Bleak house (1853)

Author: Charles Dickens

The last lines, the last words and I have finished. I have read the book I have never believed I would. About 900 pages is not something little. When I started reading, I really was not sure whether I chose the right book or not. I have always been a very romantic person, I like love stories with happy or sometimes unexpected endings, but this book "Bleak house" was something completely different from what I have read before. I am interested in history but did not know that the judiciary in England was so ridiculous and at the same time painful for so many people that were indrawn in it. 

This work can be divided into 2 parts (it is actually in two parts, but I will talk about something different) - 1. The story from Esther's point of view 2. The story from the author's point of view. The first one I loved more although in the beginning I thought that Esther was too naive and innocent (she did not change as the story went by) but as I was reading further and further, I used to that. Esther was a really good girl, a true friend that would never stab in the back, rather sacrifice her own wishes and feelings just to know that her beloved ones got all they wanted or needed. No wonders everyone loved her. She was the good spirit at the Bleak house and everywhere else. I know that I could never be like Esther as well as I do not believe that there is such a good, no, great person on Earth. She really deserved a good ending for her story and eventually got it. I honestly never thought that Esther would marry Mr. Jarndyce. That would be too weird without saying even more.

Talking about the second part, I have to admit that at first I was bored , I thought I would never finish this book because I had to push myself very hard to read even a single line. But, but...As there were more and more characters involved, I become interested in it, especially when the detective side of the plot brightened it. Then I just could not put the book away.

Amazing and old language is what will make you love "Bleak house", as well as the bright and colourful characters (each of them had his/her own special way of talking because of which you could not mistake him/her for somebody else).  After reading this novel I strongly believe that Charles Dickens is one of the greatest writers of all the time, let alone the ones whose works I have read.

Bel ami (2012)

Directors: Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod

Before I start discussing this film I have to tell you that I was really frustrated when I found out it was Robert Pattinson who got to play Georges Duroy. Yes, I had read the book by G. de Maupassant years ago and that is why I just could not imagine, I could not portray how the leading star of Twilight (I think it is one of the worst films, because of the plot,  I have ever seen) would play a man who is using women to gain success in the 19th century Paris. Now I have to admit I was wrong thinking that Robert is a bad actor. He is good but only when he plays in good films.

I have always been fascinated by history and I really want to go to France someday therefore Bel ami is the film exactly for me. I never thought that there was such dissoluteness at that time (the end of 19th century), wives cheated on their husbands and husbands cheated on their wives. But it was not so easy to do back then. Everything had to be a secret otherwise you would lose your status and would be ashamed in front of all society.

Georges Duroy was a free man who never really cared about his partners feelings, he cared only about himself, about what he can gain from this and that connection (many at the same time). Although this action is blameworthy, you can also understand why Georges did so. Ever since he remembered himself, Georges was always poor. Of course when you can smell money, when you feel that it is so close like never before, you just cannot resist the temptation to try and get it. Neither could Georges.

I have to adjudge that I waited something more from Bel ami. After reading the book with such a stormy plot this film was only a weak reflection. But, but... I still rated it very good because of the actors and my beloved historical/romantic theme. Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas and, yes, Robert Pattinson - that is a great actors company. If only the plot could reach their level...

My Week with Marilyn (2011)

Director: Simon Curtis

Marilyn Monroe was and still is a woman who is admired by so many girls and ladies and

desired by uncountable number of men all over the world.Colin Clark was not an exception. Though he was a newbie in the cinematography and did not know much about how to work with celebrities, Colin earned Marilyn's attention quite fast, he was one of few who she could trust. At first shy and intent on other girl, soon Colin realizes that he cannot resist temptation (like many of his colleagues) spending more time with Marylin.

My week with Marilyn is a biographical film that focuses not as much on filming "The prince and the showgirl" but more likely on Marilyn's character and personality. Michelle Williams deserved an Oscar for such performance. She embodied Marilyn to its fullest and just the difference in looks made me think back again and again that she is not the real showgirl.

But it is not only Michelle that brings us an outstanding performance. You cannot deny that experienced Judy Dench and Kenneth Branagh as well as not so famous Eddie Redmayne (who we all will be able to see in the new version of Les Miserables, premiere on 14th of December 2012) are on the right time and in the right place because their acting is believable. But that happens almost every time. If you have seen the film, you cannot imagine that that role could have played someone else.

