And so, another year of cinema comes to a close with a new yearly crop of films being recognized and appreciated by audiences and academies worldwide.
And to commemorate the great stuff that was produced last year I've compiled a list of my favorite 25 films from 2013.
Initially, I wasn't much impressed by the early offerings from last year. With some lacklustre Hollywood films coming out in the first quarter, and some decent festival circuit movies out around the second, followed by a disappointing summer, it wasn't well into the last quarter and towards the awards season that the fantastic content turned up.
And with the advent of that phenomenal screener season there was a gold rush of quality cinema finding its way to torrents and eventually, our hearts and souls.
In the end, 2013 became one of the most satisfying years for cinema in recent memory, with great films coming from all corners of the globe and covering an immense variety of genres.
No matter how 2014 turns out, this last year will be remembered for providing a gigantic range in cinematic pleasure.
Of course, I haven't seen every single major, acclaimed movie that was made last year so there is a possibility there maybe a couple hidden gems that I may have missed, but whatever.
From a roster of 90 films from all over the world, I've filtered 25 of the choicest works which appealed to my cinematic senses.
In time I may end up watching more movies and probably update this list, but for now this it how it stands.
Anyway, enough digression, let's get on with the list. Here are my personal favorites from last year, ranked in an ascending order. Let us begin.
CINEMAN PRESENTS... TOP 25 FILMS 2013
25| RUSH
Rush lives up to its blazing title with an energetic first half and a strong second. Fueled by powerful performances and a rousing score, the film sucks you in the driver's cockpit on a thunderous sprint of two hours that zoom past in an overwhelming blur.
An exhilarating adaptation of the rivalry between F1 racers Niki Lauda and James Hunt, it has a lot going for it, including the music, editing, camerawork and direction. Though its too linear a storyline fails to raise it to the level of brilliance that it could have achieved.
An exhilarating adaptation of the rivalry between F1 racers Niki Lauda and James Hunt, it has a lot going for it, including the music, editing, camerawork and direction. Though its too linear a storyline fails to raise it to the level of brilliance that it could have achieved.
24| FRUITVALE STATION
The last day in the life of Oscar Grant, a young man who was shot by cops at the eponymous Fruitvale Station, is wonderfully chronicled by director Ryan Coogler.
It flows smoothly, with Grant spending time with his daughter, helping stray dogs and eventually going to celebrate New Year's eve with his friends. The jolt of his death is perfectly delivered and followed by the exceptional performance from the amazing Octavia Spencer, it simply leaves you numb.
A gripping film which doesn't overtly sentimentalize the sensitive issue it so perfectly deals with.
It flows smoothly, with Grant spending time with his daughter, helping stray dogs and eventually going to celebrate New Year's eve with his friends. The jolt of his death is perfectly delivered and followed by the exceptional performance from the amazing Octavia Spencer, it simply leaves you numb.
A gripping film which doesn't overtly sentimentalize the sensitive issue it so perfectly deals with.
23| PHILOMENA
Philomena's story is beautiful and full of happy accidents which ultimately make it a satisfying little tale. Despite treading dark territory with its subject it manages to maintain a light mood throughout and ends on perhaps, too positive a note.
With a superb performance from Dame Judi Dench, it's a very good film with a sprinkling of emotion, humor and little less drama than you'd expect, coupled with a story that is far superior to its narration.
Philomena brings joy and sadness and leaves you smiling.
22| MUD
Jeff Nichols expertly captures the American South in this hopeful coming of age film about two boys who discover a man living inside a boat stuck on top of a tree.
The film has an innocent charm which transcends the simple story and transforms it into a fairytale about love, friendship and the dreamy world of childhood.
With a mature performance from the young lead and strong support from McConaughey, Mud appeals to the foolishly optimistic little kid inside you.
The film has an innocent charm which transcends the simple story and transforms it into a fairytale about love, friendship and the dreamy world of childhood.
With a mature performance from the young lead and strong support from McConaughey, Mud appeals to the foolishly optimistic little kid inside you.
21| BLACKFISH
A haunting documentary about killer whales that are bred in captivity to entertain the audiences at the SeaWorld theme parks, Blackfish is the quintessential eye-opening documentary of 2013.
