White Bird in a Blizzard (15)
four stars
Dir: Gregg Araki
With: Shailene Woodley, Eva Green
Runtime: 91 minutes
AFTER her performances in The Descendants and The Fault in Our Stars, it is worth catching Shailene Woodley in anything, and Gregg Araki's engrossing drama, a sort of Gone Mum rather than Gone Girl, is certainly no hardship to sit through. Adapted from the novel by Laura Kasischke, White Bird begins with Kat (Woodley) arriving home from school to find her eccentric mother (Eva Green) has gone. How could she leave and where did she go? A beautifully shot tale with an initially OTT Green eventually sharing the acting honours.
The Mafia Kills Only in Summer (N/C 15+)
four stars
Dir: Pierfrancesco Diliberto
With: Alex Bisconti, Cristiana Capotondi
Runtime: 85 minutes
SUFFERING withdrawal symptoms from the Glasgow Film Festival? Then get along to the Italian Film Festival, starting tomorrow. The festival opener is charming and funny, no mean feat considering it is all about the Mafia and their murderous ways. Director Pierfrancesco Diliberto plays Arturo, who loves Flora, but with both living in Palermo, and her a judge's daughter, love is never going to be straightforward. Won last year's European Film Award for best comedy.
Glasgow Film Theatre, March 6 (20.15). Plus Q&A from London.
Zoran, My Nephew the Idiot (N/C 15+)
three stars
Dir: Matteo Oleotto
With: Guiseppe Battiston, Rok Prasnikar
Runtime: 106 minutes
ANOTHER Italian Film Festival selection, this comedy drama is the story of Paolo, a pig of a man whose hobbies are drink driving and insulting everyone in the small village where he lives. But told his aunt has died, Paolo is left to look after a nephew for a short time. The shy, gawky Zoran is of no interest to his uncle, but then he shows his skill at darts and Paolo begins to see Euro signs in front of his eyes. After a cracking start, Matteo Oleotto's film loses some of its sizzle, but it is still a heartfelt, engaging piece.
Glasgow Film Theatre, March 7 (17.30). Plus Q&A with director.
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