My Letterboxd annual statistics reveal that I only managed to see 16 releases from calendar 2020, but that's no great surprise given how many films were held over by the studios. The twin influences of the Wellington Film Society and the Mubi film-streaming app can be seen in my top directors watched for the year, which had a definite French emphasis: Louis Malle (7 films), Jean-Pierre Melville (6), Eric Rohmer (6), and Sacha Guitry, Billy Wilder, F.W. Murnau and Joel Coen all on four. I particularly enjoyed watching the six films in Rohmer's 1980s 'Comedies et Proverbes' series featuring delectable young Parisians angsting about romance and cheating on their partners, generally whilst windsurfing.
In any case, here's my top 10 for the year just gone, with my favourite film listed first. Usual rules apply: films seen by me in 2020, which may include some new releases from 2019 that didn't make it to New Zealand until 2020. National Theatre films of stage productions are excluded, because while they're brilliant, they're not feature films.
1. The Personal History of David Copperfield (dir. Armando Iannucci, UK, trailer)
Seen in the Roxy cinema in Miramar back before the first lockdown in March, with impressive gaffer-taped seats demarcating an exclusion zone around all viewers, which is probably how film-watching should have always been arranged. And it's excellent, with a particularly delightful cast led by Dev Patel in the title role. His gentle, wide-eyed optimist grown-up David is nicely presaged by the talented Jairaj Varsani as young David in the early scenes. Peter Capaldi and Morfydd Clark are both splendid as Micawber and Dora, and the star pairing of Tilda Swinton and Hugh Laurie are perfectly charming as the odd couple of Betsey Trotwood and Mr Dick. This is a real crowd-pleasing, effervescent treat in these difficult times; I hope more people get to see it. The film's sense of family-where-you-find-it and the broadest possible appeal of its expertly-selected ensemble are both compelling drawcards, as is the generosity and warmth of its comedic spirit.
6. Never Rarely Sometimes Always (dir. Eliza Hittman, US)
A solid and at times raw depiction of the emotional and practical hurdles a teenager must go through to get an abortion without parental approval. Fleeing the state-mandated religious dogma of her home in Pennsylvania, Autumn (the compelling Sidney Flanagan) and her cousin Skylar (Talia Ryder) take the coach to New York with, inevitably, way too little money and having never been to the big city. The film's at its most powerful in the Pennsylvania clinic, with its gruesome anti-abortion propaganda, and in the titular scene in its woman-centred equivalent in Manhattan, in which the clinician runs through the emotional wellbeing checklist that almost breaks Autumn. A film that will have you valuing public health and empathising with American women, so many of whom have to submit themselves to this institutionalised persecution to get an essential medical procedure. The age of the actors is another string to the film's bow - unlike late-period Happy Days, these actors actually look the age of their characters, which is frighteningly young to be dealing with these life-and-death decisions.
10. Bait (dir. Mark Jenkin, UK, trailer)
An idiosyncratic yet pleasingly even-handed examination of a tiny Cornish fishing village evolving as moneyed Londoners buy into the community that struggles to make a living from traditional means, and in particular the financially strapped Martin (Edward Rowe), a fisherman without a boat. Filmed in the lo-fi style of a 1960s kitchen sink drama in gritty black-and-white with post-sync dialogue, with flashes of humour amidst the strain of radically different worlds colliding.
Seen in the Roxy cinema in Miramar back before the first lockdown in March, with impressive gaffer-taped seats demarcating an exclusion zone around all viewers, which is probably how film-watching should have always been arranged. And it's excellent, with a particularly delightful cast led by Dev Patel in the title role. His gentle, wide-eyed optimist grown-up David is nicely presaged by the talented Jairaj Varsani as young David in the early scenes. Peter Capaldi and Morfydd Clark are both splendid as Micawber and Dora, and the star pairing of Tilda Swinton and Hugh Laurie are perfectly charming as the odd couple of Betsey Trotwood and Mr Dick. This is a real crowd-pleasing, effervescent treat in these difficult times; I hope more people get to see it. The film's sense of family-where-you-find-it and the broadest possible appeal of its expertly-selected ensemble are both compelling drawcards, as is the generosity and warmth of its comedic spirit.