It bravely unearths the appalling truths behind these dangerous performers, most especially the notorious Tilikum. The impact Blackfish has on you doesn't simply convince you to spurn this heinous malpractice, but instead makes you lament the unnecessary loss of beautiful life caused by the greed of man.
A powerful documentary, and one that stays with you long after it's over.
It bravely unearths the appalling truths behind these dangerous performers, most especially the notorious Tilikum. The impact Blackfish has on you doesn't simply convince you to spurn this heinous malpractice, but instead makes you lament the unnecessary loss of beautiful life caused by the greed of man.
A powerful documentary, and one that stays with you long after it's over.
20| UPSTREAM COLOR
Shane Carruth's tremendous acid trip featuring worms, conmen, piglets, orchids, a mysterious surgeon and a couple which shares the same memories, is one of the most confounding films of its time.
Profoundly mind-boggling and yet mysteriously satisfying, Upstream Color renders the exercise of making sense futile with the overwhelming realization that more important than the logic in his plot are the metaphysical statements Carruth vomits on screen.
Seemingly random events tie in beautifully with his brilliant vision which explores cyclical themes in nature. He observes nature, along with the characters, as a relentless organism and leaves you dumbfounded and delighted.
Profoundly mind-boggling and yet mysteriously satisfying, Upstream Color renders the exercise of making sense futile with the overwhelming realization that more important than the logic in his plot are the metaphysical statements Carruth vomits on screen.
Seemingly random events tie in beautifully with his brilliant vision which explores cyclical themes in nature. He observes nature, along with the characters, as a relentless organism and leaves you dumbfounded and delighted.
19| PRISONERS
A terrific film which continuously blurs the line between the good and the bad, the victim and the villain, the oppressor and the oppressed. And all the while supremely maintaining its airtight mystery.
Prisoners is a powerful investigative thriller that never lets the tension sag. Jackman plays a helpless father of a kidnapped girl who is willing to cross the line of the law to find his child.
With moody cinematography and dreamlike pace, Prisoners is one of the most haunting thrillers I've recently seen.
18| THE SPECTACULAR NOW
A solid punch of drama packed within a high school coming of age story about the charm of youth and the charm of the now. The Spectacular Now is about the wonderful, reckless days of youth, a facade beyond which grave realities lurk.
The undeniable attraction of carelessly dwelling in today and letting tomorrow worry for itself is sullied for him when Sutter Keely faces responsibilities and truths.
A lovely film about the trappings of adult life, with lovable characters and a smooth plot.
17| LE PASSÉ
Asghar Farhadi's The Past is constructed from scenes of unfathomable power, surging with emotion and ready to pop at the seams with a bang akin to an action film.
Every sequence progresses in fluent strokes which add layer upon layer of drama while simultaneously unsheathing the characters' inner dilemmas.
A complex human drama which executes emotional twists in the fashion of Hitchcockian revelations and weaves a story powered by terrific performances and adorned by delightful photography.
16| DALLAS BUYERS CLUB
Matthew McConaughey in an Oscar-winning, career best performance as the dandy cowboy Ron Woodroof who contracts AIDS, plays a shady Robin Hood figure for those who share his plight in a drama that rests solely on his shoulders, and that of co-star Jared Leto as the transgender Rayon.
The film portrays the predicament of AIDS patients tremendously well. Ostracism, social disdain
and the sudden realisation of one's own mortality are depicted masterfully, in 1985 Dallas, through Jean-Marc Vallée's focused direction and the two towering performances.
15| LA GRANDE BELLEZZA
Paolo Sorrentino's La Grande Belleza is a grand ode to Rome and the most wonderful thing is that it makes you fall in love with it even if you don't completely understand the city and its culture.
My problem with the film was being unacquainted with the rich references and exquisite culture, but that in turn allowed me to sit back and simply drink in the grand spectacle that this film was.
The sumptuous cinematography from Luca Bigazzi played with Lele Marchitelli's operatic score makes for a sensuously satisfying sensory experience, which is passionate in its celebration of Rome and a masterful homage.
14| CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
A thriller that grabs you by the gut and pins you on a rollercoaster ride of hollow threats, radio transmissions and multiple lacerations, Captain Phillips is wholesomely entertaining, even if tad predictable towards the end.
