Author: BRWC

A Family Affair: Review. By Joe Muldoon.

A poorly-rated silent retreat, a bumbling manager trying to appease his in-laws, creditors out for blood, an impromptu property auction; A Family Affair is quiet chaos in its most quintessentially British form. Though set over a single day in the British countryside, filming took place over 12 days in Cape Town – hence the abundance of sun and enviable lack of rain. Leading the caper –in his first leading role, no less– is comedy circuit stalwart Joe Wilkinson, who plays Edward, the bungling manager and co-investor of a country manor retreat.

Operating the silent spiritual retreat alongside his wife Helen (Laura Aikman), Edward attempts to keep the place afloat – scathing resident reviews and the bank threatening foreclosure have other plans. With Helen’s parents Margaret (Jane Asher) and Walter (Michael Maxwell) set to arrive for their 40th wedding anniversary celebration and Edward’s newly-widowed father Albert (David Sherwood) arriving with a much younger date, Jessica (Jazzara Jaslyn), things are already off to a rocky start.

And they’re set to get a whole lot worse when, unbeknownst to Helen, the bank has organised for a public auction of the manor to coincide with her parents’ anniversary. Luckily, Edward has the resident spiritual “guru” Rhys (Colin Hoult) on-hand, mincing around the manor in an effort to keep the peace – excuse the pun. With prospective buyers wandering around scoping the property, Margaret zonked out by Rhys’ mystery herbal tea, and Jessica eyeing up Walter, disorder ensues.

Underneath the wonderfully entertaining antics is a moving meditation (the puns are flowing freely) on love, grief, and family. Though his in-laws –particularly Margaret– aren’t particularly fond of Edward, he still makes an effort to appease them in order to please Helen. And it’s apparent that Albert’s relationship with his late wife wasn’t quite a fairytale. Wilkinson and Aikman have a peculiar but genuinely sweet and charming chemistry between them, and it’s a shame they don’t share much screen time together.

South African writer-director Warren Fischer has been open about the inspiration that British comedy (notably Blackadder and Monty Python) has had upon him, and it shows. A Family Affair is the culmination of decades of absurdist comedy, and its execution is a ridiculous set of events that lacks explosive consequences but is overflowing with delicious drama. And to its great credit, the credits include a bloopers reel – we need to bring these back!

By Joe Muldoon.

Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry: Review. By Simon Lalji.

From the world of Georgian independent cinema comes Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry as well as the future star and possible awards contender Eka Chavleishvili leading as Etero. Eka Chavleishvili delivers one of the most subtle, somber and powerful performances in film as Etero, an aggressively independent woman who never takes no for an answer but when she unexpectedly finds love her view on life may just be changed forever. Chavleishvili delivers a performance similar to that of Frances MCdormand’s Oscar hit Nomadland in that it’s one of the most subtle, natural yet beautiful performances put on film with an almost documentary style quality to it.

The central character of Etero presents an extremely difficult one for any actor to pull off as she rarely speaks and barely expresses any personality traits with director Elene Naveriani often leaving it simply up to Chavleishvili’s facial expressions to express everything that the viewer needs to know. Thankfully, Chavleishvili showed up for the task as she is single handedly the force that drives the film forwards. Though Etero begins as a character who is quite simply boring, unlikable and monotone, Chavleishvili evolves Etero into a powerful character who by the time the credits roll the viewer will truly care for in unexpected ways.

With this being said, unfortunately one incredible actress cannot save an entire production. The first hour of Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry is remarkably lackluster and a drag to get through as at this stage Etero is simply a dull and repetitive character who the viewer does not care for. While this complements the latter half of the film as it allows for the development of the character, it does not change the fact the first hour of the film is not anywhere close to the quality of the second half.

To add to that, the vast majority of the supporting cast are also extremely unlikable without any redeeming qualities as they simply exist to put Etero down and to give context of her past. Though Etero’s lover Murman, played by Temiko Chichinadze is essential for Etero’s development and provides the film with a reason to drive the plot forward. While the character can come off as charming for some he may be interpreted as a condescending man. He has an untimely affair with Etero which never seems to get properly addressed throughout the film’s runtime which may create confusion in the viewer as to what Murman’s motivations truly are, thus causing the viewer to want to see Etero with a better man.

Negatives aside, Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry at its core presents a film about self love, with Etero being a voice of all types of people. Some could argue that Etero presents a metaphor that it’s ok to do what the heart desires and sometimes life will present challenges that you don’t have to concede to. Etero being alone for 48 years of her life clearly presents that some people simply don’t need to rely upon other people to be happy.

This theme may speak to some audience members as they feel Etero’s pain and her trauma but also her willpower to say no to people when she wants to. To put it without spoilers, the films ending perfectly encapsulates everything that the film stands for as Etero converts from a monotone, depressing and somber blackbird into a fruitful, inspiring and lively character.

Overall, while Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry may not appeal to the general public, Eka Chavleishvili’s delivers an award worthy performance that may just find this independent film the audience it was hoping for.

3/5 stars

Space: The Longest Goodbye – Review. By Richard Schertzer.

What is outer space? Vast, open and infinite. There is so much out there in the open beyond that of our own Earth. It’s a vast topic noted in a superb documentary done properly that expands beyond the cultural norms of traditional documentary filmmaking. 

The film goes over some astronauts that are launched into outer space in preparation for NASA attempting to send people to the planet Mars for the very first time. It’s important to note that while these people are in space, they will have limited time to talk to their families and loved ones which will lead to some loneliness and isolation during the trip. 

The film has a certain awe about it that is truly magnificent to look at and adore. Seeing a documentary film with this much ambition is such a pure delight that it seems too good for words.

The film is so eloquently shot that it uses its natural and traditional storytelling techniques to bring an incredible story not only to life but also out of this world, where the filmmakers pride themselves on journeying to the heart of each character and their families to make the audience care about their plight.

It’s already stressful being an astronaut and making this movie is certainly no exception. The director manages to create a world outside of our own and does it with incredible style and emotion. 

In conclusion, this film is what happens when you have heart, intelligence and a lot of ambition riding behind the camera and in front of it. 

Puddysticks: Review. By Richard Schertzer.

Having secrets is perfectly natural. Everyone has them and it’s one of the ways that makes us all human. Many people will have a serious problem verbalizing their secrets out loud to others for fear of being judged and shamed. 

The story revolves around a video game designer named Liz who is burned out by her overwhelming job and stresses of life. After going to the doctor and taking time off from work, she goes to this cult-like therapy group where adults behave like children 

Throughout the story, the group plans to share their own secret trauma which usually involves going into a room and dancing to some club music in a bizarre fashion. 

The film is very strange to say the least. It doesn’t seem to say much unless you are trying to say that more people need to express themselves. It might have a decent message but it gets lost in a terrible and weak narrative that doesn’t even know where it’s going. 

The actors certainly do their best with the material given, but it’s hard to act for a script that actually seems like it was written by children. 

All in all, this film could have been a lot with its potential message and better than what it originally was, but it didn’t have enough heart or muster to escape its dull execution. 

PUDDYSTICKS IS A DARK COMEDY ABOUT LIZ, A WORKAHOLIC AT A BRUTAL, ELITE GAMING COMPANY WITH THE CHANCE TO BE RECRUITED BY HER GAMING HERO, ONLY IF SHE’S THE BEST AT HER JOB.