Albert Nobbs (15)
HHH
Dir: Rodrigo Garcia
With: Glenn Close, Mia Waskikowska
Running time: 113 minutes
AFTER several years playing an alpha female on TV's Damages, Glenn Close makes a welcome return to the big screen in this delicately-drawn, three-Oscar-nominated period drama. Adapted from the short story by George Moore, with a screenplay by John Banville, Close and Gabriella Prekop, Albert Nobbs tells the tale of a servant in a Dublin hotel who is not all they seem. Director Rodrigo Garcia keeps the tone low-key, preferring an air of quiet sadness to sensationalism. Close is especially good, with fine supporting performances from Janet McTeer, and the youngsters Mia Waskikowska and Aaron Johnson as chambermaid and below-stairs help respectively. In pace and intent a film that doesn't rattle the teacups, but it's a moving tale of a life lived meekly all the same.
African Cats (U)
HHH
Dirs: Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey
Running time: 89 minutes
FROM Disney, the people who brought you animated cats to coo over in The Lion King, comes a look at the real beasts in all their glory. Following the stories of a lion cub, a cheetah with five cubs and a pride leader, Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey's film has plenty of ooh, aah, and watch-through-the-fingers moments. Life is a struggle on the Savanna, even if you are in the top third of the food chain. As ever the anthropomorphism grates at times, but the photography is awesome, the cubs are outrageously cute and, as is the way of such films, lots of life lessons are passed on.
Buck (PG)
HHHH
Dir: Cindy Meehl
A REAL-LIFE horse whisperer who inspired a novel and a Robert Redford film is given his chance to shine in person in Cindy Meehl's fascinating documentary. Meehl, who once attended one of Buck Brannaman's "clinics" for horses and their owners, watches him as he gives advice to others across America. Brannaman is a gentle sort, a person who has emerged from a traumatic childhood to become part wise man, all cowboy. While he is reluctant to shout about what he does, others, line up to pat him on the back. A feel-good documentary that doesn't shy away from the bad stuff.
Selected release; on DVD from May 7
FEATURE: PAGE 22
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