Сбогом мамо/Sbogom Mamo - Bulgaria/Italy - This extremely vanity projects comes on the wave of much controversy both in Italy and Bulgaria. Perhaps you've already heard something on the telly and probably, as it as the custom with scandals in Bulgaria, you've understood nothing. Of course, there have been much empty talking and zero consequences for any of the involved but anyway, let's judge the movie on its own merits, shall we?
As a whole, the film is actually not a complete disaster as many, including me, feared. This, however, doesn't mean that it is actually any good but it has its positive points. The big problem of the film lies in its main protagonist, played by director/writer/Cinderella - Michelle Bonev. As it is an autobiographic movie, she plays her mother, who is portrayed as such a villain that next to her Hannibal Lecter looks like a cute kitten. It's clear that the author has serious issues with her mother but when Bonev deprives all humanity out of her, she has given us a person so unbelievable that at the end it turns in a caricature - and you'll only laugh at the most dramatic moments.
Another big flaw of the script is the lack of any insight in the granddaughters/grandmother relationship. Yes, they want to save their granny from the obnoxious elderly home (BBC, pay attention!), but why they love her so much is never explained. The connection between the two sisters is also lacking any background. At the same time we have so many pointless scenes (yes, communism sucked) that the almost two hours running time is a considerable hurdle for the innocent viewers. On the plus side, some of the supporting cast give their best, the operator work is really good, while the art direction department has done miracles in representing every detail from the communism era - cups, Christmas trees and so on. These guys should definitely get what they deserve! At the end, however, you'll more probably not remember the details but the strange accent of the lawyer (she is a foreigner, who plays a Bulgarian and gets a top billing!) and the ridiculous dialect of Bonev... Still, surprisingly it is better than overvalued BG titles (Buntat na L comes into mind) and you'll have no problems whatsoever to sit through it at least driven by curiosity. (A+) **
As a whole, the film is actually not a complete disaster as many, including me, feared. This, however, doesn't mean that it is actually any good but it has its positive points. The big problem of the film lies in its main protagonist, played by director/writer/Cinderella - Michelle Bonev. As it is an autobiographic movie, she plays her mother, who is portrayed as such a villain that next to her Hannibal Lecter looks like a cute kitten. It's clear that the author has serious issues with her mother but when Bonev deprives all humanity out of her, she has given us a person so unbelievable that at the end it turns in a caricature - and you'll only laugh at the most dramatic moments.
Another big flaw of the script is the lack of any insight in the granddaughters/grandmother relationship. Yes, they want to save their granny from the obnoxious elderly home (BBC, pay attention!), but why they love her so much is never explained. The connection between the two sisters is also lacking any background. At the same time we have so many pointless scenes (yes, communism sucked) that the almost two hours running time is a considerable hurdle for the innocent viewers. On the plus side, some of the supporting cast give their best, the operator work is really good, while the art direction department has done miracles in representing every detail from the communism era - cups, Christmas trees and so on. These guys should definitely get what they deserve! At the end, however, you'll more probably not remember the details but the strange accent of the lawyer (she is a foreigner, who plays a Bulgarian and gets a top billing!) and the ridiculous dialect of Bonev... Still, surprisingly it is better than overvalued BG titles (Buntat na L comes into mind) and you'll have no problems whatsoever to sit through it at least driven by curiosity. (A+) **
Бързи и яростни 5: Удар в Рио / Fast Five - While Thor was a warm-up for the summer season in Bulgaria, things at the multiplexes will switch to top gear after the release of the adrenaline-bumping Fast Five. To be honest, this is my first touch with the Fast and the Furious universe, and all the better for it, as many say this (at least for now) last instalment is the best. So goodbye underworld street races, welcome spectacular Rio heists. And let's be clear, as a whole Fast Five is not a good movie - it has plot holes the size of the Rock muscles and the acting is so poor that even the actors from Стъклен дом (Staklen dom) can do it better. Anyway, who is going to watch a F&F movie for its plot? No-one, of course! Check out your mind at the door of the cinema (NB: do not seek it in Cinema City, it's a Universal title after all!) and enter prepared to join one of the most thrilling rides of the year. And do not forget to stay for a twosome cameo early after the end titles start... (the rating's fourth star is for action fans only). (Forum Film) ****
Ергени за седмица / Hall Pass - That the Farrelly brothers have lost their mojo lately is clear for some time now. However, their latest movie, this Wilson/Sudeikis vehicle, is a relative return to form. It is no revolutionary, the way There's Something About Mary was, but still offers a few good laughs. Furthermore, a quick look in the cinema schedules shows that there is a considerable lack of empty-minded comedies now (the Fast Five flick doesn't count), so Hall Pass is a welcome new entry. (Alexandra) **1/2
Държавни тайни / Secret defense (France) (Limited) - Just another premier of a French film coming from nowhere (the premier, not the movie), with even its distributor unknown. The Internet says only the most passionate about French cinema will love it, so I guess they already know where to look for it...
MISSED OPPORTUNITY - Although there is always the chance that some delusional BG distributor will eventually buy this movie, for now there are no indications for that. The Beaver is of course the Jodie Foster-directed film which faced troubles getting distribution because the main character is played by the extremely scandalous (in Hollywood terms at least) Mel Gibson. Americans are very good at mixing personal life with art, so now all the light is focused on Gibson and his shenanigans, rather than the movie and its virtues, but I'm certain that at the end the great actor will actually be remembered with his work and not for his salty comments...(Responsible: Every distributor you can think of)
The ratings:
***** Perfect
**** Unmissable
*** Fun
** So-so
* Stay away
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