the drop

american crime drama set in a large city would not normally appeal
that format relentlessly hammered on way too many trash tv shows
which usually sees me tuning out and looking for other distractions
but the opposite here - drawn to this film based on reviews and actors
namely james gandolfini in his last role and swedish star noomi rapace
it is modern day brooklyn and the film centered around cousin marv's bar
marv (gandolfini) used to own the joint but lost it to the chechnyan mafia
his cousin bob (tom hardy) is the barman while marv plays owner/manager
opening scenes set in the bar and explaining the significance of 'the drop'
this where a random bar is selected for nightly deliveries of dirty money
all part and parcel of the real underground activities in seedy brooklyn
on one night a armed holdup by two masked men means $5k is stolen
the mob come visiting with a gruesome demonstration of their intent
their money needs to be recovered or the consequences are very ugly
we see scenes of bob as the lonely, single and reserved person he is
regular church-goer though he has no contact with other parishioners
one day when walking home he recovers an injured puppy from a bin
a conversation with the bin's owner unaware the dog had been dumped
nadia (rapace) admitting her jealous psychotic ex-boyfriend eric to blame
bob agrees to take on the dog - pit bull - and brings it back to good health
despite the ex-boyfriend and confessed murderer menacing bob and nadia
animal rescue - the film's book title - and the suggested dog/man parallels
i'm hooked - every character offers something interesting and engaging
there's a palpable feeling of something very gently being brought to boil
the first major twist is when marv is shown organising the next robbery
having plotted the last one on his own bar as part of a grander scheme
essentially to set the chechnyans up to select his bar on superbowl night
marv has got money issues - and cashing in on the drop is too tempting
eric is in with marv and has forced nadia to accompany him at the bar
this on drop night and marv has taken a sickie - too close to the action
the tension is now cranked up with a sense of dread now quite pervasive
very clever script, dialogue, acting and directing getting us to this point
and then the total unexpected happens - our gentle bob has a dark side
he confronts eric the robber (and woman harrasser) and blows him away
very disturbing scenes of a man shot in the neck and bleeding to death
this in front of nadia who is seen very convincingly going into shock
bob providing some consolation saying eric will never trouble her again
meanwhile james gandolfini (marv) is seen in his last ever film scene
blown away by the chechnyan hoods he was plotting to double-cross
they then show up at the bar and set about cleaning up the bloody mess
bob now seen as an ally and appointed as the new manager of the joint
but there's some more personal issues that he needs to also take care of
bob seen attaching the leash to the dog and 'we gotta do something rocco'
this some days later and a daytime walk to nadia's house who meets him
she seems in shock still and bob offers 'tell me to go and i will walk away'
a few seconds of film magic and then 'hold on - i'll go and get my coat'
brilliant - a happy ending it seems to a significantly intense film
hard to fault really - casting superb as much as the directing
dane michael roskan adding some european sentimentality
noomi rapace also helping out there amongst the yanks
vale james gandolfini - you went out with a bang...

kakanui

summer is with us for at least a day on this warm, sunny sunday morning
make the most of it so let's hit the road for a day and do some exploring
u2 / october on high volume and setting the celebratory mood of the day
first stop - shag point - some recent advice from a maf man re abalone
a rope assisted descent from the road to a large rock ledge at low tide
we are in the company of a relative expert in wet suit and snorkelling
good luck to him - we wander the pristine area and gape at the sights
a large sea slug being harassed by an equally large orange starfish
both being stalked by a hideous looking and slinky black octopus
the rock formations also stunning - large and round as per moeraki
in one large stone cracked open an elevated pool like an ancient spa
and clinging to the side of that just above water - woo-hoo - a live paua
who needs to snorkel - well us next time is the plan - but we leave happy
back in the car and push north towards oamaru and a right turn before then
drive a lazy 5km or so and arrive at the hitherto unexplored area of kakanui
first impressions - surprisingly large town - possibly retirement and/or holiday
not much action - a few children on bikes, the odd dog, but otherwise deserted
possibly due to there being an all black test in wales on tv at the same time
we park the car and clamber down on to the very wide and long beach
low tide still dominating and there's a few chaps with large nets spotted
strange - isn't whitebait a river fish - ah - spot the fresh water running in
their nets placed to catch the little critters trying to get upstream it seems
though not much action - possibly explaining the frosty attitude to tourists
we head to beach's end and go into rock-scrambling mode to the end point
very picturesque too - very bright green moss covering a large area of rocks
a huge pine tree now lying prone and ghost white after decades of surf attack
we scramble up to the cliff-top and admire the views across kakanui beach
lunch is a-calling so we then drive back down the coast road via all day bay
another very flat, very large, very deserted beach - though also a bit windy
the road comes out north of herbert and a new cafe discovered in town
vanessa's cottage cafe puts on a very tasty lunch of fresh fish (n chips)
cruise further south and call in to the award-winning blueskin nursery
a huge array of plants on offer of which one is screaming to be picked
cordyline indivisa - mountain cabbage tree or bush flax - we take it
it's a native palm promising rapid growth and creamy-lilac flowers
perfect for our front-yard and upon return it is then transplanted
which inspires more work on the continuing landscape project
that in turns works up a healthy appetite - paua and crab calls
wrapping up a brilliant day on a totally fabulous weekend
film - tick - music - tick - adventure - tick - garden - tick
food - tick, tick, tick, tick, etc - stunning as always...

