2002: The Year in Film
Was 2002 a good year for film? It all depends what type of film or genre you prefer. My taste in film leans toward small, unconventional films that rewrite all the rules of plot and style.
It was not a good year for this type of film. There was nothing half as daring as “Donnie Darko,” “Mullholland Drive,” or “Memento.” There were innovative films like “The Believer,” “Maelstrom,” “Frida,” “Kandahar.” and “Storytelling,” but they were too few and far between.
“Bowling for Columbine” was the year’s wittiest comedy, the best art film, the most daring independent feature, and the finest documentary. Of all the year’s cinematic offerings, it came closest to being a masterpiece.
“Adaptation” was one of the year’s most audacious art films, but was screened after my deadline.
My theory is that after September 11, crowds and filmmakers shied away from ambiguity, irony, and moral gray areas. Instead they tended to go for more simplistic cut and dry tales of clear good and evil with straightforward, linear narratives. Postmodernism may not be dead, but its definitely in hibernation,
There were some pretty decent big budget mainstream films and star vehicles. I really admired Eastwood’s “Blood Work,” Scorsese’s “The Gangs of New York,” “The Road to Perdition” with Tom Hanks and “Simone” with Al Pacino. But they were not the best films by the directors and stars that worked on them.
On the other hand, I have always loathed Adam Sandler’s films, but his performance in “Punch Drunk Love” was the year’s most delightful and quirky surprise.
As usual, Julianne Moore was terrific in “Far from Heaven,” and “The Hours” might have made my list but it came out too late.
It was a good year for fantasy, horror, animated and sci-fi films, as well as films, which combined the genres. “Spirited Away,” ” Minority Report,” “Two Towers,” “Signs,” “The Ring,” “Lilo and Stitch” and “Frailty” were as good as some of the more ambitious art films or Oscar contenders.
Two Towers: the Lord of the Rings II probably would have made my top 10, but the film broke, so I missed the whole last half hour. Speilberg’s cyberpunk film: “Minority Report” had me enthralled from start to finish. But the animated fantasy “Spirited Away” was by far the most imaginative fantasy film of the year, and it was the only film that transported me out of the theater.
It was a good year for pop music. ‘I Am Trying to Break your Heart” starring the Chicago band Wilco was one of the year’s best documentaries. Ice (“Barbershop”) Cube, Queen Latifah (she was supposedly great in “Chicago” and Eminem (“8 Mile”) all found perfect vehicles for their musical and acting talents. “8 Mile” was far superior to the criminally overated “Chicago.”
It is doubtful that 2002 will go down in history as on of the all-time best film years. But there were too many good films for any one person to see. So without further ado here’s my top 10.
“The 25th Hour,” “Talk to Her,” “Spider,” “City of God” and “Adaptation” would have made the list but they were screened after my deadline.
1.)Bowling for Columbine- Michael Moore’s hysterical documentary takes a sarcastic aim at the US’s gun culture. Moore’s book “Stupid White Man” was also a best seller , so it was a great year for Moore. His work’s a needed antidote to post 9/11 jingoism and militarism.
2.)Kandahar-This sad and darkly funny film from Iran is about a woman who journeys through Afghanistan to save her suicidal sister. A powerful look at daily life under the oppressive Taliban uses no real actors and it is influenced by Italian neorealism.
3.)The Believer-Riveting drama about a Jewish kid who is so filled with self-loathing that he becomes a neo-nazi. This film also features a top rate performance by newcomer, Ryan Gosling and a sad subplot about an abused woman. The film eclipses “American History X” in every way.
4.)Far from Heaven-Tragic love story about a cuckolded woman who falls for an African American gardener in the 1950s. This film is so beautifully shot and acted that it raises a tawdry soap opera plot into high art. Julianne Moiré’s magnificent performance proves she is one of today’s most gifted actresses. Kind of like a Fassbinder film without the existential angst.
5.)The Pianist-Poignant drama about a gentle Jewish violinist who suffers during the Holocaust. Roman Polanski’s first film in Poland in 25 years is less stylish than most of his efforts, but it are still a total triumph. Opens in January.
6.)Punch Drunk Love-Anderson’s terrific black comedy is full of surprises and uses Adam Sandler’s talents in inventive way. This could be Sandler’s ” The Truman Show,” and it makes s a good case for his artistic potential.
7.)Spirited Away-This stunning animated film is like a hallucinogenic trip. It incorporates Japanese myths into a delightful ‘The Wizard of Oz” type story. Available in both a dubbed and Japanese version with sub-titles.
8.)The Gangs of New York-Martin Scorsese’s blood soaked epic is about battling ethnic groups in the 1900s. Features some great moments and Daniel Day Lewis’s best performance in years.
9.)I Am Trying to Break Your Heart-The year’s best pop music film chronicles the struggles of the great Chicago band, Wilco to get their CD released, This documentary is also a scathing commentary on narrow minded record executives who are killing the music industry.
10.)Minority Report-Speilberg’s second cyberpunk film in a row is smart, brutal, and invigorating. More intellectual but less emotionally involving than “A.I.” Continues Cruise’s hot streak.
Honorable Mentions-About Schmidt, City of God, The Cockettes, Confessions of A Dangerous Mind, Frida, Kissing Jessica Stein, Maelstrom, Merci Pour Le Choclat, Personal Velocity, The Piano Teacher, The Road to Perdition, Secretary, Simone, Storytelling, 25th Hour, The Son’s Room, 13 Conversations About One Thing, Time’s Up, 24 Hour Party People
Best Actress: Isabelle Huppert was unforgettable as a sadistic teacher who seduces one of her students in “The Piano Teacher,” and she was also great as the homicidal housewife in “Merci Pour Le Chocolat.”
Best Actor: Ryan Gosling gave the year’s most riveting performance as a Nazi with a Jewish upbringing. He was also the best thing in the Sandra Bullock vehicle, “Murder by Numbers.”
Most disappointing film “Hollywood Ending”- Woody Allen scripts have gotten so tired and lifeless that virtually all of his imitators are now doing better work.
Note: The Piano Teacher and The Pianist are two different films.
