Displaying items by tag: Scoot McNairy

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?

SPEAK NO EVIL

US, 2024, 110 minutes, Colour.

James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Leffler, Dan Hough.

Directed by James Watkins.

The title sets up expectations, unspoken evil. And expectations are fulfilled until the last minutes of the film when evil is definitely spoken. Audiences may have seen a Danish film of 2022 with same title, a Danish family visiting a Dutch family with bizarre consequences. This time it is an American family, about to settle in London, encountering a very friendly couple on a European holiday, invited to their home in England’s West Country.

The holiday is very cheerful, a getaway for the American couple, new jobs, new locations, a strong character in the wife, Louise (Mackenzie Davis), a more hesitant character in the husband, Ben (Scoot McNairy), and the young daughter, Agnes (Alix West Leffler), who does show signs of being troubled. The audience identifies with them. The British couple, Paddy (James McAvoy), Ciara (Aisling Franciosa) are exuberantly cheerful, funny for every occasion. However, their little boy, Ant (Dan Hough) cannot communicate by speech, deformity with his tongue.

Everybody gets on so well with each other that there is the inevitable invitation of the American family to come visit…

Most audiences who choose to see Speak no Evil, know that there is some horror in the offing. However, the filmmakers decided that it was more effective to evoke, over an extended period, a sense of menace. This can be very powerful. And, this is what happens, small incidents, odd comments, bizarre behaviour, increasing tension between Louise and Ben, their hosts forever cheerful.

However, the drama is heightened in surfacing the reasons for the stress between Louise and Ben, a past failing, loss of jobs, decisions to move, making the story not just simply a family under threat but tension-racked family under threat.

As the film moves to its dramatic climax, confrontations, violence, the audience has come to know all the protagonists very well, including the two children. In fact, much of the final focus is on the young son, Ant, revelations about his situation and, a final focus on his face, after an extremely disturbing sequence which involves him, a jolt for audience sensibilities, reminder that though he could not speak, he was a boy with deep emotions desperate for an outlet.

Which means that this is not just your average horror story, but a dramatic story of families and relationships, manipulation and aggression.

1. The tone of the title? Ant and his inability to speak, good or evil? Paddy and his evil words, supported by Ciara? And the hostile words between Louise and Ben?
2. The European holiday, the countryside and landscapes, the buildings, the streets, the meals, outdoor discussions? The musical score?
3. Getting to know Louise and Ben, their marriage, their history, Louise and infidelity, Ben and forgiveness, her giving up her work and life, moving to England, the uncertainty of his work? The relationship with Agnes? Her age, dependence on her toy? The response to Paddy and his bravado, the invitation to visit when in England? Their being charmed and pressurised?
4. Paddy, his manner, bravado, jokiness, the Danes and their seriousness about cooking, avoiding the meal with them, the crassness of his talk about toilet paper and the reaction? Ingratiating himself with Louise and Ben? The support from Ciara? The presence of Ant, his age, his tongue and inability to speak?
5. Louise and Ben, in England, settling in, the invitation, Louise and her reluctance, Ben wanting to go, compromise? Agnes and the issue of her toy? The drive, doubts, the dark, finding the house? Lavish, the welcome?
6. The details of the holiday, the rooms, Agnes sharing with Ant, the couple’s room, the dirty sheet? Louise, unease? Ben and accommodating? The discussions, the welcome, the outings, the meal specially prepared, Michael and his connection, their leaving Ben to pay?
7. The children, together, playing, bonding, the issue of the dance, Paddy and his criticisms, making Ant continue to dance? The violence? Ant later revealing the bruises on his body? The football, throwing it too far, taking Agnes into the building, into the basement, the photos, the revelation about himself, Agnes photographing the photos and evidence?
8. Louise, more and more uncomfortable, the argument with Ben, the revelation about their life and relationship? Wanting to leave, by night, Agnes of the toy, having to return, Paddy and his reaction? There are explanations?
9. The further decision to leave, the toy on the roof, the ladder, precarious, Paddy holding it? The growing sense of menace, Paddy discovering the children had been in the basement? Phoning Mike, his arrival, the revelation about their dealings, the couples, the children, the money?
10. The climax, the dangers, people using their wits, weapons, Mike and his gun, his attempt to kill Ben, Louise and the hammer? Ciara and the gun, menace, her death? Hiding in the various rooms in cupboards, using the inflammatories, the fire, the car exploding? Refuge on the roof? Paddy and his pursuit? The accelerant on him and the fire? The wounds? Ben falling to the ground, getting the ladder, the escape?
11. Paddy, the final confrontation, his death – and the disturbing sequence of Ant continually bashing Paddy’s head?
12. The drive away, the focus on each, Agnes giving the toy to Ant? The close-up of and space summarising what had happened?