fury

i have a bit of an aversion to war films - it's the wimp in me
just don't want to be reminded of what mankind can do to itself
given a weapon, a free pass and primal you-or-me scenarios on tap
but brad pitt is another actor i tend to trust in the films he aligns with
inglorious basterds of course another war film with him in fine form
fury has had generally average reviews but my trust in reviews waning
some lines of text at the start of the film providing useful information
we are deep in germany at the end of ww2 - the enemy still holding on

hitler has conscripted every man, woman and child into the armed forces

his new tiger tanks far superior to the sherman tanks of which fury is one
the all-imporant opening scene - a man on a white horse on top of a hill
comes closer and then riding slowly through scattered bodies and tanks
suddenly and brutally knifed in the head and torso by sargent collier (pitt)
this as he leaps from a tank - the tank - the name fury daubed on it's turret
a tender side of our hero revealed as he pats the horse and sends it away
then inside the tank we meet the other war-weary and hardened men
running repairs underway amongst the ribbing before then heading off
at the nearest town they replenish supplies, petrol, and one man
their forward gunner killed in action and a new recruit assigned
norman is a young and naive office clerk thrust into the front line
teased relentlessly by the crew but collier cuts him a bit of slack
their column of 4 tanks then ambushed en route to the next town
gut-shuddering scenes of tank and machine gun fire at close range
one soldier killed because norman lacking the conviction to open fire
though their attackers quickly overcome and sadly seen as young girls
scenes of other germans hung by the ss for refusing to enlist and fight
this is one powerful film - not a fun ride but a totally engrossing one
in a distressing scene collier forces norman to shoot a nazi prisoner
manning up required but then collier seen breaking down in private
some relief then as the two of them spend time with 2 german women
ironically pitt seen stripped to his waist and a woman quivering with fear
they expect the worst but collier is a gentleman and treats them well
ditto norman who then experiences more about growing into a man
the rest of the crew join them and some superbly directed scenes
the naivety, fear, expectations, desires, anger, relief of all interacting
but it is short-lived - the war is calling and another town to be taken
en route the column of 4 tanks is to protect a strategic crossroads
but a tiger tank intercepts and some amazing battle scenes ensue
the shuddering blast of tank and machine-gun fire so intimidating
the 5 crew members all hard at work concurrently manoeuvring
3 of the sherman tanks destroyed but collier outwits the lone enemy
brief respite and solace for norman before the big final scenes kick in
they alone have to protect the crossroads from an approaching ss battalion
the battle is long and almost unlikely with the fury boys piling up the bodies
eventually the germans wipe them out though norman uses the escape hatch
discovered hiding by a similarly young german soldier and then ignored
thus adding another human element to the war - we are not all bad
phew - the end - 2 hours of a totally engrossing and draining film
more moving music as the credits roll - real war photos on red
brad pitt - executive producer - he the man - what a stunning film
don't understand why the mostly average reviews from the experts
too realistic maybe? not a happy ending? war films out of favour?
who cares - it's a very high recommendation from this viewer...

