Displaying items by tag: Boyd Holbrook

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN

US, 2024, 141 minutes, Colour.

Timothee Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Eriko Hatsune, Scoot McNairy, Dan Fogler, Boyd Holbrook.

Directed by James Mangold.

For audiences with long memories, singer-songwriter, Bob Dylan, has been a constant presence since he first went to New York City, aged 20, in 1961, made contact with Pete Seeger, admired Woody Guthrie, was given opportunities to sing in clubs, at festivals, and to record. And, he has done so ever since, awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016 for having created new poetic expressions).still at work in his 80s.

For younger audiences, becoming aware of the Bob Dylan of later years, memories of his songs, his contribution to folk music, his developments and musical talent, may have made a strong impression.

Which means that this two-hour 20 film about Bob Dylan’s earliest years, from a complete unknown in 1961 to a star, acclaimed, also criticised for his transition from folk to electric instruments in developing music styles at the Newport Festival in 1965, will be a significant experience.

And, there is the performance by Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan, a physically slight figure, characteristic wavy hair, intent on singing, writing his lyrics, always with a cigarette in his mouth, bringing Dylan to life. (In 12 months to Timothee Chalamet has been Wonka, Paul Atreides in Due 2 and now Bob Dylan, indicating that in his talent, Chalamet is a screen chameleon. It is worth seeing him in interviews as his ordinary self to appreciate his versatility )

Not that Bob Dylan in his early years was always an attractive character to meet. He was self-obsessed, ambitious, intent on writing and composing at all times and all places, fickle, often casual and of-hand, in relationships, especially with singer Joan Baez – but this is a young man in his early 20s. But he knows what he wants for himself and his creativity and career.

However, one of the great values of director, James Mangold’s film is situating the early songs, including some songs from Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger as well as Blowing in the Wind, The Times are Achanging and quite a catalogue of other songs. And, impressively, Timothee Chalamet sings all the songs himself, plays the guitar and harmonica. In fact, all the supporting cast do their own singing, Monica Barbaro impressive with a beautiful voice as Joan Baez, Ed Norton in a very impressive performance as a sympathetic Pete Seeger, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash. (Incidentally, James Mangold directed the film portrait of Johnny Cash in 2005, Walk the Line.)

There are some moving moments at the beginning of the film and at the end with Pete Seeger present and singing for a chronically ill Woody Guthrie in hospital.

Bob Dylan has been a significant figure in American and world music for more than 60 years. This is a welcome opportunity for us to go back to this introduction to a complete unknown.

