Genres

Visitors Review

2013-05-15 16:06:10

Moving story

This review is from: Some Voices (DVD) A very moving story that I wasn't familiar with. A completely different side of Daniel Craig - no sign of Bond here!

Azeem Ali Khan 2013-05-15 04:33:29

A fine British film that I fear not many people will see

This really is a surprisingly good film - it's only just opened, andalreadythe reviews are mixed. To me it's a refreshingly unsentimental andnon-sensationalist portrait of schizophrenia. None of the characters isperfect, but none of them are irredeemable either, and there seems to beanunderlying optimism about human nature. Despite what the previousreviewerwrote, I actually laughed quite a few times, as well as being moved atothertimes. The three main performances are all excellent, with Kelly Mcdonaldespecially good (why isn't this woman more well-known, why oh why??). Theother characters are well portrayed too, especially Mandy the waitress.West London looks stunning (just kidding!), the filming and acting arenaturalistic, and the music on the soundtrack is effective too. I hopethefilm makes it to the US.

Andrew Richards 2013-04-16 22:34:06

Great script, superb performances

This was a film I saw completely "on spec" having not heardofit before. As is often the way, when there are no expectationsto be dashed, the experience was entirely worthwhile.Without giving too much plot away, our hero - or more accuratelyour anti-hero - is discharged at the start of the filmfroma psychiatric hospital. He is returned, with a large supplyof tablets, to his brother's care within "the community".When he falls for a woman, who reciprocates, life seemsbetterthan it has ever been, and he begins to question whethertheendless tablets are actually necessary. This is a film which is above all honest. The performancesaretruthful and insightful, and the characters are drawn sympathetically but not blandly. We are shown flaws andstrengths, and we are invited to observe and empathise butnotjudge. The laughter - and it is not in short supply - comesfrom the foibles of the characters we are presented with,andas in life, provides a welcome relief from the more tragicelements. As the film moves towards its conclusion - via a 10 minutesequence of genuine breathtaking tension - the answersprovided are not easy, and the loose ends are not tiedup,yet this acts not to frustrate the viewer but simply toreinforce that this is the genuine article - life has noeasysolutions. I have rated this film as a 9 out of 10; it lacks the perception about the human condition, the wider scope orrelevance of, say "American Beauty", but that was never itsintention, and it is designed, I suspect, with a smalleraudience in mind. It is, however, a beauty in its own right,and I would whole-heartedly recommend it as a thought-provoking way of spending a couple of hours.

paolo_bf 2013-04-16 11:36:27

'James Bond' Daniel Craig as a young recovering schizophrenic? Yes, why not!

Daniel Craig seems reasonably suitable for the role, good also thechemistry with his on screen girlfriend Kelly MacDonald, absolutelyadorable as the wee Scottish lass romantic interest! The movie has arather poetic quality, the poetry of everyday life, and a fairly goodinsight into the little important things which constitute ourexistence, more than into that mythical and mysterious condition:schizophrenia. When the movie approaches this ground the stereotypesstart to pile up mercilessly, but then again the movie is still a cutabove a lot of other films which have in the past tried to deal withthis subject. Cue the almost Nouvelle Vague romantic feel of theHastings day out scenes, on the beach and in the hotel, Kelly MacDonaldswimming in the huge sea-of-white bed to the tunes of a French song.Intriguing and fascinating the London backdrop: a moody sky, a crowdedstreet, evening falling outside, inside a room, in front of a window.

2013-04-07 20:50:11

SOME FILM!

This review is from: Some Voices (DVD) It took a while for me to get my copy of "Some Voices" due to it coming twice with only half the film on the DVD. But Amazon took care of it and it was well worth the wait. This is a wonderful character study of Ray a man who is struggling with his mental health and the beginnings of a new relationship with his brother (post mental institution release) and a new romance. The versatile Daniel Craig turns in another stunning performance as Ray and lights up the screen in true movie star style. But there is more to his performance than that. It is textured and deep as he goes from trying to adjust to life out of the mad house to the touching dénouement. The fine talents of David Morrissy and Kelly MacDonald support Daniel Craig and it is well worth viewing for these performances as well. The direction by Simon Cellan-Jones is seamless and brilliant. This is Mr. Craig at his best pre-Bond and illustrates his growing power as perhaps the best actor of his generation.

