wim-vorster

I really don't understand the mediocre IMDb rating. Rozwodnicy (Divorce) is an absolute joy. The script is clever, showing the discrepancy between a civil divorce and the cumbersome, well-nigh impossible 'nullification' the Catholic Church grants. Without mocking the Church, the film gently pokes fun at an age-old (but man-made) institution.

The three main characters as well as the supports are all well-rounded, their situations quite plausible yet amusing and their dialogue, albeit quite direct, really nuanced.

Divorce is deftly directed, filmed and edited. The use of a school orchestra is a brainwave and adds to the fun.

Divorce is perhaps not great art, yet it's great entertainment.

The plot outline given above is quite misleading. Sanja is a female cop with skeletons in her own closet. Her father is a high official. She is sent to the border area of Indonesia and Malaysia to investigate serial killings.

Sanja is immediately up against a commander who feels threatened, misgivings in the community and an apparent presence in the woods. However, the killing continues.

What Sanja discovers reaches far deeper than the decapitations and bizarre displays of heads and bodies.

The film is not flawless and the very last flashback is baffling, but I suppose that's its purpose.

Very entertaining.

Wim Vorster.

Once a month Mexican landowner and olive farmer Leo surrounds himself with his family: three daughters, two sons-in-law (but on this occasion only one of them), the unmarried yet heavily pregnant sister's girlfriend and his own current girlfriend. He also has three grandchildren plus a laatlammetjie Down syndrome son Benjamin (or Benny). His wife, an author, passed away six years ago. Ever present too are his housekeeper and a char.

On this specific occasion he has an important announcement. So do some of his daughters... Familia - directed and co-written by Rodrigo García who in the past has directed among others the television series Six Feet Under, episodes of Bull and for the big screen Albert Nobbs with Glenn Close - has no action, no roller coaster speed. It is a quiet film about conversations, whether all together at the long table in the olive grove, or in smaller groups. It's a film about a family, respect, disagreements. Disappointments, success, laughter and above all love.

Wonderful characters and acting from the large ensemble, a beautiful setting. Just lovely.