With all my heart I suggest (no, I demand) you to watch this film. Even if you are not fascinated by Marilyn's life, you just do not care or do not like biographical films, watch it any way. Simply imagine that it is not Marilyn in the leading role but a girl who has achieved her dreams but still is not happy with her life. It is quite a sad story actually.

My blueberry nights (2007)

 

Director: Kar Wai Wong

You know that life likes to play games with us. One day you have everything and the other one - nothing you really cared about. This film is about a girl named Elizabeth whose life turns upside down after she finds her boyfriend cheating on her. There is no other way how to forget that except for leaving NY and going the farther the better.

I once read a novel by a well-known Latvian writer (but I will not tell her name because you do not know her anyway) and there was a good saying: "A person always gets the right companion whose importance he realizes only afterwards. In order to learn how to live." This quote can really be related to Lizzie's story. A policeman who drinks every night until he cannot walk because his wife has left him, a woman who realizes how painful it is to lose someone loved even if you seem not to care about him lately and finally a girl who teaches not to trust any one because she has failed so many times before - these are the people who Elizabeth meets while she is thousand miles away from NY. They really teach her different life lessons, in other words - what not to do.

And then there is Jeremy... The man who understands Lizzie and still makes a blueberry pie even though no one seems to like it (except for her).

My blueberry nights is the film that will make you relax and forget about your life problems or maybe the other way round will make you think over about it. Beautiful voice of Norah Jones will take you into a dreamy mood. You will definitely like this film if you like drama and romance united as well as happy ending.

The iron lady (2011)

Director: Phyllida Lloyd

You might like to know, what made me watch this film. The answer is easy - first of all, Meryl Streep has won the Oscar for playing the Iron lady Mrs Thatcher and, secondly, I have heard good reviews. As a history lover I had to watch it, I was so ashamed I did not know almost anything about Margaret before except for that she was the Prime Minister from the conservative party. This film made a lot of things clearer for me.

You cannot deny that Meryl is an awesome actress (and that make-up!!!! In some episodes it is hard to recognize her) but I would give Oscar to Michelle (My week with Merilyn - read here ). It is impossible to compare these 2 films as well as the main characters (both Margaret and Merilyn have made history only in a different way. Both' names start with "M"!!!)  but maybe I am just not that keen on Politics and prefer something playful, although either of them have quite a serious story.

The Iron lady tells us that you have to work hard to achieve your goals and always dream big because nothing is impossible. Margaret was not a party animal, instead she learned a lot and finished Oxford University, one of the best and the most prestigious university in the world. Margaret knew that she would not be like any other women who do the washing up, make dinner and take care of her children every day. It was not for her but Politics and especially Prime Minister position was.

This film follows the best and the most unpleasant moments of her carrier and also shows the modern Margaret, woman who is not the iron lady anymore, can be vulnerable and cannot control everything anymore. She is like many other elderlies just with bright past.

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.

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind (2004)

 

Director: Michel Gondry

This was one of those films you want to see ever since you saw the trailer or commercial on tv. I was not so lucky because every time it was shown it was either too late, I had to go to bed (I was rather young then) or I simply did not have the opportunity to see this film. Now I can say that really good things come to those who wait. I have no regrets that I could not watch it until now because maybe I was not grown enough and would not understand everything at that time.

Clem and Joel, Joel and Clem... Who would have thought that such a shy person like him could fall in love with such a spontaneous and crazy person like her. 

It was hard to understand the plot in the very beginning of the film. I did not understand why Joel was so sad about breaking up with Clementine if had just met her. And then everything became clearer. I am not sure whether it is possible in real life or not, but, you know, in films nothing is impossible, so maybe you can erase memories from your brain. Oh well. Clem did it first, Joel did it afterwards. What a strange feeling has to be waking up in the morning and not remembering a part of your life. They both wanted to change something, one of them more then the other (one - 100%, other- 10%?).

Joel could not live without Clementine, but what do to do if she does not remember him and flirts with another guy? 

Flashbacks helped me to understand the whole story and made me realize that Clem was really happy living together with Joel, she was just a way too impatient and wanting to solve each problem as fast as possible. (If that was not true, why would then Clem help Joel to run away from the memory cleaners?) 

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is one of the best romantic - drama films I have seen and clearly one of the extraordinary ones. (Something like Camille) You will definitely like it if you believe in true love and the fact that you can erase a person from your brain but not from your heart.

