The Robber (2010), Austria/Germany, the journey of Johann Rettenberger, an Austrian armed robber and long distance runner. The film starts as Rettenberger is close to being released from jail and then moves immediately to after his release where he wastes no time returning to old habits. He finds success with his running and his armed robberies, but this crimes are not driven by greed but appear to be a more adrenalin driven activity. Rettenberger starts a relationship with a Erika which does nothing to stem his activities. A brilliantly made and fantastic ride about a man who lives for survival itself.
Wild Targets (2010), UK, pure popcorn comedy which is completely absurd. Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy) is a very proper English hitman who takes a job to kill a young vamp fraudster, Rose (Emily Blunt). Rose ripped off businessman, Ferguson (Rupert Everett) who isn't the kind of fella you should scam. Victor initially is committed to the task but soon discovers that he has taken a shining to the young lady and can't go through with the contract. After much insisting by his mother to finish the job ends up protecting Rose and in the process recruits Tony (Rupert Grint), a homeless lad, to help protect her. Mad capped and silly but with a lot of laughs but don't expect too much and you'll get good value from it.
Love in Puff (2010), Hong Kong, director Pang Ho-Cheung second film at MIFF is a completely different experience from Dream Home. This film is more a romantic comedy (ROM-COM) with a group of smokers who gather at their regular smoking spot to socialize and tell stories. The film centrally revolves around two of the group, Cherie and Jimmy, who's friendship starts to blossoming into something more serious. Cherie is in a dead relationship and Jimmy has just got out of a relationship. An amusing and at times funny film that also breaks up the film with interviews with the smokers discussing their smoking habits, relationships and moments in their lives. Great to have two different style films by the same filmmaker showing a great range in his directing ability in the one festival.
Rubber (2010), USA, a serial killer tyre film sounds completely absurd, actually it sounds like interesting concept. For the first twenty five minutes of the film it is very funny and a whacky idea that works. Then the laughs dry up and the film starts to get a little unhinged. The scenes of the tyre killing people start to get boring and the novelty has well and truly worn off over the next 45 minutes. This was wonderful fresh and original idea that got stale really quickly and proves that is should have been a good short film that would have been cinema gold.
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