‘Operation Finale’

A plodding direction from Chris Weitz results in a somewhat banal telling of the extraction of Adolf Eichmann from suburban Buenos Aires in 1960 by Mossad agents.

As a thriller it has its moments as legendary Mossad agent Peter Malkin (Oscar Isaac) confronts the man who masterminded the Final Solution. And, strapped to a chair, there’s nothing more tempting than inflicting a quick and painful exit to the odious Nazi bureaucrat (Ben Kingsley). But the agents are under strict orders from Mossad chief Lior Raz to bring him to Jerusalem to face trial and provide a voice for those who survived the Holocaust.

Those moments are few and far between. Dialogue heavy (script by newcomer Matthew Orton), Operation Finale looks to address individual responsibility and culpability, a gravitas that gets lost in a feature that also wants to celebrate justice with the discovery of such a war criminal. The story itself is wholly engaging but, sadly, not the delivery.

Rating: 56%

Director: Chris Weitz (A Better Life, The Golden Compass)

Writer: Matthew Orton

Main cast: Oscar Isaac (Balibo, A Most Violent Year), Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, The Red Sea Diving Resort), Lior Raz (Mary Magdalene, The Kindergarten Teacher)

‘Mary, Queen of Scots’

The age old story of the bitter rivalry between Mary and her cousin, Elizabeth that led to the eventual execution of the Queen of Scotland. Theatre director Josie Rourke chooses to portray the story mainly from Mary’s perspective.

Returning to Scotland at the sudden death of her 16 year-old husband King Francis II of France, a young Mary (Saoirse Ronan) immediately lays claim to the English throne of the Protestant Elizabeth (Margot Robbie). Plots abound in the dour castles of Scotland and courts of England as each of the women choose to act on or ignore the different advice given by courtiers, lords and lovers.

Each feared and fascinated by the other, a complex Elizabeth is relegated to a supporting role in the adaptation of John Guy’s novel as a magisterial Saoirse Ronan dominates proceedings. It’s a turbulent time of betrayal and conspiracy. Yet Mary, Queen of Scots is a more pensive discourse than a full-blooded confrontation, a muted, suprisingly claustrophobic telling that, whilst holding interest, cries out on occasions for a little more action.

Nominated for 2 Oscars in 2019 (costume & make-up).

Rating: 59%

Director: Josie Rourke (Coriolanus)

Writer: Beau Willimon (The Ides of March, TV’s House of Cards) – adapted from the novel by John Guy

Mian cast: Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn, Lady Bird), Margot Robbie (Suicide Squad, I Tonya), Guy Pearce (Memento, L.A. Confidential)

‘The Favourite’

Winner of a slew of international awards (with more undoubtedly to come, including Golden Globes and Oscars), The Favourite is a deliciously ribald entertainment of power struggles at the 18th century English court of Queen Anne.

A petulant, gout-suffering Anne (a magnificent Olivia Colman) may be Queen but the real power lies in the hands of a suffer-no-fools Lady Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (Rachel Weisz). But when a penniless distant cousin of Sarah’s (Emma Stone) arrives at the palace, a battle for the royal favour ensues.

The off-kilter humour is exactly what you’d expect from director Yorgos Lanthimos as the three powerhouses lock horns – leaving the political power struggles of Whips and Tories and England’s war with France as some seemingly minor distraction.

Nominated for 10 Oscars in 2019 including best film, director, supporting actress (both Rachel Weisz & Emma Stone) and original screenplay, won 1 for best actress – Olivia Colman.

Rating: 86%

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos (The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Lobster)

Writer: Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara (The Rage in Placid Lake, TV’s Doctor Doctor)

Main cast: Olivia Colman (The Lobster, Hyde Park on Hudson), Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener, The Lobster), Emma Stone (La La Land, Birdman)

‘Boy Erased’

Adapted for the screen by director Joel Edgerton, Boy Erased is a poignant and heartfelt family drama as Lucas Hedges, the son of a Baptist preacher, is forced to attend a church-sponsored gay conversion therapy program.

Aided by superb performances from Hedges and Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe as his conflicted parents, Boy Erased is a confronting true story of a 19 year-old college student struggling to find himself whilst everything around him crumbles. Confronted by the strict rules at the camp, Jared finds support through others attending the program.

Respectful to his subject (including the parents), Edgerton treads possibly a little to cautiously in the telling of what is, essentially, abuse. But, like the recent The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Boy Erased remains a damning indictment of the program.

Rating: 70%

Director: Joel Edgerton (The Gift)

Writer: Joel Edgerton (The Gift, The Rover) – based on the memoire by Garrard Conley

Main cast: Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea, Lady Bird), Nicole Kidman (Lion, Moulin Rouge), Russell Crowe (Gladiator, The Nice Guys)