Podcasts

Talking Movies: The King of Laughter, A Castle for Christmas and Adrienne

Spling reviews The King of Laughter, A Castle for Christmas and Adrienne as broadcast on Talking Movies, Fine Music Radio. Listen to podcast.

TRANSCRIPT

Good morning – welcome to Talking Movies, I’m Spling…

This week, we’re talking about a biographical comedy drama, a Christmas “romcom” and a biographical documentary.

Starting off with a film now on as part of Italian Focus…

THE KING OF LAUGHTER

The biography of Neapolitan comic theater legend Eduardo Scarpetta.

Director: Mario Martone

Stars: Toni Servillo, Maria Nazionale and Cristiana Dell’Anna

– The King of Laughter’s ever-expanding ensemble of characters gives this biographical drama a sprawling feel.
– An Italian film, Scarpetta rules his theatre company and family like a mob boss, fathering many children, practising nepotism and keeping a tight leash on his enemies.
– Except instead of crime, the film is dealing with popular theatre at the time, an arena that Scarpetta dominated with his crowd-pleasing comedies about poverty and nobility.
– Something of a clown, an allusion to Charlie Chaplin that is made by way of silhouette, this burgeoning family comedy centres on a court case in which the theatre legend is accused of plagiarism.
– Turning a dark and tempestuous drama from the realm of poetry to parody, The King of Laughter uses this critical juncture in the man’s life to explore his work in greater detail and get a semblance of his character through legacy in this family portrait.
– It’s a handsomely mounted production, as lavish as the Casa Labia in its ornate Italian furniture, wardrobe, artwork and architecture with a seemingly limitless cast of curious and beautiful faces.
– From lovingly crafted theatre excerpts to exquisite outdoor parties, the drama creates an immersive world and playground for Scarpetta who parades around like the only rooster.
– While arrogant, proud and funny, Servillo helps ground the character whose infectious self-belief makes him compelling among his many believers.
– A curious story, beautifully crafted, epic in its own way and well-acted, the over two hour runtime feels twice as long – taking a scenic route to an old world story that could have used a much tighter edit.
– While it has its moments, this languishing entertainment factor does put a dampener over the whole spectacle as ornate and characterful as it is.

A satisfactory 6 on the splingometer!
_______________________________________________

Moving on to a movie now on Netflix…

A CASTLE FOR CHRISTMAS

A bestselling author journeys to Scotland to escape a scandal and reconnect with her heritage.

Director: Mary Lambert

Stars: Brooke Shields, Cary Elwes and Lee Ross

– It’s been some time since Shields took on such a prominent role… but she wields a strong screen presence and a regal air, something she’s able to disarm through some poking fun at herself with some of the goofiest expressions.
– In this same good-natured spirit, A Castle for Christmas is a light, fun and entertaining romantic comedy, which has many similarities with the movie, Leap Year.
– While somewhat predictable, its warmth and gentle spirit makes it perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon, which is what most days over the festive season feel like.
– The comedy writing is funnier than you’d expect, the performances are charming and the supporting cast is made up of many delightful oddball characters.
– This romcom jingle of a Christmas movie knows exactly what it is, leaning into its light-hearted nature without reservation and offering a surprisingly sweet and easy-going experience.
– A heartwarming tale, it’s also refreshing in casting yesteryear stars for a love-in-later-life romance for all ages.
– While at first quirky, the over-the-top Christmas décor undermines the movie’s spirit and easy charms, which while a forgivable feast for the eyes does change the tone and focus.
– If you love castles, pastoral small town settings and breezy romantic comedies, add this to your holiday watch list.

A satisfactory 6 on the splingometer!
_______________________________________________

And finally a documentary on Showmax…

ADRIENNE

An intimate retrospective of the late indie film actor, writer and director, Adrienne Shelly.

Director: Andy Ostroy

Features: Adrienne Shelly, Andy Ostroy and Paul Rudd

– Shelly is best known as the writer/director of the critically-acclaimed film, Waitress, which has gone on to inspire a musical.
– Adrienne is an unusual biographical documentary, an intimate and heartfelt chronicle of Shelley’s life, creative achievements, legacy and essence as directed by and featuring her family.
– Having full access to family photographs, home movies, exclusive interviews, incomplete documentaries and excerpts from the films it’s a comprehensive overview of a much-loved and admired actor, director, wife and mother.
– Described by a friend as “an old lady in a hot girl’s body”, the documentary unearths her feminist standpoint, creative ambitions and unique sensibilities.
– While a celebration of Shelly’s life, the documentary also plays as a mystery in trying to uncover some of the details surrounding her untimely death as her husband works through grief and raises their precious daughter in memory of her.
– The documentary’s wide-angle verges on scattershot but comes to encompass important themes around coping with loss, honouring the departed, seeking justice and turning tragedy into a loudspeaker for empowerment.
– This eclectic documentary tribute is filled with joy, sorrow and while it’s heartbreaking, it’s good to know that her spirit lives on through those she moved and inspired.

A solid 7 on the splingometer!
_______________________________________________

So just to wrap up…

THE KING OF LAUGHTER… spirited performances, ornate visuals and a curious life story compel this rather admirable yet long-winded period comedy drama… A satisfactory 6!

A CASTLE FOR CHRISTMAS… charming co-leads entertain in this breezy, plucky and crowdpleasing Christmas “romcom” set in Scotland… A satisfactory 6!

ADRIENNE… an intimate and moving character portrait of a tenacious creative, her life force and the gaping hole she left behind… A solid 7!

For more movie reviews, previous Talking Movies podcasts and upcoming Bingeing with Spling watch parties visit splingmovies.com.

And remember, Don’t WING it, SPL!NG it!

_______________________________________________