I loved the smaller of the small movies this year. No epic stories, no big budget productions, just compelling characters, beautiful faces, well-told stories, and for the most part, happy endings.
1. Morvern Callar
It's hard to explain how such a small and moody film by the director of the misery-filled "Ratcatcher" could leave me feeling so exultant. Samantha Morton, in the title role, gives a mesmerizing performance.
2. Talk To Her
Sad men forming a friendship at the bedsides of their comotose women. Pedro Almodovar astonished me with this story-telling: forward and backward in the narrative, a seven minute shocking black and white silent film, beautiful music, and a tender ending that offers future happiness.
John Sayles made me cry. Edie Falco's low-key performance as the underwater mermaid unlucky with men and hotels was moving. Angela Basset faces her childhood demons, while developers try to take over a black beach community. This ensemble drama about a small Florida town tells a moral story without ever becoming didactic.
I loved this movie. Lone Scherfig's sad, lovely dogme film reminded me of last year's treasure "Together" by Thomas Moodyson. Her motley crew of characters try and fail, suffer loneliness, and take Italian lessons; the flat-out Venice happy ending is oh-so-nice.
5. Bloody Sunday
The film that breaks the rule: the one truly devastating movie that should not be missed. Paul Greengrass's chronicle of one tragic day in history is shot to look and feel like a documentary. The results are intimate and wrenching.
Roman Coppola's directorial debut is pure candy. Jeremy Davies stars as the young filmaker living in Paris, who sits in his tiled bathroom and asks the big questions about love and art and self. With a terrifically appealing support cast: Gerard Depardieu, Jason Schwartzman, Angela Lindvall, and Elodie Bouchez.
7. Secretary
The happy ending goes two minutes too Hollywood, but I forgave this movie its faults. Maggie Gyllenhaal stars as the deeply troubled secretary who gains confidence when boss James Spader smacks her on the butt. But it's no misogynist movie: in the end, Gyllenhaal holds all the power, and her small moments of pleasure made me feel giddy.Based on the Pierre Marivaux's 18th century comedy, Clare Peploe's immensely pleasing "Triumph Of Love" is a mad race to see who will get into Mira Sorvino's pants. Mira has never been so lovely.
9. Eight Women
French director Francois Ozon went over the top with this movie: bright costumy dresses, incest, adultery, murder, gambling, gossipy maids, tomboy daughters, song and dance numbers. Fun. Starring so many lovely French actresses their names barely fit in this blurb--Catherine Deneuve, Fanny Ardant, Isabelle Hubbert, Emmanulle Beart, Virginie Ledoyen, Ludivine Sagnier, and Firmine Richard.10. Y Tu Mama Tambien
Alfonso Cuarón has made an intoxicating film where sex is a natural thing, where teenage boys are both immature and kind, and the blue shimmering water of the coast contrast the inequities of life in Mexico. Actress Maribel Verdú stands out as the woman who leads the spontaneous road trip to "Heaven's Mouth."