my old lady

there's a number of criteria used for big screen film selection
paris and kristen scott-thomas are 2 that carry heavy weightings
i totally trust her judgement in any film she determines is worthy
and any film set in paris has to be considered for that reason only
those 2 together - damn the lukewarm reviews - this is a must-see
kevin kline and maggie smith co-headliners so an interesting mix
various reviews indicating a bit of a lightweight but an ok storyline
queuing for tickets with grey-power confirming the target audience
the film opens with mathias (kline) walking up to a paris apartment
lets himself in and goes from room to room in the very large property
comes across mathilde (smith) and a conversation to get us up to date
he has come from new york to sell the property he has just inherited
she surprises him with the news she can live there legally until death
further he is obliged to pay her a healthy monthly fee as part of the deal
this part of a well-established and actual uniquely french property law
mathias then cursing his late father max for once again getting to him
chloe (scott-thomas) appears as mathilde's daughter also living there
there's angst all round with the 3 of them unhappy about the situation
more so with mathias moving in with no money and no place to go
so far - ok - nothing too compelling and not sure how it will pan out
some character-defining then starts as mathias and chloe talk more
he revealing a sad life with no money, few friends, low self-esteem
she has spent her life caring for her mother and also has few friends
though seen by mathias and confessing to an affair with a married man
things then really start to get interesting as more dialogue is exchanged
a reminder that the film is actually based on a popular theatre production
the director here - israel horovitz - at 75 is directing his first ever film
some critics suggesting his move from stage to film not all successful
not to my eyes and ears though - i am starting to really enjoy the ride
a photo spotted by mathias of himself as a boy sparks some real drama
he and chloe together at the house way back and some questions asked
her father often overseas - hunting trips - the house is full of trophies
his father a frequent visitor - and sometimes with his children with him
pressing mathilde on the subject and she confesses to a long-time affair
the possibility that mathias and chloe could have max as the same father
this as they are drawn closer to each other - things are getting messy
mathias revealing his state of mind largely due to his mother's suicide
wow - clever stuff - great acting from the 3 leads - i'm totally hooked
earlier concerns about the plot (or not) of the film now fully dispelled
it's dialogue-heavy but necessarily so - and uh-oh - a happy ending too
but there's a real case for sympathy for the characters - so happy is good
two words come up in post viewing discussion - heavy and confronting
here another case of the marketing of the film quite badly misdirected
proven with the grey power in attendance overheard to be unimpressed
it's no light comedy - but a serious theme - teach your children well
or - secretive sex can lead to far-reaching and long-lasting problems
me like this film very much - would happily see it again sometime
the reputation of kristen scott thomas remains intact...and enhanced
paris stars too - the seine, the latin quarter, notre dame all shown
that would please some looking for a lighter outing than offered
others wanting a challenge - take it on - a very satisfying film...

the toure-raichel collective - the paris session

oh what a glorious surprise seeing this one on release
a follow-up to the most wonderful tel aviv session from 2012
that particular album well loved well played well recommended
the 2 musicians well respected individually but together - so good
idan raichel is from israel - master pianist, composer, producer, performer
first exposed to him with the various albums recorded as the idan raichel project
signed to the eclectic six degrees label - i.e. - stunningly produced new music
an enticing combination of eastern vibe and western production techniques
generally electronica used sparingly but effectively for some rich sounds
mr raichel one of the most loyal and successful artists for six degrees
vieux farka toure - son of the late, great ali farka toure - so mali born
he also signed originally to six degrees hence the common ground
has put out several accomplished albums mostly in electric form
big reviews for the one from this year - mon pays - tis beautiful
inspired by and addressing the sad state of his country at this time
glowing reviews significantly now not making mention of his late dad
or in the terms of - has stepped out of his shadow and found his own sound
had the great pleasure of seeing him at womadelaide 2 years ago - highlight
a baking hot afternoon sun - us few true believers front of stage grooving away
he on electric guitar and 2 whitey boys on drums and bass - totally unforgettable
going back though - in 2011 vieux had a chance encounter at a german airport
bumped into idan raichel - both huge fans of each other they then discovered
result - into a studio in israel and the stunning tel aviv sessions album made
i thought that was going to be a one-off but now we have the paris sessions
having repeat played this album i easily rate it one of the best of this year
the melding of toure's rich african grooves and raichel's delicate piano...
is as close to perfection as one could imagine - a free-spirited exploration...
of the meditative power that can emerge from improvised music (relix)
that from the promo sticker and for me accurately describing the album
it starts and ends with their classic melodic-piano-meets-guitar sound
such a natural sound that they themselves must recognise as unique
the combination of middle east piano and african guitar at the base
then on every track fleshed out with some other compatible sound
on the first track a trumpet works it's way very easily into the mix
on other tracks there's the sound of a ngoni lute or a fender rhodes
vocals seem mainly left to vieux but some harmonies heard with idan
one track features seckouba diabate that harks to an aboriginal sound
at times it has a real jazz feel to it - the necks and even ecm referenced
some tunes pushing into a blues feel - some real melancholia vocals too
but to counter that the band also let's fly on at least one up tempo number
which all adds up to an album of many sounds, feels and combinations
yet it is so cohesive with producer idan raichel locking it all together  
it sounds so natural with an obvious empathetic collaboration at work
the tel aviv sessions is beautiful - the paris sessions at least equals that
an album that will be (should be) well loved by people of many cultures
that being the other standout feature - it is not of any ethnicity or genre
i can only imagine the love in the room when it was recorded in paris
and that carrying so easily through to the actual feel of the music
clear respect and friendship in the result of the collaboration
an accidental meeting has lead to the creation of a new sound
no wonder they went back for more - and surely more to come
rave over - but what an infectious album - absolutely love it

