p2pnet - rss feed: Breakfast on Pluto
p2pnet film review: p2pnet already has a weekly, and unique, Movies File Share Top Ten feature, thanks to BigChampagne, and now here’s Elizabeth Pendleton who’ll be writing regular movie reviews.
Her first film is Neil Jordan’s Breakfast on Pluto which opened at the Toronto Film Festival.
Thanks, Elizabeth >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The Irish and the Art of Storytelling
Who but the Irish could spin a credible yarn about a kitten who sashays through the worlds of the self discovery, gender bending and the Troubles of Northern Ireland with elegance, panache and above all, style?
“Breakfast on Pluto,” director Neil Jordan’s engaging and endearing new film, based on the 1992 Patrick McCabe novel, is just such a tale, but you don’t have to be Irish to enjoy every minute of it.
Patrick “Kitten” Braden (Cillian Murphy) ups the ante for anyone wishing to use the phrase “cast of unlikely characters” by taking moviegoers on a two-hour odyssey where they will encounter a priest
(Liam Neeson), IRA men, a magician (Stephen Rea), prostitutes, a glam rocker (Gavin Friday), the fabled Uncle Bulgaria (Brendan Gleeson) and a boy (Conor McEvoy) looking for his mother (Eva Birthistle). That little boy’s quest for the truth about his parentage is in fact the film’s main plot line
In a day in age when sticking a well known ditty into a film scene is to say the least risky business, Jordan pulls it off effectively. The soundtrack, which actually features Bobby Goldsboro’s obscenely corny “Honey,” is as integral a part of his work as it is surprisingly delightful. The collection of gems and clunkers, including the film’s title (a 70’s song by Don Partridge), is after all one of Kitten’s coping mechanisms. Living in the fantasy world of pop song lyrics is one of his many ways of defying the real one.
While Kitten prefers to prance around difficult and uncomfortable subjects such as discrimination and terrorism which are far too “serious” for him, Jordan takes them on. And he commendably does so without telling his audience what to think or how to feel about them. An example of his sophistication and respect for viewers is the part of British interrogation officer Wallis (Ian Hart).
In one scene Wallis deals Kitten some “in the Name of the Father” interrogation room style blows. But after realizing that Kitten isn’t the culprit he helps find the transgender protagonist suitable employment a few scenes later.
During that interrogation (sex) Kitten, dressed up like James Bond’s favorite mistress, destroys the enemy with a bottle of Chanel #5. It’s part of the film’s fanciful fun and another example of Jordan’s talent. He doesn’t belabor the obvious, but rather moves stealthily and adeptly through a range of emotions and issues. If men are from Mars and women are from Venus, “Breakfast on Pluto” is a nice gender diversion. And this story would be hard to imagine without the device. Unlike more extravagant transgender characters, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert for instance, Kitten’s flamboyance is never played to the point of distraction.
Interesting characters, an ear-catching soundtrack and skillful direction however cannot alone make a movie worthwhile. What lies at the heart of all good storytelling is truth. “Breakfast on Pluto’s” strongest assets are the flaws of its characters.
Father Bernard earnestly works through a major life transgression. Kitten’s best friend Charlie (Bianca O’Connor) finds herself carrying the unplanned child of her IRA boyfriend Irwin (Emmet Lawlor McHugh). And his part is fortunately played as a genuine role rather than a type, so it amply conveys the internal conflicts of a soldier carrying out his orders.
To all of this the Sligo-born director adds the uniquely Irish charm of robins who gossip (they are Irish robins) and peck away a cold milk bottle tops and children who play “Die for Ireland” with their toy guns.
In the tradition of the storyteller who travels from house to house enthralling his listeners with his beguiling tales, Jordan’s latest work will traverse silver screens giving viewers an exceptionally satisfying storytelling experience.
But that’s the Irish for you.
Elizabeth Pendleton- p2pnet
December 6th, 2005 at 5:11 pm
welcome Liz good write-up =)
December 7th, 2005 at 3:33 am
THX! I appreciate the feedback.
Elizabeth
December 8th, 2005 at 4:08 am
I would like to add my kudos to the many more which will, no doubt, follow. However, I would like to critique the critique (if you will). As an English language purist, I cringe in disgust every day as I surf the web and trip over the numerous inexcusable massacres of this noble language. An understanding of the roots and causes helps soothe the trauma; yet, when I read articles posted by professionals, I am a bit more demanding and less tolerant.
Ms. Pendleton’s evocative style is deliciously refreshing. Each phrase and sentence conveys information and opinion in deftly crafted word paintings. The problem lies in the careless abandonment of the mechanics of grammar and syntax.
The few examples which jumped off the page might easily go unnoticed by the average reader, and certainly do not detract from the overall excellence of the review; however, such laxity should be avoided by professionals when and where possible.
The subordinate or adverbial phrase requires offsetting commas, to avoid ambiguity. I am one of the first to argue against excessive use of commas, but also one of he first to insist on commas where clarity is at issue. The following example, when not producing humorous results, can be confusing:
“…robins … gossip … and peck away a[t] cold milk bottle tops and children who play … with their toy guns.” Are the robins pecking away at children who play with their toy guns? A strategically placed comma will avoid the ambiguity.
That rather lengthy sentence begins with a prepositional phrase (“To all of this…”), which also requires a comma, as does the adverbial phrase in an earlier paragraph, “[A]fter realizing that Kitten isn’t the culprit…”
This leads to another grammatical infraction: the use of a subjunctive at the beginning of a sentence: “But after realizing…” or “…Charlie … finds herself carrying the unplanned child of her IRA boyfriend … And his part is fortunately played …”
Leave out the “But” – it is unnecessary, and leave out the “And”. Nothing is lost. Frequently, a sentence might seem to flow easier when an artificial elision is included, but the illusion is fleeting. Either leave out the offending subjunctive or insert a comma and a lower case first letter, which would thereby create a run-on sentence, in this case. Do not begin a sentence with a subjunctive. And I mean that! (Insert a Smiley Face!)
One last little criticism. Be certain of the proper wording of timeworn expressions clichés.
“In a day in age when …” is symptomatic of allowing our ears, rather than actual meaning, to dictate our choice of words. The correct phrase, here, is: “In a day and age when …” One of my pet peeves is the erroneous usage of the phrase “… to try and …” What is usually intended is: “to try to”. It is incorrect to say: “Try and see if you …” In other words, one either tries to do something or one does it. “Try to adhere to proper rules of grammar when preparing a professional article.”
I realize this might seem overly pedantic to most people, but this posting is not necessarily intended for everyone. I hope it will prove to be highly constructive to a most promising and skillful writer. With her talented and artistic way with words, it would be a crime to see a lackadaisical slovenliness creep into the picturesque panorama she paints on her word processor pallet.
An excellent piece, Ms. Pendleton! My highest compliments.
Pluqueric
(I would not have posted anonymously if I could remember or find my login info…)
December 8th, 2005 at 11:17 pm
Elizabeth,
Enjoyed the review. I saw the movie at the Toronto Film Festival and I liked it very much. The movie, and particularly the character of Kitten, have received some very negative reviews which I don’t understand at all as I found the character to be very endearing. Also I don’t think that Neil Jordan and Pat McCabe have received the credit they truly deserve for the adaptation of the book.
One minor point for your review, at the time when Charlie is pregnant the character is played by Ruth Negga (not Bianca O’Connor) and the father of the child is played by Laurence Kinlan.
Jaye