This is going to be a very short post but I just had to include a new trailer from Peacock for its new series, The Day of The Jackal, which is a remake of the 1973 film by Fred Zinnemann based on a book by Frederick Forsyth. The original film starred Edward Fox as a professional assassin known as The Jackal. In 1997, there was another remake movie starring Bruce Willis and Richard Gere which was titled simply as The Jackal but it was poorly received. I have never seen the 1997 version before but I have watched the original 1973 film with my late father a long time ago. Although the film was rather dated, we both found the film to be interesting and well made. So you could imagine my surprised reaction to the trailer and Peacock's decision to adapt this forgotten story into a series for our small screens. This time around, the British actor Eddie Redmayne will be playing the titular character. I can't help but notice that Eddie Redmayne has a strong physical resemblance to British actor, Edward Fox (now 87 years old), who played The Jackal in the original 1973 film. Ironically, the series will start streaming on Peacock starting 7th November 2024 which is the birthday of my late father. Below is the trailer for the new series.
In my post dated 10th June 2024 regarding an older British crime series Luther, I had alluded to a newer British series that I wanted to include in my blog. Lately, it has been difficult to discover good crime dramas that are well written with high production values but the BBC has always shown an affinity for giving high quality shows a chance to 'grow' unlike American Networks that are quick to cancel shows in its maiden season or infancy if their ratings are not up to their expectations. TV lineups that are too focused on ratings does not necessarily translate to better shows being aired on our small screens. Hence, when the pickings are slim, I usually rely on the BBC for some new or long running quality shows and this British crime drama, Strike, or otherwise known as C.B. Strike to international audiences, is one of these shows. First aired in late 2017, this BBC One British crime drama is now in its fifth season with a new sixth season being filmed starting early this year. The BBC's continued commitment towards this show is a testament to its growing popularity however for some who have not seen the series they might wrongly (in my opinion) attribute the success of the series to another reason other than the quality writing and high production values of the series. Let me explain further, the series is actually based on the Cormoran Strike book series written by Robert Galbraith and if you're wondering what the initials C.B. stands for, it is actually for Cormoran Blue, the name of the titular character of the series. However, Robert Galbraith is also a pseudonym for J. K. Rowling. Yes, that J. K. Rowling. So it is natural for one to assume that the success of the series is due to her involvement. However, as a person who has never read any of her books including The Casual Vacancy nor have I seen the other films based on her writings, I can safely say that the success of this series stems from its own merits and Rowling's emerging strength as a writer for more mature stories with realistic and relatable characters rather than stories from the fantasy genre aimed at younger readers. Thus, if we approach the series without any pre-conceived notions or knowledge of its affiliation to Rowling, then we might appreciate it more for what it truly is, a well written detective series or one of the best British crime dramas to emerge from the BBC in recent years.
As I mentioned earlier, the series is based on the Cormoran Strike books by Rowling. As at late last year, there have been seven novels already published from the planned ten books in the series and BBC has aired five series so far based on the first five titles, The Cuckoo's Calling (2013), The Silkworm (2014), Career of Evil (2015), Lethal White (2018) & Troubled Blood (2020) while the sixth series based on The Ink Black Heart (2022) began filming in February 2024. Each series contains 2 to 4 episodes that are around one hour long with each series focusing on a different crime case. According to fans of the books, the series (which is adapted by Ben Richards and Tom Edge) is quite faithful to the novels which is understandably so since J. K. Rowling also serves as one of the executive producers for the show. But what makes this crime drama so arresting for me are not only the varied and complex cases being investigated but the characters themselves and their relationships which are often flawed, broken and complicated. The series also harkens back to the days of 'old school' detectives who don't usually own high end offices, flashy cars or extended wardrobes but instead focuses on the gritty and realistic day to day workings of a small detective agency which happens to deal with some strangely high profile cases.
