Wimbledon

I know I promised 'Stardust,' but since I spent almost seven, that's right SEVEN, hours watching the Championship match at this year's Wimbledon I felt inspired to review the movie of the same name. Wimbledon - the sporting event - is a unique event. Sure, there are tons of tennis tournaments through out the year, but there isn't anything quite like the fortnight of tennis at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. (PS I love tennis...tennis and hockey, my two favourite, and completely disparate, sports) Much like it's namesake 'Wimbledon' (that's the movie this time) is also quite unique, I mean have you ever heard of a tennis movie before, let alone a tennis-romantic comedy?! 

The thing that first drew me to this film was not that it was a romantic comedy from the same people who brought us 'Notting Hill', (although the trailer tries to entice you with this information, I find Hugh Grant a little insufferable...but I digress) it was the sports movie aspect, and Paul Bettany, I'd watch anything with him in it. 

I've always been drawn to sports movies, although not for the sport, but the story. The stories these films bring us are ones of an indomitable human spirit: they've got that hunger that leads them to conquer not only an opponent but also any personal misgivings of failure. 

Interestingly, in this film, Peter Colt (our hero) has never really hungered for anything. He comes from an upper-middle class (albeit quirky) family and at 31 is an aging tennis pro who's looking at getting a cushy job at a country club for his retirement. He's going to Wimbledon one final time for his last hurrah and isn't expecting to get past the second round. This is a man who tries to announce his retirement at a press conference only to be overshadowed by the latest American phenom. Paul Bettany is perfect as Colt. He plays the almost-past-his-prime tennis player to a tee. He's still in good shape and still has his looks, but he's lost all ambition and every stroke tires him out. Even as the movie progresses and he gets further on in the tournament every time he makes a ridiculous shot the look on his face is priceless, completely shocked and exhausted. He's also perfectly English, this may sound odd, but it's true. An Englishman hasn't won Wimbledon since 1936 and Peter Colt becomes their last great hope. With every round he advances he gets more and more support; this makes him uncomfortable as hell and he demonstrates a great amount of humility only the English can pull off and still come off as sincere. 

Where Peter Colt is a character that would've never worked as an American, Lizzie Bradbury is the perfect brash Yankee player. She plays hard, fearless and and has John McEnroe's manners. Despite their places at the opposite ends of the tennis spectrum they become a great pair. Lizzie makes Peter take chances he wouldn't usually dream of and he makes her realise there's more to life than winning. The filmmaker's take great care with this love story. It could've been incredibly corny and melodramatic but they manage to perfectly undermine almost every romantic moment to give it a laugh. However, there are those rare moments when you can see that these two, that make an unlikely couple, are falling head over heels for each other.

Yet another great touch in this movie is Peter's internal monologue. The audience not only gets to see the agony that almost every shot brings him, but also getting to hear his voice tell us how exhausted he is. While this may seem superfluous you have to remember that, where in other sports movies there are teammates and coaches reminding us how difficult a shot is, or how insurmountable the situation may be, this is tennis. This is a sport where two people play solo against each other for hours. There are no periods, no quarters, no halfs, no time limits. The match just keeps going until someone has won. (Remember when I mentioned this year's match? Yeah 4hrs48min!) So it's nice to get an idea of what might be going on inside one of these player's heads.

While the film focuses on Bettany there are some fantastic supporting performances in this film. Sam Neill is the perfect overbearing tennis father and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is wonderful as Peter's charming German tennis practice partner, Deiter. However, the supporting roles that really stood out for me were James McAvoy and Jon Favreau. McAvoy plays Peter's younger brother Carl. He constantly bets against his brother and is a general annoyance, but in a sweet brotherly way. Then you have the always funny Jon Favreau. Favreau plays Peter's weaselly agent; an agent who's magically reappeared now that Peter's doing well again. While he doesn't have a lot of screen time he steals almost every scene he's in.

On top of the great story and performances that are going on this movie also has great camerawork and effects. In a time where opening sequences are often minimalised, these are fantastic. They put the audience right into the feel of the game. Along with the great opening sequence, there are wonderful special effects in this movie, so good in fact, they are practically invisible. While you can teach an actor to play tennis you can't make him an expert. The actors served the ball, but every match was perfectly choreographed so that that fuzzy yellow ball could be digitally inserted into the rally.

Needless to say this is one of those rare movies that manages to accomplish everything it sets out to do. You believe in the love story, but more than that you end up believing in Peter and want him desperately to win. Leading me put out that from this point on all other tennis-romantic-comedies I see will have to be judged against 'Wimbledon.' Although, I may have to wait a while...oh well, I'll always have next year's Championships. And if you think you're not a tennis fan see if you can find a match or two to watch this summer (Roger's Cup, US Open, I recommend watching Federer, Nadal or Djokovich), and you might just get sucked in. 

Next up 'Stardust,' until then keep it reel!

Iron Man

I don't like Tony Stark. I thought I'd get that out of the way before I get too far into this review. I read Marvel comics and I think he's kind of a jerk, especially recently and anyone else who may have read 'Civil War' can probably feel where I'm coming from. However, that being said, I loved 'Iron Man.' Now I think it has to be said that with the wealth of comic book movies that have come out in recent years that they aren't always winners. However, every once and a while everything seems to come together, director, actors, story, to make a great movie, such is the case with 'Iron Man.'

