Over the last 2 nights I have been treated to two very different but both simply wonderful films;
On Thursday night I did Brighton Rock (1948) which was brilliant. The noir story at the start was confusing but came into focus before long and became completely engrossing as it went on, this film draws you in deeper and deeper. Certain shots, especially a couple which cleverly used mirrors, and close ups of a young Richard Attenborough, have stuck with me and the entire penultimate scene which culminates on Brighton Pier was a triumph. There were a few standout moments, the voice recording and that recording finally being played were both sublime.
Friday night was Short Term 12 (2013), a film I had never heard of, but was highly rated and had won awards on its release a decade ago. It uses handheld camer to follow a group on young people who staff a small home for children who have nowhere else to go. As relationships unfold and people come and go, I was taken under it's spell, mostly I think through the dialogue and performances from Brie Larson, Keith Stanfield and John Gallagher. After It had finished I found myself comparing it to films like Once (2007), not in terms of content but they are both as perfect as they can be, as in, there can be no improving them.
I would rank both of these as at least high 8s out of 10, I could not recommend more strongly.
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