ALISON ROWAT
IF timing is everything, the Glasgow Film Festival (February 18-March 1) has it all going on. Nestled between the Baftas and the Oscars like a rose between two thorny occasions (for the losers, at any rate), the GFF is a chance to take a first look at some of the big movies of the new season, and a few of those that could be featuring in nominee lists a year from now. Here, for starters, is a selection of titles for your consideration, with the best of the rest reviewed here and online in the weeks to come.
Fresh from its victories at the Golden Globes and the Baftas is Still Alice (four stars), starring Julianne Moore. The star of Magnolia and Children of Men plays the titular Alice, a linguistics professor succumbing to early onset Alzheimer's. Surrounded by an A-list cast that includes Alec Baldwin as her husband, Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland's drama handles a difficult subject in a tender, enlightening manner. Moore is up for a best actress Oscar on the night of February 22. GFT, February 21 (21.00); February 22 (15.00).
Mommy (four stars) is another drama from France's Xavier Dolan which is sure to set the conversation alight. The mater in question is Diane (Anne Dorval), who pinballs between love and exasperation when it comes to her deeply troubled teenage son. Antoine-Olivier Pilon is a heartbreaker as the lad only a mother could love. GFT, February 23 (20.30); Grosvenor, February 24, (15.00).
Do you recall Only God Forgives, Danish wunderkind Nicolas Winding Refn's much anticipated 2013 follow-up to Drive? The family drama behind the film is set out in the documentary My Life Directed (four stars), with the power behind the camera this time his wife, Liv Corfixen. A bold, riveting insight into both filmmaking and living with a filmmaker. GFT, February 25 (18.30); February 26 (10.45).
Another film to make a Moby Dick size splash on release was 2010's Monsters, a micro-budget science fiction indie about an army of multi-limbed behemoths. Monsters: Dark Continent (two stars) is the disappointing follow-up in which the beasts have been all but sidelined in favour of a commonplace US Army versus insurgents tale. Grosvenor, February 19 (20.30); GFT, February 20 (22.45).
Competing for the pooch lover's pound this year are Red Dog (four stars), an Australian drama that makes Lassie look an amateur heartstrings-tugger, and the Cannes-winning Hungarian drama White God (four stars). While Red Dog is a film for all the family, Kornel Mundruczo's drama is a more red meat affair which uses the story of one girl and her beloved dog to show what happens when the downtrodden rise up. Bizarre and brilliant. White God, GFT, February 22 (17.45); February 23 (15.45). Red Dog, GFT, February 21 (11.30).
Though it takes place in modern times, the Italian crime drama Black Souls (three stars) features ideas about family and honour that are as old as the Calabrian hills which look down on proceedings. The themes may be familiar, but there is no doubting the energy and flare brought to the tale by director Francesco Munzi. GFT, February 21 (20.30); February 22 (15.15).
The always strong Stranger than Fiction documentary strand is graced this year by the astonishing Dreamcatcher (four stars). When Brenda Myers-Powell drives the streets of Chicago offering support to prostitutes to give up the life, she knows only too well of the dangers inherent in the oldest profession. Kim Longinotto charts Myers-Powell's extraordinary efforts to help other women. GFT, February 28 (15.45).
Having its gala premiere at the festival is the family drama X+Y (three stars). Nathan (Asa Butterfield) likes maths. He likes maths much more than people, with their bewildering ways. When he is offered the chance to take part in the International Maths Olympiad, should his mother worry or cheer him on? With Rafe Spall and Sally Hawkins as the former maths prodigy turned teacher and Nathan's mum, Morgan Matthew's picture adds up to a truly lovely piece. GFT, February 25 (18.00); Grosvenor, February 26 (15.00).
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