With a stunningly executed hijacking scenario in the first half, the film veers to a hostage situation in the second. As intense drama replaces gritty action, the film doesn't lose steam, while we bite our nails and pull our hair soaked in the immense tension as stakes continue to rise.
Greengrass' taut direction is the lifeblood of this thrilling voyage, nicely supported by Hanks' genuine performance as the harrowed captain. With surprisingly good characterisation, even for the malnourished Somali pirates, this is a great action film.
13| THE WOLF OF WALL STREET
Martin Scorsese's fifth collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio is unabashed, uninhibited, unapologetic and ultimately, unavoidable.
Based on the memoir of Wall Street broker Jordan Bellfort, this film is a seemingly brash celebration of excess and hedonism, but on deeper scrutiny, also an unforgettable commentary on the undeniable sickness of an abusive lifestyle.
DiCaprio indulges in incessantly appalling acts for two-thirds of the movie and though you enjoy every bit of the despicableness, you manage to differ the right from the wrong. While an optimistic redemption was unbecoming of it, it did end on a positive note, which reiterates what Scorsese is commenting on; the complete wretchedness of this world.
To try to accurately assess whether the film revels in its sardonic view of a money-crazed life or secretly shuns it, is unwise, it simply states the case for us to decipher, which according to me, is truly commendable.
12| ALL IS LOST
Robert Redford plays a silent, lonely, unnamed seafarer who braves the turbulent waters of the Indian Ocean on a singular raft in a desperate bid for survival.
Amid a never-ending canvas of blues and greys, we see him employ his superior skill-set, to function a broken boat and inch towards where help is probable.
With uncertainty and fatigue looming as dark clouds and his uncanny resourcefulness the only ally, the sailor awes us with an unprecedented display of bravery and his unshakable resolve. But what truly amazes is J.C. Chandor's astounding direction which never, ever loses its command over our attention in a film with barely any dialogue or a second character.
What works for the film is our apparent disconnection with the protagonist. We don't hear him, his cool demeanor never betraying his emotions, until towards the end, and thus, we are but silent spectators of a man hard at work, trying to survive. But the beauty of this unusual arrangement is how we connect with him on an empathetic level, closely observing his attempts and praying for his escape.
Chandor and Redford pull off an awesome feat by having the audience so deeply invested in one man's fight for life despite the impediment of unpresent narration.
11| SHORT TERM 12
A powerful indie film about at-risk teens and a foster care facility which houses them, Short Term 12 bravely explores the dark side of teenage life.
A group of responsible young adults look after under-privileged teens, but it is the troubles of their own messed up lives which spiral out of control and form the crux of this beautiful picture.
The charm of Short Term 12 resides in the simple fact that even though you are not one of its characters, you perceive them as an extension of your own lives.
Director/writer Destin Daniel Cretton creates situations and develops characters which struggle in the darkness, lost in a sea of hopelessness, with Grace's enormous courage guiding them towards the light, who herself is battling past demons. This heart-wrenching picture doesn't just tug at you emotionally, but rips your soul apart with disturbingly dark undercurrents in a story overflowing with raw emotions.
An honest, intimate and overall super-enjoyable film with fine performances, which makes you glad about having the good fortune of experiencing it.
10| JAGTEN
A harrowing drama about a kindergarten teacher who is accused of molesting a little girl and the destructive aftermath this allegation has over his life.
The frustrating beauty of Jagten, or The Hunt, lies in the fact that we are always aware of Lucas' guiltlessness and the triviality of the severe allegations against him, which are simply the work of an imaginative and innocent mind.
As we join Lucas on the quest to prove his innocence, we witness the harsh change in the surrounding community which now views him as a child molester and undesirable number one.
Thomas Vinterberg deftly captures the dilemma of a man who is ostracized from society for something he didn't do, and skillfully brings out his desperation as he fights old friends and braves mob fury.
A thoroughly nerve-wracking film which starkly explores a dangerous flaw in the fabric of society which can have disastrous effects. It's a baffling conundrum, really, when it's the word of a man against a child. And Vinterberg presents one unanticipated dark side of it.
