Latest news with #AnatomyofaFall
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hence the sensibility
This muted, somewhat melancholy and very French approach to the Jane Austen update (mostly in French with English subtitles, with a smattering of English) has many low-key charms. The settings, central characters and lead performances are all lovely, in an understated way. Still, considering Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is partly a love letter to writing and writers, this romantic comedy from debut French filmmaker Laura Piani is a bit patchy when it comes to story. Agathe (Camille Rutherford of Anatomy of a Fall) is a would-be novelist who works at Paris's historic English-language bookshop Shakespeare and Company. (Bibliophiles will be happy to see the bookish scenes are shot at the actual store.) Sony Pictures Classics Agathe is a would-be novelist looking for inspiration. Finding herself stalled out, both in her love life and her attempts to write a love story, Agathe compares herself to Jane Austen's Anne Elliot, the heroine of Persuasion who fears her chance at happiness has passed. This could change, though, when Agathe is pushed by her best pal, Félix (Pablo Pauly of The French Dispatch), into attending the Jane Austen Residency, a two-week writers' retreat at a beautiful Georgian house in the English countryside. Agathe finds herself experiencing some romantic confusion when Felix sees her off at the cross-Channel ferry with a surprisingly passionate kiss. This perplexity is compounded when she's picked up on the British side by the arrogant but attractive Oliver (Charlie Anson, who's done offbeat Austen before in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies). Oliver, who works at the Residency, happens to be Jane Austen's 'great-great-great-great nephew,' though he finds Austen's writings 'a little overrated and limited in scope.' Piani, who has worked mostly in French TV (Spiral, Plan B), is dealing with the gambit faced by all Austen-related projects: her film has a built-in audience, but that audience has very exacting standards. Here Jane Austen functions mostly as a hook, which might disappoint some superfans. Agathe's story holds a generalized Janeite spirit, but the specific literary references are slight. (It should also be noted that the movie is not related to the 2009 novel Jane Austen Ruined My Life by American author Beth Pattillo. Confusing!) Agathe, like Austen herself, is a doting aunt and fond sister, and like many Austen heroines, she finds herself choosing between two men while trying to figure out her own moral and emotional development. Sony Pictures Classics Félix (Pablo Pauly, left) and Agathe are just friends, or are they? There's certainly a Pride and Prejudice vibe to Agathe and Oliver's frosty initial meeting, with Oliver channelling a bilingual Mr. Darcy with just a touch of Hugh Grant's Edward Ferrars in Sense and Sensibility. And while Félix is a great best friend, Agathe worries he's maybe a bit too much like Mansfield Park's Henry Crawford, a compulsive charmer who can't commit. Still, for all the callbacks to Austen's early 1800s canon — Piani even supplies a Regency-costumed ball, with much dancing and glancing — this is a very 2020s work. Agathe sometimes feels as if she was 'born in the wrong century,' but her story is modern and French, with a lot of striped shirts, good coffee, alcohol and cigarettes — and also a bit of nudity and sex. There is some sisterhood with Bridget Jones. Agathe doesn't quite reach Bridget's level of comic klutziness, but she can be awkward and a little self-effacing. (When Félix suggests Agathe suffers from impostor syndrome, she tells him she's 'a genuine impostor.') And as with many modernized Austen heroines, Agathe is not dealing with social constraints — with not enough choice — but rather with too much choice. This especially applies to the wide-open options of what she calls 'Uber sex' and 'digital dating,' which she finds mostly involves guys tiptoeing out of her bed at night and trying not to wake her up. As a contemporary woman, Agathe is also struggling with work, in this case the writer's horror of the blank page, compounded by a past trauma she hasn't come to terms with. Sundays Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. This outline of Agathe's character arc sounds good, but with the film's swift 98-minute runtime, the outline is never quite filled in. Agathe's relationships with the other Residency participants, with the two men and even with herself remain vague. Sony Pictures Classics Like many Jane Austen heroines, Agathe (Camille Rutherford) finds herself choosing between two men. At one point, Agathe is arguing with an aggressive critical theorist about the purpose of literature, and she says she wants novels to reflect back to her what it means to be human. The film has bits of quiet humour, some less successful attempts at slapstick and some poignant scenes, but these beautiful moments don't quite add up to a fully developed story. Jane Austen Wrecked My Life could use a little more reflection. arts@ Alison GillmorWriter Studying at the University of Winnipeg and later Toronto's York University, Alison Gillmor planned to become an art historian. She ended up catching the journalism bug when she started as visual arts reviewer at the Winnipeg Free Press in 1992. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lav Diaz Opens Up About Rare Acting Role in Psychological Horror ‘The Sacrifice,' First Look Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)