finding vivian maier

there's a bit of a buzz around town about this film
people talking about it - mostly in terms of want-to-see
black and white photography using film has a certain appeal
or at least seeing the results of someone with the eye and technique
the film opens with a bunch of random people with one-line comments
all connected in some manner to the subject of the film vivian maier
credits roll then we meet john maloof - chicago - needs photographs
it is not explained fully but he was on the search for archive material
a bit of background footage revealing he from a family of scavengers
he has stumbled on boxes of old undeveloped films in an auction house
at least one revealing there could be something of use for his project
footage shown then of him bidding for the boxes and winning at $380
not sure how or why that was filmed so suspicious of a recreation
no problem - a good introduction and the interest levels flickering
more so as the first full screen shots of her photos are then displayed
old people, children, street-dwellers in very natural poses and settings
the extent of john maloof's auction gains then explained in more detail
boxes of still negatives and also film, cassettes, paperwork, clothing
suggestions vivian maier a fastidious or neurotic gatherer and hoarder
maloof himself rising to the challenge and buys up more of her collection
then sets about printing selected photos and organising local exhibitions
at the same time he delves deeper to find out about the mysterious woman
google throws up no information so some detective work then kicks in
leading to connections with various people who have been in her life
and the people seen in the opening frames of the film then re-appear
searching for sugarman comes to mind - a similar construct and feel
the lady herself a loner, no family but a very well respected nanny
taking children on excursions and always with a camera with her
chosen model - a rolleiflex - held at waist height to focus/shoot
her subjects then appearing tall and with eyes engaged elsewhere
as they lock on to her eyes which are quite distant from the lens
interesting and informative so far - but mid-film it bogs down
too much time spent with old friends and children-now-adults
time looking at them seems wasted - more photographs wanted
their stories not adding to the knowledge she was a lone operator
confirmed in the sixties as she went out to see/photograph the world
impressive photos of that trip seen on the screen in a very fast sequence
the timing of each shot on the screen set to match loud and pulsating music
then it's off to france - some of the archive photos indicating time spent there
a small mountain village of 250 people with it's church in the archive photos
maloof sets up an exhibition there that has the town excited and emotional
one elderly lady crying as she views an old photo of her young husband
there is a focus in the film of pushing the success of such exhibitions
a comment that people power is more important than critical acclaim
and a realisation for me that this film is a part of a complete package
i was expecting a full film of still photos and a voiceover explanation
but no - we get to see a few photos briefly and a lot of talking heads
the drive seems to be to build the enigma and thus also curiosity
sated further i expect by buying books or attending exhibitions
mr maloof having control over all that thus setting himself up
call me a cynic - accepted - but this interesting film frustrates
at least in the aforementioned biopic it is fully self-contained
here - it's a teaser - not a complete and fulfilling piece of art
still - lots learnt and full points to john maloof - lucky him

