Film review - American Hustle

(l to r) Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence

American Hustle is an American film spanning the crime, comedy-drama genres directed by David O Russell with an engaging storyline, well positioned period settings/wardrobes and an expert ensemble cast including Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence with a short appearance by Robert de Niro. There are few surprises in most of the storyline structure however there are a couple of twists which are not obvious and provide much needed surprises. It is a well executed film with high production values and accordingly has garnered a series of film industry awards. Interestingly David O Russell also directed Silver Linings Playbook which also starred Cooper and Lawrence.

The film plot follows two con artists Irving (Christian Bale) and Sydney (Amy Adams) who are caught in a sting operation by FBI agent, Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso forces the two con artists to help him set up another more elaborate sting operation to snare corrupt politicians and correspondingly enhance his career prospects. One of the targets is the Mayor of Camden, New Jersey (Jeremy Renner). DiMaso promises Irving and Sydney that if they can help him achieve four additional arrests he will release them.  Irving's erratic wife (Jennifer Lawrence) introduces an unstable and unpredictable element to the operation being unaware of its true intent and a tendency to say whatever she thinks at any given moment.

Christian Bale is unrecognisable as Irving and delivers a convincing performance with strong support from Amy Adams as his partner in crime. American Hustle is a competent professional film and well worth the price of a cinema ticket.

Theatre Review - Travelling North - Sydney Theatre Company 2014 Season

Bryan Brown and Alison Whyte - Travelling North

Travelling North is one of the older plays by David Williamson being first performed in 1979. The Sydney Theatre Company has brought it back for the 2014 season but with something of a listless, airless atmosphere, much like the Queensland tropics where much of the action is set. The story is centred on Frank (a retired engineer) and Frances, who are in a later life relationship, and decide to relocate to sunny, laid back Queensland from chilly Melbourne. The children from their previous marriages have long grown up and established their own families but retain ties to their parents. In the case of Frances' two daughters, Helen and Sophie, they are resentful of their mother's move away which they portray as Frank's manipulation rather than a sensible decision by Frances. The change in lifestyle, pace and climate for Frank and Frances is brought to an end by the discovery of Frank's failing heart condition which necessitates a re-evaluation of their lives, relationship and commitment.

Bryan Brown and Alison Whyte are cast as Frank and Frances respectively with Harriet Dyer and Sara West providing a strong portrayal of Frances' two truculent and possessive daughters, Helen and Sophie. Alison Whyte who had to replace Greta Sccachi at short notice is extremely effective as the free-spirited Frances. The play is curiously lacking in several elements - Bryan Brown as Frank is simply playing Bryan Brown and his delivery of Williamson lines from the script lacks vigour. The set design is so minimalist that it is little more than two-level decking for the first Act with the addition of a chair for the second Act. The resulting expansive space is poorly used with any advantage lost. The period wardrobe of the actors is well researched (stubbies, sandals with socks) but is the only bright part of an unenterprising production.

Film Review: Saving Mr Banks

Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) and Pamela Travers (Emma Thompson)

Saving Mr Banks is the story of the fortnight-long visit by Mary Poppins author, P L (Pamela) Travers to Los Angeles to meet with Walt Disney to negotiate on the purchase of the film rights to her books. Disney's daughters had been captivated by the Mary Poppins story urging their father to make a film but Disney's efforts to obtain agreement from Travers had extended over decades without success. Finally in 1961 at the urging of her agent, Pamela Travers agrees to meet with Walt Disney and his creative team, particularly the Sherman brothers who compose the music for the Disney films. The negotiations are tortuous as Travers has a profound dislike for animation and the patience of Disney and his team are tested to the full whilst trying to meet the many conditions imposed by Travers.

The film directed by John Lee Hancock has Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson in the two lead roles as Walt Disney and Pamela Travers respectively and is shot on site at the Disney studios. Travers early life in Queensland, Australia is also shot in California and it is her early life particularly Travers' relationship with her father that provided the background for Mary Poppins. The script was written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith with experienced actors filling the supporting roles such as Paul Giamatti, Bradley Whitford, Colin Farrell, B J Novak and Jason Schwartzman. To a degree this is sugar-coated film and both Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson look considerably younger than the actual ages of their real-life counterparts.