La La Land (2016)
At Long Last Love (1975)
The Immigrant (2014)
They Met In The Dark (1943)
Fame (1980)
Working Girl (1988)
Alone In Berlin (2016) ///
La La Land (2016) Joyous musical celebrates love and art, modern and traditional in approach and theme, as aspiring actress Emma Stone and jazz pianist Ryan Gosling's relationship is set against a gorgeously designed LA backdrop. Captivating score and songs culminating with an ending both moving and soaring.
At Long Last Love (1975) Taken in isolation, musical and comedy sequences have infectious charm with leads infusing flimsy story of indolent wealth and love in 30s New York with energy as they cycle through succession of Cole Porter hits. Unfortunately flimsy conceit quickly runs out of steam despite production skill.
The Immigrant (2013) Seeking refuge in 20s New York, Marion Cotillard provides a compelling and compassionate center as she develops steely resolve to survive Joaquin Phoenix's seedy exploitation. Immaculate, burnished visuals and dense melodrama never quite harmonize to deliver potent emotion.
They Met In The Dark (1943) Light espionage thriller collides sparky Joyce Howard and polished James Mason, looking to redeem their characters after dead body goes missing and Nazi spies use harmonica player to smuggle out vital secrets. Limp suspense supplanted by passable romantic sparring.
Fame (1980) From energized opening auditions to celebratory climactic graduation concert, lives of High School Of Performing Arts students are realized with cast of emotional, broken dreamers and harsh New York backgrounds. Final plot contrivances overcome by spirited characters and integral, joyous dance and song.
Working Girl (1988) Generous storytelling and sublime cast spurs ambitious, overlooked assistant Melanie Griffith to enter financial world of disdainful Sigourney Weaver and wary Harrison Ford. Yet fanciful romantic comedy setup disguises potent contemporary undercurrents and emotive fulfilment, pierced by soulful Carly Simon anthem.
Alone In Berlin (2016) Thoughtfully gray wartime atmosphere and sombrely etched characters convincingly infuse story of dour married couple Emma Thompson and Brendan Gleeson's persuasive, tragic dissent against Hitler after son dies in France. Despite admirable efforts, uneven narrative never engages an emotional intensity.
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