Getting near to the home stretch now…
7 Days
Dir. Roshan Sethi / Dur. 86 mins
Strand:- Laugh
In A Nutshell:- After an awkward first date, Ravi and Rita find themselves locked down together when a global pandemic hits.
The Good:- It was only a matter of time before we started to see films not just made during lockdown but centred on the lockdown itself and this is a good example of what can be done in limited locations with minimal budget. Having worked together on the TV series Miracle Workers, Karan Soni and Geraldine Viswanathan have good chemistry onscreen which is definitely required as, barring a few talking heads and vocal cameos, this is largely a two-hander between the two of them. The Odd Couple-style humour is played nicely and there are some decent laughs throughout. The pair also have the chops to pull off the more dramatic moments of the film too.
The Bad:- It maybe feels a little too close for comfort to us coming out lockdowns to be reminded about it but that is a minor criticism (and one that will fade with time).
The Verdict:- It’s that rare beast for me - a romantic comedy that I actually enjoyed, thankfully because the emphasis is on the comedy of the situation.
Q&A Notes:- Director Roshan Sethi was there - he’s Karan Soni’s partner and they wrote it together while locked down. The film itself was shot over 8 days last summer in between actual lockdowns. The interviews with couples at the start and end of the film are played by members of their families, including Karan Soni’s parents. Their intention was for it to feel authentically Indian and not explain any particular terminology / cultural specifics.
When I saw this next one, it was a preview. It’s taken me so long to write about it that it’s now a review....
Succession - Season 3: Episodes 1 & 2
Dir. Mark Mylod / Dur. 57 mins & 59 mins
Strand:- Special Presentation
In A Nutshell:- Following his bombshell moment at the end of season 2, Kendall Roy gears up to go to war with his father Logan.
The Good:- This is only the second time I’ve been to a TV screening at the fest (indeed this year marks the first year that they've had a full programme of TV screenings and that's largely due to the increasing overlap between TV and film in terms fo talent and quality) and it’s a funny one to review. It’s really a screening that only makes sense if you’re already watching Succession; fortunately, I absolutely love the show and am definitely watching it so excitement was high for this one (I wasn’t the only; this was the rowdiest crowd I’ve ever experienced at the fest - whooping, clapping, cheering, hollering throughout). It didn’t disappoint - season three so far is sustaining the level of backstabbing intrigue and hilarious sweary dialogue that the first two seasons have set the bar for. It’s a credit to Jesse Armstrong and the writing team that they have managed to create a set of loathsome characters that still remain compelling to watch - not an easy tightrope to walk.
The Bad:- Not a criticism as I still thoroughly enjoyed it but I do wonder how long the show can sustain the back and forth backstabbing that makes up the core of it and avoid the risk of repeating itself. Also, I am going to have to rewatch these to get all the dialogue I missed due to the rowdy crowd!
The Verdict:- If you’re already a Succession fan then this season (so far) absolutely will not disappoint. If you’re not yet one then don’t start here, crack on with season 1!
Screening Notes:- An introduction from Jesse Armstrong along with Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook, Matthew Macfadyen, Alan Ruck and J. Smith-Cameron. Brian Cox channelled his inner Logan Roy in his description of the two missing main cast members (“one’s a moron and the other’s a fucking traitor”) to the delight of the audience.
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