Our film for discussion this month was The Duke.
 
The Duke stars Jim Broadbent as Kempton Bunton and Helen Mirren as Dorothy Bunton.  In 1961, Kempton Bunton, a 60 year old taxi driver, steals Goya's portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London.  He is on a mission to remove BBC television licences for aged pensioners and returned servicemen.  What happened next became the stuff of legend, with an interesting twist towards the end. 
 
Performances were excellent.  Many people who have seen the film did not realise Dorothy Bunton was played by Helen Mirren – a indication of a great actor.  There were several smaller parts, all going to show Kempton’s character as he tried to help the underprivileged.  The cinematography incorporated some split screen work that showed Kempton’s visit to parts of London to attempt to have some writing published and to lobby the government on his cause.  There were some court scenes that were particularly noteworthy and humorous. 
 
An uplifting true story about a good man who set out to change the world and managed to save his marriage.  This was enjoyable, funny and heart-warming.  Ratings of the film varied from 4/5 to 5/5.
 
Other films screened at BPACC during April/May were predominantly animated films as the period included school holidays.  These films are fun to watch and have valuable messages for both the children and adults.  For example:
Sonic the Hedgehog 2:   theme – you will find your time to use your talents
Rabbit Academy:             theme – trust; not just “I”
The Bad Guys:                 theme – there is some good in everyone (perhaps)

​Our next film is on 8 June.  For those who have been hanging out for the next Downton Abbey film, Downton Abbey: A New Era is screening from 26 May and will be our film for discussion at the class.

Joy Shirley

​Our films for discussion this month were Marry Me and Death on the Nile.  Most of the people attending the class had managed to see one and many had seen both the films.  We also had a quick discussion around Off the Rails. 
 
Death on the Nile stars Kenneth Branagh, playing the Agatha Christie sleuth Hercule Poirot.  When Poirot holidays aboard a river steamer, his holiday turns into a search for a murderer when a couple's honeymoon is tragically cut short.  Set in Egypt against a landscape of sweeping desert and pyramids, this is a tale of passion and jealousy, with twists and turns that can leave audiences guessing – unless you have seen earlier versions or read the book.  The scenery impressed, although it was not filmed on location. 
 
There were several interesting characters with lovely costuming.  Included were several well-known actors including Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.  In the main, performances were reasonable.  The bride’s role was not demanding and seemed to be overacted.  Branagh’s performance as Poirot was better than in Murder on the Orient Express.  It is always hard to see him as Poirot though as David Suchet’s interpretation has been around for so long.  The opening scenes were a bit of a puzzle.  We were introduced to Poirot in the trenches during World War I, then in hospital with injuries to his face – hence the moustache to hide the scars.  And there is a scene at the end where he has shaved off his moustache which seemed to have no relevance to the film.
 
Overall a watchable but not outstanding film.  Ratings of the film varied from 3/5 to 4/5.
 
A few people had seen Marry Me.  Music superstars Kat Valdez and Bastian are getting married before a global audience of fans.  When Kat learns, seconds before her vows, that Bastian has been unfaithful, she decides to marry Charlie, a stranger in the crowd.  Starring as Kat is Jennifer Lopez.  It was a fun light-hearted film.  Charlie and Kat both learn a bit more about themselves as the film progresses.  There are a couple of messages that come through.  Perhaps key of these is the theme ‘all that glitter is not gold’.  The acting was average, with the best performance by Chloe Coleman who plays Charlie’s daughter, Lou.
 
Generally it was well received as a light happy film, with most of the class rating it as 3/5, with one giving it only 2/5.
 
We also briefly discussed Off the Rails.  Three fifty-something women set out to repeat the European inter-railing adventures of their youth, after their close friend passes away leaving them rail tickets, and a final request: to take her teenage daughter with them.  Many of the events were totally implausible, but if able to overlook these it was an entertaining way to spend 90 minutes.  We rated it around 3/5.
 
 
April is school holiday period and many of the films screening at BPACC are animated children’s films.  This is not to say these are unwatchable.  Many of these films are fun to watch and have valuable messages for both the children and adults.  There is one film that is not animated that looks to be interesting and fun.  This is The Duke and is the primary film for our next class on 11 May.

Joy Shirley