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The War Zone
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Tales of Childhood Survival. The British landscape provides an eerie backdrop for a pair of unnerving coming-of-age dramas. Both are worthy of any discerning couch potato's time. The War Zone uncovers a family's dysfunction through the eyes of teen brother-and-sister protagonists. In a more urban setting, The Cement Garden tracks the emotional breakdown in the lives of four recently orphaned siblings. Sexual anxiety is at the core of both films. It's also the source for the dark tension that sets these childhood dramas above their peers.
Art House
The War Zone
Unrated
1999, New Yorker
Actor Tim Roth steps behind the camera for a sensitive take on Alexander Stuart's unsettling novel. Roth's storytelling skills pay off handsomely. The War Zone is a dazzling filmmaking debut.
Teen-age siblings, 15-year-old Tom (Freddie Cunliffe) and 18-year-old Jessie (Lara Belmont), battle boredom after their family leaves London for the Devon countryside.
Mom (Tilda Swinton) is expecting her third child, while father (Ray Winstone) adjusts affably. But there is evil lurking beneath the seemingly calm surface. It's not long before this family's dysfunctional truth will shatter its calm façade.
Roth creates a dark mood and texture with his use of the wet countryside. Tensions build gradually. As I said, it's a dazzling filmmaking debut. Still, The War Zone rises on the emotional strength of its lead performances. Winstone is unnerving as the troubled father. But the film's teen leads, Belmont and Cunliffe, steal the spotlight in searing fashion. Every word and gesture is raw and honest. Impressive work for two teens making their acting debuts. -- SR (Grade: A)
Art House
The Cement Garden
Unrated
1992, New Yorker
Ian McEwan's novel of teen-age desire receives a chilling adaptation courtesy of director Andrew Birkin. Four siblings band together after the deaths of their parents. It's not long before the Lolita-like Julie (Charlotte Gainsbourg) takes command. Their secret autonomy seems safe until Julie's brother, Jack (Ned Birkin), develops a sexual infatuation with his older sister. Their flirtatious dance builds an erotic drama that's emotionally riveting.
Adapting The Cement Garden became a family affair. Director Andrew Birkin is Gainsbourg's uncle and Ned Birkin's father. Theirs is an artful collaboration. It's hard to imagine a more dreamlike portrayal of lost innocence. -- SR (Grade: A)
It Came From Hollywood
Here on Earth
Rated PG-13
2000, Fox
Pubescent foreplay turns economical in this straightforward take on the Hollywood teen melodrama. Unfortunately, director Mark Piznarski also strips Here on Earth of any romantic spark.
Life turns complicated after prep school jock Kelley Morse (Chris Klein) falls for local girl Samantha Cavanaugh's (Leelee Sobieski).
A drag race with Samantha's boyfriend (Josh Hartnett) destroys the small town diner owned by Samantha's mother (Annette O'Toole). Of course, rebuilding the diner will bring the rich Kelley together with poor girl Samantha. Sobieski's sparkly charm can't salvage Here on Earth's tired Hollywood formula. Leave it to Hollywood to make teen rebellion look boring. -- SR (Grade: D)
It Came From Hollywood
Reindeer Games
Rated R
2000, Miramax
Director John Frankenheimer, 70, turns dime-novel antics into a taut, pulp thriller. He's the real hero behind Reindeer Games' action fireworks.
Ben Affleck is just out of prison and eager to get friendly with pretty Charlize Theron. But her bad-guy brother (Gary Sinise) and his gang of thieves have other plans for the handsome Affleck. They want his help on a Christmas Eve casino heist. Affleck is an able action man. But the real pleasure with Reindeer Games lies with Frankenheimer's roller-coaster trickery. -- SR (Grade: B)
