Oscar Nominated Shorts: Live Action
IFC Film Center, March 16, 2012
Movie #13 for 2012
Pentecost (Northern Ireland) is a very good example of something we have become very, very familiar with: a young boy coming of age in rural Ireland in the 70s embraces football as his religion of choice, much to the despair of his good Catholic parents. It’s got the same tried and try filter of nostalgia and the charmingly slight exoticism of Ireland. But there’s a nice scene when the Bishop comes to town and the priest in charge of the altar boys gives a stirring pre-mass pep talk and in general, the thing is so charming it can hardly offend.
Raju (Germany/India)
A German couple travel to India to collect their newly adopted son. When he is lost in a crowd and the couple desperately seek to get him back, the truth of Raju’s filial circumstances becomes clearer and more complicated. Most impressive where the kinds of street scenes you’ve seen before (only here not nearly as well shot), some unconvincing writing and some spectacular overacting.
The Shore (Northern Ireland) won the Oscar, and quite rightly so. It’s an original story about life-long friendships and choices. It is moving, very funny, and – with one exception – the performances are terrific. Especially Ciaran Hinds (pictured), who nails scene after scene, including one pretty tough back-story laden monologue, making it engaging and touching.
Time Freak (USA)
Two guys and a time machine: hilarity ensues. In many ways, actually, it reminded me of this Space-Time Machine strip about how spectacular feats of science can be used for the most banal of purposes. The idea is probably not that original, but the film is funny and the approach is fresh and the actors do really well. It’s nice to see restrained, thoughtful, kick arse comedy get a nod in the Oscars.
Tuba Atlantic (Norway)
Defying the risk of repeating myself: I love Norwegian films. The landscape and people are as strange as North Ireland and its people are charmingly 70’s tinted. A seagull-hating curmudgeon nearing death wants to reconcile with his long-estranged brother who is living across the Atlantic in New Jersey. To help – or perhaps unwittingly hinder – him in this, the local Jesus Club assigns him a young, cheerful and completely hopeless woman as his “Angel of Death”. The two actors forge genuine warmth and interest out of the odd couple set up and the eventual reconciliation comes from a rather surprising quarter.
