"Vera Drake" and "Being Julia"

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 3:08pm

I just wanted to use this board to urge everyone to see these two incredible fims, which star Best Actress Oscar nominees, Imelda Staunton and Annette Bening, respectively.

If you've seen them, feel free to post a review for the other who haven't.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 3:51pm

I would love to see both, especially Vera Drake. Haven't yet though

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 3:56pm

"Vera Drake" is the most moving film I have seen in a good long while, and the first time I've cried at a movie in years. Ms. Staunton gives a performance so refined and quiet that you often don't feel that she is acting. Her performance reminded me of the part in "Broadway: The Golden Age", when everyone talks about how nobody ever thought Laurette Taylor was so natural.

SEE IT!

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 4:11pm

I would. All of the subject matter is handled in a very tasteful manner.

[broadway86]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 4:26pm

I enjoyed "Being Julia", but what really sold it for me was Bening's Oscar-worthy performance.

"Vera Drake" was an outstanding and powerful movie, aided by Staunton.

Both actresses were my picks for Best Actress (in the drama and musical/comedy categories).

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 4:29pm

I've endorsed Ms. Staunton, but it looks like Hilary Swank, who was also excellent, is the one to beat.

[TheBoyfromChi]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 5:37pm

Both women were absolutely divine in their roles and in a perfect world would tie for the Oscar. But unfortunately I'd agree that Hilary Swank is the front runner. I just wish Vera Drake and Being Julia got more attention, as they are two of the best movies I have seen in a long time.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 5:38pm

Being Julia was so great

[sabrelady]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 6:14pm

Sorry just could not care about the characters in "Being Julia" found them almost all pasteboard. The few I did find interesting ( ie the son ,the "date", & the dresser) are never developed.
Imelda Staunton is one of my fav actors from yonks ago. I'm glad she is getting more recognition out of Britain. You are prob right re Swanks but I gotta hope she & Benning (AKA Mrs Warren Beatty & NObody plays the Hollywood game better than) will split the vote & Imelda will slip in. ( It Happens!)

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 7:08pm

Who knew, mid-summer, that we would even have such female performances? It's a shame we must so often wait until autumn and beyond to get to the good stuff. The only performance even mentioned by the end of August was Meryl in MANCHURIAN, and she didn't surface much during awards season, other than the Globe (and it was a juicy star turn, to be sure.)

I think it's great to have at least 3 extraordinary -- and wildly different -- performances to savor. I think Imelda and Hillary are almost tied, but as posted above, I'd give it to Staunton, for her utter simplicity and winning openness. It's a classic example of less is more (yet come to think of it, that's Hillary's strength too -- you don't catch these two 'acting.')

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 7:22pm

Personally, I hated both Meryl and the remake.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 10:12pm

I also thought Vera Drake was terrific. I would have no problem taking someone younger than 17 to see it...Not a preteen, perhaps...it depends on the kid. The movie gives a depth of understanding to just how trapped young women would sometimes find themselves in the days before abortions were safe and legal. It shows the human side of the issue from the POV of the abortionist...a kindly woman who is out, not to make a buck, but to help people. In the current political climate which threatens to overturn Roe v Wade, Vera Drake, in a quiet and understated way, makes a very strong pro-choice statement.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 11:38pm

Vera Drake is one I've been wanting to see, but it never came to theatres near me. This thread is the first I've heard about it not being appropriate for kids under-17.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 1/29/05 at 2:32am

Vera Drake is fantastic, I'm going again on Sunday (it's only playing in one theatre in all of NYC!) Sadly, I missed out on BEING JULIA. By the time I finally heard about it, it had come and gone. I'm slightly irritated by that, but hopefully it will pop up at atleast one obscure city theatre for award season.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/29/05 at 2:23pm

I agree, there's nothing in "Vera Drake" that should bar teens. I think that if we're going to have our children participate in the national conversation on abortion, they need to be informed, and certainly (as I always feel:) art -- particularly great art, as Leigh's film is -- often provides powerful insights into humanity that dry discourse often fails to deliver. Putting a human face on abortion is critical. The film makes a case that abortion has existed as long as pregnancy, in some form, and that it must be dealt with responsibly and compassionately. But the film is almost apolitical -- not "message-y" whatsoever, for those expecting any kind of "Norma Rae" rah-rah. It's lightyears away from a message film.

[broadway86]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 1:58pm

I appreciated the "Manchurian" remake very much. The original is one of my top 10 films of all time.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:30pm

I would love to see "Vera Drake" again, but it's only playing at the Village East Cinemas, which I hate. I'll probably see "Being Julia" again. It's playing at 62nd and Broadway Theatre, which is like 2 seconds from me.

[EVIE]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 5:54pm

I loved Vera Drake. She is amazing!! The movie is so well done and subtle, yet it is incredibly powerful. I cried and cried!!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 6:38pm

melissa errico fan: VERA DRAKE is now playing at AMC on 42nd, now I'm DEFINITELY going again, I think that's the best movie theatre. Is BEING JULIA still playing on 62nd?

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 7:19pm

Yes, it is, and thanks for the tip about AMC.

Here are the showtimes for "Being Julia" at 62nd and B'way:
11:45 (some days, it keeps changing), 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 8:18pm

Thank you for that!!!! I was so pissed off that I missed BEING JULIA, this made my night. Do you think those times will be for Wednesday-Friday, atleast?

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 9:09pm

They should be good up until Thursday, and seeing that Annette won the Golden Globe and is nominated for the SAG and Oscar, it will probably continue running there. It is also playing at the Quad downtown.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 9:10pm

62nd is closer than the Quad for me. VERA DRAKE opens Feb. 4th at a theatre on 60th and 3rd, right around the corner from me so I can't wait.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 9:18pm

Also, I know that "Being Julia" is coming out on DVD some time in March. I'm not sure when "Vera Drake" will be released, but it should be soon.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 9:35pm

They're both being released at the end of March...maybe one the beginning of April. I still need to see Benning before the Oscars, I felt so out of the loop for the Golden Globe's.