Ruby Sparks

Wouldn’t it be fabulous to have a partner who’s exactly what you dreamed of …. totally perfect in every way – just as if you’d designed them yourself …?

As a young writer, Calvin Weir-Fields (played by Paul Dano) has already experienced huge national notoriety for his first novel, but he’s now stuck in a bad period of writer’s block. No matter what he tries, he just can’t seem to get his creative juices flowing again. His brother Harry (by Chris Messina) is a really good friend – they spend a lot of time together and support each other no matter what. Harry says Calvin should just keep at it and the next novel will come naturally. Similarly, Calvin’s therapist, Doctor Rosenthal (by Elliot Gould) who’s great too, says the next one will be not far away and not to give up. Calvin’s been seeing Dr Rosenthal for a few years and he’s always a good sounding board for his concerns – he’s helped him through a few rough patches. But even with all this good advice, things just stay the same. One night, Calvin dreams of the most fascinating girl – she’s cute, quirky, artistic, intriguing and … well … perfect. Her image plays on Calvin’s mind and he confides in both Harry and Dr Rosenthal about her. They each advise him to use the inspiration he gets from her to start his writing process. So he sits down at his typewriter and begins to describe her. His writing comes quickly and easily – he’s spurred on by his wonderful thoughts of her and the words just spill out of him onto the page. How fantastic – he’s writing again! That evening, she comes to Calvin in a dream once again – and she does exactly what Calvin described when he was writing today … weird? The next day, Calvin can write more, so he develops a background and personality for the girl – this work is really going well!  But after this she doesn’t appear in a dream to Calvin – she appears in his life. She’s Ruby Sparks (by Zoe Kazan) – she’s beautiful, she’s amazing .. and she’s in his house!. Calvin freaks out – convinced he’s hallucinating, he tries to put her out of his mind, but when he realizes she’s real, he’s overcome with love for this curious girl, who came from who knows where … but who cares?  They start a fabulous romance and everything is just perfect … just the way Calvin wants it to be. Then full realisation hits him – it must be perfect because Calvin’s writing it first, then it’s happening … can that be true?  But wait – even if it’s true there’s no problem is there? – everyone’s happy, nobody’s getting hurt … things can just go on like this, can’t they? …

This is a curious movie. On the one hand, it’s a quirky romantic comedy – a slightly weirdo guy meets a zany girl, they fall in love and have a perfect romance but hit a roadblock – trouble ensues and everyone hopes things turn out in the end. Just as rom-coms should be. But on the other hand, if you allow it to it will take your thoughts to some provocative issues about relationships – control of your partner, the value of spontaneity, the relevance of honesty and the need for companionship. It’s interesting in that way. In one sense, I did find Calvin irritating in that he obviously has sufficient intellect and insight to write the “great American novel” but then as soon as he meets Ruby he becomes so dependent on her he’s unable to survive without her – aarrggh! The movie has real gems too – Steve Coogan is perfectly cast, he plays Langdon Tharp to a tee; and two wonderful cameos are from Annette Bening who plays Calvin’s mother Gertrude and Antonio Banderas is her new partner, Mort – they are living an alternative lifestyle together at Big Sur. These two are such fun and marvellous as this off-beat couple. The movie gets a bit “supernatural” as it draws to its climax, but that is done well and is appropriate for the story. The ending reverts back to true rom-com style though. I found it an interesting and quite nice movie.  I’d like to see both Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan in more movies, they will surely do well.

Made in 2012. Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.

 

Philomena

Philomena Lee (played by Sophie Kennedy Clark) is a good Catholic girl. In 1952, she’s a young teenager and lives a happy, simple life in Roscrea in Ireland. One day she gives in to the “sins of the flesh” and ends up a girl “in trouble” – she is left in the care of the nuns at the local convent. Her son, Anthony, is born and she stays at the convent for the next five years to pay her debt of gratitude to the nuns who took her in. Fifty years later, Philomena (now by Judi Dench) attends her local church to light a candle – she is struck by melancholy as this day is Anthony’s fiftieth birthday – but she hasn’t seen him for several decades and doesn’t speak of him at all. When she gets home, her daughter Mary (by Mare Winningham) asks if she is okay and she learns of Philomena’s painful past. Soon after, Mary comes in contact with a British journalist, Martin Sixsmith (by Steve Coogan), who is currently between assignments. Mary asks for Martin’s help to try to piece together Philomenas’ story and perhaps find Anthony. So he begins to unravel the story of the young mother and her long search for the child she was separated from at the Irish convent so many years before …

This is a wonderful movie. To know that it is based on a true story makes it even more compelling. The performances are marvellous – Judi Dench is captivating as Philomena Lee, she takes the viewer along with her through the emotions she experiences in this drama – curiosity, delight, fear, happiness, guilt, anger and sorrow. It is honest and very good. Steve Coogan is equally as strong as Martin Sixsmith. The content regarding the actions of the Catholic Church towards teenage mothers and their babies during the 1950’s is topical and somewhat controversial, which come people may find confronting or offensive. Philomena Lee’s sad tale is incredible – her blind faith in God and her religion has somehow provided her a crutch, to save her from trying to explain the utter heartbreak of her experiences. However, she has led a life with broad experiences and she’s no doormat – which is expertly revealed as the drama unfolds. She won’t be protected from real life and this brings a good counterpoint to the story. Steve Coogan’s character balances her very well – both Philomena and Martin have clear human weaknesses, but their strengths shine through – they are great together. Every scene is marvellous. Stephen Frears’ work is exemplary – as a viewer, I found myself totally captured by this movie, and by Philomena. The cinematography presents her beautifully. It is based on Sixsmith’s 2009 book “The Lost Child of Philomena Lee” and it’s great. In the upcoming 2014 Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards, Judi Dench has been nominated as most Outstanding/Best Actress, the movie has been nominated for Best Motion Picture and the screenplay by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope has been nominated for an award also. Very well deserved.

Made in 2013.  Directed by Stephen Frears.