These films were shown in SEASON EIGHT at Aylsham Picture House (March 2019 to July 2019)
Seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) discovers-and falls in love with-struggling artist Ally (Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer – until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Andrew Dice Clay, Dave Chappelle. 2018, USA. Directed by Bradley Cooper. 135 minutes
Ladybird (Ronan), a high school senior has dreams of attending a prestigious college, against the wishes of her parents. The film tells the story of Ladybird’s hit and miss friendships with the “good” students and the naughtier ones, always pushing the boundaries of these experiences. From experimenting with drink and sex, to her complicated relationship with her parents, we see Ladybird’s ambition move her from stroppy teenager to the university of her dreams. A touching and subtle coming of age drama, with a tremendous performance from Ronan, this film won her and Laurie Metcalf four Academy Award nominations.
Starring Saorse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tony Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothee Chalamet.
Directed and written by Greta Gerwig. 94 minutes. 2017
A hilarious black comedy and a cult favourite, the film opens in a squalid north London flat, home to two two ‘resting’ (unemployed and unemployable) actors Withnail (Grant) and Marwood (McGann). It is 1969 and fed up with damp, cold, piles of washing-up, mad drug dealers and psychotic Irishmen, they plan to visit Withnail’s wealthy eccentric Uncle Monty’s country cottage, to ‘rejuvenate’. But when they get there, it rains non-stop, there’s no food, and their basic survival skills turn out to be somewhat limited. Matters are not helped by the arrival of Uncle Monty, who shows an uncomfortably keen interest in Marwood. Robinson’s script is full of quick fire repartee, with oodles of colourful eccentricity and character
Starring Richard E Grant, Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths, Ralph Brown, Michael Elphick.
Directed and written by Bruce Robinson. 108 minutes. 1987 UK
Based on Linda La Plante’s 1983 television series, the plot follows a group of women who attempt a heist in order to pay back money to a crime boss after their criminal husbands are killed in a botched robbery. Harry Rawlings’ (Neeson) widow (Davis) leads the gang when she finds details of a planned heist in her dead husband’s notebook. However, two rival gangs embroiled in theft and politics get word of their plan,and thefts and counterthefts ensue. Widows rounds up a stellar cast for a thriller that mixes popcorn entertainment with a message and marks another artistic leap for director McQueen.
Starring Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, Liam Neeson.
Directed by Steve McQueen. 129 minutes. 2018 USA/UK.
In the ruins of postwar Poland, Wiktor, a musical director, (Kot) discovers a young singer, Zula (Kulig). They fall deeply, obsessively and destructively in love. As performing musicians forced to play to the communist party’s propaganda machine, they dream of escaping to the freedom of the West. One day, they spot their chance to flee to France and yet they fall out with each other and make a decision that will mark their lives forever. Set during the 1940s to 1960s, the film has been much praised for its sumptuous acting and heart rending story. Pawlikowski won Best Director at Cannes in 2018 as well as three Academy and Award nominations.
Starring Joanna Kulig, Thomasz Kot, Boris Szyc, Agata Kulesza
Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski. 85 minutes. 2018 Poland.