sheen of gold

another crack at the promotions business for us tonight
the 2 previous outings with live music and very successful
the havana lounge actually set up for film showings so perfect
a small matter of woo-ing 32 people in to complete bums-on-seats
select an enticing film and offer the usual superb food - a no-brainer
wrong - a bit of a struggle to get the theatre half-full and not sure why
nobody complaining about the scaled back but still ample food offerings
fully devoured and on with the viewing as soon as all attendees present
prior worries re the equipment subdued with a r&m check earlier today
lights down, hit the play button, grab a seat at the back to take it all in
the film first seen at the 2013 nziff and then again with air nz in-flight
so well known and selected for viewing here for a number of reasons
music related - iconic band - drama element - life in nz - local interest
bob sutton appears in the film as a talking head and is also with us tonight
simon ogston - director - also with us in spirit having given us permission
the film opens in their home town of palmerston north with a blues player
he obviously well entrenched in blues and name-dropping the big stars
equally enthusiastically suggesting the skeptics made of the same stuff
the music in their souls - deep - almost in tears as he dwells on this
then it's off to school - dunedin-ite robin gauld giving us the tour
visits to rehearsal spaces intercut with photos of the young band
then the film launches into the first archival skeptics music video
and a clear reminder of the absolute unique nature of their music
pulsating electronica/guitars/drums/vocals and no holds barred
it sounds kind of dated but at the same time very contemporary
3 decades on and the thinking is how radical it must have been then
confirmed by the cult following they built up of very dedicated fans
the film spends time in the present with all remaining past members
fondly talking of their time in the band and the sadness of it's demise
john halvorsen the most enlightening with some hands-on demonstrations
he the guitarist and driving force in the second incarnation of the band
here showing his interest and skill in noise-making with guitars/amps
some fascinating footage also of the making of the affco music video
stuart page the filmmaker armed with a fully clockwork video camera
a very confronting video even today of the brutality of animal slaughter
and likewise the music itself sounding absolutely timeless and relevant
riveting stuff - me tearing my eyes from the screen to check the audience
and likewise there seems to be full engagement from all in attendance
the film itself is quite linear with a good balance of music and talking
with the final part where the human interest element comes to the fore
charismatic singer and creative energiser david d'ath contracts leukemia
at the time the band was hitting a peak in composition and performance
the illness taking him out very quickly and a week after their last show
the band members all talking reverently of the man and his dedication
most poignant though were the words from his partner and daughter
sarah still affected by her loss 24 years ago of the love of her life
her daughter also obviously missing the father she never knew
cut to the last show at the gluepot tavern in front of 700 fans
david d'ath literally days from death but giving it his all
90 minutes of a fully engaging film with so much on offer
chatting with our audience post-show confirming my feelings
first-timers and repeat viewers all agreeing on it's relevance
an offer made to drive guest bob sutton home to osborne
interesting trip - he providing more insight to the band
and that alone makes the whole night very worthwhile
a few more people would have been encouraging too
but - welcome to showbiz - lesson - assume nothing
let's see if we can pull another show together soon...

interstellar

critics are tripping over themselves talking this one up
5 star reviews, best movie of the year, cinematic epic, etc, etc
i do enjoy sci-fi occasionally and 3 hours this saturday arvo to kill
some slight reservation as it starts - the fear of being hollywood-duped
prime suspect matthew mcconaughey plays cooper - a solo father of two
set sometime in the near future with them living on a dust-infested farm
their large corn crop at risk of devastation from environmental disaster
which doesn't stop cooper pursuing an airborne drone through the crop
kids on board the truck as he hauls out the laptop and locks onto the drone
lands it, unscrews a panel, pulls out the controller and loads it into the truck
cheap props, a vehicle chase and a good-looking hero - yep - hollywood
back home a dust-storm leads to strange patterns on daughter murphy's floor
somehow cooper determines the dust lines to be digital compass bearings
and off he goes - a secret base - nasa - they want the ex-astronaut back
a secret mission planned through a new worm-hole to find a new planet
trouble is - no known timeframe and murphy in particular is devastated
placated somewhat with a promise that daddy will return to her one day
and then - liftoff - what looks like real footage of a rocket being launched
on-board it's cooper, amelia (anne hathaway) and principal (david oyelowo)
perfect - man, woman, african-american - accompanied by a speaking robot
tars - looking much like a cast-off of a bad prop from a doctor who series
they travel through the worm-hole - first stop is a water covered planet
more underwhelming scenes as they first land and then wade out on it
the craft they are in looking like a cast-off of an old thunderbirds series
i expected at least some amazing special effects not something so dated
and what about the actual physics of the effort to land on another planet
but as one reviewer suggested - just go with it - don't expect anything
ok - how about some decent/convincing acting or a believable plot
no and no - the main man - mm - southern drawls his way through it
his dialogue indecipherable at most times - and his manner - pul-lease
punching the wall behind his co-star and 'god dammit' - tantrum stuff
they take off from this planet and head to the next looking for a dr mann
he in some state of suspension in a plastic bag sliced open by our hero
lo and behold - matt damon - crikey - is his star status on the wane now?
but he's a baddie so there's an almost laughable space-suited fight scene
on and on and on it goes - loud bombastic music reminding us to be in awe
back on planet earth mm's daughter now fully grown and a famous scientist
we know this as we see her make the final mark on a formula-filled blackboard
apparantly mm can get signals but not transmit so he gets messages from home
time travel meaning he is ageing at a fraction of the time that his kids are
the tears flow as he views the messages - tick - film must have emotion
an hour left and i'm well over it - please just let it end - i ain't digging it
more so with extended scenes of some kind of parallel universe thing
mm in his spacesuit looking in on mm saying goodbye to his daughter
screaming for him not to do it - daughter senses his (future) presence
all kind of weird/strange/silly and certainly drawn out far too long
we endure more unlikely scenes/plots/twists and then the big ending
daughter realises he ain't coming back - but what about his big promise?
well she the famous scientist is transported to him now circling saturn
but the time travel thing means he is still the young and handsome hero
daughter an old woman and the final cloying scenes as she is dying
i knew i'd see you again - how - cause my daddy promised me
now dad - off you go and hook up with amelia - you deserve it
pass the bucket please - o-t-t american schmaltzy sentimentalism
i just don't get the rave reviews - maybe a repeat viewing - nope
if this goes down as the best film of the year then i will despair
the biggest con of the year i could cope with - what a crock
couldn't help thinking of the last scientific film i have seen
particle fever - so much better in just about every way
not least the clear and convincing expose of physics
interstellar - more interested in effect than cause...

