There will be a short discussion after each film for those who wish to stay. Come along and sample our new, improved sound system. You will be very welcome.
Film Appreciation: January – June 2018
Monday 26 February: The King’s Speech
Following the scandalous abdication of King Edward V111, Bertie, his brother (Colin Firth), who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George V1 of the United Kingdom. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), seeks the help of eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue, played excellently by Geoffrey Rush. . Released in January 2011 and based on a true story, the film was a huge box office success. It received multiple awards and was praised by the critics for its visual style, art direction, acting and attention to historical detail. Colin Firth was highly praised for his performance, as was Helena Bonham Carter. 1hr 53 minutes.
Monday 26 March: I’m All Right Jack
This is a 1959 British comedy film produced by John and Roy Boulting. It is a satire on British industrial life in the 1950s. Peter Sellers set out on the road to international fame as a result of this film, playing both Sir John Kennaway and the trade union leader, Fred Kite. It is an ingenious and hilarious portrayal of the hypocrisy and self serving nature of the British workplace. The title is a well known English expression indicating smug and complacent selfishness. Apart from Peter Sellers the cast includes many well known comedy actors of the time who you will enjoy seeing again. 1hr 41 minutes.
Monday 23 April: ‘Belle’
This film is based on an extraordinary true story. Dido Elizabeth Belle (Mbatha-Raw) is an 18th Century illegitimate woman of mixed race who is raised in privilege by her aristocratic great uncle. She is denied a proper social standing because of her colour and struggles to be accepted in the society in which she lives. She falls in love with a young lawyer and finds herself caught between two worlds. The film is described as an ‘exquisite masterpiece’.
Monday 28 May: ‘Starman’
Starman is a romantic science-fiction film starring Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen. Bridges plays the gentle alien who comes to earth and learns what it means to be human. It is an objective reflection on aspects of our society as observed by someone from another planet. It has moments of sadness but also humour. It is a thought-provoking enjoyable film. The film was nominated Best Science Fiction Film and Jack Nitzsche received a Golden Globe nomination for his score which contains some lovely music.
Monday 25 June: ‘Pretty Woman’
Pretty Woman is a modern day Cinderella fantasy that captured the hearts of cinema-goers all over the world. It is a feel-good romantic comedy about a down on her luck ‘working girl’ whose chance encounter with a handsome business man leads to an improbable love affair and a change of life style. It is a feel-good film starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. The film saw the highest number of ticket sales ever in the US for a romantic comedy. Following the film’s success Roberts became the romantic comedy queen of the 1990s and Roy Orbison’s song became a smash hit.
