A triple feature with the enchanting Gemma Arterton

My star of the night....the wonderful Gemma...

One of the benefits of owning lots of movies on DVD and blu-ray is that you can watch what you want, when you want. You can have mini-marathons of certain themes or actors and you are not at the mercy of your cable channels. Well recently the local blockbuster video store had a going out of business sale and I was able to pick up lots of movies. Of which three I watched tonight, featuring one of my favorite modern actresses: Gemma Arterton. I was able to get four of her films to add to my collection and bring my total to six films with her. New to my collection are The Disappearance of Alice Creed, Pirate Radio, St. Trinian's, and Tamara Drewe. I already had Quantum of Solace and Clash of the Titans. So I thought tonight would make a great night for a triple feature. Here are my thoughts on the films I watched.

First up was St. Trinian's (2007) which was suggested to me by my good friend Irene Palfy many months ago. We had talked about this film before and she always raves about it. I can see why. It's very funny and features an impressive cast. Gemma plays Head Girl Kelly of the notorious school for girls. Well when the headmistress (played in drag by Rupert Everett) falls behind on mortgage to the bank, the school is threatened with foreclosure. Not too mention the unwanted attention of Colin Firth, who wants to bring the school down. Throw in Russell Brand as the shady Flash Harry, an almost unrecognizable Lena Headey as the school's newest teacher, Mischa Barton as the former Head girl who comes back to give some pointers to the girls and several up and coming actresses including Talulah Riley, Juno Temple and Lily Cole. Also look for Jodie Whittaker  in a funny role as Beverly. Oh and the hilarious Lucy Punch has a pivotal part as a rival school girl. 

Gemma as Head Girl Kelly...

Gemma is top notch in one of her early roles. I just love her speaking voice. She has one of the best voices in the whole world. Just heavenly hearing her speak. And rocks the best school uniform in film history. Now I need to see the sequel.

B-

Next up was the romantic comedy/drama Tamara Drewe (2010), which is one of Gemma's first starring roles. And she is quite good as Tamara, a young writer who returns to her childhood home in the English countryside to sell it. A return home and she is the gossip of the town thanks to her brand spanking new nose job, which the locals dub her 'plastic'..behind her back of course. Her neighbors include a celebrated novelist named Nicholas (played by Roger Allam) who holds a seasonal retreat for writers at his farm house, with his long suffering wife Beth (a terrific performance by Tamsin Greig) who has put up with Nicholas adultery for years. 

 Tamara striking a pose....

 How could anyone not fall in love with this gorgeous creature?

Tamara amidst the beautiful English countryside..

The neighbors get a look at the new Tamara and are left with their jaws hanging open...

and yes that's Bronagh Gallagher to the right of Tamsin with the short haircut....from The Commitments (1992) as the foul mouthed Bernie...

Throw in childhood boyfriend Andy Cobb (played by Luke Evans) and bad boy rock band drummer Ben Sergeant (played by Dominic Cooper...yes Tony Stark's (Iron Man) dad, and you have three suitors all lusting after Tamara. And Tamara while loving all this attention, tends to make some wrong choices. Things get very tense and dramatic toward the end, but the film closes out on a good feeling. Top notch performances abound especially by Gemma and Tamsin. Probably the best I have seen from both women. And that accent Gemma has...just wonderful. She should put a patent on it. Directed by the amazing Stephen Frears.

B

And finally for the night cap...the intense thriller The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009) about two men (Eddie Marsan, Martin Compston) who kidnap a rich man's daughter named Alice (a terrified but tough Gemma) and keep her locked in an apartment, bound and gagged until daddy pays the ransom. What starts out as a straight forward thriller becomes a wicked game of twists and turns as Alice refuses to go down without a fight. A solid film with a cast of only three people but you are so enthralled by what's going on, that three is more than enough.
B-

 Two guys with a plan...

 Alice eyes a way out...

The victim and her kidnapper have a little chat...

Made In Dagenham (2010) is a top notch drama...Highly Recommended!

Everyone who visits my blog, know every now and then I will talk about newer films. Last night I had the good fortune to watch Made in Dagenham on cable. It is a great film and it is based on a true story, which makes it all that much better.

The women on a typical work day

Set in 1968 Dagenham, England at the Ford auto factory, which employs thousands of male workers and 187 female machinists, who are vastly underpaid. The women mainly assemble the car seat upholstery but do so in poor working conditions. It's get so hot in their work area that they have to strip down to their bras to compensate. A running gag is that every time a male comes into their area they scream "MAN!" and promptly put their tops back on.

Rita with her all so lovely smile

Rita (played by Sally Hawkins in a terrific performance...and I think I love her) is asked by the shop steward (a sly and understanding Bob Hoskins) to lead the women to ask for equal pay or they will go on strike. Rita is bolstered by her good friend Connie (Geraldine James in a deep and moving performance) who is a veteran worker; Brenda (Andrea Riseborough) who is all sass; and Sandra, the hot to trot blonde of the group (played by Jamie Winstone).

The always happy Albert

The girls meet resistance in their union leader Monty, who is a piece of crap. I booed and hissed every time he was onscreen as he states that he is working for the betterment of the women, but behind their backs, he is secretly negotiating with the top brass of Ford to undermine the ladies efforts. I wished that me and him didn't have to share the same name. So if you watch this film, try not to think of me as this Monty, please!

Rough day for Sandra

At first the executives don't think these women will go the distance, but days turn into weeks then into months and then production is shut down and now the male workers are out of work as well. Which brings a considerable amount of tension between wives and husbands and boyfriends and girlfriends. Also adding to the predicament is Lisa Hopkins (hey it's Rosamund Pike...who proves once again that she is more than a pretty face) as the wife of one of the executives. She is all for the women and hates the way her husband treats her as having no voice in the matter. Well when an American executive from Ford comes to get a handle on the situation she lets loose why she thinks Ford is no good when it comes to treating their employees. It's a seminal moment for Lisa and the film in whole.

Lisa greeting dinner guests...love her dress

Also getting involved is Secretary of State Barbara Castle (Miranda Richardson, all red-headed and fiery) who is conflicted because her boss, the Prime Minister doesn't want to make waves with the US auto giant, and the women who value her trust. Castle ends up meeting several of the women for a little tea function that turns kind of tense as Rita will not back down. Castle does sway to the women's side and politely tells the US auto executive to take his proposed offer and shove it. It's a moment that will have everyone cheer, women and men.

Brenda leading the strike and looking fabulous while doing it

History will show that through the efforts of Rita O'Grady, that the equal pay act was passed in 1970 in England and followed suit around the world in other countries. And that Ford changed it's practices to become much fairer to either of the sexes.

The women meeting Secretary of State Barbara Castle

The performances are all brilliant led by Sally Hawkins as Rita. She comes across as very shy at first and quite unsure of  herself. But once she jumps into the fray she doesn't back down. Ever. Great support from Hoskins, Richardson, James, and Pike. And impressive performances by the relative newcomers Winstone and Riseborough. The look of the 60's is perfectly captured through the clothes and the music. And while it is a drama, there is plenty of humor too. As the situation gets dire, the women still find a way to laugh and stick together. Made in Dagenham is one of the best films I have ever seen. If you have never seen it or even heard of it, please track it down and watch it. You won't be disappointed. Highly recommended. Also look for Andrew Lincoln of Love Actually and The Walking Dead in a bit part as a mean school-teacher.
A

VICTORY!