In the first episode of The Cuckoo's Calling, we are introduced to Strike, a war veteran turned private investigator and an anti-hero with a heart of gold. At this time, he is at the lowest point in his life. Operating from a small rundown office, broke and having just broken up with his longtime girlfriend and fiancée, he is truly at rock bottom. His situation is made worse by the fact that he lost the lower part of his right leg in Afghanistan and now wears a prosthetic and that he is also the illegitimate son of a famous rock star and a groupie. Unwanted by his father and having lost his mother to a supposed drug overdose at the age of 20, he then lived with his half sister in his uncle and aunty's loving and stable home in Cornwall. The only saving grace in his life besides Robin Ellacott. In the opening scene, we see Robin going to Strike's office to work as a temp however there is a violent fight between Strike and his fiancee, Charlotte, in his office. In the ensuing commotion, Robin nearly gets knocked down the stairs but she is saved by Strike's quick reaction. From this point, they both eventually form a close bond and friendship that leads to a business partnership which is largely attributed to Robin's natural aptitude for detective work. Although there is romantic chemistry between both the leads, often it is only hinted at and left unexplored and does not seem like any forced romantic entanglements found in some other series. I also liked how Rowling had portrayed them as the unlikeliest of pairs which lends more credibility to their relationship.
Over the years, we have all fallen for the characters created by Rowling. Some might say she has a knack for creating unique and interesting ones but how does she actually fare as a writer for detective novels seeing that the Cormoran Strike book series is her first albeit ambitious attempt (there are ten books planned in the whole series after all) in this genre? Usually in detective novels, the cases being investigated takes center stage and are essential in gauging how good the stories are. Honestly, I have never read the books but in the series the varied cases being investigated by the agency does not take a back seat to the characters but are central to the stories themselves. From a 40 year old cold case involving the death of a female doctor, the apparent suicide of a supermodel, a missing literary rebel to a government minister being blackmailed, the cases appear simple at first but are later revealed to be actually complex with many unexpected twists and turns that impresses even the most jaded armchair detective. This itself is an attestment to Rowling's prowess as a writer despite the book series being her first attempt at the detective genre. Besides the excellent writing, the series is also perfectly cast with Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger in the lead roles. Finding the correct actor especially for the role of Strike must have been a monumental task but Burke manages to embody the role so perfectly and seamlessly. According to readers of the novels, Tom Burke is a good match with the character's physical description in the books although he reportedly had to put on weight for the role. The actor also had to learn how to walk from actual amputees and as a theatrical actor, he manages to to bring forth the subtle nuances of the character to the small screen with ease. As a result of the many tragedies in his life, Strike is understandably a sad and reticent figure. But despite the hardships, he still remains kind and emphatic towards others while hiding a fierce intelligence under his unassuming appearance and demeanor. However, his life takes a drastic turn upon the arrival of Robin Ellacott. Grainger's Ellacott is the perfect foil to Burke's Strike. Young, beautiful, intelligent and headstrong with a bright future ahead, she seems an unlikely friend for him or eventual business partner in the agency. But she does share his aptitude for detective work. Personally, I feel that she is able to form a close relationship with Strike because she admires and respects not only his work but his quiet strength in the face of life's adversities. In fact it is later revealed in one of the later series that she herself had suffered from a traumatic event hidden in her past. As the series progresses, her character experiences a lot of transformations and growth but it is the steadfast Strike that remains her constant anchor in life. Besides the characters and cases, the dynamics of their relationship also plays a crucial part in the stories with each season starting at a new chapter in their relationship. The importance of their relationship in the series is made even more evident by the show's opening song "I Walk Beside You" by Beth Rowley. So due emphasis should be given to the story of their relationship when discussing the series as a whole. Besides, I feel that this a smart move on Rowling's part to incorporate in the stories the intricate details of the lead characters' relationship with one another and their connections with the other characters from the books as this will help break the monotony associated with many detective stories than can be too focused on only the mundane details of the investigations. After all, the show is not peppered with any elaborate car chases, explosions or raunchy scenes but it still needs to be entertaining enough.
Last thoughts, this series is actually a throwback to old detective shows and films but with an updated story telling style that is more palatable for modern audiences. For me personally, the series is more than a detective drama because it is also a study of the human condition that teaches us the resilience of the human spirit. With the seventh book in the series already published and the BBC already filming the sixth series, I hope to see all ten books adapted to the small screen. Although the books and the series cannot be compared to the hugely successful Harry Potter franchise, the long term commitment shown by Rowling and the BBC for Strike assures us that this is a quality series that is not to be missed.
