The Last Emperor
Bernardo Bertolucci
This film is the story of Pu Yi, the last emperor of China. The costumes are stunning and the film which was completely shot on location in China, especially inside the Forbidden City. While John Lone is appealing as the Emperor, Peter Toole plays the role of his mentor with ease. Complementing its visual magnificence is the cleverly written screenplay which unfolds a lovely story — sad, emotional, and in some way, surprisingly heartening. This film demands more than one viewing.
My Left Foot
Jim Sheridan
The most important facet about this film is the brilliant performance by Daniel Day-Lewis. It is a captivating, unsentimental bio-drama about Christy Brown, the man who was born with cerebral palsy in a poor, working class family in Dublin. He has spent most of his life ostracised because of this condition. Others simply laugh at him when he tries to tell them something. The only light in this encircling gloom is his left foot which is the only body part over which he has control. Using his left foot he begins to paint and write poetry. The scene where Christy spells out ‘mother' on the floor summarises the essence of this film.
Four Weddings and A Funeral
Mike Newell
Situated in present-day England, what makes this film appealing is the appropriateness with which the comedy is presented. The charming Hugh Grant and the ravishing Andie MacDowell are at the forefront of the piece. At the same time an admirable job of developing all of the characters is done by Newell. He never lets you disregard that primarily, this is a comedy. A movie that will lift your spirits.
Sideways
Alexander Payne
Miserable, disheartened and depressed middle-school teacher and failed novelist Paul Giamatti takes his best friend, Thomas Haden Church, to California's wine country for one last week of freedom before he marries. This film beautifully portraits the disappointments of mid-life. It is easy to connect with each of the main characters. The beauty of the script is that these are realistic people with familiar weaknesses and strengths. The film is beautifully cast with the extraordinary Virginia Madsen giving an outstanding performance.
Little Miss Sunshine
Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
Notable is the fact that this is the directorial film debut of the husband-wife team of Jonathan and Valerie. This comedy drama exudes tenderness and charm regardless of the fact that it is dealing with dark areas of death and dysfunction. Seven-year-old Olive, played effectively by the natural Abigail Breslin, has one wish in life: to be considered for the finals of the Little Miss Sunshine Pageant in Redondo Beach, California. Genuinely, this movie is cruel to its characters. But eventually, it's extremely inspiring.
Those that almost made it
Chocolat: Lasse Hallström
The Silence of the Lambs: Jonathan Demme
Lost in Translation: Sofia Coppola
Good Will Hunting: Gus Van Sant
Up in the Air: Jason Reitman
Bhaskar Prasad is a research associate at the University of Antwerp, Belgium.
