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mohnish-kamat
Reviews
The Diplomat (2023)
Could have done so much better
While the theme of power hunger and egos in corridors of power have been dealt with in numerous other (better) shows like House of Cards, the location of UK and the foreign policy scenarios make this series different.
The first couple of episodes were spent in introducing us to the various characters and E3 onwards the story began dragging. Kerri is not very convincing as a career foreign service officer specialist in ME affairs, thrust into a glad handling role of UK ambassador, notwithstanding how many f-bombs she throws out to convince us she is a b&*#h.
Rufus steals the scene every time, in both acting and as well dialogue, as his character seems to unglue sticky plots when he shows up. And Rory seems be waiting for a cue from the Director to act prime ministerial. The myriad of other characters who breeze in-and-out of the scenes (particularly the ones that frequently follow the Ambassador as she flits between rooms) add little to the dialogue.
A stronger Ambassador (Kate Blanchett?) and a more mercurial PM (maybe even a female - Rosamund Pike) would be an upgrade.
Napoleon (2023)
Ignores his achievements, and weak character building around him
Ridley has a thankless task considering the breath of material on his subject. There is a lot of emphasis on the Napoleon and Josephine relationship which seems to show Napoleon as human.
Not much reflection is given to how well read Napoleon was, or his contribution to what is even now included in some parts of European civic laws. Also ignored is Napoleon's treatment of Jews - a novelty amongst his peers.
The savagery of the battles and the body count at the end are probably his way of reminding his audience of the cost of dictatorships, something that is very relevant in today's world.
While the limited use of CGI is good, the battle scenes are extended and not very well filmed (for a Ridley Scott production). Compare it to Kurosawa's Ran and you see the difference.
So while much was expected from a Ridley production, this act disappoints.
Der Bruch (1989)
A wonderfully languid tale
While it was filmed in 1988, the movie is set in a depressingly pale post-WWII Berlin of 1946. The film makes good use of the culture of that time and the scarcity of stuff just helps the movie with its plot.
While the opening 15m may seem quite boring and slow, the later parts of the movie make you understand why the Director shows you those parts.
The actors look their parts from the positively calm Rolf Hoppe as Bruno, to Reiner Heise as Mr Pinske.
Like an intricate jigsaw, Der Bruch, assembles itself in front of you and then equally rapidly disassembles itself when the robbery is done.
Lots of the shot composition seems very Wed Anderson like in its use of pastels and pan shots, with symmetry.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Expert reviewers should get their heads examined
Have been a SW fans ever since the big spaceship crowded the screen in 1970s. Having watched a number of the intervening sequels on DVD, decided to venture into the theatre for this run, based off all the "expert" reviews in the newspapers.
This was an unmitigated disaster, from the opening sequence with Kylo Ren to all the scenes of people running around and the numerous sub-plots with new characters.
I could see JJ Abrams trying to string together elements of the original Episode IV with the "Cantina" scene replicated, and also the Death Star run at the end, but they all seem to be thrown in just for reminiscence rather than any logic.