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SIXTY SIX

Starring: Greg Sulkin, Eddie Marsan, Helena Bonham Carter, Peter Serafinowicz, Ben Newton and Stephen Rea

Directed By: Paul Weiland

PG-13 for language, some sexual content and brief nudity

By John Delia

There are several special films hitting theatres and if you can find one playing Sixty Six, take time out to enjoy some very funny and touching entertainment. It is a kick!

It is the summer of '66, and England is about to be consumed by World Cup Fever. For 12 year-old Bernie (Sulkin) though, the biggest day of his life is looming: his Bar Mitzvah, the day he becomes a man. He dreams of having the time of his life like his older brother did when his family gave the biggest party the neighborhood had ever seen. However, times have changed and the threat of losing their grocery business to a large supermarket chain moving in next door has been increasingly distracting Bernie’s family. But that doesn’t stop him from creating the biggest Bar Mitzvah party ever. As the chosen party day grows closer the grand scale of Bernie's Bar Mitzvah diminishes daily. Worst of all the Cup Final is scheduled to take place on the same day and if England makes it into the finals the number of guests will dwindle and Bernie's longed-for Bar Mitzvah may become a complete disaster.

The film comes together nicely under the direction of Weiland. Although the storyline is very predictable, the fun of seeing the script played out makes up for it. I enjoyed the way Weiland made sure there was plenty of screen time for Sulkin who plays Bernie the Bar Mitzvah boy. And some of the scenes are hilarious. I especially loved the scene where Bernie’s parents take the plastic off their furniture and roll up the expensive carpet whenever someone comes for a visit.

The characters written into the story are interesting and lovable. Bernie’s father Manny (Marsan) hides his profits in the attic because he doesn’t trust banks, his uncle Jimmy (Serafinowicz) and father don’t get along, but that doesn’t stop Jimmy from being the family clown.

But the greatest character of all is Bernie, a nerdy kid who always gets chosen last for a football game, even following a crippled boy and a German. Bernie constantly gets picked-on by his older brother Alvie (Newton), but that doesn’t stop him from dreaming that his Bar Mitzvah is going to make Alvie’s look like a ‘children’s tea party.’ “It’s going to be the Jesus Christ of Bar Mitzvahs,” says Bernie. It’s the kind of comedy that made Radio Days and My Big Fat Greek Wedding a hit.

The film unfortunately does contain some strong language, sexual situations and brief nudity, so please consider this when bringing your very young to the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Sixty Six is a great family film that will tickle your funny bone and warm your heart. Its summer’s sleeper hit.

BRIDESHEAD REVISITED

Starring: Matthew Goode, Ben Whishaw, and Hayley Atwell

Directed By: Julian Jarrold

PG-13 for brief nudity and sexual content

By John Delia

Brideshead Revisited is long, involving with a lot of unsatisfying dialogue, but the cinematography’s amazing. Not a Howard’s End or even an Atonement, this movie period piece from a book written by Evelyn Waugh doesn’t satisfy. For those that like movies that will draw them away to another time and continent and provide some distraction from the humdrum, Brideshead Revisited may be your cup of English tea.

The film centers on Charles Ryder (Goode) who buddies up with a schoolmate Sebastian Flyte (Whishaw) and subsequently gets invited to his home called Brideshead. While at the huge mansion he meets his sister Julia and becomes infatuated with her. Sebastian’s love starts to grow for Charles and the two seem to be on their way to becoming a couple. But Charles’s love is more of a strong bond of friendship for Sebastian and he starts to pull away from Sebastian’s affections. When Sebastian sees Charles make a play for Julia at an affair, their friendship and the Flyte family’s takes a turn for the worse.

For me there are many problems with Brideshead Revisited. Give me more of a love story between Charles and Julia so I can see the decline of his obsession for Sebastian. Give me some acting, as I found the characters cold and unappealing. Give a challenging plot with some twists and turns to keep me involved. The film was so long that I was hoping the ship they were sailing on at one point was the Titanic and the movie would have some excitement.

There were some good points to the film, a lot of great cinematography featuring some gorgeous landscapes, a beautiful homestead and picturesque Venice. The costuming is magnificent and fits the period of pre-war England. The best performance comes from Emma Thompson as Lady Marchmain. Thompson’s character is strong, amusing at times and more realistic than the other roles in the film.

There is some very brief nudity and a scene of sexual inference which should not be a problem for the over 13 group. But, boring may be a problem for anyone under 25. So keep this in mind when choosing to have your youngsters accompany you to this film. It would be best seen with gal friends or alone on a rainy day with nothing else to do.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Brideshead Revisited is a long winded film that does not satisfy.

A review of this film.

A review of this film.

A review of this film.

Conversation about this movie.

Conversation of this movie pioneer with his granddaughter.