Sunday Top Ten - Depressing movies

“There aint no cure for the summertime blues,” sang Eddie Cochran in his 1958 classic. I hear ya, Eddie. And what better way for this cinephile to sing the summertime blues than with a list of his most depressing movies. Mind you, the definition of “depressing” is somewhat amorphous, at the very least variable for me. It's not simply a matter tear-jerking. Many of the movies that get my waterworks running I find possess an ultimately uplifting quality to them. It takes a different kind of film altogether to actually leave me feeling depressed, and none have done it better than these ten downers:

Some SPOILERS lurk beyond this point.

One Category at a Time: Foreign Language Film

I've only been able to see three of this year's nominees (one of the disadvantages of living in Southern Ontario - not exactly the cultural hub of the country), and of the two I haven't seen, one is the likely winner. Figures.

Said likely winner is Susanne Bier's In A Better World. Having won the Golden Globe over higher-profile nominee Bituiful has given the Danish drama some valuable exposure. Apparently it's a stirring examination of the consequences of revenge, which has received strong reviews from nearly every festival it's played.

Of course, so has it's biggest competition, French-Canadian Denis Villeneuve's Incendies (which I have seen). It's a terrific bit of storytelling with dramatic heft and the weight of important history going for it, but the nonlinear chronology might not be to the voting membership's liking. But then again, last year's winner, The Secret in Their Eyes, also used liberal flashbacks. I'll be rooting for it (Go Canada!).

It may be a coin toss between these two, although I suspect Algeria's Outside the Law could have an outside shot, being a slick period drama and all.

As for the quiet, existential Biutiful and the bold, absurdist Dogtooth (the other two nominees I've seen), I imagine they just won't tickle this branch's fancy.

Will win: In A Better World
Runner-up: Incendies

Should win: Incendies
Should have been nominated: The Illusionist

One Category at a Time: Actor

What more can really be said? Everyone who follows movie awards (and even those who don't!) knows that Colin Firth is winning an Academy Award on February 27th. And not without good reason. His turn as the Duke of York is a heartfelt portrayal of damaged self-esteem, and he handles his character's transformation into a humble but unafraid leader with grace and emotion.

Even though it's a foregone conclusion that Firth has it in the bag, it's still worth tipping the hat to his fellow nominees, who comprise a stellar lineup. It's pleasing to see Javier Bardem's understated but devastating work in Biutiful didn't go unrewarded (even if it came at the expense of Ryan Gosling). Jesse Eisenberg and James Franco are on hand to represent the younger Hollywood generation with a pair of outstanding performances -- in The Social Network and 127 Hours respectively -- that paint vivid portraits of human nature and the consequences of our failure to connect with others (or the pleasures of our succeeding to do so). And of course, coming off his long-time-coming victory last year, Jeff Bridges is back in vogue for an unforgettable and highly enjoyable scenery-chewing outing in True Grit.

It's a scene-stealer to be sure, but not an Oscar-stealer. Having won nearly every critics award, the Golden Globe, the Critics' Choice, and soon the SAG, I'll be shocked if anyone other than Colin Firth wins it.

Will win: Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Runner-up: Jeff Bridges, True Grit

Should win: Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Should have been nominated: Ryan Gosling, Blue Valentine

My Award nominations: Foreign Film

My picks for the Best Foreign Film of the year are always subject to change because so many of them don't even get exposed in North America until much later. But as of the moment this was typed, my five are:

All That I Love (Jacek Borcuch):
Poignant coming of age for the youth of 1980s Poland as seen through the eyes of a budding punk rock music movement. Wonderfully captures the tumultuous thoughts of both the nation and the individual characters.

Biutiful (Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu):
A densely depressing existential essay, told with sure-handed restraint and tact by Inarritu and his star Javier Bardem. It's beautifully shot throughout, creating a beautiful sense of place with textured, carefully composed shots.

Dogtooth (Yargos Lanthimos):
If nothing else, Dogtooth is at the very least a hard film to forget (for better or worse). Lanthimos' style is simple, intimate, gives proper focus to his actors, and features some really sumptuous cinematography.

I Am Love (Luca Guadagnino):
A fervent but ultimately pessimistic interpretation about the dangers of succumbing to your passions and exploring beyond the societal norm, framed as a stylish melodrama. Tilda Swinton owns it.

Incendies (Denis Villeneuve):
Denis Villeneuve's back-and-forth chronology may bother some, but I think it succeeds at highlighting the passage of time and the values that differ as a function thereof. Performances are strong, as is Villeneuve's confident direction, which is unafraid to jar or disturb us.

Foreign Film shortlist

Nine finalists for Best Foreign Language Film have been selected by the Academy; Six based on scores given by the general committee of volunteer voters, and three chosen by the hand-picked executive committee.

Algeria Outside the Law
Canada Incendies
Denmark In A Better World
Greece Dogtooth
Japan Confessions
Mexico Biutiful
South Africa Life Above All
Spain Even the Rain
Sweden Simple Simon

The big surprise here is the inclusion of Yargos Lanthimos' bizarre black comedy Dogtooth, which I can only guess had to be helped along by the executive committee. I'll eat my hat if ends up nominated.

The other titles are not so surprising. It certainly bodes well for Golden Globe nominees Biutiful and In A Better World, the latter of which won.

The nine films will screen this weekend for a randomly selected committee of 30 Academy members who will then determine the five nominees.

My Award nominations: Cinematography

Best Cinematography:

The American (Martin Ruhe):

Each frame is composed very much with a photographer's eye. This is one of the most effectively shot films of the year, placing emphasis on soft lighting and delicate focus work to ease us into a state of paranoia.

Biutiful (Rodrigo Prieto):

The underworld of Barcelona comes to life with texture and vibrancy through Prieto's lens, creating a tangible sense of place, but without sacrificing the decidedly depressing mood of the film.

Black Swan (Matthew Lebatique):

Lots of fun with mirrors and reflections in this film, all used to evoke relevant themes such as the duality of human nature and as a metaphor for the destructive capability one's own self-image. Dazzling dance sequences!

Fish Tank (Robbie Ryan):

The gritty composition makes effective use of apparatuses of entrapment (ie: bars and fences) to communicate Mia's feelings of imprisonment. The unsettled hand-held movement fits the tone of the film to a tee.

Shutter Island (Robert Richardson):

Richardson's cinematography is, as always, incredible. The screen is filled with arresting images, all of them displaying the man's mastery of composition, movement, colour, and lighting.

Just missed: Dogtooth, Inception, True Grit, The Way Back

Quick reviews for 2010

Around this time of year, it's not always easy for me to find time to write proper reviews for every movie I catch up on. So anything that I see and can't be bothered to compose a lengthy review for will be mentioned here over the next few months. Read them after the cut: