Life Begins At...

The Retiree Winter 2011

Life Begins At.....

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MOVIE REVIEWS That actor Gereard Depardieu can still deliver the goods after appearing in over 180 films has to be something of a cinematic miracle. Maybe it’s his love of fine wine that gives him the edge. My Afternoons with Margueritte Starring: Gerard Depardieu, Gisele Casadesus, Sophie Guillemin, Claire Maurer, Anne Le Guernec Directed by: Louis Becker Rated: M Running Time: 82 minutes Distributor: Icon Films Regardless, Depardieu is as charming as ever in My Afternoons with Margueritte. He stars as Germain, an illiterate handyman who is tolerated by his friends and despised by his bitter mother (Claire Maurier and played in flashbacks by Anne Le Guernec). He then meets Margueritte (Gisele Casadues), an elderly woman who becomes a friend and maternal figure. She sees sweetness and potential in Germain, and reads to him while they share their afternoons feeding pigeons in the local park. An adaptation of the novel by Marie- Sabine Roger, My Afternoons with Margueritte is a film that rightly earns the title of “feel good comedy”, yet under the direction of Jean Becker it doesn’t resort to sappy lows, thanks to Redemption is an often used theme in cinema, and in Get Low redemption is a currency which pays off with stellar performances and direction. Robert Duvall stars as Felix Bush, a hermit who has lived in his self made sanctuary for the majority of his adult life. He ends his self imposed isolation when he travels into town to arrange a funeral: His own. Get Low Starring: Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, Lucas Black, Sissy Spacek, Bill Cobbs Directed by: Aaron Schneider Rated: M Running Time: 103 minutes Distributor: Rialto Distribution You see, Felix is dying and he has something to get off his chest, a heavy burden which has haunted his soul and crippled his heart, and he wants everyone to attend his “funeral party” and hear what he has to say. The only man willing to host this pre- wake is Frank Quinn (Bill Murray), the local funeral home director who in sees in Felix an opportunity to make big money for what could be the funeral of the decade. Get Low is directed by first time features filmmaker Aaron Schneider, 170 THE RETIREE WINTER the depth of these characters and the convictions found in the performances. Depardieu appears in almost every scene and effortlessly switches from drama, anger, comedy, and sadness with ease. Yet it is the moments with Casadues that are the best, with the 97 (!) year old actress masterfully expressing her characters love for literature with poised, eloquent summations. As she reads we along with Depardieu are drawn into the magic and power of her words, made even more effective through Becker’s use of re-enactments. Becker also uses flashbacks to add more meat to Germain’s internal pain, with glimpses into his psychologically abusive upbringing at home and in school, where even the teachers take pot shots at his illiteracy. Yet while heavy drama does feature, in the end My Afternoons with Margueritte should be seen as a unique love story, funny and heartbreaking with two veteran actors delivering fine performances. and already he has proven to have a great handle on his craft, yet it is the performances that makes Get Low such a great movie, especially by Bill Murray and Sissy Spacek who plays Felix’s old flame. But this is Robert Duvall’s film, and even at 80 years of age he still turns in top grade performances equal to that in his heyday, honing that grizzled, naturalistic charm down to a perfect science. His turn as Felix may be subtle but boy is it powerful, as he slowly strips away the layers of this character’s regret and shame for all to see. A final scene features a confession with heartbreaking revelations. Duvall plays the words and emotions like a fine tuned instrument, sure to move anyone with a heart. An actor like Duvall is a treasure to watch, and Get Low is his latest gift.

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