Case 39 (2009)

Genuinely chilling supernatural thriller. 

A social worker (the always likeable Renée Zellweger) applies for custody of a girl she believes is in danger from her parents. But after a spate of disturbing events it turns out that the real danger is the girl herself. 

It’s suspenseful and dramatic, with excellently handled tension throughout. Co-stars Bradley Cooper and Ian McShane add depth, although Cooper seems underused for an actor of his talents. 

Thankfully, Case 39 doesn’t turn silly at the end like so many horror-flavoured stories tend to. That said, the ending did disappoint as I imagined a much bleaker (and even darkly comic) outcome. In fact, something similar to what I’d expected can be seen as the DVD bonus alternative ending.

The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

Remarkable drama that seems to consist of several films elegantly woven into one. It begins with a story about motorcycle stunt rider (excellently portrayed by Ryan Gosling), whose discovery that he has a son with his ex-girlfriend (a passable Eva Mendes) leads him into a spate of bank robberies. That, in turn, introduces a story about the cop (superb-as-ever Bradley Cooper) who tries to apprehend him. The consequences of their brief meeting ripple out across the years and affect the lives of several others. 

I love the way the film keeps surprising you with its various sideways turns. It’s also encouraging that rather than simply glorifying guns, there's an intelligent exploration of the ethics around them.

Bradley Cooper perfectly conveys a good man who makes mistakes that will always trouble him.

This is a multi-part tale that never sacrifices clarity to realise its ambition.

Serena (2014)

Gripping drama that becomes progressively more hair-raising. 

It’s 1929 and George Pemberton (Bradley Cooper) runs a timber business in North Carolina. When he falls in love with a forthright young woman named Serena (Jennifer Lawrence) and brings her into the company, everything changes. She’s haunted by a tragedy in her past and also by the existence of George’s child with another local woman. He is haunted by a crime she encourages him to commit. Before long, everything falls apart. 

This film got heavily criticised for various reasons, none of which I would recognise as being flaws. The characters are perfectly drawn and their motivations are made clear. The storytelling is lucid, thanks to Susanne Bier’s solid direction. The remote location looks great, too, despite the use of the sort of filters I usually find distracting. The film does become melodramatic, it’s true, but that seems entirely in keeping with their situation as their problems swiftly escalate.

A Star Is Born (2018)

Highly watchable drama that remakes and subtly updates the 1937, 1954 and 1976 versions of the story. 

Struggling singer Ally (Lady Gaga) falls in love with a famous musician (Bradley Cooper, who also directs). He’s on the way down, career-wise, and is struggling with tinnitus and drink/drug issues. She’s on the way up, helped by him but quickly becoming a superstar in her own right. 

It’s touching because Gaga and Cooper seem to convey real love for each other. I found it highly believable, even if he’s given greater psychological depth than she is. They both offer a touching vulnerability and plenty of charm, and so the scenes in which they appear together are always compelling.

There’s a lot of music in the film – perhaps too much for it to work as a “serious” drama – but the performance segments are all thoroughly enjoyable in themselves.

Limitless (2011)

Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) is struggling with motivation in his work (he’s a writer) and relationships (his girlfriend Lindy, played by Abbie Cornish, has dumped him). Then he’s offered a “smart drug” named NZT-48 that unleashes and focuses the full potential of his brain, and his fortunes are radically transformed. Of course there’s a downside to taking it, as well as it bringing him into a world of ruthless people determined to get hold of the substance.

The film depicts the drug's brain-enhancing capabilities perfectly, cleverly visualising an explosion of sensory awareness: colours become brighter, vision becomes clearer, thoughts become more coherent. It makes you wish your brain was smarter and sharper. It also makes you crave some very strong coffee. There’s an excellent scene in which Eddie is attacked by a gang of thugs, and is able to fend them all off by recalling everything he’s ever watched or read about fighting – from Bruce Lee films to discussions on daytime TV.

The visuals are tricksy in places, showing you the world from Eddie’s drug-altered point of view – the endlessly telescoping street views are another nice touch – but that tricksy element works because it’s a film about perception.