(Above is the official trailer for the first three series from Cinemax)
As an afterthought, I have also decided to include below three recent but interesting videos from The Rowling Library (YouTube) where Rowling speaks on her general writing processes but pay special attention to Part 3 (the last video) where she discusses more on the Cormoran Strike novels.
J.K. Rowling : On Writing (Part One) - 6th May 2024
J.K. Rowling : On Writing (Part Two) - 7th May 2024
J.K. Rowling : On Writing (Part Three) - 8th May 2024
(All of the above videos are courtesy of The Rowling Library-YouTube)
For those interested in the book series, all seven books are available on Amazon (US) on Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle & Audible. Links are provided below.
The TV series is also available on Amazon Prime (US) but the first three series which include The Cuckoo's Calling, The Silkworm and Career of Evil are collectively known as Season 1 in the US. While Lethal White and Troubled Blood are listed as Season 2 and 3 respectively. The link is provided below.
Unfortunately, if you're looking for the DVDs (the series is not released on Blu-Ray format), they are only widely available on Amazon UK (PAL Format/ Region 2).
This post is actually an expansion of my (deleted) post on 19th May 2014 which was inspired by a trip with my then teenage niece and nephew to a nearby Uniqlo outlet. When we were inside the store, we spotted some T-shirts from their American Movies line being sold which featured some characters from famous 1980s movies namely Star Wars, Gremlins and Ghostbusters. Currently, I don't think Uniqlo are selling them anymore which is a shame because these t-shirts are really nostalgic to a lot of (ahem) older people and they might even introduce these movies to a younger generation who may be unaware of them before this. When I was growing up during the 1980s, there were no internet, smart phones, streaming or (gasp) blogging. Film entertainment then consisted mainly of frequent trips to the local cinema, VHS rental stores or weekly programmed TV shows from a very limited number of channels. Some of my favorite movies during the 1980s, to name a few, were the Back to the Future films, the Indiana Jones films, Ghostbusters, the Superman films (with the late Christopher Reeves), Highlander, Fright Night and of course the James Bond movies which were perennial favorites of my late father. I'm not a fan of the classic Star Wars films but I did like the 1980 sequel The Empire Strikes Back. Life was pretty simple back then and you weren't really spoilt for choice. Basically everyone was watching the same films or TV shows.
Back to my visit to Uniqlo in May 2014. Apparently my niece and nephew were familiar with the Star Wars (who doesn't) and Ghostbusters films but they did not recognize the cute and cuddly little creature featured on one of the T-shirts. I then explained to them that the creature was a 'mogwai' named Gizmo and that he could actually spawn some very ugly, nasty and mischievous creatures called 'gremlins' if you did not know how to care for him. Since they were intrigued and frankly because I got tired of answering their questions, I decided to show them the original 1984 Gremlins film (not the sequel) instead. To my surprise, they really enjoyed the movie and wanted to see Ghostbusters next. This reaction was unexpected as the special effects used in these films looked dated with heavy reliance on puppetry and rudimentary CGI. Today, most kids are used to sophisticated films with advanced CGI and cartoons or animated features that aren't hand drawn anymore. So that got me thinking what made these old movies appealing to them? Despite not having dazzling effects, movies then had a lot of 'heart' meaning they were able to engage with the audience emotionally and transport them to another realm with only great stories and unique but relatable characters. After their exams and on one fine weekend in May 2014, I decided to show them the 1984 film Ghostbusters which they really liked too. This movie is really a perfect example of films from the 1980s. The late Harold Ramis, Dan Akroyd and Bill Murray were the funniest comedians on earth during the 1980s and when they got together for this film, it was pure fun and laughter. The film also featured a catchy theme song by Ray Parker Jr which is still instantly recognizable by many today. The movie itself did not have a complicated story line (it was co-written by Ramis and Akroyd) but it had a feel good element to it which you can't really define. In fact, most of the films from that era had this X factor to them which made them and the characters in them memorable even after all these years. If you don't believe me how iconic and enduring these films are, the fascination for Ghostbusters continues even to this day with reboots like Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) still receiving encouraging responses from younger audiences worldwide.