hector and the search for happiness

it's quite hard work being a fan of film and a willing fiscal supporter
wanting to part with the bucks to sit in a darkened room with strangers
as opposed to downloading or streaming in the comfort of home in private
the problem is the limited number of enticing films on offer at the theatres
animated, superhero, rom-com, teen flick, martial arts, game-based, etc no go
which pretty well  rules out most listed - so anything else up for consideration
this one - good reviews, interesting concept, respected actors, and a travelogue
the film opens with a bi-plane in a cloudy sky - a dog sitting in the rear seat
it falls out in a barrel roll manoeuvre - funny - but guessing it's all a dream
yep - hector wakes and his day starts - the voice-over providing the details
his life is supremely ordered - girlfriend clara robotically runs it for him
dresses him, knots his tie, packs his lunch, finds his keys, sends him off
the feel of a very-english-do-good film and with it a sense of expectability
though rosamund pike as clara last seen in gone girl should add a bit of edge
hector (simon pegg) is a london psychiatrist with a regular cast of patients
rushed through his office and the film only to show how ineffective he is
he dishes out rote advice and the latest drugs and books each back in again
one of his patients is a faux clairvoyant who tells hector he is about to travel
which sparks the idea for him to break out of his dull routine and take a trip
clara gives him her blessing and arms him with a blank book he must fill up
page 1 already filled in - 'the search for happiness' - and off he goes - china
bumped up to business class on the plane and buddying up with a rich banker
edward (the impressive stellan skarsgard) takes pity on the bumbling hector
shows him a good (expensive) time in shanghai with some great city footage
hector almost goes the distance with a gorgeous student - actually a prostitute
and along the way learns a few lessons which get transposed into the book
thus the mode of the film is set - travel, strangers, situations, lessons, writeup
in between there are scenes of hector as a tin-tin like character with his dog
yeah we get it - he's a  boy at heart full of naivety and wide-eyed wonder
off to nepal and at the top of a mountain a monk speaking perfect english
me now border cynical because of the target audience for this feel-good flick
but we persist - it's kind of fun - next stop africa - another in-flight meeting
the neighbouring african lady be-friending him and showing him the way
one great scene follows with him letting it go with african music and dance
he then gets caught up in a kidnapping/hostage situation with guns at play
life-threatening - more lessons learnt - more one-liners to be written up
india - more/same - 'avoiding unhappiness is not the secret to happiness'
and finally he is off to los angeles where his first love agnes is living
she married, 2 kids and another on the way - he still pines for the past
clara reacts badly to his confession of the visit on their skype hookup
ditto agnes berating him about his pining - '2 words - move and on'
toni collette with a small role but demonstrating her impressive skill
being admonished by both women causes hector to lose the plot
time to go home - lots of flashbacks reminiscing on the journey
then back to london and into the arms of his waiting girlfriend
they get married, they live happily ever after - search complete
pretty lame really - and confirming who the film is made for
boring white comfortable healthy affluent straight couples
possibly not entirely happy but don't bother questioning that
it's all crazy out there anyway and past lives better left there
oh well thanks for the lesson and a few laughs along the way
but not at all convinced about the message being delivered
just too bleeding obvious and hit home like a sledgehammer
damn - the pick of the bunch pretty average at best....next...