the 21st) and is definetly worth buying, I really enjoyed this at times funny and very moving programme.
So, I've finally caught up with the rest of the world and have seen the highly-anticipated Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows part one of two.
I came to this film in a different situation to a lot of other young people, I think. By the time Deathly Hallows as a novel came out my interest in the Harry Potter series had faded, I had found other books which I enjoyed more, and other books that spoke to me more. Since, I have not re-read any of the books, meaning I entered this film not really remembering what had happened in the novel; and so had less of the issue of constantly comparing it to the text.
The basic plotline is that after the death of Dumbledore at the end of Half-Blood Prince, the wizarding world has become a far more dark and dangerous place to be. The Ministry of Magic becomes infiltrated by Voldemort's forces and it becomes reminiscent of a dictatorship, with a purge of 'mudbloods', people who are born to a wizard/witch and a non-wizard/witch eerily like the eugenics programmes favoured by Hitler. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) are forced into hiding, as Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and the Ministry of Magic join forces to track him down and destroy him.
However (and this is where the plot gets a little complicated) in order to destroy Voldemort, Harry needs to find the 'horcruxes', which contain aspects of Voldemort's soul (bringing to mind Chamber of Secrets, where Tom Riddle's diary contained part of the soul). On top of this, they must also find a way to prevent Voldemort gaining the 'Deathly Hallows'-the invisibility cloak, elder wand and resurrection stone, as this would make him the 'Master of Death'. (This is where you realise there is a very good reason for the film being in two parts!)
Deathly Hallows is much, much darker than any other of the other films and novels in terms of the plot. In the very beginning of the film we see Hermione removing her parents' memories of her, in order to save them from any horrors that might happen in the coming weeks. There is also a scene at an inn where the Death Eaters meet Voldemort where the owner is essentially being tortured by Voldemort and is then murdered and later on in the film Hermione is tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham-Carter). We are also worlds away from the Hogwarts-based action that has dominated the first films, Harry, Ron and Hermione instead spend much of their time in deserted woodlands.
Performance-wise, things are pretty much the same as they have been for the past few films. Radcliffe still shows little signs of actually being able to act-this may seem cruel, but there seems precious little character development for him. Yet, I will admit that the scene where all the other characters turn into him shows that he at least had some comic skills. Grint is a good actor, even if he is saddled with playing grumpy Ron for much of this film; but he does still provide some light relief, and is a reminder of the sacrifices that Harry's friends have made for him throughout their years of friendship. The biggest change for me was that Emma Watson delivered the best performance out of all the films, she was funny and bought a maturity to some pretty tough scenes.
There was precious little screentime for anyone else in this film. As Bellatrix, Bonham-Carter continues to produce the type of performance she is known for and Fiennes has perfected the soft voice and snake-like characteristics of Voldemort. Toby Jones, who voices the house elf Dobby, had me in tears. As the twins Fred and George, James and Oliver Phelps manage to inject charisma and humour into the few scenes that they appear in; and a special mention should go to David O'Hara, Steffan Rhodri and Sophie Thompson, for playing the bodies possessed by Harry, Ron and Hermione when they break into the Ministry of Magic.
I'm really eagerly awaiting the second part, in my head its the bit that I remember more clearly (but we won't mention the epilogue). I'm looking forward to seeing more of Alan Rickman (Snape), Tom Felton (Malfoy) and Matthew Lewis (Neville), especially. I really enjoyed this first half, I enjoy the darkness and the fact you now have to pay attention to the plotlines. Roll on July 2011...!
This BBC film is based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood of the same name. It follows the journey of Isherwood (Matt Smith) to Berlin in the 1930s for the 'boys', having had it recommended to him by his friend and occasional lover W.H Auden (Pip Carter). He ends up living in a guest house run by Fraulein Thurau (Issy van Randwyck), where he lives alongside Gerald Hamilton (Toby Jones), Fraulein Mayer (Maggie Hayes) and the wannabe actress nightclub singer Jean Ross (Imogen Poots). Isherwood also takes time to sample the local nightlife, beginning a love affair with Caspar (Alexander Doetsch) which ends when he disppaears suddenly. He finds solace in his friendship with Jean, and another relationship with young Heinz (Douglas Booth).
