Beginners

[soonforgotten]

Was your girlfriend with you sf? I sure hope she's not a member on here!

She wasn't and she's not. I don't think she'd be too bothered though. The odds of me running off with a beautiful French actress fall somewhere between zero and none.

[a_person]

Lol, you never know what suprises life can bring you!

[cinefila1]

What is this - no one else back yet? Are you all still at the Q&A? I couldn't face it, the film felt two weeks long and I just wanted to get out and get some food.

The Ritzy was rammed - not sure there were empty seats left. And I got seriously annoyed by all the latecomers creating maximum interruption - the bloody film was late starting, how can you be later than that even? And the last row was reserved for whoever - I really LOVE it when they then come in when the film has started and discuss which seats to take. Just shut up, you stupid idiots.

The film - to be honest, I didn't care much for any of the characters, the story felt fragmented and moved backwards and forwards in time like a yoyo.

The dog was nice. Otherwise, this was boring.

6/10

I was in two minds whether to go or not but I was drowning in work. Glad I gave it a miss then! Sounds a bit nightmarish from what you are saying Beate...

[TheDude]

Oh mange tout! Madame Melanie Laurent is a seriously hot woman indeed! Brixton is a bit of a trek for me, and Ritzy’s screen 2 is a tiny dump really, but to see Melanie in the flesh, it was worth the trip. And of course the director Mike Mills is a very sweet down-to-earth guy, so it made for a great Q&A with the two of them, and I liked the movie a little more afterwards. I loved hearing about the casting and the filming process, the story about Laurent’s audition tape, and her confusing vandalism with cannibalism..

The film was good but not great, I liked the quirky touches like the dog's thoughts being subtitled, and showing drawings and old photos, but going back and forth in time didn’t work for me so much. I thought both Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer were excellent, and some of their scenes were very sad obviously, but well balanced with the gentle humour and romance between McGregor and Laurent. Oh and the little Jack Russell was a star! I’m probably a little biased and generous after the Q&A, so 8/10 overall.

[cinefila1]

She asked me to unscrew the cap of her bottled water as she couldn't manage it. How manly did I feel? Not that I'm totally smitten or anything...

I'd give the film 7.5/10 and Miss Laurent a 10!

[Beate]

Ritzy’s screen 2 is a tiny dump really,

Valda came in and, standing right next to the usher, loudly proclaimed "It smells of pee here!"

[valda]

Ritzy’s screen 2 is a tiny dump really,

Valda came in and, standing right next to the usher, loudly proclaimed "It smells of pee here!"

Hahah well it did, then for the rest of the film I could smell like some sort of garlic sausage. That reminds me, as soon as the film started, all the bags started rustling as goodies were being dug out - maybe someone had a load of salami smuggled in.

I for the main part enjoyed the film, it was so sad but not in a way that made me want to cry. McGregor and Plummer were so great together, you almost felt they were really related. I thought Miss laurant was certainly very pretty and engaging but I could do with out the crazy kooky thing. When she was being more normal it was a lot better. I don't like that sort of person.
The dog was so funny, I wonder if he is a relation of Frazier's dog Eddie?

I would have liked to have stayed for the Q&A but I wanted to go home to sort this new phone out. I've gotten nowhere

7/10

[rawsalsa]

I can't really add more than what's already been said and I wholeheartedly agree with thedude's version of the film.
As expected Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer were excellent, however just like a member of the audience in the Q&A I thought the character of the mother played by Mary Beth Page was wonderful.
Overall I would give the film with the Q&A 7/10.

[rawsalsa]

PS: By the way, I had a stinking cold so certainly didn't smell any pee, but regardless of that The Ritzy is still one of my fave venues;)

[prettyxcool]

Was your girlfriend with you sf? I sure hope she's not a member on here!

She wasn't and she's not. I don't think she'd be too bothered though. The odds of me running off with a beautiful French actress fall somewhere between zero and none.

If you have seen sf's girlfriend, she is very hot too, so I don't think she has much to worry about!