Foreign movies

Not so foreign - UK and Australian movies of uniquely UK and Australian stories.



Tomorrow When the War Began

This is the movie of the first in a series of seven books by John Marsden. There are also three extra books about the main character. The first book is required reading in Antipodean schools. I read the first book, got hooked and had to very quickly read all the rest. I'm telling you this so you understand my credentials for reviewing this movie. I suggested my mother read the books and I think she got through all seven in a fortnight. She really liked them too.

It's about a group of teenagers who are out of town on a camping trip when Australia is invaded by an unspecified enemy. The story follows how they cope and fight back. They are very different characters and the contrasts and group dynamics add to the interest. It's the Secret Seven with guns, for all you Enid Blyton fans, and seriously, who doesn't love Enid Blyton.

So - did the movie do justice to the book? Yes it did. Mostly unknowns, all the teenagers did a great job while appearing to be real people, not actors. The lighting was great and there was some excellent music. The tone of the movie was suspenseful and terrifying. I watched it on dvd at night and when I went to bed there was a helicopter circling overhead, echoing a scene in the film. I was scared. Fans of the book should be satisfied with the film's treatment of the story. Apparently it was okayed by the author. Those new to Ellie and her friends will probably enjoy the movie as an adventure movie. Oh and it's not all happy ever after. Bad stuff happens.

The ending was not a conclusion, leaving the way open for further films. Maybe not all seven books, perhaps condense them into another three.

One thing I really liked. Their campsite is beautiful.




The King's Speech


How could a film about a speech impediment and a speech therapist be interesting? When the person with the stammer is King George the sixth it gets pretty good. Colin Firth is a wonderful Bertie, with Helena Bonham Carter playing his wife in a way that is recognisable to those of us who knew a little about the Queen Mother, mainly from television news coverage. Guy Pearce (remember - Mrs Mangel's nephew in Neighbours) is a suitably self indulgent Edward who abdicates, forcing his brother to become king. Mrs Simpson and their "set" admire Mr Hitler. I wasn't so impressed with the two little princesses, but they are not so important to the story (apart from the abdication changing the course of Elizabeth's life of course). I thought they were a bit common. Geoffrey Rush as the speech therapist is excellent. He plays an Australian (as in fact he is) and doesn't stand on ceremony when working with his royal client.

As usual, good lighting, good writing, low key characters, nice settings and a lot of historical accuracy, with some dramatic license taken. I thoroughly recommend this movie, but once again, like "Made in Dagenham", it's not made for the American market. There are no explosions.




Cat news: the damaged part of the tail fell off, there is a suspicion that the other cat bit it off. The remainder of the tail has fur but is paralysed. It doesn't seem to worry him. His growth has been quite severely stunted, as his brother is a big cat now and Lotto has stayed about the size he was when the accident happened. He is also crosseyed so I guess there was a bit of brain damage too. But he is a smart, active, affectionate and apparently happy cat so he's okay. The two still get along well and curl up to sleep together.