The Knees have It

The last day of the old year. Goodbye 2021. A year with its lows - a long period of lockdown at the start of the year followed by an unwelcome return of restrictions at the end. But with some wonderful highs - my little granddaughter becoming a little person - and weeks of sailing on the west coast in terrific weather, culminating in a fabulous seven day trip round the Small Isles.
But of course, no Hogmanay blip would be complete without MrP’s top ten* film list. Fifty one to choose from this this year. There were some great films that didn’t quite edge in, like No Time to Die, Limbo and Colette, but without further fanfare (tarrraaaa!!! Toot toot toot!!! Roll of drums…)  here’s the list for 2021! 

10. Last Night in Soho. Terrifically entertaining and the travel back in time was just spellbinding. It does become a bit of a bloodbath, but it was Halloween.
9. Memories of my Father. Like Kermode would do, I cried. A most lovely film.
8. Sound of Metal. In here largely due to Riz Ahmed’s great acting and … the soundscape (oh yes!). The nightmare of losing your hearing was pretty brilliantly captured in a way that made it feel very real indeed. Horrendously claustrophobic. That’s why you go to cinema! 
7. Power of the Dog. Ms Campion’s western with Benedict Cumberbatch in top form (as was Kirsten Dunst). What a tremendous thing a well made film is. Dialogue, acting,music, and visual beauty all whipped up together. I mean, like wow, that’s a thing.
6. Dear Comrades. A film by the veteran director Andrey Konchalovski which depicts the 1962 violent suppression of a strike in Novocherkassk. A terrific film - it's great watching something that authentically takes you to another place and time. Time travel, in short - or as close as we’ll get.
5. White Tiger. Just excellent so it is, maybe a slight bit of flab around the middle, but a genuine Indian film (though made with a nod to western audiences) with a fine unsettling storyline.
4. The Painted Bird. A fabulous invocation (whoah!) of life amongst the superstitious peasantry in medieval times. Except it’s 1940s Poland. Brutal. And beautifully shot, almost magical. 
3. Prince of Muck. A terrific little film - though the Isle of Muck could almost be incidental as there’s such a great focus on ageing and relationships pared down to essentials; no clutter. Wonderful - and then we met him!    
2= The Father* With Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Coleman. He’s utterly exceptional. What a performance. Not a lot more to say. It’ll make you greet, that’s for sure.
2= Spencer. Yes, Spencer! Seriously - a film (another?) about Princess Diana? Well, slap my legs and call me Judy etc, but what a wonderful film! Just terrific. A fable from a true tragedy, as the opening credits say. Top directing.
1. Quo Vadis, Aida. A seriously fabulous but emotionally draining film. It ought to be essential viewing before we all forget and repeat past mistakes.

*shoehorned in - my record keeping needs to be improved!
Happy New Year!!