As summer fades to autumn in search of winter, movie-makers pit themselves against each other in the hopes of bringing home such titles as “Best Actor,” “Best Actress” and the coveted “Best Movie” in a little competition called the Academy Awards. Every year around this time, companies release their Oscar-worthiest movies, their fingers crossed for a nod from the little statuette.
Two movies that I'm sure will find a place in Oscar heaven are “Matchstick Men” and “Under the Tuscan Sun.”
“Matchstick Men” starred Nicolas Cage in one of the most brilliant roles of his career, reminiscent of his role in the acclaimed “Leaving Las Vegas” (1995). Cage played Roy, an obsessive-compulsive agoraphobe who is prone to panic attacks. You'd think his mental maladies would hinder his work, but he is one of the best con men in the business.
When Roy accidentally drops his medication down the sink, he spends three days frantically cleaning every inch of his house, then pleads with the local pharmacist to give him more of the highly illegal pills. Because the pharmacist won't give the pills without a prescription, Roy is forced to visit a psychiatrist.
Under the psychiatrist's urging, Roy gets in contact with his 15-year-old daughter, Angela. Now, he has to overcome his neurosis to become a father to a girl he's never met while trying to score the biggest con of his life.
“Matchstick Men” is a funny, serious, quirky, sad, happy movie that is one of the best I've ever seen. It is based on a novel by Eric Garcia, “Matchstick Men: A Novel About Grifters With Issues,” that was published July 2003, in conjunction with the film.
Everyone should definitely make a trip to the theater to see this movie. I think you'll agree that Cage's performance is worthy of a “Best Actor” nomination. His various ticks, nervous twitches and all-around zaniness combined into a brilliant character.
“Matchstick Men” is rated PG-13 “for thematic elements, violence, some sexual content and language,” so isn't recommended for younger viewers.
The other Oscar-worthy movie I saw this week is “Under the Tuscan Sun.” Where “Matchstick Men” would win for “Best Actor,” “Under the Tuscan Sun” would win for “Best Cinematography.” The scenes of Tuscany and the surrounding countryside are absolutely stunning and make you feel like you can almost smell the wildflowers and hear the wind blowing through the long grass.
Diane Lane played Frances Mayes, a lauded college literature professor and book critic. At the beginning of the movie, she is at a party when she is approached by a man who was less than thrilled with her review of his book. Though she apologized and seemed a little embarrassed, the man continued his tirade of what she found lacking in his novel by saying, “You said you couldn't like a main character who is a middle-aged man trying to relive his horny teenage fantasies. I find that ironic.” When Frances asks why, the jilted writer says, “Why don't you ask your husband,” and walks away.
Thus begins the adventure of Frances Mayes. After a nasty divorce, her best friend, Patti (Sandra Oh), gives her a 10-day trip to Tuscany on a gay tour. Patti and her wife were unable to go due to Patti's new pregnancy. During the trip, Frances realizes that she can never return to the United States and be a whole person, so she buys a villa in Cortona and begins the job of remodeling it and her shattered life.
“Under the Tuscan Sun” was a very, very good movie. Of course, it's a “chick-flick,” so you ladies will have a hard time convincing your men to see it. I suggest getting all your girlfriends together and venturing to GKC Theaters in the Sault for this show.
The film is rated PG-13 “for sexual content and language,” so is only recommended for mature viewers.
It was loosely inspired by the true story of Frances Mayes' 1996 memoir “Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy.”
You can watch for even more Oscar-hopefuls over the next couple of months. Hitting theaters in the next couple of weeks are “Good Boy!,” “House of the Dead,” “Intolerable Cruelty,” “Kill Bill Vol. 1,” “Runaway Jury,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Veronica Guerin.”