Mikkelsen's terrific performance drives the film forward and raises it to new heights in that surreal, jaw dropping climax.
9| FRANCES HA
Frances Ha is an adorable story of a young girl's trysts as she struggles to land a job and an apartment. Director and co-writer (the other co-writer being actress Greta Gerwig herself) Noah Baumbach constructs the beautiful life of Frances, a dancer and a free-spirited, silly girl who likes to enjoy life as it comes, along with her soulmate, Sophie.
Greta Gerwig is inimitable as Frances. Her idiosyncratic randomness brings the screen to life as she singularly holds the film together.
The life of Frances unwraps interestingly as we behold the colorful characters in her life in black and white.
Viewing Frances Ha is like watching life unravel before your eyes. Surprise, dismay, love, friendship, dreams, everything rushes past, almost silently, as you are overwhelmed by how extraordinarily commonplace it is. Just like life.
Frances Ha will cheer you with its monochromatic charisma and probably make you appreciate life and friendship just a bit more.
8| BEFORE MIDNIGHT
Third in Linklater, Hawke and Delpy's acclaimed Before series, Before Midnight sees Jesse and Celine become a couple, holidaying with their friends. After another nine year leap, they now have kids and cracks are visible in their previously dreamlike relationship.
Insecurities set in as the two grow older and reflect on their past and future. The film is layered by the added years and that is what makes it so enthralling: the genuineness with which it captures the couple's struggling relationship over time.
It's not a dreamy, romantic fling anymore, in fact, it is an undeniable and complex web of responsibilities and aspirations held together by their two lives, and which is now constricting them, bittering them, and sadly, drawing them away.
A mature chapter in the acclaimed romantic series, it's also the most powerful. Not as philosophical as the second or fantastical like the first, Before Midnight is in fact, the most honest and personal.
And like life there isn't a finite conclusion to it, there's just an unending circle of turbulence and respite, coming in waves, and it is at one such delicate moment where the film ends. Simply marvellous!
7| STORIES WE TELL
In this faux-documentary based on a daughter's search for her mother through memories, letters and recounts of old friends and family, Sarah Polley meticulously reconstructs her mother's life by digging into the past and even employing actors to play the people in her life.
A whimsical take which highlights the film's theme of storytelling, this weird, reverse-meta technique really throws you off and ably puts Polley's point across.
Though creating a documentary revolving around one's family history with such seriousness may seem quasi-pretentious but Polley never falters in her treatment. She knows she's onto something great and it doesn't matter if it's the story of her mother or her family, as long as it touches the lives of everyone who experiences it, in a positive way. And that it does excellently.
Stories We Tell is not just ingenious storytelling but an emotional and deeply personal account of a family you end up believing yourself to be a part of. Sarah Polley's craft is genius and her determination applaud-worthy.
6| NEBRASKA
And yet he plays to the father's whims because that is the right thing to do, because that is what you cheer them on for, and because that father-son dynamic is what ultimately brings tears to your eyes as this absolutely enchanting film ends.
Having old parents myself, I instantly connected with David, who was invariably torn between the mess that was his own life and the added responsibility of his parents, particularly his father, Woody. And I loved Payne for how he brought that out.
Additionally, the rest of the dysfunctional family was deftly handled as well. With a range of characters, each having their own quirks, whether alive or dead, we instantly take to this wild bunch.
But more than anything else, what worked for me was the charm of a lost era, complete in black and white, that transcends this lovely little story.
The deserted streets, the dilapidated farms and sleepy bars make Nebraska an atmospheric western. And it is this visual western aesthetic that grows over you and wins you over.
Right from that groundbreaking 17-minute opening take you realize that Gravity will be unlike anything you have ever witnessed.
Alfonso Cuarón's magnum opus sucks you right off the bat into the vacuum of its brilliance with its technical wizardry and cinematic dexterity.
There are so many powerful elements at play here, it's almost too much to take in. The most perfect use of 3D I've ever seen; the breathtaking visuals; the overwhelming genuineness of its technology and the gripping narrative.
Gravity is truly the fantastic sum of its amazing parts.
Alfonso Cuarón's firm direction guides you through this rip-roaring adventure with military precision and the expertise of a master storyteller.
