Displaying items by tag: Himesh Patel

GREEDY PEOPLE

US, 2024, 112 minutes, Colour.

Himesh Patel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lily James, Uzo Aduba, Tim Blake Nelson, Simon Rex, Jim Gaffigan, Joey Lauren Adams.

Directed by Potsy Ponciroli.

The title is absolutely correct. And, there is only one of the principal characters who is not greedy.

This reviewer had read only the cast list before seeing the film but, about 15 minutes in, the title Fargo came to mind, thoughts about the Coen Brothers and their style of filmmaking. (And, then reading the comments and reviews, practically everybody thought of Fargo and the Coen Brothers!).

Once you’re on the wavelength of Greedy People, there is no turning back. Screenplay, by Mike Vukadinovich, is cleverly funny, situations highly contrived but that is part of the enjoyment. And, gradual revelation of links between the various characters and their behaviour, the consequences of greed (and husband organising the murder of his wife also reminiscent of Fargo) becoming more humorously deadly as the film goes on. This is entertaining black humour.

At the opening, we are introduced to a sympathetic young policeman on his first day in a small town in Providence, Will he ia played by British actor, Himesh Patel. His wife, played by British Lily James, is pregnant. And then he meets his partner, one of the brashest to the brash, Terry, played by a very nonchalant Joseph Gordon Levitt, a walking satire of verified self-importance.

Answering a police call, and misinterpreting it, Will becomes involved in a scenario that he could never have imagined. He calls Terry – and thus begins a series of choices that will lead to disaster, greed, violence and general mayhem which makes greedy People both interesting and funny.

There is a good supporting cast, especially Tim Blake Nelson as the fish Baron of the town (and Tim Blake Nelson had played the  title character in the director, Potsy Poncirili’s western, Old Henry). Among the supporting characters is an awkward masseur, Simon Rex, under the domination of his religion mother. There is hit man in the town, philosophical but deadly, played by Jim Gaffigan, The Irishman. And there is his Colombian counterpart who, apparently, has jurisdiction in the town for hits. There is the fish Baron’s ambitious secretary. There is also  Uza Aduba who is the good one, the police chief.

So, with memories of the Coen Brother films, tantalising situations, ironic and satiric dialogue, audiences can sit back and enjoy the mayhem until the final macabre, laugh-out-loud image and a nice postscript, perhaps another tribute to the Coens, with Raising Arizona.

1. The title? Tone? Expectations?
2. The satire, the irony is, linking to the Coen brothers, Fargo?
3. The variety of chapters, the focus on each character?
4. The introduction to Will, bloodshot eye, his relationship with Paige, her pregnancy, his first day? The revelation about his father and the stealing of money? Murphy as the boss, solid and reliable? The introduction to Terry? Terry and his style, forthright, the talk, the copies and meals, going to see the Chinese lady, the rendezvous, the loud music, Will responding to the call, thinking it a burglary, going to the house, the woman and her cutting the carrots, his entry, her fear, the shooting, the fight, her fall, the wound to her head, her death? Calling Terry, is arriving, discovering the bag of money, the plan, roughing up the house, inheriting the money in the locker, noting the missing bike? Getting an alibi, holding up the driver, the fierce argument, the time?
5. The character, Terry, life, bullied at school, becoming a policeman, 16 years, his personal style, bravado, unselfconscious, the relationship with the Chinese woman, her husband? The situation, the money, the locker, owed? His coming to dinner, the encounter with Paige, the threats, killing the dog?
6. The husband, Chetlow his grief, his being interrogated, the revelation of the truth, hiring the Colombian hitman, the payments, at work, the secretary, the affair, the plan? The Colombian, the truth about his not doing the murder? 48 hours for payment? The suspicions of the Mass are?
7. The masseur, suspicious, the meeting, his explanation himself, his work, the dancing, the sex, his mother intervening, having seen the money, escaping on his bike?
8. Paige, pregnant, painting the house, doing the shopping, the information about the Irishman? Will telling her the story but blaming Terry? The invitation to dinner, Terry at the talk, the threats, the death of the dog? The decision, going to the Irishman, the talk, his philosophising and rationale about killing, the local areas for hitmen? Her getting the money, $50,000 to pay him?
9. Will, disturbed in the night, the masseur, observing hetlow, the secretary, mother, the shootings, the secretary shooting? Everybody dead? His phoning Terry? The phone calls to page? The confrontation between Will and Terry, Terry shooting him?
10. The phone calls, Murphy, pursuit, and the shooting, Will dead?
11. Terry, confronting the Irishman, the fight, the Chinese woman defending him, shooting the Irishman?
12. Murphy, the tracking, her arrival, confrontation with Terry? His menacing Paige, her shooting him?
13. The hospital, the birth, page wanting to abscond with the money? The Colombian arriving, taking the money, killing Paige the elevator? The secretary, going to the lift? Murphy waiting, the noise, the lift opening, the two dead, the money scattered?
14. The nice ending, Murphy and her caring then for the baby, the back story of the death of her child?

GOOD GRIEF

US, 2023, 100 minutes, Colour.

