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nesfoundland
Reviews
Personal Services (1987)
an underrated work of art
It's rare to find films depicting sexuality without sensationalist tendencies. Even when the film depicts kink, it isn't done in a manner to be shocking, but rather to gently poke fun with us the viewer at all of our weird little desires. The joke isn't the community of kinky and queer folk in the film-the joke is the shame and weirdness around perceived elements of class and prudish sentiment, despite the fact that we all experience desire.
Warning for trans folk, while the film is on the whole supportive of transgender people, there is a scene depicting a trans person being mistreated /yelled at as a "sexual deviant" which could be potentially triggering.
There's complex nuance to the pain of having a father that doesn't "see" you. Of being an other. There is so much gentle nuance and joy to this film that it's hard to even encapsulate. It's more than meets the eye.
I haven't seen a main character depicted with such spark and vibrance. Going to have to watch the rest of Julie Walters' films now!
Give this a watch if you're able to laugh at yourself.
Ophelia (2018)
Visually Stunning
Ophelia feels like stepping into a painting, perhaps some combination of Waterhouse and Odilon Redon's renditions of the red haired mermaid. The visuals are everything. Plotwise--perhaps this would have succeeded best as a longer film or series(getting to know the characters other than Ophelia and Gertrude was simply not going to happen in the allotted time). I think Shakespeare purists struggling with Hamlet himself need to understand that this boy was youthful, spoiled, and idealistic. Are we meant to love him? Does Ophelia love him?
I see a determined and intelligent woman learning to survive and maintain her personhood in a world not designed for feminine power. She becomes someone. She is strong, wry, and powerful in her own right. I was captivated by the representation. Also for those bitching about tokenism--really? You are actually offended that there are people of colour in a fantastical version of Denmark? I am stunned by the hatred masquerading as a blank concept of whiteness as a norm.
Ultimately, Hamlet isn't the hero of this film. Men are not heroes in this film, they are power-hungry vultures with a few decent exceptions. Much like reality. If that is not to your liking, drift away.
Otherwise, nab a joint and watch this. It is beautiful.