1. Audience response to Bob Dylan? In the early 60s, from unknown to celebrity, 1965 and his changing of music style, the succeeding decades of success, Nobel Prize for Literature, continuing into his 80s?
2. The focus of this film, 1961-1965? Audience knowledge of the period, in the world, the Berlin Wall, the Cuban crisis, the assassination of Kennedy, the March on Washington, the Vietnam war…? The insertion of this information into the narrative?
3. The music styles of the 1950s, popular songs, the place of folk, the influence of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez and others? The influence of Bob Dylan, his music, lyrics? The peace movement? (And other movements in this time, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones…?)
4. The opening and Woody Guthrie’s So Long…, Pete Seeger in court, the judge, the song, the support, This Land is my Land…?
5. The atmosphere of New York City in the 1960s, the venues for concerts, the Newport folk Festival, Monterey? Recording studios? Flats and apartments?
6. The music, the range of Bob’s Dylan songs throughout, their insertion, the film as a collection of his songs? Woody Guthrie’s songs? Pete Seeger’s? Guitars, harmonicas? The transition to electric, bands and the range of instruments?
7. Audience response to the character of Bob Dylan, in these four years, aged 20 to 25, unknown, the way he presented himself, his obsession with music, his ambitions, relationships with Joan Baez, with Sylvie, how committed? The focus on his self-absorption, the consequences, some arrogant behaviour, his devotion to Woody Guthrie, appreciation for Pete Seeger, the clash with him at Newport? Not a character one would like to meet in ordinary life?
8. Sympathetic portrait of Woody Guthrie, ill, no speech, Pete Seeger’s visits, Bob’s admiration, the hospital, the song, his final visit to the hospital and complaining orderly?
9. His background, enigmatic, Zimmerman, changing to Dylan, the story of the carnival, keeping his life in mystery? The opening, arrival in New York, wanting to see Woody Guthrie, going to the hospital, encountering Pete Seeger, singing the song, the response? Pete Seeger and his wife helping out, his composing, the children? The continued friendship with Seeger and his family?
10. The opportunities, his continued singing, the scenes of his composing, the music, the lyrics, writing, typing? His being introduced by Pete Seeger, the response? Joan Baez and her singing, her response, his acclamation? The beginning of the relationship, Joan’s attitude, sharing the songs with him, at Sylvie’s apartment? The later relationship, the clashes, even on stage, his turning up at her apartment, composing, her ousting him? Her later accounts of the relationship? The songs?
11. Meeting Sylvie, at the church, talking, together, seeing Now, Voyager, the cigarettes, the comparisons with the story? (And the prevalence of cigarettes throughout the film?) Sylvie, her personality, her art, the attraction to Dylan, the relationship, going to the concerts, her time away and his infidelity, her suspicions, the breakup, his returning, on the bike to Newport? The influence of The Times are Achanging?
12. Going success, the records, the producer, latching onto him, staying with him, the other executives and their hopes? The record companies, the takes, the initial song and his missing the microphone, his increasing competence and success? Appearances, a claim? People seeing him in the street pursuing him, escaping the taxi? The claim at the concerts, applause, standing ovations? His later speech and denunciation and people’s puzzle?
13. The discussion with the young musician, going to see him play, their working together, the transition to electric guitars, bands?
14. The background of the Newport Folk Festival, the personnel, the discussions, the tradition, Pete Seeger and his investment? Successful years? 1965, Dylan and his choices, the public wanting Blowin’ in the Wind and other classics? His refusal, the clash with Joan Baez? Sylvie departing and the final talk with her? His concession to a popular song?
15. The clash with Pete Seeger, the interventions of his wife? Dylan, his friends, going to the new phase of his life, wanting to continue and develop the music?
16. The final information, his relationship with Pete Seeger and reconciliation, with Joan Baez, the continued success? His career, the Nobel Prize and his not attending? Into his 80s and his approval and consultation for the film?

THE BIKERIDERS

US, 2023, 116 minutes, Colour.

Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, Boyd Holbrook, Norman Reedus, Damon Herriman, Beau Knapp, Emory Cohen, Karl Glusman, Toby Wallace.

Directed by Jeff Nichols.

1965 to 1973, a photojournalist, Danny Lyon, followed a bike club in America’s midwest, interviews, photographs, chronicling characters and events and ultimately publishing a book. This film is based on his book and photos, some of which appear during the final credits.

1969 was the year of Easy Rider, popular at the box office, awards, riding motorbikes.

For audiences who enjoy the adrenaline pumping of motorbike riding, this can be a vroom, VROOM experience. For those interested in masculinity in American Midwest society during the period, this is a macho, MACHO experience. Which raises many questions. (And, early in the film, the club leader, Johnny, refers to the 1955 Marlon Brando motorcycle movie, The Wild One.)

Danny Lyon’s observations and photos were of a club culture in the late 1960s, clubs for men who like riding bikes, jackets and jeans, non-stop smoking, drinking in their club-pub, out riding like a phalanx on the streets and open highways, generally working class men, critical of college educated men, rarely at home, and a few groupie women tagging along.

While this is a picture of the men in the club, the perspective of director, Jeff Nichols, is often that of a central female in this story. Her name is Kathy. She is played by British Jodie Comer, a very strong and commanding performance, being interviewed by Lyon in the mid-60s and then after the events in 1973. Most of the action is shown in flashback, her story of what it happened.

At first, Kathy is sheltered and rather naive, meeting a friend in the club’s pub, harassed, wanting to leave until she glimpses Benny a young sandy-haired moustachioed tall biker whom we have seen previously in an opening sequence, sitting at a bar, proud of his club jacket, announcing his club The Vandals, and severely bashed by two large rednecks from another gang. Kathy is smitten and within weeks is married to Benny.

