LE PASSE [2013]

aka The Past

Asghar Farhadi, writer/director of Jodaeiye Nader az Simin, tells a poignant story of family relationships both broken and breaking in the French/Iranian drama-mystery Le Passé.

One of the most cleverly structured screenplays of the year allows each actor to fully inhabit their roles with haunting realism and stunning subtly that you can't stop watching.  It starts out as an absorbing character piece that never once loses your interest and slowly evolves into a mysterious drama that bounces back and forth but never aggressive enough to break the perfect mood.  

I fail to find a flaw in this film and look forward to visiting it again in the very near future.

5 paint allergies out of 5

THE ARTIST [2011]

Like Martin Scorsese's beautiful Hugo, French director Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist is a passionate ode to the golden age of cinema.

Telling the story, through picture only, of an aging silent film star who finds himself obsolete with the introduction of talkie films, it explores the themes of the inability to adapt and too much pride.

It strips back all the bells and whistles leaving us with a wonderful story, instantly likable characters, lavish photography and charming music courtesy of Ludovic Bource.
...and isn't that what good film-making is all about?

4 adorable dogs out of 5