2013-04-07 06:18:59

A unconventional movie.

This review is from: Some Voices (DVD) Some Voices is a very different unconventional love story.Daniel Craig is superb as the enigmatic,mysterious yet endearing Ray.A movie I highly recommend.

2013-03-25 09:44:49

Fine for what it is.

I didn't have huge expectations for this movie, so I gave it 4 stars because it succeeded on its modest ambitions and expectations. I'll go so far as to say I was pleasantly surprised. While it follows the low budget "crazy" lovers structure seen in other largely unwatched movies like "Mad Love" and "Angel Baby" this movie is better than those, I feel.It's part comedy, part drama, part portrait of people who struggle with a terrible mental illness as well as the people whose lives they affect. In some parts the editing has that flashy, self-consciously postmodern feel that was popular in the U.K. (among other places) at the turn of the century, but it's for the most part well-utilized and not intrusive. There's laughs, touching moments, a setting rich with atmosphere, and a pretty neat soundtrack.The story revolves around Ray, a guy released from a mental hospital who goes to work in his brother Pete's restaurant. Pete is watchful, protective, concerned, and worried about his brother, but this is born out of a genuine desire to see him succeed but at the same time worry over a relapse. Ray meets Laura, a mentally ill young woman, and the two fall in love very quickly. Things start going so well for Ray he feels his medication is unnecessary and discontinues it. Then things start to go bad.While it sounds easy to predict what will happen from there, I should say there's a little more than you'd think, and it's carried over with a great deal of sympathy, tension, and believability. Not much is cliché or trite and the movie is a well-executed work.The acting also excels. Daniel Craig as Ray (unrelated note: I still find Craig as an implausible choice for James Bond - we'll soon find out) adds just the right dimension to this role to generate interest and keep it realistic, with a nice division between feeling sympathy for him but also worried about his situation and prospects. Kelly Macdonald also excels here, which is no surprise, she is always a very enjoyable actor to watch, and is fantastic playing the warm, down-on-their-luck women roles; she's in her element here. David Morrissey is fine as the protective older brother but I wasn't left with a strong impression on the performance. Julie Graham is a good Scottish character actor who does a fine turn in her role as the waitress Mandy.To conclude, this is a surprisingly fine movie, but by no means a great or excellent one. It succeeds in its objectives, entertains well through a mixture of drama and comedy, boasts strong characterization, plotting, setting, bolstered by a good script and fine acting. If you've found your way to this remote review, it's probably because you have some interest in an aspect of the movie, and anyone with an interest I'd recommend watching this movie, I don't think it's apt to disappoint.

bob the moo 2013-03-24 15:36:23

So much more than just a comedy

Ray is a schizophrenic who has been released form care back to his brother. He is on his medication and he is fine – enjoying life but wandering a lot. He meets a girl, Laura when she and her boyfriend are having a fight in thestreet. At first she dislikes him but the more he tries to get to know herthe more she gives in to him. The pair go off to Hastings for a while andfall for each other – despite the worries of Ray's brotherDave.I taped as it was billed as a comedy and I thought I'd give it a go. Tocall it a comedy is to not even tell half the story. It is funny in manyplaces and has an enjoyable light air to most of it, but it is so much morethan just another romantic `boy meets girl' British comedy. It is actuallya sensitive look at mental illness through our view of Ray. He is allowedto be a person rather than a stereotype and as a result we care more aboutthe plot but also sympathise with all the characters a lotmore.It hurt me to see Ray struggling when not on his meds. He is a real personand just struggling in this way. In real life I may have been in the streetbemused by him rather than interesting in finding out who was behind theillness. Also when Dave is worried about him and feels he can't trust him,we side with Ray and see Ray's point, whereas in real life many of us wouldhave our doubts just like Dave. This doesn't mean it's perfect as the plothas weaknesses. The romance in the centre doesn't always ring true and theclimax, although dramatic, is an extreme for dramatic effect, but overall itworks.This is mainly due to a good strong script with real characters as well asgood acting all round. Craig is really good as Ray – I never doubted himfor a second and his portrayal is never lazy cliché for a second. McDonald's Dave is a less sympathetic figure but well acted and Macdonald'sLaura is good once we are over the way she is very easily won over by Ray. The direction is really good and avoids being arty in it's use of images. Idon't know what it's like to see things an hear things like Ray is, but hereit is brought to the screen as well and as tastefully as could beexpected.Overall this is a comedy and can be enjoyed as such for at least half thefilm. But more than this the film goes deeper and is a wonderful look atschizophrenia without going into detail but rather giving us a realcharacter and even helping `normal' (read `ignorant') people like meunderstand what it's like for people like Ray.

