julesfdelorme

Everybody knows about the six wives of Henry VIII. If asked to name one they'd probably name Anne Boleyn. And if asked tell us anything about her, or any of the other wives they'd probably give you a broad and largely inadequate sketch. They were after all the wives, and Henry, for all his faults, and they were multitude and royally vast, was King. Thus the truth about these women, most of who were remarkable in their own right, is buried in the bloated shadow of this once promising, but weak willed and failed king.

Little is known by most people about Katherine of Aragon, Henry's first wife, other than the stories about the divorce. Few know for instance that Katherine was married to for over 22 years. That she ruled, and ruled very ably, when the then young Henry, determined to prove his greatness, went off to war. Or that she was actually more popular with the English people than her husband.

And less, far less, is generally known about Katherine Parr, Henry's sixth and final wife. (Apparently he really liked the name Katheryn, or just didn't want to learn a new name, because his last two wives, as well as his first, bore that particular name. Half of his six wives.) I always thought it a shame that Katherine Parr was never given more attention. The woman has little or no choice than to accept the proposal of a badly aging, bloated and flatulent king, whose ulcerous sores on his leg was said to fill rooms with the stench of death. A man who, in his spinelessness was working his way back towards a catholic church and a blessing from the Pope. And Katherine, who was still quite young at the time of their marriage managed somehow to stay married to him longer than any wife other than his first. As his first wives could have told you, it took tremendous wit, charm and courage to stay alive, much less remain Henry's queen for very long. And the danger came from his court and clergy, who spent virtually their entire time scheming and contriving against anyone who did not serve their interests or stood in their way. And Katherine Parr, simply by being queen had a great many enemies at court. Yet along the way she befriended and mothered all three of Henry's children, especially Elizabeth. The mere fact that Elizabeth survived into adulthood is a testament to Katherine Parr working to keep Elizabeth alive, not to take away from Elizabeth's brilliant mind and her own courage.

Katherine Parr simply had to be a very remarkable human being. And it's about time that the story of Katherine Parr be told.

And Firebrand tells that story very well. Perhaps not always accurate, the film stands out because of the tremendous acting. Jude Law transforms himself and gives one of the most brilliant performances in a brilliant acting career as Henry. At times he is despicable, as he captures Henry's unpredictability, his deadly volatility, especially in the lateness of his life. Always in pain and faced with the fact that he has never lived up to his promise both as king and as a man. Alicia Vikander who is never not very good, who has turned in underrated yet brilliant performances in films such as the superb Ex Machina and The Danish Girl, gives as always, a subtle performance as Katherine, who is trying to walk the fine line of pleasing Henry yet living in her own beliefs, a fine line that could end with her death. The film is stocked with great supporting actors, is very well written and never missteps while presenting us with this complex situation. Firebrand is a truly excellent and fine film, and fans of history will love it, but you do not need to care about history to enjoy this film. It carries its own drama with a pace and a strength that will entertain any who enjoy fine film, or just a very good movie.

It has become cliche to call a film a 'Must See', and so I will confine myself to say that Firebrand is a definite Should See. Firebrand manages to be a fine film and an entertaining movie.

And what better could be said about any film than that?

Every once in a very rare while you come across one of those small movies, those gems, that is absolute perfection, albeit in the smaller sense. And you are reminded that, in a universe of movies, and even TV series, that try so hard to be big and spectacular and loud, small movies, like a fine novel, are an art form in and of themselves. Cold Brook is such a fine work of art. Cold Brook is such a sweet work of art. There are no explosions. There are no car chases. No one is getting shot and there are no super heroes. If that's what you want from a movie then Cold Brook is not for you. Cold Brook is a gentle film. Cold Brook is exactly what a small film is supposed to be. Almost every single actor in this film is someone whose name you probably don't know but whose face you know many of who if you pay attention to things like that you've probably thought "I love that actor". The prime example for me being the brilliant character actor Robin Weigert who after having seen her stunning portrayal of Calamity Jane in the superb series Deadwood, I've seen in so many bit parts and wondered "Do they not know what this woman is capable of?". She doesn't get to do anything near Jane in this movie, but she does get to act. The term is so overused, but this film truly is a ensemble work. This is not one person's movie. And you actually feel the shared, the communal experience of the entire thing. Because that is what Cold Brook is. And that is what makes Cold Book special. This film invites you in to share an experience that is at once communal and yet somehow beautifully intimate. To tell you what Cold Brook is about is to risk giving away its wonderfully quirky and original premise. And so I will limit myself to saying that it is in the strangest and most wonderful way a story about home, about belonging, about going home, and about what it means to have a home. To explain the plot beyond that would be to give it away and to take away your joy of discovering each quirky, weird and wonderful twist for yourself. Suffice it to say that Cold Brook should be shown at film schools as an example of what small film should be. And that I say small film not as a derogation of what Cold Brook is but to say that not all films need to be movies that go boom and bang and look alike and sound alike and aim to make billions of dollars. That Cold Brook is a perfect example of what can be put out there and doesn't necessarily shake you to the core or terrify you or make you think deeply yet still has an important place. What I can and will give away is that Cold Brook will leave you feeling warm without feeling manipulated in the slightest or without the film ever seeming preachy or smarmy or just too aw shucks. It strikes just the right balance and is so wonderfully acted and above all Cold Brook never ever takes your intelligence for granted. It is just a great little film. A great little film that will make you feel good. And that makes Cold Brook a very rare and precious thing. Think about it. When was the last time anyone told you that you should watch a film, a good film, because it will make you feel good? My prescription. Take one Cold Brook and call me in the morning.