2019 has been a year of big screen surprises and box office belly flops so far. Despite several summer blockbusters failing to make a killing financially or with audiences (‘X-Men: Dark Phoenix’ and ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ to name a few disappointments), this year hasn’t been a complete disaster for the film industry. Below are some of my personal favourites released in the UK this year so far. Who would have predicted that five out of the top ten highest-grossing releases would be distributed by Disney? Who would have thought that the low-budget, non-starry hidden gems (like the critically acclaimed ‘Eighth Grade’ and ‘Booksmart’) would be in cinemas for barely five minutes before being taken off to make way for family-friendly blockbusters? The film psychic was spot on.
If Beale Street Could Talk (dr. Barry Jenkins). A hard sell for all the civil rights dramas that have preceded it. Jenkins’ astonishingly powerful ode to the power of love trumps every one you have seen before. It’s a minor key masterpiece that was tragically unrewarded on the awards circuit. Piercingly romantic, gorgeously poetic, beautifully orchestrated, moving without the need for tonnes of definable dialogue. I could go on for hours. No need, see it for yourself.
The Favourite (dr. Yorgos Lanthimos). A period tragicomedy that resists straightforward classification into one genre. The topsy turviness and warped chaos of the narrative structure will put some off, but ‘The Favourite’ has to be one of this year’s most original films. Three superbly cast leading ladies who are as wickedly badass as one another make this film note perfect for the #MeToo era. Olivia Colman delivers a career best performance as the infantile Queen Anne and the set costume designs are a feast for the eyes. Absurd, hilarious, bawdy, crazy, witty, amoral, and delightfully nasty, the adjectives are endless.
Spider-Man: Far From Home (dr. Jon Watts). Peter Parker’s masked hero returns to fight bad guys in the direct follow-up to ‘Endgame’. The film I was looking forward to the most this year didn’t disappoint. Tom Holland is excellent in his fifth outing as Spidey, the storyline progresses into a new chapter, and the quirky humour is well executed. The representation of actors from varying ethnic backgrounds is commendable and the focus on character development enables the film to be more textured than your average superhero film. A definite recommend for Marvel fanatics.
Rocketman (dr. Dexter Fletcher). The sequin-drenched snapshot of music legend Elton John’s life left us feeling more than a little bit funny inside. Taron Egerton dons the heart-shaped sunglasses as the flamboyant showman, a casting choice that will send the gifted actor’s career soaring. This biopic dared to be that bit bold and racy, even going so far as injecting some life and personality into its storytelling. Quite frankly I’m bored to tears of the dull, fuddy duddy-type biopics that play it safe. Give me the magic of ‘Rocketman’ any day.
Avengers: Endgame (drs. Antony and Joe Russo). A superhero film to end all superhero films. With some effort I can limit my verdict to praising the gripping storytelling, the sombre tone, the unpredictable plot turns, the stellar performance from Robert Downey Jr. in his final bow as Iron Man, and, finally, the important message of never giving up on your friends. A rewarding and surprisingly moving victory lap for Marvel’s heroes and heroines. Hawkeye and Black Widow again miss out on their due, but I’ll save that discussion for when these hugely underrated characters get their solo outings.
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