James Bond (Daniel Craig) is seeking revenge for the death of a lady friend of his, and M (Judi Dench) is not happy about that, but she wants to job to be done. Bond pairs with sexy Camille (Olda Kurylenko) to take down Dominic Greene (Mathiew Amaric).
Watching this, I realised that I’m not a fan of Daniel Craig as Bond. I know, in reviewing Skyfall, I mentioned the lack of sparkle in his eyes and I thought it was part of the film, but even in this, he seems cool and detached. But not in that good way of other Bonds. This film had all of those good running, chasing, blowing up scenes. The huge hotel/desert stuff at the end was totally magnificent. But still…
Philomena (Judi Dench) became pregnant as a teenager and lived in at Sean Ross Abbey for a while, working off her debt to them for giving them somewhere to live. Then, the baby was adopted out against her will. Years later, her son would have been fifty and she decides she needs to find him. Her daughter bumps into journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) who has been disgraced out of his position advising politicians. Together, Martin and Philomena head off to find the truth.
It’s definitely a good film. Emotional, powerful, worthy. But having recently seen Oranges and Sunshine, I see how much bigger this film could be. Oranges and Sunshine killed me with the trauma presented. But perhaps this is not fair; perhaps the story is not really comparable. It’s worth a watch, but it wasn’t earth shattering.
Philomena was nominated for Oscars for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Judi Dench), Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score and Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope). It was also nominated for Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama (Judi Dench) and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture (Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope). Philomena won a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay (Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope) and was nominated for the Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film, Best Film and Best Leading Actress (Judi Dench).
I reckon this was probably the first or second Bond film I saw, and I think that Pierce Brosnan is one of my favourite Bonds. Him and Sean Connery. Daniel Craig’s pretty rocking as well. I could go on like this for a while bunch more names and probably end up naming all of the Bond actors, but perhaps I should get back to the film.
This is an excellent Bond film – running, shoot, parachuting, scuba outfits, raunchy moments with beautiful women, car chases. All of that. How marvellous. See, a British boat has been sunk, supposedly in Chinese waters. When Bond goes to investigate, he discovers that a missile has been stolen, and sets out to find out by whom and how. Along the way, he meets a couple of beautiful women, one of them ends up not so much alive and he needs to avenge her death which conveniently also allows him to wrap up all the other stuff.
A bunch of old English people go to India to spend their Autumn years in a luxury hotel. Each has reasons which are clearly outlined in the opening sequence. When they get there, things are not as they expected. Some learn and grow, some don’t.
I thought, despite the accolades and reviews, that this was going to be a tedious and predictable tale of fish out of water, perhaps with a few slight twists. What I found was a delightful and charming film with characters who I loved to love as well as loving to hate. It’s clever, entertaining and not just for the oldies.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical and a BAFTA for Outstanding British Film.
Judi Dench was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical.
ireckonthat 