Bestest 2001 – Filmage
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In a year where the events of the world often made the “life imitating art”
cliché seem as relevant as ever, the films that left the most impact on me
seemed a perfectly balanced mix of surreal fantasy (Hedwig, Lord of the
Rings, Mullholland Drive, The Princess and The Warrior, and Amelie), and
somber reality (Amores Perros, Anniversary Party, In The Bedroom, Tape and
With a Friend Like Harry). Maybe this has all to do with my own personal
taste, or maybe this has more to do with some greater need among filmmakers
to attempt to differentiate life from art as the world seemed so on the
verge of change as we entered the 21st century.
Sometimes it takes a movie to ground our sense of who we are, and other
times we need to leave the solid footing that is life on earth to see how
things could and often should be different. In my opinion the best films of
this year were some of the best films in many years, and most of the rest
were worse than usual. But in the end the best thing about movies is that
there will always be more, and some of them will always continue to be very
different than ones before. But if you keep lists of movies to see, these
will all leave you either thinking or smiling or maybe even crying – and in
the end that is all you can hope for from movies.
1.) Amores Perros – Dir. Alejandro González Iñárritu
(Emilio Echeverria, Goya Toledo, Jorge Salinas)
In a year with many very good films, the gritty debut feature by the Mexican
auteur most likely to assume the throne left vacant by Tarrantino, towers
high above the rest. This film is an intricately crafted, almost
Altmanesque, tale of three interlinked stories taking place in scrappy
outskirts of sprawling Mexico City. For the most part they deal with love
(men and women and men and dogs), loss (the loss of family – which also
often includes dogs), and longing (for the things we can and can’t have).
There is violence scattered throughout the movie, including some vicious
dogfights (not real of course), car chases, and human physical and emotional
brutality. But for the most part as the characters role across the screen,
this film becomes less the action-oriented movie that it seems in the
beginning than it does the most intense looking and feeling drama of the
year. With superb performances by actors you we have never seen before and
as such carry no emotional connection, “Amores Perros” actually looks and
feels real – and in this reality lies its raw power.
2.) Hedwig and the Angry Inch – Dir. John Cameron Mitchell
(John Cameron Mitchell, Michael Pitt)
On a much smaller scale translating Hedwig from the stage to the screen
seems as difficult as it might have been translating “Lord of the Rings”
from the page to the screen. Following such imaginative efforts as “Tommy,”
John Cameron Mitchell’s Sundance workshopped project is an amazing
combination or music, animation, and narrative. Leveraging the truly
original lyrics and music of the play, Mitchell and actor Michael Pitt
elaborate beautifully on the story about a botched sex change and the
meaning of love and loss in a fickle world where stardom tends blind us from
what really matters. “Hedwig” the film is as emotionally powerful and
creative as any in 2001, and one that will hopefully someday be looked upon
as the art-house child of “Rocky Horror.”
3.) The Princess and the Warrior – Dir. Tom Tykwer
(Franka Polenta, Benno Furmann)
After “Run Lola Run” you have two real choices: Continue to exploit Lola’s
music video slickness and throbbing beats, or you could add some of those
surrealistic elements to a more emotive story. With “The Princess and the
Warrior” German Director Tom Tykwer has created a visually arresting,
rain-drenched masterpiece about two lonely people who meet by chance at the
scene of an accident (one saves the other). Featuring the two best young
German actors (Franka Potenta and Bruno Furmann) the movies becomes the
difficult search for love in a time of where both need to be lifted from
there somber existence. Both the acting and the cinematography, of the bleak
coastline and gray cityscapes, create such a rich atmosphere that is
impossible not become absorbed in the incredible energy of the film.
4.) Mulholland Drive – David Lynch
(Naomi Watts, Lara Harring, Justin Theroux)
Whether you watch “Mulholland Drive” as a tripped out meditation on
Hollywood, a noir thriller about mistaken identity, or a non-linear
hedonistic visual feast, the latest stream of consciousness by David lynch
is as enthralling and challenging as anything he has made since “Blue
Velvet.” As with most of his films (except “The Straight Story”) nothing is
really what it seems, even though more often than not, we wish that it was.
The beauty of this film, beyond the lush production and beautiful cast, is
that even though you might leave the theater feeling annoyed by his lack of
resolution, it has moments so vivid and unique I can’t imagine it not being
film that you think about periodically for years, still trying to figure out
what you thought about it.
5.) With a Friend Like Harry – Dir. Dominik Moll
(Sergi Lopez, Laurent Lucas, Mathilde Seigner)
Although you can’t help loving a good Hitchcock film, to catch them
accidentally on late night cable, it is hard to ignore how goofy and lo-fi
they are beginning to seem. But “With a Friend Like Harry” we are given a
look at what many of the Hitchcock films might have looked like had they
been made today. “With A Friend Like Harry” is slick, clever, psychological
thriller about what happens when you “coincidentally” run into an old high
school classmate many years later – especially when you learn that this now
successful friend who you don’t remember idolized you during that foggy high
school period years ago. If the friend is Harry than you are in for an eerie
trip down memory lane. This is as suspenseful a movie as any other this
year, and one that will remind that special effects certainly aren’t the
only way to be entertained.
