Films: March 4 - 10

L'ennemi (The Enemy) (2020)

The Kid Who Would Be King (2019) 

Nordwand (North Face) (2008)  

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Sons And Lovers (1960) 

Proxima (2019) 

The Inn Of The Sixth Happiness (1958) /// 

L'ennemi (The Enemy) (2020) After populist politician Jérémie Renier finds broadcaster wife Alma Jodorowsky dead in hotel bathroom, revelations of fractious, unstable relationship provokes equally intense speculation. Commentary on prejudice is told with detached visuals and keeps narrative view intriguingly uncertain.

The Kid Who Would Be King (2019) Spirited adventure as bullied teen Louis Serkis pulls Excalibur from London building site and is urged by Angus Imrie's youthful Merlin to battle Rebecca Ferguson's enjoyably wicked Morgana. Amid variable VFX, some comedy sparks, though emotional connection flails.

Nordwand (North Face) (2008) Mountain sequences are staged with icy danger against cruel. spectacular landscapes and 1938 setting adds convincing detail, as sympathetic German climbers seek to conquer Eiger. Thematic and character concerns less secure, though tension ratchets to uncompromising conclusion.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011) Realized with a sure visual grip and gleeful brutality, disgraced reporter Daniel Craig hires damaged, vengeful hacker Rooney Mara to uncover historic, violent secrets of powerful Swedish family. Social themes consumed by atmosphere and bland reveals.

Sons And Lovers (1960) Evocatively photographed by Freddie Francis, images reach for more of the tension between art, family bonds and romance in coal-mining village than tentative adaptation. Wendy Hiller and Trevor Howard provide gritty marital intensity, while Mary Ure and Heather Sears reveal poignant loss.

Proxima (2019) Strain on mother and young daughter bond unfolds with quiet intensity as astronaut Eva Green endures prejudice and physical extremes in preparation to leave Zélie Boulant-Lemesle for space launch. Realized with quiet intensity and grounded melodrama, cold visuals maintain involving narrative.

The Inn Of The Sixth Happiness (1958) Strikingly framed odyssey follows convinced Ingrid Bergman to fulfill missionary ideal at titular residence in 1930s China. Handsome production features expansive visuals and open performances, with tense, moving final act elevated by stirring Malcolm Arnold score.