This week is a rarity in film as our two recommended films are both being marketed on the strength of their writers. How whacky is that? Oh, and they're also both English, heavily character-based - kind of a given considering the two previous points - and period films. An Education is set in the early 60s right before the Beatles and the Rolling Stones changed England youth culture forever, and The Damned United is set in 1974, where England was desperate to regain its national pride following a failed bid to make the World Cup. Other films worth noting, but not receiving a full recommendation this week, include Bronson - another British character piece - and Good Hair - perhaps worth seeing just to avoid an Angloverdose.
AN EDUCATION
What: The second English-language film from Lone Scherfig (Italian for Beginners), An Education tells the story of a 16-year-old girl named Jenny (Carey Mulligan) in pre-Beatles England desperate to escape her conservative working class roots and become a sophisticated woman. David (Peter Sarsgaard) - a 30-year-old man - seems to be her ticket to the life she's always fantasized about, but dreams rarely live up to their promises.Where: LA - The Landmark, Arclight Hollywood; NY - Lincoln Plaza Cinemas, Union Square 14
Why: Marketed on the pedigree of its writer Nick Hornby, all early reviews give equal praise to the performance of Carey Mulligan and the even direction of Lone Scherfig. Both commercially and artistically appealing, the film is certainly a lock for some Oscar action, and if not just for the performances, it's worth recommending solely to support a coming-of-age story told from a female point-of-view.
THE DAMNED UNITED
What: The second feature film from acclaimed TV director Tom Hooper ("John Adams"), The Damned United tells the true story of the meteoric rise and fall of Brian Clough (Michael Sheen), who as a soccer coach, was once one of the most recognizable figures in sports.Where: LA - The Landmark, Town Center 5, Laemmle Playhouse 7; NY - Lincoln Square 12, Union Square 14
Why: Another tour-de-force performance by Michael Sheen is a pretty solid reason, but more than that, what really makes this film interesting is that it's a sports flick that subverts the standard sports movie formula - instead of showcasing a coach leading a spry bunch of underdog's victories culminating in some grand championship, it highlights that wants to straighten up a group of bullies-turned-champions, but in doing so hopelessly causes their descent into chaos. It serves as a kind of realistic epilogue/rebuttal to the common sports film.
Everything Else
BRONSON
GOOD HAIR