2. Little Women (dir. Greta Gerwig, US)
While I'm afraid I haven't read Alcott's much-loved book so can't tell how faithful it is to the original, this film adaptation by Greta Gerwig is a standout achievement harking back to the best cinematic treatments of classic literature. Strong echoes of the Austen and Bronte-depicted dependence 19th-century women had on an advantageous marriage or a lucky inheritance come to the fore in Gerwig's playful tweaks to the narrative, and the film is particularly strong in illustrating the close-knit bonds of isolated female-dominated families existing on the fringes of respectable financial straits, as in Elizabeth Gaskell's 1853 novel Cranford. Cinematically Little Women is sumptuous, with some splendid New England cinematography and only a few trivial editing niggles in Jo and Beth's beach conversation to suggest a hint of rough edges. The intentional jumping chronology is noticeable and occasionally disorienting, but audiences are resourceful and on balance constant interruptions of intertitles would have been more of a distraction. The superb cast is deftly handled, and Saoirse Ronan in particular richly deserved her Academy nomination for the dream role of Jo March. Ronan really can't put a foot wrong in any production, and her talents continue to grow. Florence Pugh is also a star of increasing renown, and I wasn't the least bit surprised when she was nominated for her missish Amy March too. Now American acting teachers just need to ask themselves why in this most wonderfully American of stories are three of the four main roles played - brilliantly, that is - by Irish or British actors.
While I'm afraid I haven't read Alcott's much-loved book so can't tell how faithful it is to the original, this film adaptation by Greta Gerwig is a standout achievement harking back to the best cinematic treatments of classic literature. Strong echoes of the Austen and Bronte-depicted dependence 19th-century women had on an advantageous marriage or a lucky inheritance come to the fore in Gerwig's playful tweaks to the narrative, and the film is particularly strong in illustrating the close-knit bonds of isolated female-dominated families existing on the fringes of respectable financial straits, as in Elizabeth Gaskell's 1853 novel Cranford. Cinematically Little Women is sumptuous, with some splendid New England cinematography and only a few trivial editing niggles in Jo and Beth's beach conversation to suggest a hint of rough edges. The intentional jumping chronology is noticeable and occasionally disorienting, but audiences are resourceful and on balance constant interruptions of intertitles would have been more of a distraction. The superb cast is deftly handled, and Saoirse Ronan in particular richly deserved her Academy nomination for the dream role of Jo March. Ronan really can't put a foot wrong in any production, and her talents continue to grow. Florence Pugh is also a star of increasing renown, and I wasn't the least bit surprised when she was nominated for her missish Amy March too. Now American acting teachers just need to ask themselves why in this most wonderfully American of stories are three of the four main roles played - brilliantly, that is - by Irish or British actors.
3. Tenet (dir. Christopher Nolan, US)
I do not (will not) understand this film that I saw (will see) at the Embassy in August, but do I (will I) care? No! (No!) The time-bending jiggery-pokery only needs to make sense to Christopher Nolan, and that's all. The fact that it's (will be) mindboggling is a plus not a minus, and the film's sheer berserk energy and commitment to its preposterous temporal premise is an absolute rush. John David Washington is suitably steely as the implacable lead, and is nicely supported by Robert Pattinson, returning to blockbuster territory after several years in indie experimentation. I'll probably need to see this film three times to make proper sense of it, and as with Interstellar the audio mix for the dialogue track is quite mushy in the way that Nolan so clearly prefers, so the often-masked actors are tricky to understand, but I must re-emphasise that this doesn't (won't) matter a jot. Tenet is a must-see on the big screen if (when) you get the chance, or you'll regret missing it in the past, present and future. I'll just have to wait until I can buy the Blu-ray and watch it with English subtitles on.
I do not (will not) understand this film that I saw (will see) at the Embassy in August, but do I (will I) care? No! (No!) The time-bending jiggery-pokery only needs to make sense to Christopher Nolan, and that's all. The fact that it's (will be) mindboggling is a plus not a minus, and the film's sheer berserk energy and commitment to its preposterous temporal premise is an absolute rush. John David Washington is suitably steely as the implacable lead, and is nicely supported by Robert Pattinson, returning to blockbuster territory after several years in indie experimentation. I'll probably need to see this film three times to make proper sense of it, and as with Interstellar the audio mix for the dialogue track is quite mushy in the way that Nolan so clearly prefers, so the often-masked actors are tricky to understand, but I must re-emphasise that this doesn't (won't) matter a jot. Tenet is a must-see on the big screen if (when) you get the chance, or you'll regret missing it in the past, present and future. I'll just have to wait until I can buy the Blu-ray and watch it with English subtitles on.
