The Greatest Trick

OK, so it’s not quite the end of the year yet, but unless Baz Luhrmann pulls a rabbit out of the hat and stuns me with Australia, these are the ten best films I have seen this year, in no particular order of merit. To qualify, films need to have been released in UK cinemas between the 1st of January and the 31st of December 2008.

Its usually customary for me at this point to make honourable mentions of those that narrowly missed out on a place in this hallowed list, but I shall forgo that practise this year, partly because I can’t be bothered, and partly because such a practise tends to pacify the amusing hate mail and death threats I receive after said list has been sent. (“You didn’t include The Dark Knight?!” etc etc)

And so, in roughly chronological order:

No Country for Old Men.

Summary: The Coen Brothers return to Blood Simple territory and lose their faith in humanity.

What I said at the time: “An unremittingly bleak, nihilistic experience, tempered by a rich vein of dark humour…If you can take the bloody violence and are prepared for a very dark view of human existence, this couldn’t be more highly recommended.”

Afterthought: On a second viewing, the pitch black humour seemed even more prominent.

There will be Blood:

Summary: Daniel Day Lewis is horrible to everyone as he tries to get rich. A corrupt preacher is almost as horrible to him in return.

What I said at the time: “Daniel Day Lewis’ portrayal of oil prospector Daniel Plainview is an absolute triumph, even by his impossibly high standards…He practically eats up the screen, chewing the scenery to within an inch of its life.”

Afterthought: You’ll either love it or hate it, but even if you hate it you’ll never forget it. Although less impressive on a small screen, its still a modern masterpiece.

Juno:

Summary: Pregnant sixteen year old decides not to have an abortion because her baby already has fingernails.

What I said at the time: “An extraordinarily entertaining and persausive pro-life statement by default.”

Afterthought: An uplifting, often hilarious gem of a film that is, I believe, prophetically significant in reflecting how views on abortion have shifted, albeit just a little, amongst young people.

Persepolis:

Summary: An Iranian girl’s journey through her country’s recent turbulent history once again proves animation isn’t just for kids.

What I said at the time: “Essential viewing for anyone with a serious interest in cinema, and given the humour, drama and sadness contained herein, it is difficult to imagine any sensible person coming away unaffected.”

Afterthought: Despite presenting secular humanism as an answer to the world’s problems, this remains a fascinating and genuinely moving film.

Son of Rambow:

Summary: In the early 1980’s, two boys, one of them a member of the uber-strict Plymouth Brethren church, decided to make their own version of the Sylvester Stallone classic.

What I said at the time: “A wistful reminder of a bygone era where children were allowed to play outside, use their imaginations, and create amazing adventures for themselves…So entertaining, it’s impossible not to recommend, especially to people who remember tear-off ring pull cans of Coke, hilarious 80’s fashions, and expressions like “skill”.

Afterthought: This is a flawed, messy tale, but its hilarious and painful subplot exploring oppresive religious legalism struck such a chord with me personally that I cannot leave it off the list.

Gone Baby Gone:

Summary: Ben Affleck proves he is a far better director than actor, but overly cautious exhibitors postponed the release of his film until this year as they were concerned about plot similarities to the Madeleine McCann case.

What I said at the time: “For those who like strong, serious, uncompromised cinema which grapples with difficult issues, this is emotive, gripping, thought provoking stuff.”

Afterthought: Perhaps not unflawed, but still strong enough to make it impossible to ignore for this list.

Wall-E:

Summary: Pixar excel themselves yet again in this tale of a lovesick robot who inadvertently saves the human race.

What I said at the time: “One lovely, lovely sequence where Wall-E and Eve dance through space using a fire extinguisher to propel them, will go down in cinema history as one fo the greatest visualisations of pure joy ever seen in the big screen.”

Afterthought: Please, please don’t listen to the naysayers who say this is an animated Inconvenient Truth. The environmental messages are understated, and do not bash the viewer over the head in a preachy way. The best film I’ve seen this year, and those steeped in sci-fi lore will love it even more.

The Mist:

Summary: An allegory of Bush’s American in minature as a spooky mist containing some truly horrific monsters lays siege to a supermarket. Matters get worse when the people inside the supermarket go bonkers in suitable Lord of the Flies style.

What I said at the time: “One of the most disturbing, bleak, feel-bad, punch-in-the-guts horror finales I have seen for some time.”

Afterthought: That ending really could not be any bleaker. Those brave enough to watch will not have a single iota of good feeling afterwards, and that of course is why The Mist is so impressive to those like me who are inclined to find such films cathartic.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas:

Summary: A death camp commandant’s son forms an unlikely friendship with a Jewish boy his own age.

What I said at the time: “Depending on your temperament, it is either horribly bleak or a stunningly powerful affirmation of loyalty, friendship and bravery. Personally I think its both.”

Afterthought: Admittedly, this is hugely improbable, not to mention historically inaccurate, but it works brilliantly as a fable that teaches children about the monumental evil that was the Holocaust.

Changeling:

Summary: In 1920’s LA, an abducted boy is returned to his mother. But his mother insists the boy is not her son, despite all evidence to the contrary.

What I said at the time: “Eastwood’s assured, deceptively simple directing proves yet again that he is one of the great masters of American cinema.”

Afterthought: One of those true stories so crazy, you wouldn’t believe it if it was made up. Another classic from Clint.

Merry Christmas!