The first official image has been unveiled of acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz in 'The Sacrifice,' a psychological horror film currently in production in the Philippines. The award-winning director has intermittently stepped in front of the camera before. The newly released still offers a glimpse of Diaz as Pilo, a quiet and enigmatic jungle guide who leads a group of vloggers deep into remote terrain steeped in ritual and folklore. More from Variety 'Anatomy of a Fall' Producer Marie-Ange Luciani Sets Next Projects by Alain Guiraudie, Monia Chokri, Hélène Rosselet-Ruiz, Jean-Gabriel Periot (EXCLUSIVE) Carla Simón Uncovers a Galician Family's Skeletons in the Semi-Autobiographical 'Romería' Kinky Sex, BDSM Alexander Skarsgard and Gimp Masks: 'Pillion' Seduces Cannes With 7-Minute Standing Ovation Known for directing international festival favorites like 'Norte, the End of History' and 'The Woman Who Left' — which won the Golden Lion at Venice in 2016 — Diaz now opens up about his character in the upcoming thriller. 'I love the character. He's a conflicted person — he paints a picture of the type of person we see every day. The greatest struggle in life is how to be a good human being, and I think Pilo embodies that conflict,' Diaz says. 'I loved playing this role.' Diaz, who is currently attending the Cannes Film Festival with his latest directorial feature 'Magellan' starring Gael García Bernal, also shares his thoughts on collaborating with a new generation of filmmakers: 'I love working with fellow filmmakers, especially young filmmakers. You feel rejuvenated doing cinema with young people.' 'The Sacrifice' is produced by C'est Lovi Productions and Kind Hearts Entertainment, with Montgomery Blencowe ('Heist,' 'Marauders') and Mark Stewart ('Escape Plan') serving as producers. Directed by Prime Cruz ('Sleepless,' 'Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B'), the film features Lovi Poe ('Seasons,' 'Guilty Pleasure'), Enchong Dee ('Gomburza,' 'Outside'), and Timothy Granaderos ('13 Reasons Why,' 'Who Invited Them') in lead roles. Additional cast will be revealed soon. The first look was unveiled at the Cannes Film Market. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
UPI
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Camille Rutherford: 'Jane Austen Wrecked My Life' captures creative turmoil
1 of 5 | Camille Rutherford stars in "Jane Austen Wrecked My Life," in theaters Friday. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics LOS ANGELES, May 20 (UPI) -- Camille Rutherford says her new movie Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, in theaters Friday, captures artistic struggles. Rutherford plays Agathe, an aspiring French writer who attends a Jane Austen workshop in England. In a recent Zoom interview with UPI, Rutherford said she related to Agathe's creative struggles. Though Rutherford has been acting since 2010, including in the critically-acclaimed film Anatomy of a Fall and TV's Paris Has Fallen, she related to Agathe's imposter syndrome. "Whenever I start a new job as an actress, I always feel like I'm not going to be good enough, like Agathe when she's trying to write novels," Rutherford said. "We all have moments in our lives where we feel we're not intelligent, funny, witty, intelligent, cool enough for anything, in our career, in our relationships." Rutherford said she has friends and family who are authors. She confirmed that the film's depictions of Agathe procrastinating, even while at the exclusive retreat, are accurate in her experience. "It demystifies writing," Rutherford said. "You see Agathe looking at her phone instead of writing, looking out the window having fantasies about men. I could relate to that." When someone else has written dialogue for her, however, Rutherford is committed to learning her part. "I always have my phone next to me, I'm not going to lie," she said. "It's always there and every ten minutes I'm like oh, I want to look at my phone but I try and look at it every half an hour." Laura Piani, who wrote and directed Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, confirmed Rutherford always knew her lines. Furthermore, Piani said the film is inspired as much by Austen's career as an author as it is the romantic works she wrote, such as Pride and Prejudice and Emma. "It was also important for me, for us to do a rom-com that would embrace the genre and play with the formula, that would not be a film about a woman saved by a man or saved by love," Piani said. "It's only because she reached this dream and