The British Invasion

So Kate Winslet has had a tought time this week with her sickeningly emotion acceptance speech at the Golden Globes and although due to an undeniable smugness which causes me to dislike her immensely, it pains me to say that i feel i should be proud, leading the way in a British film invastion. With Slumdog being at the helm of this triumph it seems that even with an ecomonic meltdown and a country in crisis we can look to culture again for a glimpse of optimism. It is safe to say that british representation at the Oscars this year will be pleasing, and desrvedly so, with our time finally arriving.

Other big winners for the TV Globes were 30 Rock, Mad Men and John Adams, three shows which establish a great departure from the american norm. Instantly advertising wildley original and authentic formats, each have an indivdual success which makes it even more bizarre that their sucess in the UK has been slightly underwhelming.

And its not just us who are producing great films, its that time in the year where all oscar contenders are coming out to plan and her are my;

9 For 2009

1/ Slumdog Millionaire

Danny Boyle has finally returned to form with it being evident from the first shot that he has delved completely into the fast, chaotic and stressful aspects of India, something for a British director which could have been a great risk but his admiration obvious is from its careful portrayal is key in its success. Its protagonist Jamal is portrayed by Dev Patel, a young and promising actor who has come along way from his irreverent character Anwar in Skins. It seems he has matured immensely in order to produce a sophisticated and charming performance which is a perfect start to what could be a blossoming career. It tells the a rags to riches story of an orphan from the slums of Mumbai who in a desperate genuine attempt to find his childhood sweetheart enter “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” with the ability to go far due to his life experiences. He becomes an overnight hero, the ultimate depiction of hope to all those who want it however his looming success is interrupted due to allegations of cheating, and so follows a brutal interrogation by an evidently corrupt police force with the opening scene showing electrocution in order to produce a confession. The film then flits seamlessly and affectionately with flash backs to a heartbreakingly frantic and tragic childhood, however the camaraderie of its three characters (the three musketeers) often portrayed by real slum children, helps establish a consistent glimmer of hope. It’s vivid depiction of Mumbai's slums efficiently and effectively illustrate how India, can at times seem a different world from where we live and this is possibly the biggest compliment to Boyle, a testament to his dedication to authenticity and homage to India’s reality, not a Bollywood fantasy.

The films curiosity lies within it being a quintessentially British film in everyway, but oddly happens to have, most authentically, explored boldly into the cultural wonderment of India. Its inability to rely on a famous cast works to its advantage, the vibrancy of youth bringing an edge which would be otherwise missing. However the most intriguing aspect of the film perhaps is the partnership between Jamal and his brother and the heartache which is caused when a sibling co-dependence is removed. Although the film has an optimistic brilliance the bleak violence and corruption which underlies the city cannot be avoided. Graphic and gruesome depictions of mafia mentality and a constant fear is a frightening reality which at time, a western society chooses to ignore yet interspersed with this is a witty and sparkling dialoged which lifts what could have been a heavy film to take. There is no naivety or cautiousness in avoiding this topic, instead it embraces the poverty, and celebrates peoples determination and way of live. The film is consistently effervescent, never dipping in raw energy and this is aided dramatically by its score by AR Rahman including several contributions by M.I.A which assist the film in maintaining its grip.

What’s most striking it its unadulterated stream of happiness which is something we are desperately craving, with elements of fairytale providing a bustling escapism. The visual depiction of this tale is stunning, a masterpiece which lets Mumbai speak for itself, an ideal backdrop which develops to be its very own character.

And finally to its unexpected success, well it may be in there opinion however completely justified in its efforts. The film has led the way in the evident British film invasion this year grabbing four gongs and the Golden Globes and many more at the Critic's Choice awards, a recognition which was clearly never in consideration when making the film. The endearing nature of this film lies in is passion and modesty, it is blatantly clear that making this film was life changing for many and it’s this we should be utterly proud of. Ultimately its focus is love, a gripping tale of one man’s determination to fulfill his destiny, as it becomes evident that it is written.

2/ Frost/Nixon - An authentic portrayal of the now famous set interviews between David Frost and Richard Nixon after the Watergate scandal starring Micheal Sheen.

3/ Doubt - When the principal (Meryl Streep) of a Bronx Catholic High School accuses a popular priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of pedophilia, a young nun caught in between the feuding pair becomes hopelessly swept up in the ensuing controversy.

4/ Vicky Christina Barcelona - Woody Allen's persistence is undeniable with his latest film starring Penelope Cruise, Scarlett Johansson and Javier Bardem. It appears that this 20th century genius returns to form in a vivacious tale of the complexity of love. A must read is Allen's hilarious diary fromt he making of this film: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/jan/12/woody-allen-vicky-cristina-barcelona

5/ The Reader - Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes in a haunting tale of romance tracing the complicated love affair between a German teen and a mysterious woman twice his age in the midst of World War II with a shocking revelation.

6/ Revolutionary Road - Titanic sweethearts Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet reuinite once again in a tale of dissolutioned marriage within the confine of American suberbia.

7/ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - An adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald's Novel sees the sophisticated telling of Benjamin Button a man who when born, is already in his 80's and follows with a tale of joy and sadness.

8/ Milk - Sean Penn interprets the last eight years of Harvey Milk, the ill-fated politician and gay activist whose life changed history, and whose courage still inspires people.

9/ Anvil In 1981, Canadian heavy metal band Anvil released their first album, Hard 'n' Heavy, establishing them as pioneers of the speed metal movement. however their inevatable lucky break that would have elevated them to real stardom never came.