When Hollywood couples decide to work and play together........
When Hollywood couples decide to work and play together, their relationship often becomes the most talked about aspect of the film, especially if the film marks the beginning or end of their relationship. Mr. and Mrs. Smith is remembered mostly for giving us “Brangelina", Cleopatra for the beginning of the Elizabeth and Richard marriage-a-thon, and Days of Thunder and Eyes Wide Shut neatly bookend Tom and Nicole’s relationship.
However, in Creation (Tonight at 8.30pm) the real life relationship between husband and wife Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly doesn’t register, other than to provide a lovely gentle chemistry between their characters. This might be because Creation’s Victorian setting doesn’t exactly call for them to get hot and steamy on screen, but more likely the result of a well acted and intelligent drama that’s got more to offer than salicious rumours about its’ lead actors.
Based on the book by Darwin’s great-great grandson Randal Keynes, Creation explores the personal angst and tragedy behind the writing of Charles Darwin’s 1859 book The Origins of Species. Darwin (Bettany) is portrayed as a tortured artist, struggling to deal with the death of his 10-year-old daughter, and concerned about the impact his revolutionary theory on the origins of man will have on the church and community. More than that though, he worried how his deeply religious wife Emma (Connelly) will react.
It’s a cold looking film with a dark and somber palette, but it’s also filled with plenty of emotion, a touch of humour and excellent performances from all involved.
Also worth catching this week is Australian feature film Hawke (Friday 23rd September, 8.30pm), chronicling the life of former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke. If Julia Gillard’s ascent to Prime Minister isn’t proof of how cut throat Aussie politics is, then this portrayal of Australia’s most loved Prime Minister and his battle to retain leadership of his party certainly is.
It’s a surprisingly warts and all story of how Hawke went from being a heavy drinking, womanising Trade Union President to a polished (well by Aussie standards) politician. Both his successes and failures, politically and personally, are recorded here, and it was reassuring to actor Richard Roxburgh (who plays Hawke) that Hawke and his second wife and biographer Blanche d'Alpuget were unofficial advisors to the film. In fact, producer Richard Keddie had the support of all Hawke’s Cabinet members on this project, except of course for the men who toppled him; Paul Keating and Graham Richardson. Enjoy.
Links to more film information: