The Imitation Game (2014)

Director: Mortem Tyldum

Did you know that the course of our lives was pretty much shaped by one man during the WWII? Yes, don't be surprised, nowadays we can barely imagine ourselves without computers, and the man, the brilliant mathematician whose name was Alan Turing not only was one of the if not the most important figure behind Britain's victory in the war, but he was also the pioneer in computer science.

"The Imitation Game" is a war-time drama that focuses on the little-discussed part of the WWII, namely, the solving of the Nazi Enigma code. As it turns out, the real battles were won at Bletchley Park, but not on the front, since with the help of few bright minds, the war was shortened by two or even four years and its outcome might have been completely different as well. It had not been more than a couple of days after Britain had declared war on Germany than the government formed a cryptography team lead by Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) to solve the Enigma and outsmart the rival as soon as possible.

Anna Karenina (2012)

 

Director: Joe Wright

I first met Anna Karenina about two years ago when I watched film by Bernard Rose with Sophie Marceau and Sean Bean in the leading roles. I fell in love with the story from the first sight. It was something romantically daring but, at the same time, sad and sentimental. Since then I have reached for the Leo Tolstoy's book from time to time but have not reached it yet. I do not know what is holding me back but I cannot pull myself together and finally read it. Maybe that is the reason why I was looking forward to the new cinematographic adaptation of Anna Karenina. I had to relive the story once again.

In the course of time, the plot obviously has not changed but the way how it is presented does have. No royal castles, estates but just a stage in an old theatre which  transforms from a ballroom to a skating-rink in less than a minute. All the cream of society plays theatre because it is forbidden to reveal your true emotions. Anna did not obey this rule. She was fulfilled with passion, desire and happiness so much that she could not control herself. Anna finally had found a man who she loved and who loved her (but maybe it was just lust and desire?). Nothing could stop them except for the condemnation of the classies. That ruined everything Anna had ever believed in.

Frankly speaking, at the beginning of the film I was in complete perplexity because I could not understand why everything was happening in one place and therefore I was kinda bored but, as the story went by, I became more and more interested (I finally understood that this Anna Karenina is full of surprises and there were much more of those to come). Apparently, Joe Wright (Director of Pride and Prejudice) wanted us,  spectators, to think outside the box, as there is a lot of subtext to comprehend. 

I have to admit that this film really is a masterpiece - the costumes, make-up and the way how Joe manages to capture sunlight, mist and wind. And he did not forget about the Russian culture as well (songs, words, traditional food). Keira Knightley is fascinating, although I do not like that sometimes when she smiles, her eyes are almost closed but that is the matter of inheritance, not her acting skills. Let's not forget Jude Law as well. His character is not as notable as the one Aaron Taylor-Johnson (still not sure about him) portrays but the manner how Law plays his little scenes is outstanding. He does not do much but how he does... 

Overall, I must say that at first I was not pleasantly surprised and did not think that "Anna Karenina" was something I would watch again and again or the film that deserves Oscars but... As I am thinking over and over again, Joe Wright's adaptation was not as bad as I considered initially. (I just was not well prepared but you are now.) Actually it is pretty sensational ( which else of the nominated films was discussed so much by the critics). Who cares that sometimes there was too much of directness in cases of intimacy. This is one of those films that can be watched on St. Valentine's day. Well maybe not so much for the Anna and Vronsky's lust, as for the pure love of Kitty and Levin.

A dangerous method (2011)

 

 

 Director: David Cronenberg

Have you ever thought about what made you do this or that? Was it because you wanted or because some kind of power inside you made you do that? I have always believed that nothing happens without a reason and we cannot control everything we say or do. When we came into the world, mother nature had already given instincts to help us act right in the simple life situations. These instincts are lead by our subconsciousness.

Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung were the fathers of psychoanalysis theory. This is film is about them, how they competed with each other and became those men we all know. And of course about Sabina Spielrein, the patient of Carl, woman who was initially shown as insane and with rather sick desires (she was actually a masochist), but as time went by, she conquered her subconsciousness and became the first woman - psychoanalyst.

You will totally love this film because of its actors and their outstanding performances as well as if you like history with a bit of drama and romantic (relationships between Carl and Sabina).

I have to say that I was not sure if I understand this film, before I started to watch it, I am still not sure. But that is the power of good films - you want to watch them again and again and you never get bored because every time you find something you have not noticed before.

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Director : Joe Wright

Before watching this film I had some kind of an advantage  because I had read the novel by Jane Austin previously. However you never know what the producers choose to keep and what - to throw aside.

For now I have watched "Pride and prejudice" 2 times and I still can't say that it's enough. It's one those films you  would never be fed up with. Just the beauty of the nature and the atmosphere of the 19th century made me fall in love with it. Director is really a master in finding the right place and time. (For example, one of the last scenes where Elizabeth meets Mr. Darcy in the morning. Rising sun, mist, everything...Pure beauty.)

I'm one of those people who are hopeless romantics. I simply love happy endings. And this film was not an exception. Despite various obstacles, their pride and stubbornness Lizzy and Mr. Darcy eventually found their way back to each other. Although I waited for it to happen much sooner. How could Elizabeth not see that Darcy had affection to her since the day they first met? He just didn't want to admit it because how could he love someone who is beneath his class? Lizzy was just as obstinate as Darcy and denied her feelings too. Her reason - wrong first impression and others opinions. (This kind of reminded me of Gone with the wind, just not so passionate version).

Oh and let's not forget Mr. Collins. He wanted someone to love him too, although he was such a joke. In my opinion, he was more suitable for Mary. They both were socially awkward and with similar view of life. They were meant for each other but no one saw that. Sad...

I was a little bit disappointed that film didn't end with a loving kiss. There wasn't any kissing at all. I guess this film is one of few that doesn't involve it. (Weird, huh?)

Despite that, "Pride and prejudice" time and time again shows me that every girl needs her own Mr. Darcy, someone who would move mountains if he had to, would love her for being who she is. So... Who needs prince if you have Mr. Darcy?