4. Mank (dir. David Fincher, US)
Taken in a November outing to the Roxy, in that brief window our Netflix overlords permit we mere cinema-goers to go see cinema in the cinema so it can qualify for Oscar competition, is David Fincher's film of his father's script, depicting Herman Mankiewicz's 1940 travails writing the screenplay for what would become the greatest film of the 20th century, Citizen Kane. (The greatest film of the 21st century is, of course, Paddington 2). I don't know about you, but I'm absolutely gaga for depictions of Golden Age Hollywood, and this is a prime example. Gary Oldman is wonderful in the lead role, although it's a bit disconcerting for a 62-year-old to be playing the then-43-year-old Mank. But let's face it, the man was definitely not in good shape, and Oldman is note-perfect as the combustible, endlessly inspired writer. It's also a treat to see Charles Dance and Amanda Seyfried as the plutocratic William Randolph Hearst and his wry muse, the comic actress Marion Davies. Also, it was nice to see Joseph Gordon Levitt at the cinema, encouraging people to come to the screening to support his pal who acted in the movie (Arliss Howard, I think).
Taken in a November outing to the Roxy, in that brief window our Netflix overlords permit we mere cinema-goers to go see cinema in the cinema so it can qualify for Oscar competition, is David Fincher's film of his father's script, depicting Herman Mankiewicz's 1940 travails writing the screenplay for what would become the greatest film of the 20th century, Citizen Kane. (The greatest film of the 21st century is, of course, Paddington 2). I don't know about you, but I'm absolutely gaga for depictions of Golden Age Hollywood, and this is a prime example. Gary Oldman is wonderful in the lead role, although it's a bit disconcerting for a 62-year-old to be playing the then-43-year-old Mank. But let's face it, the man was definitely not in good shape, and Oldman is note-perfect as the combustible, endlessly inspired writer. It's also a treat to see Charles Dance and Amanda Seyfried as the plutocratic William Randolph Hearst and his wry muse, the comic actress Marion Davies. Also, it was nice to see Joseph Gordon Levitt at the cinema, encouraging people to come to the screening to support his pal who acted in the movie (Arliss Howard, I think).
5. David Byrne's American Utopia (dir. Spike Lee, US)
A joyous carnival of art-pop garnished with intricate choreography and a talented, charming band of musicians and in particular the skills of dancers Chris Giarmo and Tendayi Kuumba. David Byrne is in splendidly avuncular form as the barefoot ringmaster, sprinkling stone-cold Talking Heads numbers amidst intriguing and appealing material both new and old. Spike Lee excels in bringing this musical excitement to the screen, and as with the legendary Stop Making Sense by Jonathan Demme, injects enough variety and surprises into proceedings to craft an expert emotional journey through the song catalogue. An emphatic illustration of the power of live performance to connect with an audience, and the gift of sharing that live performance through the cinematic medium.
A joyous carnival of art-pop garnished with intricate choreography and a talented, charming band of musicians and in particular the skills of dancers Chris Giarmo and Tendayi Kuumba. David Byrne is in splendidly avuncular form as the barefoot ringmaster, sprinkling stone-cold Talking Heads numbers amidst intriguing and appealing material both new and old. Spike Lee excels in bringing this musical excitement to the screen, and as with the legendary Stop Making Sense by Jonathan Demme, injects enough variety and surprises into proceedings to craft an expert emotional journey through the song catalogue. An emphatic illustration of the power of live performance to connect with an audience, and the gift of sharing that live performance through the cinematic medium.
6. Never Rarely Sometimes Always (dir. Eliza Hittman, US)A solid and at times raw depiction of the emotional and practical hurdles a teenager must go through to get an abortion without parental approval. Fleeing the state-mandated religious dogma of her home in Pennsylvania, Autumn (the compelling Sidney Flanagan) and her cousin Skylar (Talia Ryder) take the coach to New York with, inevitably, way too little money and having never been to the big city. The film's at its most powerful in the Pennsylvania clinic, with its gruesome anti-abortion propaganda, and in the titular scene in its woman-centred equivalent in Manhattan, in which the clinician runs through the emotional wellbeing checklist that almost breaks Autumn. A film that will have you valuing public health and empathising with American women, so many of whom have to submit themselves to this institutionalised persecution to get an essential medical procedure. The age of the actors is another string to the film's bow - unlike late-period Happy Days, these actors actually look the age of their characters, which is frighteningly young to be dealing with these life-and-death decisions.
7. The Kingmaker (dir. Lauren Greenfield, US)
An object lesson in a documentarian's restraint, as Imelda Marcos displays all of the messianic pretensions that were the hallmark of the dictatorial regime she was at the head of along with her husband Ferdinand Marcos, and seeks to perpetuate through their children. Said Marcos offspring still hold sway and contest for political power despite the family's legacy of vast corruption and thousands of extrajudicial killings during the eight years of ' martial law decree. And what with the increasingly autocratic regime in Manila, Lauren Greenfield's (The Queen of Versailles, Generation Wealth) documentary might well be the defining record of the end of three decades of Philippine democracy and the return to ruthless, kleptocratic autocracy.