Last thoughts, these movies have been forgotten largely by me but thanks to Uniqlo I was once again reminded of them and their magic. They also serve as a reminder to us that the success of a movie is not necessarily tied to its budget, effects or stars but the story at heart and perhaps the genuine talents of the directors, writers and actors that bring their own diverse experiences to the film. Incidentally, if anyone is interested in Sony's 30th Anniversary 4K Blu-Ray + Digibook of Ghostbusters 1 & 2, you can click on the link below to my other post dated 16th June, 2014. Unlike the earlier sets in 2014, I don't think the ones being sold now include the figurine of Slimer anymore which is a shame for collectors.
Addendum (23rd July, 2024) : Recently discovered an interesting video on Ghostbusters and Gremlins on YouTube by Minty Comedic Arts, an Australian vlogger who is a fan of cinema, including vintage films, and pop culture. If you enjoy discovering rare facts on older films and TV series like me, you should definitely check out his other videos on YouTube.
The Day Ghostbusters and Gremlins Ruled The World!
Lately, I have been avoiding many of the Marvel and DC Films. The last 2 movies that I watched in its entirety was James Mangold's The Wolverine (2013) which explored Logan's connection to Japan and Guardians of The Galaxy (2014) by James Gunn. Between both movies, I have to admit that I still liked The Wolverine better although Guardians brought something fresh and different to the stable of 'superhero' movies. Actually, I grew up in 1980s & 1990s with Marvel and DC and my siblings and I were avid readers of their comics in our teens. So why have I been avoiding their recent releases? Honestly, my interest in 'superhero' movies have fizzled out over the years. Now that I am older, it is only natural that I prefer films with more 'realism' instead of the 'fantastic' or the 'improbable'. I am also not a fan of the films from the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), DCU (DC Universe) or DCEU (DC Extended Universe) as I personally feel that they complicate things by trying too hard to introduce too many characters in a pre-determined and short timeline. In addition to this, the many forced crossovers between the characters and films are confusing and tiresome which can lead to a lack of gradual or focused development for the characters and films individually. Of course, this is my personal opinion and I don't expect others to share my views on this.
But in 2022, the world was grappling with Covid-19 and there were not that many films being released in that year while the few that were released were not really to my liking. However, in March 2022, a major film, The Batman, was released by Warner Brothers which was written and directed by Matt Reeves, a perfectionist responsible for films like Cloverfield, Let Me In, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes. A little known fact here, Reeves is actually the son of late actor, Christopher Reeves, who starred in three Superman movies in the early 1980s. So, his involvement with this DC film is strangely ironic. The film was in development since 2013 however it only took off after Ben Affleck, who was signed on to produce, direct, co-write and star in it, decided to drop out from the project and the film was officially taken over by Reeves in 2017 who then decided to re-work the story to focus more on Batman's early vigilante period or rookie years. With the absence of Affleck, the planned DCEU connections to this film was also scrapped allowing more creative freedom for Reeves to explore the titular character and the Gotham 'universe' in another timeline. The origin stories of famous Gotham residents like Catwoman, Riddler, Penguin, Police Commissioner James Gordon (he is only a police officer in this film) and Alfred Pennyworth not only feel fresh in this film but are given added dimensions by Reeves. As I mentioned earlier, this film premiered during Covid-19 so it is hardly surprising that its filming and release was greatly delayed by the pandemic. However, I truly believe that the pandemic and the changes surrounding this movie ultimately contributed to its huge success.
