Review of Vera Drake (2004) by Jason Y — 26 Oct 2004

[B][I]Vera Drake[/I][/B] is easily one of the most powerful films I've seen in years. Imelda Staunton is Vera Drake, a woman who "helps young girls out when they have no one else to turn to." She does this out of the goodness of her heart, and takes no pay for her work at all. And it's absolutely heartbreaking what this woman goes through.

And I guess this all depends on where you sit on the abortion issue. If you're against abortions, I guess you're going to hope Vera Drake gets the worst possible punishment for her actions. If you're for abortions, for the woman's right to choose, like myself, then you going to be in complete agony watching what this brave woman goes through.

And much of this is because of Imelda Staunton, who gives a performance I can't see being topped this year. She's just so incredible. The acting all around is amazing, but especially Staunton, who will bring you to tears many times, and make you smile many more.

The script is top notch, but does contain the only problem I have with the film, which is not having a resolution with one of the characters in the film. But it doesn't hold the film back at all, and really doesn't hurt it either.

Man, Staunton is fucking fantastic. My favorite film this year.

[B][I]Tarnation[/I][/B] is a really interesting film. One of the most bizarre films I've seen in a while, and definitely a film that won't leave my mind any time soon. It's creatively genius and perfectly executed. It's one of a kind.

Jonathan Caouette had a really fucked up life, and a really fucked up family, and that's what we see, and it's those people we get to know in this documentary that spans his life up until today.

Jonathan's mother was in and out of mental hospitals all her life. He was shifted around foster homes after being abused by the parents before. His grandparents eventually adopt him, and raise him, and this is where his home films start, and this is where the main story is told. We see Jonathan go through all the phases in his life, told in cinemagraphic self portraits. Through Jonathan acting in front of the camera, or photographing himself or the world around him, we get to know him, and his life.

And it's fascinating, seeing someone grow, and the people around him grow right in front of your eyes, in an hour and a half. Seeing him develop through these different stages in his life. Really awesome.

And it's truly and experimental film, which I don't think I've seen as a feature. Lots of nifty editing tricks. Really cool stuff, and even stuff I've seen done in still images, and not liked, but there was something about the presentation of it that I found oddly appealing.

It reminded me of the [I]Up[/I] series, by Michael Apted. Apted follows a group of subjects every seven years, interviewing them, and noting the changes in their lives. They're up for year 42, as of 1998. I've only seen year 35, but it's another really neat film, and neat subject,.

And the ideas behind these films are awesome. What if people went around with cameras for their entire lives? Photographing the world in moving pictures, and making documentaries of their lives. I don't think there can really be a more interesting story than Jonathan Caouette and his mother Renee Leblanc. The lead remarkable lives. And I really recommend this film for the experiment in filmmaking it succeeded in doing. And it succeeded marvelously.

The film is really resonating with me. At first I liked it. I knew it was different, but as I began to write this, I realized how special this film really is. And how great it turned out.