HNC Photography, IFC - Coursework, Introduction to Film Culture Blog, Part one - Heroes & Villians "re-made", Project 1 - The act of watching
The first film a watched after receiving the course material was “Eddie the Eagle” 2016 Directed by Dexter Fletcher. I have written a sperate synopsis and review here.
I’m a regular listener to the Kermode & Mayo’s Film Review or as listeners are also known “A member of Church of Wittertainment” and this film had received a lot of good reports; Mark Kermodes review and also listener correspondence. Therefore, I made the effort to track down the film, not an easy task here in Hong Kong.
The films general good reception of the film by critic and movie going public to together with the nostalgia of looking back on an even I remember was my main reason for watching this particular movie. I was intrigued by the casting – the film was a relatively small British film and as such had the typical array of British character actors in supporting roles particularly Jim Broadbent and Kieth Allen; however the was the unusual casting of Hollywood star Hugh Jackman and a cameo by Christopher Walken.
“Eddie the Eagle” the 2nd film I have seen the lead Taryn Egerton the first being Kingsmen this is very different performance. Although both characters no have confidence in themselves, it is portrayed in a very different way. As I have mentioned in my review and has also been a comment by other reviewers, particularly Mark Kermode, is that the performance is almost just the wrong side of an impression.
Although, I know of Dexter Fletcher, mainly as Spike in Press Gang, (it’s almost a legal requirement people of around my age the comment Dexter Fletcher: Spike from Press Gang.). “Eddie the Eagle” the first film I can remember watching directed by him, and I was pleased with his handling of the material.
The story was told with pace, sympathy and humour – bio-pic are seldom 100% historically accurate for dramatic effect, and this is the case here, particularly Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of a composite character.
Overall the mise en scene that Fletcher presents is pleasant and gave a warmth of nostalgia to me for the 80’s and hope a touch of realism for younger audiences or even non-British audiences.
The lasting impression I have from the movie that I want to track down further movies by Dexter Fletcher as a filmmaker – and I have noticed that “Sunshine of Lieth” on the list for further in the course so I have that to look forward too.