An object lesson in a documentarian's restraint, as Imelda Marcos displays all of the messianic pretensions that were the hallmark of the dictatorial regime she was at the head of along with her husband Ferdinand Marcos, and seeks to perpetuate through their children. Said Marcos offspring still hold sway and contest for political power despite the family's legacy of vast corruption and thousands of extrajudicial killings during the eight years of ' martial law decree. And what with the increasingly autocratic regime in Manila, Lauren Greenfield's (The Queen of Versailles, Generation Wealth) documentary might well be the defining record of the end of three decades of Philippine democracy and the return to ruthless, kleptocratic autocracy.
8. A Hidden Life (dir. Terrence Malick, US / Germany)
A lyrical, powerful emotional achievement graced with cinematography of stunning beauty and gifted, naturalistic acting, A Hidden Life is a compelling story with an uncompromising drive to illustrate moral courage and perseverance in the face of ultimate pressure as Franz (August Diehl) persists in his conscientious objection in the face of the Nazi regime. Its depiction of the Austrian Alps and the simple, rural village life is sumptuously realised, and its cast, both leads and supporting, is expertly chosen and delivers an entirely believable and naturalistic performance, down to the last beautiful Austrian child actor or village extra. Surprisingly, the decision to cast bilingual German-speakers works perfectly, with key exposition delivered in English alongside other scenes of village life delivered in German. As a result, the narrative flows seamlessly. My only concern is that in emphasising the suffering of righteous, brave Franz and his stoic, unstoppable wife Fanny in such elaborate, lengthy detail, Malick runs the risk of losing viewers' attention, having already made his point amply. As much as it pains me to say it, there's probably a perfect two-hour film within this 174-minute epic - and that's from a viewer who relished the extended 150-minute director's cut of The New World. A film such as 13 Minutes / Elser by Oliver Hirschbiegel, for example, may lack Malick's genius cinematic flair, but tells its story more effectively.
A lyrical, powerful emotional achievement graced with cinematography of stunning beauty and gifted, naturalistic acting, A Hidden Life is a compelling story with an uncompromising drive to illustrate moral courage and perseverance in the face of ultimate pressure as Franz (August Diehl) persists in his conscientious objection in the face of the Nazi regime. Its depiction of the Austrian Alps and the simple, rural village life is sumptuously realised, and its cast, both leads and supporting, is expertly chosen and delivers an entirely believable and naturalistic performance, down to the last beautiful Austrian child actor or village extra. Surprisingly, the decision to cast bilingual German-speakers works perfectly, with key exposition delivered in English alongside other scenes of village life delivered in German. As a result, the narrative flows seamlessly. My only concern is that in emphasising the suffering of righteous, brave Franz and his stoic, unstoppable wife Fanny in such elaborate, lengthy detail, Malick runs the risk of losing viewers' attention, having already made his point amply. As much as it pains me to say it, there's probably a perfect two-hour film within this 174-minute epic - and that's from a viewer who relished the extended 150-minute director's cut of The New World. A film such as 13 Minutes / Elser by Oliver Hirschbiegel, for example, may lack Malick's genius cinematic flair, but tells its story more effectively.
9. Echo / Bergmál (dir. Rúnar Rúnarsson, Iceland, trailer)
A deftly composed series of fixed-camera vignettes of life in Iceland, roughly spanning the week between Christmas and New Year, from the birthing unit to preparations for a funeral, with everything in between. Fair portions of humour and pathos are augmented by expertly-crafted and strikingly-lit images of the unsurprisingly stunning Icelandic environment, providing what feels like a sweeping snapshot of an island nation and its people in just an hour and a quarter.
A deftly composed series of fixed-camera vignettes of life in Iceland, roughly spanning the week between Christmas and New Year, from the birthing unit to preparations for a funeral, with everything in between. Fair portions of humour and pathos are augmented by expertly-crafted and strikingly-lit images of the unsurprisingly stunning Icelandic environment, providing what feels like a sweeping snapshot of an island nation and its people in just an hour and a quarter.
10. Bait (dir. Mark Jenkin, UK, trailer)An idiosyncratic yet pleasingly even-handed examination of a tiny Cornish fishing village evolving as moneyed Londoners buy into the community that struggles to make a living from traditional means, and in particular the financially strapped Martin (Edward Rowe), a fisherman without a boat. Filmed in the lo-fi style of a 1960s kitchen sink drama in gritty black-and-white with post-sync dialogue, with flashes of humour amidst the strain of radically different worlds colliding.
See also:
Blog: My top 10 films of 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
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