Robert De Niro plays tycoon Carl Van Loon, who our anti-hero ends up working with. There's also a sub-plot about a murder that may or may not have taken place under the influence of NZT-48.

It’s an exciting, tightly plotted thriller. You never quite know where it’s going. And, contrary to my expectations, the ending manages to satisfy.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Adapted by David O. Russell from a novel by Matthew Quick, Silver Linings Playbook is a warm-hearted drama that somehow finds comedy and romance in mental illness without trivialising it.

Pat (Bradley Cooper) is a bipolar man who was placed in a psychiatric hospital for assaulting the teacher having an affair with his wife. Released to live at home with his mother (Jacki Weaver) and father (Robert De Niro), he’s intent on getting back with his wife, which you sadly learn is a delusion, and when he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) he believes he’s found a way to engineer a reunion. His father wrestles with OCD and superstitions, which are brought into focus by his love of the Philadelphia Eagles and his work in illegal bookmaking. Plus, he’s had his own violent episodes. You soon realise where Pat’s troubles stem from.

The plot progresses in various threads and resolves them all wonderfully. There’s sparking dialogue, considerable wit and remarkable acting.

It’s a treat to hear "Girl from the North Country" sung by Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, accompanying a tender collage scene in which Cooper and Lawrence learn to dance together. The strong soundtrack also includes the White Stripes.

How amazing that you can feel moved by a film in which the main character goes jogging in a black bin liner, but Silver Linings Playbook is something very special. I’ve seen it three or four times now and it never fails to move and amuse.

American Hustle (2013)

If you like the novels of Elmore Leonard, you will almost certainly enjoy this neatly plotted crime thriller. A couple of con-artists and an FBI agent try to out-con one another amid an emerging love triangle that complicates matters further. The lead actors are so good that they are a joy to watch. Amy Adams has sparkly chemistry alongside both Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper. Jennifer Lawrence is a treat, as ever – especially in the scene in which she sings along to “Live and Let Die” in a manner that seems genuinely unhinged. Jeremy Renner is compelling as the corrupt mayor regretfully framed by Bale, who has become great friends with him. The 1970s fashions and music are expertly chosen and the period detail feels perfectly done. It’s funny, too, but the comedy is as black as it gets.

There’s not a single scene or line that doesn’t move the plot forwards or deepen the characterisation. It’s funny, too. The team of director David O. Russell plus Cooper, Lawrence and Robert De Niro also made The Silver Linings Playbook and Joy. These people truly know what they are doing.

American Sniper (2014)

Powerful and disturbing Iraq War drama that tells the story of “the most lethal sniper in US military history”. Bradley Cooper plays Chris Kyle, who becomes more and more damaged by each of his four tours of duty. Sienna Miller plays his wife (and mother of his children), seeing the man she loves ruined by post-traumatic stress disorder.

It’s violent and bloody as you’d expect from a film with this title and subject matter. I was surprised it was only a “15” given that you see children being shot and some other very harrowing images.

Director/producer Clint Eastwood has it both ways in the sense that he shows the evils of war and senseless brutality of violence but simultaneously documents a culture that fails to learn from its mistakes and continues to celebrate the use and ownership of guns. In Trump’s America it seems more relevant than ever.

Joy (2015)

Highly intelligent drama – with welcome flashes of subtle comedy – directed by David O. Russell, who also made the excellent Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle with the same actors.

Joy (Jennifer Lawrence) invents a “miracle mop” that seems destined to transform her fortunes, but she has to deal with complex family matters and business sharks out to rip her off. Lawrence is as compelling as ever, while Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper and Isabella Rossellini are all impressive in supporting roles.

It’s a testament to how well the film was made that a demonstration of mop functionality can work as the dramatic and emotional high point. It’s also to be applauded that the obvious Lawrence/Cooper romance option was not pursued, and a more nuanced relationship between the pair was explored instead.

Like Russell’s other films, music is hugely important and the late 1960s/early 1970s soundtrack selections (Stones, Buffalo Springfield, etc) were expertly chosen.

I also like the way the film offered a very unexpected twist to its narration about two thirds of the way through...