Sherlock Holmes (2009), A game of shadows (2011)

Director: Guy Ritchie

It's been a long time since I have written something new. I've seen some good films lately and Sherlock Holmes is one of them. Yes, I don't know how could I not see it in 2009 already. I guess I was not really sure if I liked it. But now I know for certain. Sherlock Holmes is one of the best detective and action films I've ever seen. After being so agreeably surprised I decided to watch the second part (Sherlock Holmes: A game of shadows) too. They both are really good and can be valued equally.

What makes Sherlock Holmes so  priceless are actors of the leading roles. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are great partners and real friends. Or should I say Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson? That would be more appropriate. I guess there are no mysteries or crimes our lovely detective couldn't figure out. The question is not whether Holmes will find the real villain or not, but how much time will it take to complete the mission. Where there is Sherlock, nothing is impossible and everything is explainable.

I wasn't really turned to Irene Adler's (Rachel McAdams) character. She helped a little bit but it was all firstly because of her own interests. Herself to blame. Maybe Irene would still be alive if she was strong and unbendable enough.

However, besides the intense plot and unexpected solutions, the "thing" I liked the most was humor and sometimes "very friendly" relationship between Doctor and Holmes. Sometimes you just have follow the stream not worrying about anything and take life or incidents not so deadly seriously. 

Laughter is what will make us live forever. (The end?)

The Vow (2012)

 

Director: Michael Sucsy

"The vow" is another chick flick that might not has the ending we all have waited for. The main characters Paige and Leo are played by our loved romantic films actors Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum. The storyline is divided into 3 parts - before the accident, the day of accident and after the accident. Yes, car crash and its created consequences played a major role in the film.

Paige, a successful artist, and Leo, a self-founded record company's manager, are happily married when suddenly happens the worst. After the car accident Leo emerges unharmed but Paige.... doesn't remember anything that happened during the last 3 or even 4 years (that means she also doesn't remember that she is married.) . Now Leo has to make his wife to fall in love with him again. 

The road to Paige's heart is very long. I can understand her however I never want to know how does the lose of memory feels like. Waking up and finding out you are married to a stranger and know nothing about your current life is a big deal. But I was more sorry for Leo. He was even more hurt because he knew the truth. How would you feel if one day your wife/husband or girlfriend/boyfriend remembers only the time before she/he met you?

I have to admit that I cried a little bit and that's huge for me because I've never cried while watching Titanic or The Notebook. I am emotional but the plot has to be really sad in order to make me cry. I was also amazed by Channing. He's not so poor actor as I firstly thought he was. (Despite that, in my opinion, he's still part of the middle class of acting.)

This story was inspired by true events. The "real life" Paige never regained her memory. You have to watch the film to find out how she spent the rest of her life. One thing now I know for sure - nothing can cause bigger pain than losing someone you truly love.

All in all, I waited from "The vow"  so much more, I was kinda disappointed of how the story was going. And, as far as I know, I'm not the only one. You can watch this film but don't wait anything creditable. I actually don't understand why it was released just before the Valentines day because it's more sad than joyous, however "happily ever after" did happen.

Leap year (2010)

Director: Anand Tucker

I found "Leap year" by "googling" similar films to "Letters to Juliet" and the people who suggested it weren't wrong. Of course you can't compare one film to other but there were some similarities. Once again a girl who is about to marry on her journey meets another guy who is more suitable for her than her groom-to-be. 

That's what happened with Anna this time. After a very successful day at work she is asked by Jeremy (her boyfriend) to have a dinner together, because there's something special he wants to give her. Anna is surprised when she finds out that it's not the engagement ring (she expected) but ear rings, yet more Jeremy had to immediately go to Ireland, Dublin.

Anna got to know that there is such an Irish tradition - in the leap year on 29th of February a woman can propose man and he has to accept it. However it seems that Irish themselves don't take this tradition serious and think it's stupid. On the contrary, Anna finds it very romantic therefore she goes to Ireland. 

Because of the powerful storm over the "green land" Anna is forced to get off far away from Dublin. Luckily she finds Irish guy Declan (ooohhh his gorgeous accent) who consents to drive her to the capital city. On their way both have to overcome their differences and funny situations that leads to exploring each others characters and feelings and falling in love. 

In the end Anna realizes that marrying Jeremy is a big mistake. If she had only 60 seconds to run away from burning house, Declan would be the only one she would rescue. I guess you have already perceived the ending so I won't tell it.

This film made me think about the real values in my life. Material damage is not as serious as losing a really important person. And also... Over thinking and planning all the details of your daily life - that's not how you can enjoy your lifetime to it's fullest. Try to do something on impulse not thinking about what to do next. That's how you will really taste your life!

Really, really good romantic comedy both for women and men.