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Directed by:- Blake Edwards.
Starring:- Julie Andrews, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quayle.

Spoofed by Mad Magazine in 1975 as the 'Tommy-red-seed', this little known film slipped through the cracks in the mid 70's due to a cluster of films made at the time which flopped at the box office (several of them from Edwards himself). It was only through my private Julie Andrews movie detective agency that I was able to track this one down (after looking for sometime), and I was glad that I did. In no time at all I felt myself being transported back to the 1970's through Blake Edwards' marvellous cinematography of high waist lines and John Barry's super solid tunes.

The Tamarind Seed, described by Julie Andrews early in the film as being "just like a man's head" ( I suppose it could be, depending on your perspective), begins with Julie Farrow (Andrews), a British Home Office functionary who has just ended an affair with a married man. Feeling rather despondent, Farrows' takes a two week vacation in Barbados to iron out a few creases, whereby she meets Feodor Sverdlov (Sharif), a Soviet air attaché. The two embark on a relationship, becoming embroiled in cold war intrigue as they try to quell notions of defection from their respective employers.

Sharif is witty in this, playing a realist who's views have been shaped by years of experience with the material world. His character, while pretending that he is recruiting Andrews to the Russians, tells her that he really wants to defect, and that he must maintain his pretensions in order to continue seeing her. Andrews, whilst playing an intelligent woman, lives by a code of honesty and justice, represented in the legend of the tamarind seed. In typical spy like fashion, the film keeps you guessing, but it is the staunch affection between the main characters throughout compromising circumstances that adds beauty to the film. Sharif and Andrews produce some good on screen chemistry here.

Whilst not your non-stop action thriller of today, The Tamarind Seed gives off a convincing air of clandestine 1970's, with locations from London nightclubs, to Barbados, Paris and finally Canada, all giving the film that extra touch of style. John Barry's soundtrack also adds class, however the film is worth watching for the beach shoot out scene in Barbados alone, with some of the funniest dying moments I have seen (reminding me of some early Jackie Chan films).

The Tamarind Seed may not appeal to all fans of this genre, however it is an enjoyable and atmospheric spy flick that is well worth delving into the lost film crevices of the 1970's for.

4 bananas out of five.

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Posted By: Quin Goot - Category: No Category

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Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

April 25th 2009 07:51

Directed by:- Francis Ford Coppola.
Starring:- Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Richard E Grant.

Having just finished Bram Stoker's novel, I felt compelled to re-visit this version by Francis Ford Coppola. And it is not a wonder that the attempt to adapt this story onto the big screen has rarely been made, as I imagine it would prove to be rather challenging. Whilst I realise that comparing a movie to the book is in many ways pointless and cumbersome, I will make comparisons to some extent due to Mr Coppola's audacious usage of the author's name in the title.

Especially notable at the beginning of the film is the production. The atmosphere seemed to take on a very theatrical feel, as if I was watching a play. Just a personal preference, but I would have liked a grittier, darker tone used here. This emphasis on production also seemed to carry over into the characters. Choosing Keanu Reeves to play Jonathan Harker was not a great idea. He is American for a start, and is a big Hollywood actor (not a brilliant one at that). It would have been nicer to see an Englishmen, and maybe a lesser known one who was more suited to the part.

I was also a little disappointed with both Dr Van Helsing and Renfield. I like Anthony Hopkins, and felt that he wasn't a bad choice as Van Helsing, however the writing let his character down. Van Helsing comes across here as both vociferous and sarcastic. He was much more sincere in the book, which gave his character more depth. Likewise, the complexity of Renfield was completely lost in this adaption. I realise that transformation of a novel is difficult with this medium, but important aspects of his character were left out, such as his elegant rants and capricious behaviour. It was in these choices that much of the films depth was compromised. I did, however, like the choice of Richard E Grant as Dr Seward, but being a principal character in the novel, he deserved more screen time than was seen here.

Since most are familiar with the story, I won't summarise events other than to comment on the decision to turn this into a love story. By doing so, Coppola gave Dracula more depth, but also made him into a bit of a pussy, a man that we could sympathise with. I liked the cold hard blooded killer in the novel that was more the enigma. Also, the anguish and rage that consumed Jonathan was completely lost in this diversion. Again, just my opinion, but I would love to see a grittier version that is more faithful to the novel. I wonder what old Bram would think of this adaption?

On a brighter note, I did like the use of Gary Oldman as Dracula, and I thought Winona Ryder was fairly good as Mina. The costumes were suitable and the music wasn't too bad. Overall I felt that this was a reasonable attempt, but did not do justice to such a great story.

I would love to see this film re-done into the complex, raw, tortured darkness that is Dracula.

Two and a half bananas out of five.

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Posted By: Quin Goot - Category: No Category

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The Snow Queen (2005) (TV)

March 31st 2009 10:03

Directed by:- Julian Gibbs.
Starring:- Pax Baldwin, Sydney White, Juliet Stevenson, Tiffany Amber Knight.

I have watched quite a few films since my last entry, but none that I felt I wanted to write about. I find that I either get bored writing about certain films, or they have been reviewed to death. Well, a friend who is into child like magic (like myself) recommended The Snow Queen. I am not sure which version, but I came across the TV one, so here I am.

What I initially noticed about the film was the imagery and production. Was it a cartoon? Was it computer generated? These were my first thoughts, until I began to make out clear images of people within this chimerical world. For the first few seconds it didn't sit comfortably, but then my mind began to accept the style of imagery. It appeared playful and suited the story.

The Snow Queen is about Gerda, a young sweet girl who comes across the homeless and dejected Kay, who is stranded in the snow. Out of Gerda and her mother's kindness, Kay is taken inside, where he and Gerda become close friends. Soon arrives the Evil Snow Queen, who steels Kay away to her ice palace. It is probably a bit sad that at this point I am thinking the film is full of massive cliches, when really Hans Christian Anderson had his hand in writing the story, and it is probably this story that has been ripped off countless times - so are my experiences - anyway, Kay is whisked off to bad land, and Gerda sets out to find him through a series of adventures, where she must of course overcome adversity. There are witches, robbers, magic potions concocted by Eskimos, talking crows and pretty (in the good looking sense) evil people. Whilst I found the story a little predictable, I feel that there are several reasons why you should watch this film.

The imagery is great and takes away any serious edge, leading you towards forgiving any pitfalls the film might have - such as its brevity, and the ostensibly cliche story lines. The riming songs that introduce each scene might annoy some, but I thought they worked here. Coupled with the scenery, the songs gave the film a kind of 'so bad that it is good' quirky feel.

Don't bend over backwards, but if you are a fan of the story, you may like this one. Sydney White also plays 'sweet' quite nicely.

3 and a half bananas out of five.

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Posted By: Quin Goot - Category: No Category

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