The film is a showpiece for Austin Butler (after Elvis and Dune 2) but while he is visually striking, and a presence, his character seems one-dimensional (perhaps two-dimensional) and he does not make the impact on the audience that he does for Kathy and for the leader of the club, Johnny, who wants Benny to take over (and we are thinking, as if!). And, Tom Hardy, strong actor as he is, is not always persuasive as Johnny, the president of the club, not always quick on the uptake.

The club sometimes seems a local bikie equivalent of a cult, a leader exercising power (violently), his lieutenants loyal, the rest of the club eager to submit, and members from other bikie groups wanting to join The Vandals.

At this stage of the 1960s, these groups were clubs rather than gangs. There was some personal drugtaking but not dealing. There were tough macho attitudes and behaviour towards women (with Kathy targeted a number of times and becoming more desperate until she could not take it any longer) as Well Is towards men, rivals.

The Bikeriders shows the transition from club to gang, drug dealing, killings, the rise of the lawless leaders – and, going back to the 1960s, we can see that the macho attitude leads to masculine supremacy, to white supremacy, to the hate groups of the 21^st-century.

While Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy are British, there are substantial roles for Australians, Damon Herriman as Johnny’s lieutenant and Toby Wallace as the upstart future gang leader. Michael Shannon has appeared in Jeff Nichols films (Take Shelter, Midnight Special) and has some fine cameo speeches here lamenting his not being accepted for Vietnam, and his continued inferiority criticism of Pinkos (those men who are college educated).

Not exactly an enjoyable film but a challenge to thinking about clubs, gangs, supremacists, and the domination of males in this kind of society.

1. The title and the focus, the bike clubs, the later development into gangs, male supremacy…?
2. The origins of the film, Danny Lyon following the clubs, 1965-1973, the era of Easy Rider? The Vietnam War? The interviews, the two interviews with Kathy, her memories, the range of photos? Seen during the credits?
3. The initial impact of the bar scene, Benny, drinking, the two rednecks, challenging his jacket, his refusal, the bashing, his injuries? The later return to the hotel, the fear of the owner, giving up the names, and Johnny burning down the hotel?

4. Danny Lyon and his work, personality, with Kathy, observing, discussing, photos, the book? In the final credits? The interviews with Kathy, her age, manner, way of speaking, idiom, the story of going to the club, her friend, the reactions, touching her, leaving, the glimpse of Benny, the attraction? The explanation of Benny, with him, married within five weeks? Her perspective on the club, on the men, on the riders? Verbalising them? Her memories visualised?
5. The nature of the clubs, the men, the few women tagging along, their enjoying their own company, macho, talk, tough, drinking, continued smoking, the leader, Johnny, his control, the loyal lieutenants, the loyalty to the group, devotion to their bikes, bidding in groups along the streets and highways?
6. Benny, his character, one-dimensional, his place in again, loyalty to Johnny, follower, the relationship with Kathy, at home watching television, absent with the group, present at the picnics and the club gatherings? The later challenge to Johnny, his rushing in, his being bashed, his foot injury, hospital? Kathy and her reaction, growing more distant and disapproving, Johnny take him aside, wanting him to be his successor as leader? Benny and the final confrontations, Johnny’s death, his disappearance? 1973, returning to Kathy, then moving to Florida, seeing him at his job?
7. Johnny, character, leader, the later surprise discovery that he had wife and children, his leadership, Bruce and the other lieutenants, loyal and agreeing with him, decisions, slow on the uptake at times, power, violence, the knife fight, the members from the other group his decision, the young upstarts, wanting the leader to come alone and refusing him because of his disloyalty to the group, the later attack, the upstart and his death?
8. Similarities of the clubs to cults, the leader, loyalties, power and responsibilities? The sketches of the other members of the group, Bruce and his loyalty, Cal and his military background…? The groups together, the righting, talk, the bars, the episode of the red dress and the attack on Kathy, the intervention?
9. The young upstart, his manner in the town, with his parents, his group, wanting to join, Johnny demanding the test, his failing, ready to abandon his group, the later return, violence, his agreement knife fight, shooting Johnny?
10. The transition from bike clubs to buy gangs, issues of masculinity, attitudes towards women, the changes in the latter 20^th century, feminism? The gangs, drug dealing, violence? And the transition to mail supremacists and the groups in gangs of the 21^st-century?