So what drew me to this movie after I avoided so many recent Marvel and DC films? Firstly the involvement of Matt Reeves, a perfectionist famous for cult films like Cloverfield and The Planet of the Apes franchise. I was really curious to see his version of the Dark Knight and Gotham and after seeing the film, I was not disappointed at all. Secondly, the scarcity of films during the pandemic was another factor that made me forget my aversion to 'superhero' movies. The were not many big budget or high profile movies being released in early 2022. So when this movie was released, it naturally attracted a huge response. The film was also available for digital download and streamed on HBO Max a month later. This was a smart move on Warner's part since there were many that missed the film's theatrical release because of the pandemic. Warner had also spent a huge amount of money promoting the film before its release which paid off in dividends. When the film's teasers and trailers debuted on the internet, I was actually very drawn to them. Not only were snippets of the film intriguing but the moody song featured in the trailers which is actually a remix of Nirvana's 'Something in The Way' seems to resonate with the listener long after hearing it. Of course the final factor that motivated me to see the film was the man himself, Robert Pattinson. Prior to this film, it was widely known that Robert Pattinson was trying to distance himself from the Twilight movies and was 'cutting his teeth' on a lot of small and independent films. He even worked with famous directors like David Cronenberg and Christopher Nolan (yes, the same director responsible for Batman Begins, The Dark Knight & The Dark Knight Rises). An unlikely but nonetheless intriguing choice for the role, his portrayal of Batman was highly anticipated by many. Before him, Keaton, Bale and Affleck portrayed a more matured and confident Wayne/ Batman. So I was curious how he would portray the younger version of the caped crusader. How did he fare? In my opinion, his understated performance in the film was exceptionally good. Although initially you feel apprehensive on whether he can really carry the role, his sullen, monosyllabic and almost shy depiction of Wayne/ Batman actually works in the film to great effect. While giving the younger, lonely and reclusive Wayne an almost 'rock star' quality, Pattinson manages at the same time to convince the audience that the young Batman in this film is not only unsure of himself during his confrontations with his adversaries but he is also very self conscious of his bat-suit. In this film, the young Bruce Wayne is naive, shy, awkward and sheltered which is very obvious during his initial run-ins with Selina Kyle/ Catwoman. Because he is younger, he also has a more dependent relationship with the older and experienced (war veteran) Alfred who is more a mentor and surrogate father to him here than a butler. Pattinson's nuanced, subtle, minimalistic and almost non-verbal performance manages to convey all these traits and emotions (even behind the mask) with mostly only looks, gestures and his tone of voice which is pretty remarkable. Even the way he talks in this film seems deliberate. Evidently, he has taken this mantle as the new Batman very seriously and has put a lot of effort into his performance and it really shows in the film. If anything this movie has showed me that Pattinson has not only matured as an actor but he is an actor that is to be reckoned with in the future.
What Matt Reeves and this movie actually achieved was to bring realism and darkness back to The Batman film franchise which many fans have missed lately. Ever since my classmate lent me a copy of Alan Moore's Graphic Novel A Killing Joke in the 1980s, I had always viewed the character of Batman and the residents of Gotham as very dark characters. However, I have not seen this level of realism or darkness in any Marvel or DC films of late with the exception of Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight or the 2017 movie Logan which chronicles the last days of Professor Xavier and the Wolverine. Reeves also manages to depict the other Gotham residents in a more realistic light minus the campy costumes and exaggerated mannerisms. In this film, we have a young Selina Kyle (in her pre-Catwoman phase) working as a waitress in a nightclub owned by a mid-level mobster named Oswald Cobblepot (The Peguin). Zoe Kravitz is truly the perfect choice for Selina. Not only does her beautiful and exotic looks make her the obvious candidate for the role but she also tackles the fight scenes with a believable physicality coupled with an almost feline like grace. By the way, actor Collin Farrell is almost unrecognizable as Cobblepot in the film. His standout performance has even earned The Penguin his own TV series on HBO Max which will debut later this year. Even the main villain here, The Riddler/ Edward Nashton (played excellently by Paul Dano), is portrayed more like a terrorist with a political agenda (he claims he is inspired by Batman and plans to wipe out Gotham's rich and powerful) with a penchant for ciphers and riddles rather than the theatrical criminal mastermind often depicted in a green unitard decorated with question marks. Instead here, he is garbed in a gas mask and an oversized military like green jacket. Lastly, we have Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon