Review of The Arbor (2010) by Paul W — 10 Dec 2011
The Arbor is an engrossing,hypnotic, creative documentary that tells the story of the playwright Andrea Dunbar, who grew up in a poverty-stricken environment with a family that wasn't exactly perfect.
The film pretty much defies all classification in how its conducted. Its a documentary, but the director uses over two years of documented audio interviews and fuses it with actors, portraying these various people who make up Dunbar's family, friends and neighbors.
This creates a film that feels very intimate. The film is as much about Andrea's children, particularly Lorraine, as it as about Andrea herself and its all so fascinating. To be honest I knew absolutely nothing about this story beforehand which made it engrossing and challenging for me.
Stripping away the woman's artistic accomplishments and seeing the irresponsible chaos that was her home life really gives even more understanding to the bitterness of work. Lorraine's story almost feels like the backbone of the film, a carbon copy of her mother at times, but also a person who has some hope.
I definitely need to see the Alan Clarke film now.
This review of The Arbor (2010) was written by Paul W on 10 Dec 2011.
The Arbor has generally received very positive reviews.
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