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[cinemabritannica]

Hello people!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted - life gets busy sometimes! I’ve not been seeing as many films as I’d like this year (plus I no longer live around the corner from a lovely independent cinema anymore ☹️), but I’m always willing for people to give me film recommendations, for when I have a rainy day free.

Let’s have some fun and tell me your favourite film (preferably British, as per the blog, but it can be a co-production too)! No matter how old, how indie, how so-bad-it’s-good - just yell it at me and everyone else who sees this. Maybe I’ll start a film discussion club, who knows?

Cool kids keep reading

[cinemabritannica]

Wicked Little Letters (2024)

Director: Thea Sharrock

Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Anjana Vasan

Plot: In the coastal English village of Littlehampton, all is peaceful until obscene letters are sent to Edith Swan (Olivia Colman). Blame is placed on the out-spoken new resident Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley), although WPC Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) believes there is much more to the case than the townspeople might think.

My Review: How can a film where one of the insulting letters is quite simply “You are a sad onion” not be absolutely hilarious? This is such a great example of how swearing and obscene language can be used to great comedic effect. Plus, the chemistry between the cast is excellent - you truly believe they form a close-knit community. And the fact it’s based on a true and truly baffling real-life story makes it even more funny. One complaint however - Lolly Adefope needed more screentime!!

[cinemabritannica]

Seven Psychopaths (2012)

Director: Martin McDonagh

Starring: Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, Christopher Walken

Plot: Scriptwriter Marty (Colin Farrell) is struggling coming up with a story for his next screenplay, Seven Psychopaths. His best friend and professional actor/serial killer/dognapper Billy (Sam Rockwell) attempts to help. Along with another dognapper Hans (Chrisopher Walken), they steal a powerful mob boss's (Woody Harrelson) dog Bonny, causing a chain of inciting incidents. This eventually leads to a dramatic shoot-out in the desert.

My Review: Out of all of Martin McDonagh's films, I feel that this is perhaps his most underappreciated and overlooked film, despite it being my favourite! The characters of Marty and Billy have such as fun relationship, and as Billy Sam Rockwell is chaos defined. This film falls into my favourite genre I call 'Everyone's an Idiot', because everyone is and knows it. Stupid fun all round, with an emotional climax that's sure to stay with you for some time.

[cinemabritannica]

Medusa Deluxe (2023)

Director: Thomas Hardiman

Starring: Clare Perkins, Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Kae Alexander, Harriet Webb

Plot: A competitor is found dead and scalped at a regional hairdressing competition. In the aftermath, tensions boil and rumours spread throughout the dressing rooms. Who knew a quick trim could lead to something so violent?

My Review: A stylistic film, presenting itself as a one-take (though it is a few long-shots edited carefully together), the camera snaking itself around the labyrinthine backstage. The characters are all wonderfully fleshed-out, each with a plausible motive and eagerness to found out the killer's identity. The score too adds to the tension, only broken by the occasional joke and reminder that it's just a regional hairdressing competition. It's not mace, it's Tressame.

[cinemabritannica]

Local Hero (1983)

Director: Bill Forsyth

Starring: Peter Riegert, Peter Capaldi, Burt Lancaster, Jenny Seagrove

Plot: "Mac" MacIntyre (Peter Riegert), working for a Texan oil company, is sent to Scotland by the company's head Felix Happer (Burt Lancaster). His mission is to convince the village of Furness to sell up in order to make way for an oil refinery. Meeting up with Scottish representative Danny (Peter Capaldi), they find themselves conflicted once they embrace the village, its interesting residents, and the wonders of nature.

My Review: I got the pleasure of re-watching Local Hero in my local cinema as part of it's 40th anniversary. This is a great, warm film, full of laughs and endearing, memorable characters. No wonder it achieved 100% on Rotten Tomatoes! It's one of those films perfect for a wet, cold day to bring a little bit of joy. Plus, it's a great advertisement for the Scottish coast (Pennan in Aberdeenshire acts as the location for the village of Furness, the telephone box is a tourist attraction).

[cinemabritannica]

Brian and Charles (2022)

Director: Jim Archer

Starring: David Earl, Chris Hayward

Plot: Brain (David Earl) is an eccentric inventor who lives alone in rural Wales. One day, he decides to build a robot from an old washing machine, a mannequin head, and various other pieces of junk lying around. The next morning, he enters his workshop to find that the robot not only works, but is alive and has called itself Charles Petrescu (Chris Hayward). What follows is a small story about friendship and finding a place in the world. Also a celebration of the merits of cabbages

My Review: This was my favourite film of 2022 without a shadow of a doubt. It's hilarious and full of charm. I laughed very loudly in the cinema - the other patrons probably didn't appreciate that! The character of Brian is truly relatable to those of us who struggle to make friends, and Charles is that puppy-like child/mardy teenager/daring adventurer we've met a few times at least. A joy from beginning to end. I don't like cabbages, but Brian and Charles' enjoyment of such a simple pleasure makes my day brighter.

[cinemabritannica]

Ring of Bright Water (1969)

Director: Jack Couffer

Starring: Bill Travers, Virginia McKenna

Plot: Based on the book 'Ring of Bright Water' by Gavin Maxwell, the film tells the story of Graham (Bill Travers) and his otter, Mijbil (Mij). Purchased from a London pet shop, Mij is an unusual pet for sure. Graham soon figures that a poky London studio flat is no place for such a finnicky and wild creature. So, they travel to the Scottish Highlands, to be one with nature. A local doctor, Mary (Virginia McKenna) makes their acquaintance, and the trio, along with Mary's dog Johnnie, learn the trials, tribulations and joy of otters.

My Review: The first time I watched this film was probably when I was 10, because animal films were my favourite 'genre' at the time. It, however, is certainly not a kid's film (the ending, oh the ending. I still remember every detail 15 years later). I have recently been reading the book by Gavin Maxwell, and there are several differences - most notably Mij's origins. Despite these changes, this film is lovely and I'm very fond of it. The setting of the Highlands, the chemistry between our human and otter leads, and the overall atmosphere of the film brings a certain warmth and charm.