and John Turtorro as Carmine Falcone each perfectly cast in their respective roles. Andy Serkis's involvement in this movie is hardly surprising since he and Reeves were both principally involved in the Planet of the Apes reboot. Serkis plays Caesar in the Planet of the Apes films but you don't get to see him cause it's all motion capture and CGI. But his very visible performance here as a tougher Alfred gives the audience a more believable mentor and teacher for Wayne. After all, he is supposedly a war veteran who taught the young Wayne all his fighting skills. I really like Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon too. There were many established actors who has played this character before Wright, including the likes of Gary Oldman, but they don't seem to stand out to me like him. In this film, James Gordon is only a police lieutenant so he is frequently seen out in the field or 'sleuthing' with Batman. He also happens to be Batman's only ally in the Gotham City Police Department. During their investigations into The Riddler, Batman is often ridiculed by the other police officers. Understandably, it is difficult for others to take you seriously when you are walking around in what seems to be a Halloween costume but only Lieutenant Gordon seems to notice Batman's sharp detective skills underneath the bat-suit and is willing to work with him to solve the case. It is here that Wright manages to capture the awkwardness in Gordon's early relationship with Batman and show the audience that Gordon is not only an astute detective but someone who can be empathetic towards others including our main protagonist and it is this trait that essentially makes this version of James Gordon endearing. Besides, since Gordon is not yet the Police Commissioner in this timeline, I feel that he is able to play a bigger role in the story since he gets to be Batman's sidekick in the film instead of Robin. Another character worth mentioning here is Gotham's crime boss, Carmine Falcone, played by actor John Turturro who is really perfect for the role. I last saw the talented actor in a guest starring role in Amazon Prime's new series Mr & Mrs Smith earlier this year in which he really stood out despite his brief appearance in it. Lastly, the final but nonetheless important character in the film, the Batmobile. In earlier Batman films, the Batmobile has always been outlandish and fully custom made cars but here Pattinson gets a modified muscle car that resembles an actual car. Beautiful but menacing, the car looks like something Wayne would have come up with after tinkering in his garage which brings us back to the fact that this film is all about realism or the nearest version to it because here you are actually dealing with a film where the main protagonist is a vigilante in a bat-suit. There is an extended and impressive car chase scene between Batman and The Penguin in the film which also introduces and showcases the Batmobile to the audience for the first time.
The other theme that is prevalent in this movie is the darkness that has been missing in most of the recent Batman films. Here, Gotham City at night is always dark and rainy. Even the day time scenes are gloomy and grim. The appearance and architecture of Wayne Manor is purposely re-imagined as neglected, starkly gothic and foreboding. The Bat Cave is huge, dimly lighted with resident bats that looks more like an abandoned underground service tunnel. But what stood out the most to me was the song 'Something In The Way' by Nirvana and Michael Giacchino's score which are both beautiful but haunting. I believe the soundtrack for this movie is what sets the tone of the entire film and story line. In an interview with Reeves, he actually reveals that he was listening to the Nirvana song while writing the first act of the film and this song actually helped him to develop the character of Wayne.
The Batman - Main Trailer
(courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures)
Last thoughts, if you are looking for a film from Marvel/DC which is a cut above the rest, you should definitely check out this movie which I think is a labor of love from Reeves. Not only are the origin stories of the Dark Knight and other residents of Gotham handled with such finesse in this film but Reeves manages to re-imagine the characters and the world they inhabit in ways I never thought possible while still remaining true to the theme of darkness that is at the core of Batman and Gotham. Meanwhile, I will be waiting anxiously for the premiere of the sequel, The Batman Part II, which will probably be somewhere in October 2026. Hopefully, the sequel will be as inspired and thoughtfully made as the original film. If you want to know more about the sequel to this film, you can check out a recent article from DigitalTrends below.
If you have never seen the film, you should definitely check it out since it sets a new standard for future Marvel/DC films. I have included Amazon US links below for those interested in viewing the film either on Amazon Prime, Blu-Ray or 4K UHD.
Addendum (29th July 2024) : The official trailer for Colin Farrell's new series The Penguin which will premiere on 19th September 2024 on HBO Max has already appeared on YouTube and I have also included below a recent video from Warner Brothers on the genesis of the original 2022 film The Batman by Matt Reeves.