Emmanuel Lubezki's camera floats in zero-G and with fluid mastery, marvelously capturing not just the beauty of Earth but also the horrors of space.
Steven Price's hauntingly uplifting score acts as a wonderful companion to the film, constantly reminding you of the dropping O2 levels, the spellbinding wonder of space and the impending debris rain.
Powered by Sandra Bullock's bravura performance and a charming appearance from George Clooney, it's a hell of a ride which scores high on all fronts.
The screenplay, though engaging is a bit too linear and in hindsight there are a few bits that could have been polished away.
But overall, it's a potent thriller which enthralls and excites and makes for one of the most satisfying experiences at the cinemas ever.
Kudos to Cuarón!
Following his singing partner's suicide, Llewyn Davis goes through a rough patch hopping from friends' couch to friends' couch to spend the night, striving to make money off his singing.
Master craftsmen, Coen brothers, wonderfully recreate the folk era and introduce us to this highly interesting character. Because for all his talents and his pathos, Llewyn is a prick and yet you can't despise him because you know that despite his current streak of ill luck, he is better than that. Something which the Coens explore beautifully in the end.
The slow burning screenplay flows from Greenwich to Chicago and back and while Llewyn's luck never turns the story has us deeply involved in his pursuits.
But it is the surreal climax which completely turns everything on its head and propels the film to unprecedented heights, meanwhile leaving you absolutely nonplussed. I was completely amazed and thought long about its meaning, reflecting on the various nods strewn across the screenplay to a 'connection' between the performer and his tabby companion.
The music is absolutely gorgeous, with most old folk renditions performed by Isaac himself. The light cinematography is a treat and the unique color palette successfully lends a vintage vibe to the whole film. With good performances from everyone and lovely production design Inside Llewyn Davis was an unforgettable film experience for me.
Half-based on the life of a real folk singer, this is the Coen brothers at their inimitable best.
3| 12 YEARS A SLAVE
Kechiche was an allegedly tough taskmaster who continued to strain his leads to get the best out of them, which he certainly did. Every tiny thing that appears on the screen is paid painful attention and handled with the utmost delicacy.
The colors, from which blue stands out as the obvious, recurring motif, are vibrantly spread on a visually rich palette and accentuate the narrative through the stupendous camerawork by Sofian El Fani.
The acting from Exarchopoulos and Seydoux is stupefying. Their chemistry is as natural as it gets and it was even slightly unnerving at times, seeing the two actresses being so at 'one' with each other before suddenly realizing exactly what they were; two actresses.
The story is simple but it is the captivating and brutally honest manner of its presentation that had me so deeply invested. Kechiche's firm direction looms over every aspect of this film and makes it the undeniably arresting film that it is.
An astounding achievement of filmmaking which left me with a profound emptiness mulling over the depressingly limited extent of our existence. Spike Jonze's Her proficiently captures themes of alienation, existence and the finite infiniteness of our own humanity. I could find myself in Theodore Trombley.
The loner who has phone sex with strangers, the selfish partner who projected his own emotions on his lovers and the writer who enjoyed stepping into the lives of others to fill in part, his own existential void.
But what resonated most supremely with me was Samantha's growing exhaustion from her seemingly perfect relationship with Theodore once she had completely inhabited him.
Aren't all relationships like that? You can't get enough of someone until the moment you get absolutely bored by their incessant company.
Her is not your obvious Human/AI relationship fodder, in fact it uses the AI factor as a tool to explore human relationships and interactions. Though, the brilliance of the film doesn't simply lie in its monumental screenplay but in the fineries of Jonze's direction.
Everything from the neat production design to the futuristic aesthetic is pulled off with unprecedented expertise. The beautiful soundtrack by Arcade Fire and the pleasing cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema add to its already boundless glory.
Joaquin Phoenix again delivers a terrific and hugely understated performance but what really caught me by surprise was Scarlett Johansson's voice acting. Despite never once encountering her in the flesh we assume her constant presence and it is nigh impossible to imagine Her without her.
Despite its gloomy atmosphere and cynical, not to mention seemingly accurate, take on the future of society Her didn't leave me dejected and disappointed per se. In fact, it simply brought to the fore my inner feelings about human interaction and the limitedness of our emotions, which are really only triggered by appropriate electrical signals as received by our brains. A pin prick brings about a pre-decided reflex which is encoded in our brains, the same way as the feeling of being loved.
