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 the times london film festival roundup one
 to access audio and video on collective you need real player.So was the first week of the LFF actually any good? You have to credit the LFF for opening with a controversial film – shunned by Cannes, lauded by Venice - on a divisive subject (abortion) from one of our most splendidly contentious filmmakers. But Mike Leigh’s Vera Drake was – unexpectedly - a disappointingly tame start. Yes, the acting and period recreation of 50s London are wonderful, but after an intriguing set up the film peters out in plodding naturalism and the inarticulacy of Imelda Staunton’s Vera, a simple martyr of almost Von Trier-esque proportions. Far spikier was Pawel Pawlikowski’s spellbinding rites-of-passage drama, My Summer of Love, showcasing three extraordinary acting talents - newcomers Emily Press (the New Samantha Morton™) and Emily Blunt (the New Keira Knightley™), alongside Britain’s best young actor, Paddy Considine.  House of Flying Daggers and Yes So far, several other British films have impressed: Saul Dibb’s Bullet Boy has Ashley Walters (aka So Solid Crew’s Asher D) embroiled in gun violence in the Hackney ‘hood; Sally Potter’s daring Yes, an interracial love story set in London, Cuba and Beirut, told in verse and starring American Joan Allen; and Juliet McKoen’s enigmatic Frozen, about a young woman haunted by the mysterious disappearance of her sister. It’s notable for finally giving the great Shirley Henderson her first lead role (she also co-stars in Yes) and for a chilling climax reminiscent of Nic Roeg’s classic Don’t Look Now. On the downside, Enduring Love was - its opening balloon sequence aside - hard to endure. And the focus on the silly “18” certificate given to Tracey Emin’s Top Spot distracted attention from the fact that its narcissism and shoddy home-movie look were the low point of the festival so far.  Top Spot and The Holy Girl Jonathan Demme’s sharp, politically savvy remake of The Manchurian Candidate proved that mainstream US movies can tackle tough issues too, also throwing in a couple of last act twists to wrong-foot those familiar with the original. (Demme’s Masterclass, accompanied by long-time cinematographer Tak Fujimoto, was another highlight.) From further afield, Thailand’s enchanting Tropical Malady, Senegal’s Moolaade and Argentina’s The Holy Girl were all justly acclaimed, as was Zhang Yimou’s dazzling House Of Flying Daggers, even more visually stunning than his previous martial arts spectacular, Hero. Special mention should also go to music documentaries Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues and Dig!, in which Dandy Warhols’ frontman Courtney Taylor proclaims, “I sneeze and hits come out.” Ditto the LFF. Roll on week two.
Leigh Singer
The Times London Film Festival 2004, 20 October – 04 November. Box office 020 7928 3232.
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related info
 useful linkswww.veradrake.com www.mysummeroflove.co.uk yes official site www.frozenfilm.com paramount: enduring love manchurian candidate site house of flying daggers www.digthemovie.com
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see also
 lff 04preview  venice film 04festival roundup  cannes festival 04roundup one  cannes festival 04roundup two  edinburgh film 04festival roundup  lff 03roundup one lff 03roundup two lff 03roundup three
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