rakau’s Film Reviews
35 Films have been rated or reviewed by rakau.
Bagdad Cafe (1988)
This is one of the funniest films made: Germany meets Monty Python. The Frau stranded among authentic, dysfunctional desert folk is believable, delightful and funny. Each actor is faithful to character and all worthy of a Peter Sellars award.
Cinema Paradiso (1990)
Pure charm with realistic edges. Any hint of maudlin would have been ruin.The Italian light is used to its fullest effect to enhance the poignancy of the film and all the acting, camera–work and direction is faultless. 
Delicatessen (1992)
- Hilarious, tongue–in–cheek horror spoiled by faux–fog light that obscures. The brown tones suit the story but details are often lost. Ending a bit corny but the roof aerial fight and old lady\'s T.V. is one of the great scenes of cinema.
Life Is Beautiful (La vita e bella) (1998)- The epitome of just how inspiring the human spirit can be sometimes in unimportant, unremarked, unnoticed people. The humour a more devastating indictment of fascism than any academic treatise and the acting a true triumph of the spirit it depicts.
As it is in Heaven (Så som i himmelen) (2004)- Never mind \"scrooge–hearts\". For \"shameless sentimentalism\" read soppy, corny, predictable, Mr (Clooney) handsome hero soapie!
- DVD $19.95
Pierrepoint (The Last Hangman) (2005)- A disturbing insight into an automaton man proud of killing dispassionately and efficiently – but with no explanation that botched hangings were ghastly. Timothy Spall must be admired for his performance as also the dour direction by Shergold.
Lives of Others, The (2006)- A fascinating depiction of loyalty and betrayal from opposite poles of oppression. A subtle proposal that love and integrity can overcome loneliness and sterile power. Superb acting especially in understated last scene: memorable.
I Served the King of England (2006)- An irreverent, unpredictable romp that pokes completely non–pc fun at all society, politics, regimes and personal obnoxiousness and ambitions. Ironic scenes and scenarios race to a very neat wrapping–up in comeuppance.
La Vie en Rose (2007)- Marion Cotillard gives such an amazing performance in this very Gallic, larger–than–life drama it should not be left out of anyone\'s collection. Nasty society portrayed a bit loud and over–the–top but then it was the bad–old–days.
Fermat's Room (La Habitación de Fermat) (2007)
A reasonably entertaining clever–dicky play with maths and numbers that manages to tweak its tail for an imaginative ending when one knows the protagonists will not be crushed. (bring on the brave film where they are!)
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