6.) Lord of the Rings – Dir. Peter Jackson
(Liv Tyler, Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortenson)
If there is ever a fantasy book even half as compelling as one of the Ring’s
books, I’d love to read it, and although I usually dislike special effects
laden blockbusters, the same will hold true for Peter Jackson’s much hyped,
most excellent “The Fellowship of the Ring.” From the picture perfect
landscapes which capture the Shire, Rivendale, and the Lothlorien forest, to
the dead on casting of the central characters, combined with an
exceptionally scholarly distillation of the famed books, there is little
left through stones at. When measured against other like epics (Star Wars,
Raiders of the Lost Arc, etc.) “The Fellowship of the Ring” will likely long
remain the most fully realized combination of technical filmmaking genius,
acting and visual storytelling. This is a film for all generations, it is
high art mixed with high technology, old school storytelling transcending
time and place with timeless themes of morality, good vs. evil, and self
sacrifice for the good of people everywhere. Hype usually leads to
disappointment, but Peter Jackson has triumphed in a time when we need it
the most.
7.) Anniversary Party – Dir. Jennifer Jason Leigh / Alan Cummings
(Kevin Kline, Phoebe Cates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cummings)
There is nothing groundbreaking either thematically or technically about
this movie, yet this spontaneous, magically acted modern day “Big Chill” is
about original a “reunion” film as you are likely to see. Unfolding over the
course of a day, directors and stars Leigh and Cummings have gathered their
friends (who also happen to be their real life friends) to celebrate another
anniversary in what we learn to be an ever-tumultuous relationship. With a
large and very film buff friendly cast, the story just kind oozes out, with
one painful disclosure after another rising to the surface, creating a thick
and enjoyable pulse that is so hard not get sucked into. Eventually as the
guests get drunker, and tensions begin to simmer to a boil, the party all
takes ecstasy and the audience is treated to some of the best pure
improvisational acting of the year. Far from light-hearted and fun,
“Anniversary Party” is that dark talky drama that will reacquaint you with
some damn good actors you haven’t seen for way too long.
8.) In the Bedroom – Dir. Todd Field
(Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkenson, Marissa Tomei)
L.L. Bean clad parents gaze fondly at their loving son, off to college in
the Fall, as a slight breeze blows behind him across rolling hills of Maine.
This is the setting for the much heralded, directorial debut of Todd Field
“In the Bedroom.” Movies can make life small towns seem so desirable, but if
you have ever lived in one you will realize that they rarely are what they
are made to look like. In fact in the movies the more beautiful they look,
the more wrenching the tragedy you are likely to see. Because a portion of
this movie was spoiled for me by previews that gave too much away, I will
merely point out that this is a wonderful film – one that reflects with how
people with grief and emptiness. This is special because the people seem
genuinely real, the scenario laid is uncomplicated, and the film is cut to
reflect this – and will hopefully be seen by many people.
9.) Amelie – Dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet
(Audrey Tautou, Mathieau Kassovitz)
Very few films manage to realize the promise of visual storytelling better
than the films of Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Delicatessen, City of Lost Children).
“Amelie,” a brightly colored, surreal fairy tale, is every bit as magical
and engaging and his earlier work. In it he has created a truly beautiful
character who comes into the ability to positively change lives of the
people around her by identifying and then mending the holes left by
loneliness. It is rare to find a film capable of taking such a romantic and
unrealistic premise and c
10.) Tape – Dir. Richard Linklater
(Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Robert Sean Leonard)
Three actors, and one shabby motel room seems like an unlikely foundation
for a great film, but in the confident hands of director Linklater (Dazed
and Confused, Slacker) “Tape” is easily one of the most compelling dramas
you are likely to see in a long while. The story focuses on the painful
reunion of three high school friends who meet up to see the premiere of a
movie directed by Leonard, back in Michigan at the small local film
festival. This film features two of the best acting performances of the
year – Hawke as a hyper-cynical and manipulative underachieving small time
drug dealer, and Thurman as a local DA, tricked into reliving a questionable
high school date rape. Linklater allows the story to unfold so that by the
climax, you have no choice but to love the loathing you feel for the perfect
performances and understated cinematography.
Almost:
The Royal Tenenbaums – (Dir. Wes Anderson), L.I.E. – (Dir. Michael Cuesta),
Waking Life – (Dir. Richard Linklater), Gosford Park – (Dir. Robert Altman),
Ghost World – (Dir. Terry Zwigoff), Sexy Beast – (Dir. Jonathan Glazer)