Daniel Levy, Ruth Negga, Himesh Patel, Luke Evans, Celia Imrie, Arnaud Valois, David Bradley, Mehdi Baki, Emily Corri, Kaitlyn Dever.

Directed by Daniel Levy.

A very personal film from Canadian writer-director, Daniel Levy. son of comedian Eugene Levy, he appeared with his father in the very successful television series, award-winning, Schitt Creek. He also appeared in the films, The Happiest Season and Haunted Mansion.

This is a film which wears its heart on its sleeve – really, on both sleeves. All the characters are highly emotional, act out in a dramatically emotional manner, the film inviting the audience to identify with the characters and their experiences, irrespective of gender and sexual orientation. For many, this will be easy to do, especially for audiences in their 30s who have shared something of these characters’ experiences. Some older audiences may find themselves rather impatient, wishing that the characters would move towards coming to terms with their experiences (with more rapidity and depth), even exasperated at some of the outbursts, especially in the central characters’ visit to Paris.

Daniel Leavy is a pleasant screen personality, has a way with words and emotions. He plays Marc a painter who has been in a long-term relationship, husband with writer, Oliver, played by Luke Evans. Luke Evans has to be a strong presence at the beginning of the film because he is soon involved in a fatal car accident, Marc’s memories and our impressions in order to appreciate Marc’s grief – and then the complications of revelations about relationships.

The other two in the trio are Thomas, played by Himesh Patel, a gallery manager who had previously been in a relationship with Marc. Then there is the mutual friend from long back, Sophie, Ruth Negga, an exuberant (sometimes wearyingly over-exuberant) would-be singer who wants to take control of her life, especially as she notes, at age 35. And we agree.

So, while good grief is a British expression of amazement, this American production, set in London and Paris with a British cast, is also a drama of how to handle deep grief, and then surprises, sad ones, in grief.

This is very much a 21^st-century scenario, same-sex marriage, friends where orientation is not an issue. The audience is invited to identify with them in their emotions, in their grief and, with some relief, some sensible practical advice from British character actors, Celia Imrie is a financial manager and David Bradley as the dead man’s father, a significant speech that he makes at his son’s funeral, being a sometimes barrier to his son’s hopes and ambitions.

1. The title, the popular expression? A film about grief, not necessarily good, very sad, and grief at betrayal, understanding and forgiveness?
2. The work of Daniel Levy, writing, performing, directing? His sense of characters, dialogue, touches of wit and humour?
3. These are popular songs throughout, Neil Young, Elton John… And the significance of the lyrics, characters and themes?
4. The opening, introduction to Oliver, to Marc, the celebration, the chat, the revelation of the relationship, songs, speeches, Oliver packing, the farewell? The taxi, the sound of the crash, Marc running to the crash, grief? The Christmas gift and his not opening it for a year?
5. Marc, the past relationship with Thomas, the continued friendship, Marc and his paintings, giving up after his mother’s death, regrets at his not supporting her, illustrating Oliver’s work? Thomas urging him to paint? Sophie, friend from a long time, exuberant, over-exuberant, demanding on people, her relationship with Terrance, ups and downs, saying that she left him, the final revelation that he left her, her explanation of the reasons, her sinking low, sleeping at the bus stop, realisations, reuniting?
6. Memories of Oliver, his funeral, the presence of his, father’s speech, impeding his son’s storytelling, his pride, his regrets? The actress, her self-focused video speech, about all this writing, her career, the series of films?
7. Financial situation, the adviser and her care for Marc, selling of the house, the financial arrangements, the discovery of the apartment in Paris, the effect on Marc? The months passing, the consolation from Thomas and Sophie?
8. The decision to go to Paris, inviting his friends, the exuberance of tours of the city, the discovery of the apartment, lavish, Marc not revealing the truth? Their outings, Sophie and Sebastian and friend, the young man and his approach to Thomas?
9. Returning of the Christmas gift to the store, the discussions, concessions, Thomas and Sophie and their spending on clothes?
10. Marc, the encounter with Theo, exchanging numbers, Marc feeling lonely, contacting Theo, his coming, their walk, being honest, Theo dissatisfied with his job but liking the money, not wanting to lie, Marc and his revelation about his mother, about Oliver, about the betrayal? The going to the Monet exhibition, Monet and his sense of loss, losing his sight, the vast paintings, Theo encouraging Marc?
11. The return, Thomas upset and feeling hard done by, Sophie and her collapse, drinking, at the bus station, the police, Thomas having to rescue her, the condemning Marc for his insensitivity?
12. The arrival of the dancer, the key, the surprise to everyone, the revelation of the truth? His asking to stay the night? Sophie and the bad cooking, their toasting loneliness, his staying?
13. Thomas and Sophie upset, the returning to England? Marc returning, the explanation from the dancer?
14. The sequence of Sophie coming to her senses, speaking the truth about herself, the reconciliation with Terrance, her future?
15. The good advice from Imelda, her own experience, grief, new life, memories and regrets?
16. Marc, the house for sale, seeing Oliver at the door, the house and the sea, painting the picture of Oliver, the transition to the exhibition, the portrait of all his friends, their arriving, reconciliations, Sophie with Terrance, Oliver’s father, and Marc finding some peace and a future life?