10 Best Films of 2007
It’s that time of year again – my selection of the ten best films of 2007. Before I jump in with the final choices, here are some of the films that fell regrettably by the wayside:
Unexpectedly delightful musical indie-gem Once was too slight to make the selection. On the subject of musicals, Hairspray was a superb reinvention of John Waters’ 1988 film, but again competition for space was too strong. Enchanted was a pleasing Disney blockbuster, but there was only room for a certain other family film.
Westerns did well this year with the excellent and massively underrated 3:10 to Yuma – a rare remake the surpassed the original, and Seraphim Falls, a brilliant revenge western with a pleasingly bonkers supernatural finale. But the shadow of a certain other western loomed over these, causing them to be relegated to honourable mentions only.
Atonement might have been good from an acting/directing perspective, but the narrative problems with the screenplay (possibly inherited from the novel which I’ve not read) meant this was probably my greatest disappointment of the year, especially since I am partial to romantic dramas. The majority of reviewers disagree with me. Perhaps you do too.
Strong dramas such as Notes on a Scandal got the push, as did Mel Gibson’s action-bloodbath-dressed-as-arthouse-film Apocalypto. Zodiac was an intriguing fact-based thriller, and 28 Weeks Later an enjoyable zombie sequel, but neither were shortlisted in the end. Amazing Grace was very good, but from a filmmaking perspective it wasn’t amazing, so no place for it here. The Illusionist was also good, but last years similarly themed The Prestige was miles better. On the sci-fi front, Sunshine did an admirable job, but relied too much on referencing earlier better films to be outstanding in its own right.
There were some fine comedies this year, including Hot Fuzz which was good but not as funny as Shaun of the Dead, hence it too was denied a place. The Kite Runner, which I saw last night (review to follow when I get round to writing it) has also been left out, not because it isn’t a good film but because it wasn’t outstanding, and as anyone who has read this extraordinary book will know, anything less than an outstanding adaptation is a disappointment.
The most excruciating omission was Blood Diamond which I liked more than any of the above.
So, the final list (more or less in the order they came out in the UK):
The Last King of Scotland – A superb, terrifyingly intense Oscar-winning performance from Forest Whitaker dominates this first rate political thriller about Idi Amin’s friendship with a Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy). Brilliantly directed by Kevin MacDonald, especially in the latter half where things get very nasty indeed. I watched the last scenes from between my fingers.
Letters from Iwo Jima – Clint Eastwood’s Oscar nominated companion piece to Flags of our Fathers is so good that it could potentially end up as a war classic. The plight of the Japanese army on Iwo Jima is poignantly explored, with characters that move well beyond the hara-kiri stereotype so often depicted in films of this nature. A brilliant, dramatically satisfying and quietly devastating piece of work.
Becoming Jane – As someone who admires rather than likes Jane Austen, I was pleasantly surprised by this factually dubious but hugely engaging biopic.
There is genuine romantic chemistry between Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy in the lead roles, and excellent support from the likes of James Cromwell and Maggie Smith. Director Julian Jarrod successfully oversees the screenplay’s transition from comedy to melodrama, resulting in an entertaining and moving work.
Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others) – Brilliant, slow-burning surveillance thriller pointedly set in 1984 in which an East German secret policeman has a crisis of conscience. A scathing condemnation of the “if-you’ve-done-nothing-wrong-you’ve-got-nothing-to-fear” argument, this should be compulsory viewing for Gordon Brown, all Labour MPs and anyone else insane enough to think compulsory identity cards are a good idea. The best film of the year by far and a triumph on every artistic level – gripping, blackly comic, tragic, redemptive and profoundly moving with a plethora of moral and spiritual food for thought.
The Bourne Ultimatum – This third entry in the Bourne franchise may not be as good as the first, but it’s still the best action thriller of the year. Matt Damon is on cracking form, and director Paul Greengrass keeps things moving at a relentless pace (though I wish he’d use a tripod occasionally). Standout scenes include the nerve shredding Waterloo station sequence and the brilliantly tense rooftop chase in Tangier.
Knocked Up – This foul-mouthed, smutty but warm-hearted comedy about a couple’s unplanned pregnancy following a one-night stand is what one might term excruciatingly amusing. Some lovely performances, not just from the leads Seth Rogan and Katherine Heigl, but also Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann as a couple whose marriage is on a post-children downward spiral. In spite of the “gross-out” humour, this is likely to strike a chord with any couple who have had a baby; it’s funny because it’s true.
Control – Celebrated photographer Anton Corbijn’s feature film debut is a monochrome gem charting the rise and fall of Joy Division front man Ian Curtis, who committed suicide in 1980 on the eve of their first American tour. The film resolutely ignores any of the glamour associated with the music business and instead revolves around Sam Riley’s superb, tormented performance (both musically and offstage). The terrific supporting cast includes Samantha Morton as Curtis’ put-upon wife who manages to elevate her potentially thankless role beyond the usual stereotypes. Bleak but brilliant.
Ratatouille – Pixar strikes gold again, in director Brad Bird’s tale of a rat that wants to be a gourmet chef. Terrific vocal work from the entire cast, especially Peter O’Toole’s acid-penned food critic Anton Ego. It’s become completely redundant to describe Pixar films as visually stunning, but the animation here evokes wonder beyond any of their previous works. For that and many other reasons, this gets my vote as the best family film of the year.
American Gangster – Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe both contribute excellent performances in this tale of 70’s heroin kingpin Frank Lucas and the man who brought him down. A good solid return to form for director Ridley Scott.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – Brad Pitt gives a career-best performance as legendary outlaw Jesse James in this epic, brooding, melancholy western, but Casey Affleck’s skin-crawling turn as Robert Ford is even better. Writer/director Andrew Dominik’s deconstruction of the Jesse James mythology also has a cautionary message about hero worship that resonates greatly in our celebrity obsessed culture. The achingly beautiful cinematography demands to be seen on a big screen, and I strongly suspect this will be revered in years to come as a masterpiece.
That’s it – feel free to send your usual arguments.
Some potentially excellent films will vie for our attention in 2008, including No Country for Old Men, Charlie Wilson’s War, There will be blood, Jumper, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, In the valley of Elah, Vantage Point, Cloverfield, The Dark Knight, Prince Caspian and the return of a certain archaeologist who was last seen on the big screen in 1989. I shall, as ever, attempt to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Happy New Year (almost).
Simon Dillon, December 2007.
