Friday 9 October 2015

Aloha (2015 Cameron Crowe & scr, prod)

Cameron's done it again. You can't help thinking about Billy Wilder when you watch his films (the 'silent' sequences between Bradley Cooper and John Krasinski are beautifully set up) but he has a warmth that cynical Billy didn't have and - in this case - a clear love for the country and history of Hawaii, even casting Hawaiian king Bumpy Kanahele to play himself... He's also not so wedded to his script he won't allow improvisation.

From the opening montage of Hawaiian footage and early space stuff, you know it's going to be wonderful... The usual skilfully assembled soundtrack...

Emma Stone (who's wide-eyed look made me think of a manga character more than once) is just right as jet fighter / watchdog. Also features the unique talents of the always unpredictable Bill Murray, a shouty Alec Baldwin, Rachel McAdams, Danny McBride ('fingers') and the lovely Danielle Rose Russell in the film's most beautiful finale.

The critics don't get it, once again.

Amazing attention to detail in the scene where the satellite is being bombarded with library footage and audio. Plus you have to marvel at the comic timing when the thing destructs.

Shot by Eric Gautier (in sequence) and edited by Joe Hutshing. The way he makes scenes in which even the smallest reaction shot is perfect (in acting and editing and staging) shows just how good the boy has become.

Full of fabulous moments - the scene with the hat is perfect, because we can't see her face. I started to wonder if Cameron didn't keep writing variations of Miss Kubelik...

Was looking forward to watching it again while it was still on.

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