Jon Favreau was chosen to helm 'Iron Man' and after watching the movie I can see why. Now, "Who is that?" You might be asking yourself, well he's no Spielberg or Scorsese but he's certainly no stranger to Hollywood. Favreau had been acting for a while and then segued into directing in 2001 by directing and starring in the indie flick 'Made.' He has since then moved into more mainstream fare with 'Elf' and my favourite, yet much underrated, kids sci-fi movie, 'Zathura.' (if you haven't seen it, get on that...in fact a review may be found here for it sometime in the future.) Favreau seems to have a true gift when it comes to making an audience care for a character and this can be seen in his previous films as well. His talents are put to good use in 'Iron Man' as Tony Stark isn't an overly likable character. He's a billionaire wunderkind, who's charming to boot, the kind of guy you just love to hate. However like any good origin movie 'Iron Man' takes the audience deeper into the man behind the red and gold suit. What Favreau is really able to highlight is, not only Stark's journey from boozy billionaire to super hero, but the relationships with those around him and how they influence his transformation.

What I found most fascinating about Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is that I ended up not hating him. Even from the beginning he's not completely unappealing, and I found him myself endeared by him especially when it came to his relationship with his right-hand gal Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). They banter easily back and forth that demonstrates a level of trust and care that maybe shouldn't be so evident in a employer-employee relationship, nonetheless it makes you start to see Tony through Pepper's eyes. She believes that he really is a good person and you start to feel that maybe she's right. The other thing that I found surprising was Stark's naivete. We see him toast to peace after demonstrating the destructive power of his Jericho missile, completely blase about it. However he is completely and utterly shocked to discover that the men that have kidnapped him are using his weapons. He believes strongly in his technology and that the weapons that he has created are being used to help protect not only the American people but also the people under military control in the Middle East. Seeing them in the hands of his captors brings this belief crashing down and starts his shift to becoming Iron Man. The other thing that pushes Stark onto his path is the doctor, Yinsen, who saves Tony's life and helps him build the first suit. It might be one of the most important relationships he forms, however brief it may have been. And when Yinsen sacrifices himself so Tony can escape, he tells him to not waste this second chance at life and you can see in Tony's eyes that he means not to. One last thing about Stark is that I can't help but be impressed by a guy who can build a tiny reactor in a cave, out of scraps, while towing around a car battery that's keeping shrapnel out his heart, pretty damn determined. A determination that serves him well in his escape and future life-saving missions.

While saying all this about the character of Tony Stark I would feel remiss leaving out the absolute perfect casting of Robert Downey Jr. for this part. Just like with the casting of Tobey Maguire in the 'Spider-Man' movies people may have been surprised, however yet again Marvel demonstrates the importance of casting the man, not the super hero. Downey Jr. plays Stark with a perfect amount of humour and arrogance. It truly is his performance that allows the audience to see in past the facade of billionaire playboy to the lonely man who just wants to do what's right. Thanks to Downey Jr. we can always see Tony, even when he's in his Iron Man suit.

The supporting cast was also fantastic in this film. Gwyneth Paltrow plays Pepper Potts with a perfect mix care and professionalism. "Where has she been?" I thought, as I watched the movies, she really hasn't done anything big since 'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow' back in 2004. This doesn't diminish the fact that she is still excellent in 'Iron Man.' (and that I want to steal every pair of shoes she wears...) As I mentioned before Pepper truly believes that Tony has it within himself to do good, "He's a complicated person" she explains. However, once she discovers his plans to go out and stop injustices in person she wants nothing to do with it, not because she doesn't believe in what he's doing but because she's afraid for his safety. She cares for Tony like family, which leads to the perfect reaction to a dance she shares with him. She's awkward and flustered, she loves him, but not sure if she's in love with him, and that's really the extent of it. No extraneous love story, which I like, if it's not necessary to the plot, leave the love story out!

Then you have Obidiah Stane. From the first time you see him, you know he's evil, I mean he looks like Lex Luthor with a beard, how much more evil can you get?! However, Jeff Bridges plays Stane so cool and smooth that you almost believe he isn't the bad guy, almost. However when it's revealed that he is the villain of the piece, all the way down to Tony's kidnapping, you don't feel surprised, only a little disappointed. Especially when he does the stereotypical villain thing to stay and gloat after he's incapacitated and essentially killed the good guy.

There are a few a little extra things that I feel I should mention, although not essential to the review, but essential to my enjoyment of it, just a couple little funny things. Tony's robots. If you've seen the film you know what I'm talking about. You have to love a man that has the ability to build a fully functioning interactive computer program, Jarvis, (voiced perfectly by Paul Bettany) but gives it an attitude. He also keeps his "dummy" robots despite their need to douse him with fire extinguishers. He threatens to send one to a community college, but he never would, because who would he have to gripe at then? Also, watch for the wave Tony gives to the helicopter that saves him in the desert. It's a little odd, the man has been trapped for three months and has just spent who knows how long wandering in the desert and that is the wave he gives his rescuers?

Last but not least is the inclusion of Agent Coulson from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. The second he started to say the name the fangirl inside me had a little freak out. Marvel has introduced the omnipresent S.H.I.E.L.D. into this movie, which leads to all kinds of opportunities for any of the future films they release. And if you stay until after the credits be prepared to be as psyched as I am for the 'Avengers' movie that is slated to come out in 2011.

I suppose it might be superfluous to say, but clearly Marvel has swayed me. I like Tony Stark a lot more than I thought I would, he is the "complicated" guy that Pepper knows and I can't wait to see what Marvel has in store for us. This was their first self-financed and produced feature film ('The Hulk' coming out this summer being the second) and if 'Iron Man' is any indication of the quality of film that they will be releasing then the movie going public is in for a real treat.