she writes a book that she can actually be able to recognize love and go for it." Outside of writing, Agathe struggles with dating apps and works at the Shakespeare and Company bookstore with her friend, Felix (Pablo Pauly). Though the methods have evolved, Piani and Rutherford agreed people still long for Jane Austen romance. "We all want to fall in love," Rutherford said. "Solitude is not natural. People like being alone but there's a moment where we all need relationships. We all need to fall in love, to have sex, to be in a relationship. That's why we still need her romance. Not only her romance but any artist's vision of romance and romance in general." Piani added that Austen's sense of humor contributes to her works standing the test of time. "What she was hiding on the plate was the sense of humor, though," Piani said. "She was so ahead of her time that it's still talking to us today because she's timeless." Comedy in Jane Austen Wrecked My Life includes a nude scene featuring Rutherford. Agathe is preparing to bathe when she accidentally opens the door to the adjoining room instead of the bathroom. Oliver (Charlie Anson), one of Agathe's potential suitors, sees her naked, but Rutherford preferred being the butt of the joke to having a love scene. "I hate it when I have to be naked if it's a sex scene or it's about desire or seduction," Rutherford said. "It didn't have to be sexy. It was funny and my body could be wobbly wobbly wobbly."
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix now streaming 'outstanding' crime film that received five Oscar nominations
Netflix subscribers have another critically acclaimed film to add to their must-watch list this week. This 2023 thriller was a major contender at the Oscars and has already captivated audiences worldwide with its spine-chilling mystery and thought-provoking themes. Starring one of Europe's most celebrated actresses, boasting an award from a prestigious film festival, five Academy Award nominations, and a commendable 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it may be one of the best films currently streaming on the platform. The film also secured a remarkable 91 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that it wasn't just critics who were spellbound by every moment of this compelling drama. Anatomy of a Fall, the winner of the 2023 Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, is available on Netflix now and movie buffs are urged not to miss out on this one, Surrey Live reports. The gripping mystery unfolds after renowned novelist Sandra Voyter's (played by Sandra Hüller) husband Samuel Maleski (Samuel Theis) dies in a fall from the roof of their home. Sandra immediately becomes a suspect in his potential murder and must grapple with the intense scrutiny she faces in court as well as the painful memories of their tumultuous marriage leading up to his mysterious death. Concurrently, she forms a cautious yet tender friendship with her lawyer, Vincent Renzi (Swann Arlaud). Anatomy of a Fall is receiving widespread acclaim from fans, who are hailing it as a top-tier crime film. Renowned film critic Screen Rant recently ranked it as the best crime movie of the 2020s, stating: "Anatomy of a Fall should already hold a place alongside the best courtroom dramas ever made." The publication's glowing review continued: "Its surgical precision and economy of words draws the audience into a deceptively complex mystery that hinges on the smallest of details, although the emotional stakes of the case are really what dictates the flow of proceedings. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "Anatomy of a Fall's ending ensures that it lives long in the memory, and it cements its place as the outstanding crime movie of the 2020s so far." Cinema Elite's five-star review echoed this sentiment: "Anatomy of a Fall works perfectly as a legal drama-thriller with its mystery as its narrative's key component, but there's a lot more that thematically drives the film. "Nothing's as binary as the prosecutors trying to hold Sandra responsible so desperately want it to be - whether it's the domestic disarray of her marital relationship or an underscore of regret and resentment, the film unpacks a lot in the most matter-of-fact way possible. An absolute must-watch." Another five-star review on Google further solidified the film's reputation: "I was engrossed throughout the movie and boy oh boy! ! What an amazing courtroom drama it was." One enthusiastic reviewer wrote: "Sandra Huller delivered a phenomenal performance throughout the film. It was my first and only movie of hers I've seen, yet I'm already her biggest fan." A Letterboxd user echoed the sentiment: "It's hard to view a film like this without reflecting on the best films of the year, because Cannes got it right - this is one of them." They continued: "It's one of the best versions of this type of film that I've seen and feels pretty flawless in execution." The reviewer also said: "It deserves the praise it's receiving. Absolutely watch this. Strong recommendation."
