Film Reviews by Sue Lander

In addition to my new job in Derby, I find myself in the position of ‘film critic’ courtesy of Maurice. Here goes:

AMERICAN BEAUTY – a stunning film and richly deserving of all the awards. It portrays life in a middle class American family and the havoc when things begin to change for family members. I could identify with some of what was happening from previous times in my life.

The film is both funny (very) and moving and well worth seeing.

TOY STORY 2 – great fun and you don’t need a child to see it. “To infinity and beyond’” as Buzz Lightyear says.

LAKE PLACID – my daughter Kathryn (nearly 14) helped out with this one. It’s rated 15 so she wore ‘heels’ to get in. ‘ Not as good as Jaws, but mum kept jumping out of her skin.Cool!’

MAGNOLIA – an enjoyable night out with Maurice. We laughed hysterically all the way home, which probably wasn’t the intended reaction to the film. Aimie Mann’s soundtrack is superb, acting performances from Tom Cruise (be still my heaving bosom) to name but one, were excellent (including the frogs!!!!) and the film was beautifully made. Despite all this I thought it was a real stinker – and a three hour one at that.

ERIN BROCKOVICH – based on a true story of a woman who helped to win $333 million for 600 people whose lives had been affected by pollution from a factory within their community. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and thought Julia Roberts did justice to Erin’s life and struggles and her sheer bloody mindedness to survive. The film is funny, poignant and well worth seeing.

Exhibitions It has been quite a while since I last paid a visit to the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in Hanley, but the time spent looking at what was new in April was well worth the effort. The ceramics galleries are rightly world famous, the displays and material are as fine as any that you will find in galleries outside of London. I was pleasantly surprised by the recent changes made to the Natural History, Archaeology and Community History Galleries, especially the appearance of touch screen videos. “You’re History – The Look of a Lifetime” is a new hands-on gallery for education and family fun.

In the main gallery “A Brush with Watercolour” was a stunning presentation of watercolours from Turner to the present day drawn largely from the city’s own collections. Next to this was “All Sorts” a show started in October 1998 and running until Summer 2000. In the time it has been on view it has attracted high acclaim and was the Guardian’s pick of the week in January this year. The Guardian praised what had been achieved with imaginative curating. This exhibition contains exhibits of the human figure; paintings, drawings sculptures and all sorts of artefacts from a classical Greek vase to a huge George and Gilbert creation occupying an entire wall. I found it absolutely fabulous and went round twice!

Loot

The New Vic has staged some excellent productions over the past months. A fast paced performance of Joe Orton’s ‘Loot’ was imaginatively directed by Natalie Wilson. A splendid cast kept up a brisk pace and an imaginative set by Emma Donavon evoked the 60’s and allowed for a convincing enactment of the practical business of corpse switching and hiding bank robbery loot.

The play was first produced in 1966 a year before Joe Orton's untimely and brutal death at the hands of his lover, Kenneth Halliwell. (The same year the Sexual Offences Act decriminalised homosexuality.) However, there was nothing dated about it. How could such a terrifying array of characters fail to impact on a modern audience? A homicidal Fay, the outrageous Inspector Truscott and the corrupt and cynical Hal and Denis. Underlying themes of violence, police corruption, and confused sexuality strike a very contemporary note. This coupled with his brilliant writing explains why Orton is considered one of the century’s greatest dramatists.

Moll Flanders

In the preface to his novel written by in 1722, Daniel Defoe wets your appetite for this, supposedly true life story by outlining ‘the Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders, Who was Born in Newgate was Twelve Year a Whore, Five times a Wife (whereof once to her own Brother), Twelve Year a Thief, Eight Year a Transported Felon in Virginia, at last grew Rich, liv’d Honest, and died a Penitent .‘

Not only does the novel make a fascinating tale, but it is also provides social commentary of life in early eighteenth century England. However, this play was far from being a dull adaptation of the novel.

The music by George Stiles, based on the music of the period and lyrics by Paul Leigh transformed the tale into a highly spirited musical about an incredible woman emancipated two centuries before suffragettes were chaining themselves to the railings of the House of Commons to protest for women’s’ rights.

Under the tight control of a the talented musical director Richard Atkinson, It was a musical romp from start to finish but with moments of great tenderness. The entire cast threw themselves enthusiastically into the singing and instrument playing that was integral to the show.

This was a stylish and imaginative production designed by Lis Evans fully living up to the high standard we have come to expect from the New Victoria’s Director Gwenda Hughes. The evening was made all the more enjoyable for me as I was recognised by two members of the cast with whom I had worked previously during my career in the Theatre.

Maurice

It has been quite a while since I last paid a visit to the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in Hanley, but the time spent looking at what was new in April was well worth the effort.

The ceramics galleries are rightly world famous, the displays and material are as fine as any that you will find in galleries outside of London. I was pleasantly surprised by the recent changes made to the Natural History, Archaeology and Community History Galleries, especially the appearance of touch screen videos. “You’re History – The Look of a Lifetime” is a new hands-on gallery for education and family fun.

In the main gallery “A Brush with Watercolour” was a stunning presentation of watercolours from Turner to the present day drawn largely from the city’s own collections.

Next to this was “All Sorts” a show started in October 1998 and running until Summer 2000. In the time it has been on view it has attracted high acclaim and was the Guardian’s pick of the week in January this year. The Guardian praised what had been achieved with imaginative curating. This exhibition contains exhibits of the human figure; paintings, drawings sculptures and all sorts of artefacts from a classical Greek vase to a huge George and Gilbert creation occupying an entire wall. I found it absolutely fabulous and went round twice!