VENGEANCE

US, 2022, 107 minutes, Colour.

B.J.Novak, Boyd Holbrook, Lio Tipton, Ashton Kutcher, Isabella Amara, Dove Cameron, J.Smith-Cameron, Eli Bickel, Issa Rae, Louanne Stephens, Clint Ovenchain, Zach Villa.

Directed by B.J.Novak.

Vengeance is an unusual film, written and directed by actor B.J.Novak who appears as the central character.

Novak portrays a journalist, interested in the human condition and also interested in the American character. He has an agent played by Issa Rae. He plans to do something substantial in writing and pod cast on this American preoccupation.

However, he is caught up in a complex plot, presumed to be the boyfriend of a dead singer in Texas, contacted by her brother, Boyd Holbrook, and expected to attend her funeral. He does, meeting the brother, using his wits in his speech at the funeral, but then welcomed into the eccentric family. He decides that they are perfect for his exploration, the young women eager for celebrity, the older generation of women, forthright in their comments, and all allowing themselves to be taped at the dinner table.

However, there is a mystery about the dead woman, her drugtaking, where her body was found, at the corner of three jurisdictions and so investigations neglected. There are the police, there are drug dealers, there is a DJ played by Ashton Kutcher who sees himself above the locals but is highly involved.

Many complications, violent attacks, exposure, deadlines for his contributions, and, finally, his taking justice into his own hands.

Curious and intriguing.

1. The title, the final vengeance, motivation?
2. The New York City atmosphere, world, the New Yorker, the media, what cast? The contrast with West Texas, the landscapes, the roads, the funeral, family life, the home, the rodeo, the Afterparties, the gangs and drugs, communes? The musical score?
3. The contribution of B.J.Novak, writer, director, actor? Giving a tone to the film?
4. A film of dialogue, issues, investigating the nature of the United States, Americans, presuppositions from New York City, presuppositions from Texas, stances reinforced, challenged, wider horizons opened? The limited attitudes, yet an openness?
5. The introduction, to Ben, talking with his friend, clubs, relationships, values, the night with the girl, the phone call, the death of Abilene, tie on the phone, his expectations, not just flowers but Ben’s presence?
6. The contact with Eloise, her role with the media, encouraging Ben, urging him on, recordings, listening, the pod cast, the various contacts, her response to the crises? The finished pod cast and her urging him to finish?
7. The funeral, Ty meeting Ben, the drive, talk, the revelations, Abilene, singing, the Minister, and getting by with subterfuge? Welcomed into the family, the meals, Ty and his friendship, Mason and his being called El Stupido, the two daughters, celebrity, the solicitous mother, the tough grandmother, the welcome of the table, his taping the family, their happy at being celebrities? The theme of Whataburger – because it was there!
8. The friendship, opening up West Texas to Ben?
9. The drugs, the drug dealer, suspect? The jurisdictions, the corner of the states, the sheriff? Call, his friendship, explaining the parties?
10. Quentin Sellers, educated, living in Texas, recordings, his philosophy of life, discussions with Ben? Later, the parties, the drug girl and her being dragged away, his giving Ben the recordings, then opening them, the clue and the help from Mason, driving Mason out to the confrontation, the confrontation with Quentin, the accusation, his nonchalance, the truth? The gun, then shooting him?
11. Ben, at the Rodeo, his backing the wrong team, the later explosion of the car, the group at the party, his going to the hospital, the family visiting him?
12. His revelation of the truth to the family, falling out with them, Ty hitting him?
13. Eloise, wanting him to pull out, that the investigation had finished?
14. The aftermath of killing Quentin, the discussions with the mother, her support, reconciliation? And his deleting all the conversations with the family?
15. A wry examination of the US in the 2020s?