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Netflix adds 'engrossing' mystery film called 'the best crime movie of the 2020s'
A riveting courtroom thriller being called one of the best crime movies of the 2020s has just been added to Netflix Anatomy of a Fall: Official trailer Netflix subscribers have another critically acclaimed film to add to the top of their watchlists this week. This 2023 thriller was a major Oscar contender and has already riveted audiences around the world with its eerie central mystery and poignant themes. Starring one of Europe's most celebrated actresses and boasting a major film festival award, five Academy Award nominations and a staggering 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this could be one of the best films available on the streamer right now. It also received an incredible 91 percent RT score from audiences, proving it's not just critics who were captivated by every second of this must-watch drama. Cannes Film Festival's 2023 Palme d'Or winner Anatomy of a Fall has been added to Netflix today (Tuesday, 29th April), and movie buffs are urged not to let this one pass them by. This gripping mystery unfolds after famed novelist Sandra Voyter's (played by Sandra Hüller) husband Samuel Maleski (Samuel Theis) is killed by falling from the roof of her home. Sandra immediately becomes a suspect in his potential murder and must grapple with the intense scrutiny she faces in the courtroom as well as the painful memories of their rocky marriage leading up to his bizarre death. Meanwhile, she also strikes up a tentative and tender friendship with her lawyer, Vincent Renzi (Swann Arlaud). Fans are calling Anatomy of a Fall one of the best crime films of the past few years, with Screen Rant even placing it at the top of their list of the 10 Best Crime Movies of the 2020s. Their rave review reads: 'Anatomy of a Fall should already hold a place alongside the best courtroom dramas ever made. 'Its surgical precision and economy of words draws the audience into a deceptively complex mystery that hinges on the smallest of details, although the emotional stakes of the case are really what dictates the flow of proceedings. 'Anatomy of a Fall's ending ensures that it lives long in the memory, and it cements its place as the outstanding crime movie of the 2020s so far.' Get Netflix free with Sky from £15 Sky Get the deal here Product Description A five-star write-up by Cinema Elite agreed: 'Anatomy of a Fall works perfectly as a legal drama-thriller with its mystery as its narrative's key component, but there's a lot more that thematically drives the film. 'Nothing's as binary as the prosecutors trying to hold Sandra responsible so desperately want it to be—whether it's the domestic disarray of her marital relationship or an underscore of regret and resentment, the film unpacks a lot in the most matter-of-fact way possible. An absolute must-watch.' Another five-star review, this time on Google, added: 'I was engrossed throughout the movie and boy oh boy!! What an amazing courtroom drama it was. 'Sandra Huller was absolutely marvellous throughout the film and it was my first and only movie that I had seen of hers and I am already her biggest fan.' While a passionate fan of the film on Letterboxd wrote: 'It's hard to view a film like this without reflecting on the best films of the year, because Cannes got it right—this is one of them. 'It's one of the best versions of this type of film that I've seen and feels pretty flawless in execution. 'It deserves the praise it's receiving. Absolutely watch this. Strong recommendation.' Anatomy of a Fall is available to stream on Netflix.