Lately, many of my posts have been about older or recent TV series but occasionally I like to blog about films or movies that leave a lasting impression on me long after I have finished watching it. One such movie is the film titled Master Gardener by Paul Schrader which premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival in 2022 and which was subsequently released in the US by Magnolia Pictures the following year. Actually, I was drawn to this movie after watching Jane Campion's 2021 film The Power of the Dog which was based on Thomas Savage's 1967 novel of the same name. Because The Power of the Dog was such a good movie and Benedict Cumberbatch's performance in it truly brilliant, I was searching for another indie or arthouse film with a storyline that was just as intriguing as The Power of the Dog when I stumbled upon this movie. By the way, those who have not seen The Power of the Dog yet should really invest in the film since Benedict Cumberbatch's performance in it is alone worth your while. Another thing that attracted me to this film was the involvement of upcoming actor Joel Edgerton and veteran actress Sigourney Weaver. Edgerton, an Australian actor, has played many diverse roles, from Pharaoh Ramesses II in Exodus : Gods & Kings to more recent ones like Richard Loving in Loving, a movie about an interracial couple in 1960s Virginia which at that time had state laws prohibiting interracial marriages. You can also catch him in the current science fiction TV drama Dark Matter from Apple TV. It is also worth mentioning here that long time actor, Esai Morales, has a small cameo role in the movie and that newcomer Quintessa Swindell's performance in the movie is also exceptionally good. For those not acquainted with Paul Schrader, he is the legendary film maker, director and screenwriter responsible for movies like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, American Gigolo, Cat People, The Mosquito Coast and the more recent 2021 movie The Card Counter starring Oscar Isaac. In my humble opinion, most of Schrader's films are truly an examination of the human condition. A fact which is further validated by this film.
So back to the intriguing storyline of this movie (which I will try not to give too much away), Edgerton plays the role of Narvel Roth, a meticulous horticulturist who tends to a vast but beautiful estate owned by the wealthy Mrs Haverhill (Sigourney Weaver). When first introduced to the character, Roth seems very contented with the tranquil life and daily routines in Gracewood Gardens but in actuality, he hides a very dark secret. However, his ordered existence within the estate will soon be disrupted upon the arrival of Mrs Haverhill's grand niece, Maya. Roth is truly an ironic role for Edgerton as the character actually contradicts a previous role played by him, Richard Loving. Through a series of clues and flashbacks, the viewer is slowly given glimpses of Roth's past life. A complex character, Roth is a very different man from his past self and by the end of the film, we see him evolving even further. The movie also uses a lot of imagery and symbolism like the fact that Roth views gardening as a way to project the future. Something that he can control like the scheduled way he runs everything on the estate grounds. Even the beautiful and tranquil images of flowers that adorn the movie's opening credits are deceptive and seems to hide the actual violent nature of the film's story. But what actually attracted me to the movie was Schrader's (the film was written and directed by him) ability to see into the darkest recesses of the human soul but yet find something redemptive and faith restoring there. The characters, despite their huge flaws, are always portrayed sympathetically and handled with reserved judgement in his films. At the age of 77 and after some personal struggles, perhaps this film is Schrader's ode to life hence the optimistic ending of the film. Apparently, Master Gardener is the final part in Paul Schrader's "Man In A Room" trilogy of films. The first and second films being the 2017 film First Reformed starring Ethan Hawke and the 2021 movie The Card Counter with Oscar Isaac. However, when I first discovered this movie I was completely unaware that it was part of a trilogy of films. Until now, I have never seen the other two films but from articles like the one linked below from The New York Times (which contain some spoilers), I found out that these three films are actually connected and that they share some similar themes like self destruction, dormant violence and redemption.
So, if you are curious about this movie and you want to know who Roth actually is and what happens to him in the end, check out the film and let me know what you think in the comments. I would really like to hear them. Lastly, please note that the film received mixed but mostly favorable reviews but it contains some very adult situations, so its not for the kids or family viewing. There is a comprehensive review of this film on RogerEbert.com by Glenn Kenny which best describes this film, if you don't mind some minor spoilers, or that you can read after viewing the movie. The film garnered a 4 star rating on the website while Mr Kenny is obviously a fan of Paul Schrader. As for me, I might be tempted to explore the other two earlier films in the trilogy at a later date.
Trailer Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures & Magnet Releasing
(the above video contains some minor spoilers)
If you are interested, this movie is available on DVD/Blu-Ray from Magnolia Home Entertainment and via streaming on Amazon Prime. The links are provided below.
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