And so, Her has managed to touch me unlike any other film I've seen last year, rather in a long, long time.
An easy choice for Best Film 2013 and deservingly so.
So, these are my favorite films from the wonderful year of films that was 2013. Some were expectedly satisfying while others came out of the blue and took me absolutely by surprise.
Having old parents myself, I instantly connected with David, who was invariably torn between the mess that was his own life and the added responsibility of his parents, particularly his father, Woody. And I loved Payne for how he brought that out.
Additionally, the rest of the dysfunctional family was deftly handled as well. With a range of characters, each having their own quirks, whether alive or dead, we instantly take to this wild bunch.
But more than anything else, what worked for me was the charm of a lost era, complete in black and white, that transcends this lovely little story.
The deserted streets, the dilapidated farms and sleepy bars make Nebraska an atmospheric western. And it is this visual western aesthetic that grows over you and wins you over.
5| GRAVITY
Alfonso Cuarón's magnum opus sucks you right off the bat into the vacuum of its brilliance with its technical wizardry and cinematic dexterity.
There are so many powerful elements at play here, it's almost too much to take in. The most perfect use of 3D I've ever seen; the breathtaking visuals; the overwhelming genuineness of its technology and the gripping narrative.
Gravity is truly the fantastic sum of its amazing parts.
Alfonso Cuarón's firm direction guides you through this rip-roaring adventure with military precision and the expertise of a master storyteller.
Emmanuel Lubezki's camera floats in zero-G and with fluid mastery, marvelously capturing not just the beauty of Earth but also the horrors of space.
Steven Price's hauntingly uplifting score acts as a wonderful companion to the film, constantly reminding you of the dropping O2 levels, the spellbinding wonder of space and the impending debris rain.
Powered by Sandra Bullock's bravura performance and a charming appearance from George Clooney, it's a hell of a ride which scores high on all fronts.
The screenplay, though engaging is a bit too linear and in hindsight there are a few bits that could have been polished away.
But overall, it's a potent thriller which enthralls and excites and makes for one of the most satisfying experiences at the cinemas ever.
Kudos to Cuarón!
4| INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS
Master craftsmen, Coen brothers, wonderfully recreate the folk era and introduce us to this highly interesting character. Because for all his talents and his pathos, Llewyn is a prick and yet you can't despise him because you know that despite his current streak of ill luck, he is better than that. Something which the Coens explore beautifully in the end.
The slow burning screenplay flows from Greenwich to Chicago and back and while Llewyn's luck never turns the story has us deeply involved in his pursuits.
But it is the surreal climax which completely turns everything on its head and propels the film to unprecedented heights, meanwhile leaving you absolutely nonplussed. I was completely amazed and thought long about its meaning, reflecting on the various nods strewn across the screenplay to a 'connection' between the performer and his tabby companion.
The music is absolutely gorgeous, with most old folk renditions performed by Isaac himself. The light cinematography is a treat and the unique color palette successfully lends a vintage vibe to the whole film. With good performances from everyone and lovely production design Inside Llewyn Davis was an unforgettable film experience for me.
Half-based on the life of a real folk singer, this is the Coen brothers at their inimitable best.
3| 12 YEARS A SLAVE
A harrowing account of the horrors born by one man during the atrocious age of slavery, 12 Years A Slave hit me the hardest among the three black history films from last year that I saw. The reason being its brutally honest and sort of observant take on slavery.
We witness Solomon Northup, a free man kidnapped and falsely sold as a slave and his extraordinary journey through hate, desperation and towards freedom.
There are no transparent attempts to instill feels for the thousands of blacks who underwent hell during this shameful time in human history, but simply the story of a man who was wronged. It just states the facts with an impersonal fairness, but it is the facts which are so repulsively terrifying that have maximum impact and leave you disgusted. Way more impactful than any propaganda piece could ever be.
Some might complain that it is too obvious a contender for the Oscar that it won, but there is nothing wrong about it. 12 Years A Slave is an important film and with an important message.
