Author: Tommy-Girl

[Credit: NEON]

Rating: 4.5/5

The fearlessly authentic and highly captivating biopic ‘I, Tonya,’ stands out from the many mainstream biopics that attempt to convey the black and white truth through a limited perspective. Director Craig Gillespie, however, artistically chooses to assess the controversial story behind famous Olympic ice skater Tonya Harding through multiple perspectives, whilst breaking the fourth wall and using black humour to engage and often unsettle its audience. Although the film has a tendency to sympathise with Tonya Harding, manipulating the storyline so that the audience too understands and pities the infamous ice skaters’ circumstance, Gillespie does not shy away from the true nature of her character. Gillespie paints Harding as misunderstood and misinterpreted by the media without losing sight of her negative qualities and characteristics. Through this directorial choice, the audience is positioned to realise and comprehend the unfiltered experiences endured in Harding’s childhood, subsequently influencing the person that she became.

The film may be bias when it comes to sympathy, yet it does not blatantly state the truth surrounding the films prominent and controversial event. Instead, Gillespie views the perspectives of various characters who share their thoughts respectively through interview cuts. It is this technique that creates levels of shade and ambiguity as the storytellers share moments where their perception and evaluation appears to be somewhat unreliable. Margot Robbie’s gutsy portrayal of Tonya Harding is phenomenal. This character is immeasurably different to previous characters that Robbie has played as she truly transforms, bringing with her a nuanced complexity to every scene. The film is hard to categorise which is what makes it all the more engaging.

‘I, Tonya’ is a biopic that infuses drama and black comedy to raise serious issues that remain prevalent in today’s society such as domestic abuse. Gillespie takes a risk when adding comedy to the pot, however he stirs it up perfectly. There is a highly entertaining balance between the comedic scenes such as the Coen Brother’s inspired criminals whose behaviour undermines their mastermind plans and the gruelling scenes of emotional and physical abuse between Tonya and both her mother and husband. It is easy to go wrong with this approach, yet both ‘I, Tonya’ and ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ successfully address taboo topics and issues through the genre and style of black comedy. Craig Gillespie’s ‘I, Tonya’ is a must-see film that explores the individual and society, blurring appearance and reality, comedy and drama in order to tell the story of a strong-minded and unfiltered woman who has paid the price for others misunderstandings and actions.

Rating: 4.5/5

Guillermo del Toro’s enchanting film The Shape of Water follows a similar theme to the fellow Oscar-nominated movie Call Me by Your Name directed by Luca Guadagnino. Both of these highly-acclaimed films adventure into a magical love story that explores the desire between two characters and their struggle to be together. Del Toro, director of the dark fantasy film Pans Labyrinth, does not fail in demonstrating his unique film style. Similar to his earlier films, The Shape of Water is an alluring, fairy-tale like film that depicts the monstrous, grotesque and uncanny through fresh eyes. However, unlike Pans Labyrinth, this film is a more light-hearted approach to the world of the supernatural.

Del Toro is known for his ability to portray monsters as human and humans as monsters and this film is no exception. The story is set in 1960s Baltimore and follows Elisa, played by Sally Hawkins, a mute, living above a classic cinema with her neighbouring companion Giles, played by Richard Jenkins. Working as a cleaner in a military facility, Elisa becomes acquainted with “the asset,” an amphibian creature discovered in South America who is contained in a tank for experimentation and testing. Michael Shannon plays Richard Strickland, a high-ranked government agent at the facility who detests the creature and seeks out to harm it. Elisa, on the other hand, perceives the creature as a wonder who she can uniquely connect with, protect and desire.

Del Toro’s cinematic world engulfs the viewer with feelings of enchantment, thrill and love and is drowned in a green-themed colour palette that seeks meaning in every frame. The Shape of Water is one of the best films of 2017 as it brings to its audience an unusual warmth that is rewarding to watch. The performances from each of the cast members are exquisite with Sally Hawkins creating a mesmerising and breathtaking portrayal of Elisa, limited to body language as a means of communicating her emotions. This fantasy film, however, is more than just a love story. The film raises the classic theme of appearance and reality seen in famous texts such as Frankenstein and The Elephant Man, suggesting that appearances can be misjudged and misconstrued. Although the film is not ground breaking, The Shape of Water is a beautifully shot, dreamlike tale about embracing the person that we are along with acknowledging and loving others for who they are as well.

[Credit: Sony Pictures Classics]

Rating: 5/5

Luca Guadignino’s adaptation of Andre Aciman’s highly acclaimed novel starring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer is a uniquely portrayed love story that leaves you feeling more than expected. The film is set “somewhere in Northern Italy” in the summer of 1983. Oliver, a handsome doctoral student, spends the summer as an intern for Elio’s father in their 17th century villa. The precocious 17-year-old Elio too devotes his days to the sun-kissed Italian town, writing transcripts, playing piano and reading novels nearby several water spots. It is amidst this enchanting and fairytale-like environment that Guadignino invites the audience to detach from themselves and become truly immersed in Elio and Oliver’s growing affection and connection. There is something unique about ‘Call Me by Your Name’ whereby it does not restrict its marketed audience to the LGBT community but delivers an authentic and heartbreaking love story that appeals to open audiences.

In comparison to other films made within the Romance/Drama genre, ‘Call Me by Your Name’ explores passionate desire without obstacles. The film allows the audience to indulge and savour every minute of their growing relationship without unnecessary tension and disagreement from other characters. Guadignino is not afraid of shooting long takes that flesh out the lust and tension between the two men, subsequently giving the film a sense of realism that is engaging and at times breathtaking. Although the two-hour and twelve-minute film may seem slow paced in certain scenes, it is not done in a pretentious manner. Instead, it achieves a measured and charming exploration of the love that ensues on screen. There are moments of laugher, compassion and empathy that speak volumes about the human connection and the touching and magical way in which film can interact with its audience. The sensual and transcendental film seduces, overwhelms and grips the viewer with wisdom concerning “the things that matter,” that being love; love in its many forms. “I love this Oliver” “What?” “Everything.”

The soft breeze sweeps over his delicate skin as he bends to grasp her crossed legs. She feels his body slowly sink into hers, nestling, as if she is his home. A sudden move, he lifts up his head and smiles at the girl. A connection so profound. Why were they here with each other? Was it by some great design? The boy curls up like a baby on the staggered rock facing the rippling water as the girl continues to sit away and write. She stops writing and stares at the boy. His big toe tickling his foot for pleasure, his breath slow but thoughtful, his senses heightened. He feels ants crawl up his skin but chooses to ignore them and let them be. He often wishes he was treated like this too. He listens to the water and the quiet roar of the wind. He smells the salt and the fresh air, hoping that he can stay here forever. But he can’t. Obligation always wins. The boy, so young but withholding so many troubles. The girl, even younger and too naive to care about these same problems for she knows that life is too short and pleasure is hard to find. The two kids soak up what is in front of them and in this transient moment, disconnect from what is known. 

My name is Thomasin McCuaig, I am 21 years-old and I intend to use this blog as a platform to express ideas on life, film, love and travel through journal-like entries, articles and reviews.