Tag: HimeshPatel

The Odyssey

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

After the Trojan War, Odysseus (Matt Damon) wants nothing more than to travel home to Ithaca and back to his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and his son Thelmachus (Tom Holland). Throughout the course of his ten year voyage, Odysseus comes across many creatures that threaten his life. But with perseverance and the help of his men, he vows to never give up.

Coming off the heels of Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan shocked fans when he announced that his next feature film would be an adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey. Unlike anything he had done up until that point, it was a risk that audiences all over the world would wait in bated breath for. As the days counted down and the release drew closer and closer, the film grew into being one of, if not the most anticipated of the year. While the acclaimed director is not afraid to take risks, all eyes were still on him and he delivered yet another masterpiece.

I don’t think I have ever seen a film that featured so many major name in cinema. In addition to Damon, Hathaway and Holland, there was also Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, John Leguizamo, Mia Goth, Himesh Patel, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Lupita Nyong’o and Samantha Morton. Some of these casting choices may have been questionable at first; if a project has so many big names attached to it, the chances of it succeeding is not always a given. Although many of these actors only had limited screen time, every single one of them used what time they did have to their advantage and delivered phenomenal performances. Damon and Hathaway in particular were outstanding and I would be shocked if they didn’t receive Oscar nominations for their roles. I was also very impressed with Patel’s Eurylochus who was a true pillar for Damon’s Odysseus.

Truly a feast for the eyes, the cinematography and landscapes were elevated to a whole other level. Nolan is known for his on location shootings and this just made the story feel more real. Spanning across Morocco, Greece, Iceland and Scotland to name a few, each were expertly chosen and built upon to create some incredible sets. Combined with a masterful score from Ludwig Göransson that matched every scene and gave it a whole new meaning, every single one of my senses were heightened.

I had initially been worried that I wouldn’t understand the story and therefore not enjoy myself. One I realized what it was actually about, I was able to fully immerse myself. That being said, I did feel the run time and felt like it could have been a little bit shorter. I was also thrown off course with the use of modern American English. It was a choice I’m not sure I would have made.

The Odyssey is another Nolan epic. He took a big risk and it completely paid off. With its sprawling locations and brilliant performances, it just worked. I’m sure this will be another awards season darling and I am looking forward to seeing it all unfold.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Enola Holmes 3

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

It’s been nearly four years since Enola Holmes last graced our screens. Now the young detective is back and our story picks up in Malta. Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) is set to marry Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) in an elaborate ceremony fit for a lord and lady. But the nuptials are thrown off course when Dr. Watson (Himesh Patel) announces that Sherlock (Henry Cavill) has gone missing. Enola is suddenly thrust into a case unlike any other. With help from her mother Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter) and local Mikiel (Joe Azzopardi), it’s a race against time to find Sherlock.

I love everything and anything having to do with Sherlock Holmes. The first two Enola films are so much fun! They’re lighter in tone due to the younger heroine front and centre, but they also deal with some important topics too. I couldn’t wait for this new instalment, especially since the last one came out so long ago. Now that the cast have grown up, I was curious to see if and how this would be reflected in the story.

From the get go, the tonal shift was evident. Like Enola who is preparing to become a wife, Brown has also recently gotten married and adopted a child. The level of maturity was ramped up significantly. The case, for example, is the most emotional one yet and the way in which this influenced the characters was interesting to watch unfold. This did make it feel like the stakes were raised and while some of the other themes were a bit muddled, this one at least shone through.

People often say that Brown overacts, but I don’t agree. I have always liked her as an actress and I think this role is perfect for her. With this being her third outing, she’s got it down to a T. The character is relatable and I think young girls can really look up to her. All the usual suspects are back for the adventure too. I particularly enjoyed Bonham Carter who just looks to be having a ball. Sharon Duncan-Brewster has returned as Moriarty too. We have had many variations of this individual over the years, but I quite like how they chose to make her a woman here.

While I do agree that Enola Holmes 3 is the weakest of the bunch, I still had a great time with it. It took a while to get going, but once it did I was hooked. Though this could stand as a finale, and a fitting one at that, I also wouldn’t be opposed to more in the series. I guess only time will tell!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Good Grief

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

In this story of love lost and love found, Marc (Dan Levy) is going through the loss of his mother when he dives headfirst into a comfortable marriage with the older and wealthier Oliver (Luke Evans). But when Oliver also dies unexpectedly, Marc is left with nowhere to hide. Hoping it will help, Marc enlists his two best friends Sophie (Ruth Nega) and Thomas (Himesh Patel) to join him on a trip to Paris that will surely be life changing.

Levy, who not only directed but also wrote, produced and starred in the film, has crafted a brilliant depiction of the stages of grief. It is how this grief is handled that differs for everyone involved and as the story unfolds for the audience, we see these three friends learn about life and loss as they are about to enter middle age. I always knew that Levy would be going places after his triumphs on Schitt’s Creek – this is just the icing on top of the cake for him.

The casting was well done and everyone plays their part perfectly. Levy, Nega and Patel are realistic as our trio. I like how they showed that each friendship is not always sunshine and rainbows. It’s normal to have disagreements and to be able to talk about them in a healthy way. The elusive Oliver, who we only see through flashbacks after his death, was brilliantly portrayed by Evans as was David Bradley as Oliver’s father Duncan and Celia Imrie as Marc’s lawyer Imelda.

Spanning across London and Paris, two of my most favorite cities in the entire world, I felt like I was being spoiled with the very best that a film could offer. The cinematography, especially in the latter, was beautifully shot as we spend most of the time here. I felt like I was immediately transported to the place and time and thought those nighttime shots with city illuminated in lights were beautiful.

One would expect a film called Good Grief to only be filled with sadness. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Thanks to the tight knit script, there are some laughs scattered throughout that help balance the overall tone. It is the perfect mix between drama and comedy that was needed. Though I didn’t cry while watching, the film still hit all the right note for me.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5