RELEASES! Damsels in Distress (2011); The Hobbit (2012) | BASIC CLASSICS! Women in love (1969)
December 14, 2012This is the weekend of Whit Stillman’s comeback, Damsels in Distress is his first film since 1998. The best release talked in English of the week shares our attention with one of the blockbusters of the year, The Hobbit, another trilogy by Peter Jackson after Lord of the Rings. Our classic of this weekend is very British! Women in Love, the acclaimed adaptation of D. H. Lawrence’s masterpiece by Ken Russell starring Oliver Reed and Glenda Jackson. A must!
RELEASES! DAMSELS IN DISTRESS (2011)
If you like American comedies about high schools or universities you will enjoy it very much. But, this is important, Damsels in distress is an author film (although it does not look like it) and Stillman transforms a silly comedy into an interesting essay about relationships, manners and expectations of a group of young girls in a old fashioned movie inspired in the American classics. In spite of its indubitable superficial elements, critics have pointed out the curious link of this movie with F. S. Fitzgerald’s world.
Damsels in Distress [Damiselas en apuros, 2011] Directed by Whit Stillman
Screenplay: Whit Stillman
Cast: Greta Gerwig, Adam Brody, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke
Genre: Drama. High School. Friendship.
Nationality: United States
Length: 99 min.
Synopsis: A trio of girls set out to change the male-dominated environment of the Seven Oaks college campus, and to rescue their fellow students from depression, grunge and low standards of every kind. IMDb
Empire has written: http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=137560
Theatrical Trailer (VO):
RELEASES! THE HOBBIT (2012)
After a successful career with blockbusters as Heavenly creatures (1994) or Lord of the rings Trilogy (2001-2003), Peter Jackson delivers the first part of his new trilogy based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s best sellers. This kind of films are like a rollercoaster with a frenetic rhythm, a lot of different monsters, battles and a great collection of complements and costume jewellery: rings, collars, blades, swords, nails, horns, amulets… A romantic touch and that’s it. Only for unconditional fans.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey [El Hobbit: un viaje inesperado, 2012] Directed by Peter Jackson
Screenplay: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro (Novel by J.R.R. Tolkien)
Cast: Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom.
Genre: Fantastic | Adventures | Action
Nationality: United States
Length: 169 min.
Synopsis: A curious Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, journeys to the Lonely Mountain with a vigorous group of Dwarves to reclaim a treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug. IMDb
Time has written: http://entertainment.time.com/2012/12/05/the-hobbit-why-go-there-and-back-again/
Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):
BASIC CLASSICS! WOMEN IN LOVE (1969)
Especially recommended for practising our English, Women in love, a film showed in Filmoteca’s screen in Ken Russell’s homage, cannot be more British. It is based on D. H. Lawrence’s novels and it is about an original love story with a beautiful mise en scène. All is distinguished in this masterpiece, Georges Delerue composed the memorable score for the film and Glenda Jackson won the Oscar at 1970 (she competed for it with Ali MacGraw in Love Story and Sarah Miles in Ryan’s daughter, among others). We all ought to see it!
Women in Love [Mujeres Enamoradas, 1969] Directed by Ken Russell
Screenplay: Larry Kramer (Novel by D.H. Lawrence)
Cast: Glenda Jackson, Alan Bates, Oliver Reed, Jennie Linden
Genre: Drama | Romance
Nationality: United Kingdom
Length: 99 min.
Synopsis: The battle of the sexes and relationships among the elite of Britain’s industrial Midlands in the 1920s. Gerald Crich and Rupert Berkin are best friends who fall in love with a pair of sisters Gudrun, a sculptress and Ursula Brangwen, a schoolteacher. Rupert marries Ursula, Gerald begins a love affair with Gudrun, and the foursome embarks upon a Swiss honeymoon. But the relationships take markedly different directions, as Russell explores the nature of commitment and love. Rupert and Ursula learn to give themselves to each other; the more withdrawn Gerald cannot, finally, connect with the demanding and challenging Gudrun. IMDb
The Guardian has written: http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/from-the-archive-blog/2011/nov/28/ken-russell-women-in-love-archive
Fragment (VO):
EOI Goya Film Club 
Ken Russell is a very exagerated and flashy filmaker. I am not sure I like his films. By the record, this film is famous because it has one of the first full frontal male nude scene in all the history of film (with Oliver Reed fighting against Alan Bates):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Love_(film)
I coud watch this film and I liked it but The Devils and The Boy Friend are the best. The first because it is a sample of how exagerated Russell could be and the second because it is an absolute hidden masterwork, one of the best musicals that I have seen (starring Twiggy as main character). Fabulous!