With great performances from a perfect ensemble, especially Fassbender as the despicable Mr. Epps, 12 Years A Slave becomes an effectively spine-chilling period drama that despite a happy ending leaves you emotionally devastated and morally repulsed.
2013 Palm d'Or winner, La Vie d'Adéle - Chapitres 1 & 2 or Blue is the Warmest Color is a masterful film which touches upon a plethora of themes, both visual and philosophical, and thereby explores the life of a young woman as she passes through the intriguing phases of experimentation, transition and ultimately, liberation.
With great performances from a perfect ensemble, especially Fassbender as the despicable Mr. Epps, 12 Years A Slave becomes an effectively spine-chilling period drama that despite a happy ending leaves you emotionally devastated and morally repulsed.
2| LA VIE d'ADÉLE - CHAPITRES 1 & 2
2013 Palm d'Or winner, La Vie d'Adéle - Chapitres 1 & 2 or Blue is the Warmest Color is a masterful film which touches upon a plethora of themes, both visual and philosophical, and thereby explores the life of a young woman as she passes through the intriguing phases of experimentation, transition and ultimately, liberation.
But it's so much more than just the love affair of two lesbians. Blue is the Warmest Color also handles philosophy, art and even food, through the prism of Adéle's naiveté and inexperience.
Kechiche was an allegedly tough taskmaster who continued to strain his leads to get the best out of them, which he certainly did. Every tiny thing that appears on the screen is paid painful attention and handled with the utmost delicacy.
The colors, from which blue stands out as the obvious, recurring motif, are vibrantly spread on a visually rich palette and accentuate the narrative through the stupendous camerawork by Sofian El Fani.
The acting from Exarchopoulos and Seydoux is stupefying. Their chemistry is as natural as it gets and it was even slightly unnerving at times, seeing the two actresses being so at 'one' with each other before suddenly realizing exactly what they were; two actresses.
The story is simple but it is the captivating and brutally honest manner of its presentation that had me so deeply invested. Kechiche's firm direction looms over every aspect of this film and makes it the undeniably arresting film that it is.
1| HER
An astounding achievement of filmmaking which left me with a profound emptiness mulling over the depressingly limited extent of our existence. Spike Jonze's Her proficiently captures themes of alienation, existence and the finite infiniteness of our own humanity. I could find myself in Theodore Trombley.
The loner who has phone sex with strangers, the selfish partner who projected his own emotions on his lovers and the writer who enjoyed stepping into the lives of others to fill in part, his own existential void.
But what resonated most supremely with me was Samantha's growing exhaustion from her seemingly perfect relationship with Theodore once she had completely inhabited him.
Aren't all relationships like that? You can't get enough of someone until the moment you get absolutely bored by their incessant company.
Her is not your obvious Human/AI relationship fodder, in fact it uses the AI factor as a tool to explore human relationships and interactions. Though, the brilliance of the film doesn't simply lie in its monumental screenplay but in the fineries of Jonze's direction.
Everything from the neat production design to the futuristic aesthetic is pulled off with unprecedented expertise. The beautiful soundtrack by Arcade Fire and the pleasing cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema add to its already boundless glory.
Joaquin Phoenix again delivers a terrific and hugely understated performance but what really caught me by surprise was Scarlett Johansson's voice acting. Despite never once encountering her in the flesh we assume her constant presence and it is nigh impossible to imagine Her without her.
Despite its gloomy atmosphere and cynical, not to mention seemingly accurate, take on the future of society Her didn't leave me dejected and disappointed per se. In fact, it simply brought to the fore my inner feelings about human interaction and the limitedness of our emotions, which are really only triggered by appropriate electrical signals as received by our brains. A pin prick brings about a pre-decided reflex which is encoded in our brains, the same way as the feeling of being loved.
And so, Her has managed to touch me unlike any other film I've seen last year, rather in a long, long time.
An easy choice for Best Film 2013 and deservingly so.
So, these are my favorite films from the wonderful year of films that was 2013. Some were expectedly satisfying while others came out of the blue and took me absolutely by surprise.
Thank you, producers, directors, writers, actors, cameramen, composers, and all the technicians who helped realize these wonderful ideas on screen.
Until next year.
Cheers!
Until next year.
Cheers!
