20140204: Drama Review--Boogie Woogie

Boogie Woogie

1. Fundamentals, reception.
1. British live action feature length film, 2009, NR, 94 minutes, comedy, drama.
2. IMDB: 5.3/10.0 from 2,425 audience ratings. Estimated budget, 6 million USD.
3. Rotten Tomatoes: 36% on the meter; 20% liked it from 1,030 audience ratings.
4. Netflix: 2.7/5.0 from 59,107 audience ratings.
5. Directed by: Duncan Ward.  Written by Danny Moynihan.
6. Starring: Stellan Skarsgard as Bob Maclestone, Gillian Anderson as Jean Maclestone, Alan Cumming as Dewey Dalamanatousis, Heather Graham as Beth Freemantle, Danny Huston as Art Spindle, Jack Huston as Jo Richards, Christopher Lee as Mr. Alfred Rhinegold, Joanna Lumley as Mrs. Alfreda Rhinegold, Amanda Seifried as Paige Oppenheimer, Gemma Atkinson as Charlotte Bailey, Jamie Winstone as Elaine, Simon McBruney as Robert Freign, Charlotte Rampling as Emille.


2. Setup and Plot
1. There are several threads running through this film, rather like the more complicated Robert Altman films.


2. Art Spindle is the dealer who attempts to swindle every one he knows.  He also likes to run his hands over younger people (man or woman) in the art world.


3. Jean and Bob Maclestone are in their prime, in some senses, but their marriage is falling apart.  Bob is having an affair with Beth (Art's assistant), while Jean is dallying with the artist Jo Richards. Plus they disagree on just about every art decision.  Jean drops her high heel while hiding with Jo in a men's rest room stall.  Bob notices its exact shape and size, then kicks it back to her.  Later she asks for a divorce, and is shocked when he agrees immediately.


4. The older couple, Alfred and Alfreda Rhinegold, own the art work 'Boogie Woogie' which so many people want in the film.  Alfred has had it for 50 years; Alfreda recognises that they are broke and need the money.


5. Art fires Beth for moving toward starting her own business.  Then Art gives Beth a party that Jean thinks is 'so moving.'


6. Jean leaves Bob and goes to Art's place, inadvertently interrupting a liaison.  Speaking of breakups, Elaine decides to break her business relationship with Dewey.  As her erstwhile agent, Dewey gave her a place to live and supported her art career.  Beth offers Elaine a better deal, so Elaine decides to go with Beth who wants an exclusive (business) relationship.  Paige visits Jo's studio, which we see doubles as his seduction pad, particularly his 'peripheral vision' project.  Paige objects, "Aren't you with Beth?"


7. Art Spindler deals with Freign, who has Alfreda's ear, in an attempt to finesse Alfred's desire to keep the piece by Mondrian.  Bob and his lawyer deal with splitting resources, while Jean and her lawyer Emille do roughly the same.  That goes on for a bit too long, but seems reasonable given how much property the couple has.  Well, had...the lawyers will soak up some of it.  Emille gives Jean good advice, which is about the best relationship in the film.  Bob attempts an end run around the process with the lawyers.


8. Will the Mondrian get sold?  Will the divorce get settled in a half way reasonable fashion?  Who will get clobbered in this demolition derby?


3. Conclusions
1. One line summary: Follows the wheeling and dealing in the upper echelons of the art world.
2. Four stars of five


4. Scores
1. Cinematography: 7/10 Often outstanding, but also sometimes wretched, mostly during the hand-held phases.


2. Sound: 10/10 Just fine.


3. Acting: 7/10 Stellen Skarsgard, Gillian Anderson, Christopher Lee, Danny Huston, Charlotte Rampling, and Joanna Lumley were marvelous.  Unfortunately, Jamie Winstone, Simon McBruney, Gemma Atkinson, Amanda Seifried, and Jack Huston were in the cast.  I usually enjoy Alan Cumming's work, but not this time, not by a long shot.


4. Screenplay: 6/10 The story was slow getting off the ground, and continued that way for too long.  It picks up some speed after context is well set.  I liked the ending, since it showed some story threads leading to crashes and others going on to more success.