2013-03-23 17:29:39

Brilliant

This review is from: Some Voices (DVD) Brilliant performance from Daniel Craig as Ray, who leaves a mental hospital to move in with his brother, played by David Morrissey. Ray is funny and charismatic, and his new relationship with Kelly MacDonald is delightful... till he goes off his meds, in an upsetting, heartbreaking and ultimately edge-of-the-seat horrifying way. Cracking performances from everyone and more tension towards the end than most thrillers. The best film I`ve seen in a long time, too. As an aside, I noticed no problem with the picture quality on my newish widescreen TV.

Ben Walsh 2013-03-23 03:20:48

A disturbing and rewarding film, but don't expect any belly laughs or easy answers.

Some Voices centres on Ray (Craig) and his release from a psychiatrichospital. His rehabilation starts fairly well, with Ray working for hisprotective brother Pete (Morrissey) in a restaurant. However, when Rayfalls head over heels in love with Laura (McDonald), a wild Scottish girl,and stops taking his medication, matters spiral out of control.Directorialdebutant Simon Cellan Jones has effectively captured the colour (mostlygrimy) and energy of Shepherds Bush. However, this is an actors piece andassuch Craig and McDonald shine. Especially, McDonald who brings a naturalwarmth to a difficult role. Ultimately, both a disturbing and rewardingfilm, but don't expect any belly laughs or easy answers.

hottentot 2013-03-22 16:33:19

Totally gripping!

I saw this film recently, when it was briefly shown at the Cambridge ArtsPicturehouse. My concentration didn't waver throughout the whole film. Forme, the story was told in such a way that it was essentially a truthfulone,without needlessly tugging at heartstrings or indulging in gratuitous funatthe expense of the leading character. I work in mental health, so a filmsuch as this one sits better with me than 'Me, Myself & Irene", which, tobefair, I have not seen, and which I know is intended as a comedy. 'SomeVoices' has comic touches, but these are humane, and do not detract fromthefact that this is the story of a man who wants a life, but finds it hardtoaccept the conditions that other people seem to be placing on him. I wastotally gripped from start to finish, and would urge others to see thisfilm, and also, to enjoy the great soundtrack, which only fades away in amoment of high drama towards the end but otherwise accompanies the actionvery sensitively,and does not get in the way of it. This film deserves alotmore exposure than I guess its independent status will ensure. Go and seeit, or get your local independent cinema to put it on!

frankiehudson 2013-03-22 02:07:49

Taxi Driver meets the Naked Chef

I only saw the last hour of this film but it is an excellent insight intomental illness, as well as the urban jungle of London (west London andActon/Shepherds Bush, in particular).Daniel Craig is brilliant (never heard of him before) as the mixed up manwho visits and stays with his brother and frequents his quaint littlebistroin the high street.Lots of Godard-style jump cuts and freeze-frames, presumably to mimic themind of a schizophrenic, accompanied by a fine soundtrack. Another greatlittle motif is having all the characters live or work next to very busythoroughfares - Ray's brother (Peter Macdonald) of course lives on thethirdfloor at the same level as the flyover about 50 feet away, with constantmotion and noise.The film even features cooking lessons at the end, as Ray is quietlyrehabilitated, ironically set and filmed in the hinterland of JamieOliver,the original 'naked chef' on BBC tv who is always shown at some pointtraversing these same streets on his Italian moped (always wearing a crashhelmet, of course!). Daniel Craig is more authentic as he's seen nakedinthe street during a crisis.The film's quite emotional, too, especially the kitchen arson scene whereDave is visibly concerned.