When it comes to remakes, the general rule of thumb is quite simple – either elevate the original material or make it different enough that it isn’t going to be needlessly compared to the source material, and is able to stand on its own. This is sometimes a challenge for directors who decide to remake…
Category: Romance
As You Like It (1936)
While it is never mandatory, as every work should be able to stand on its own without necessarily having to be reinvented in different contexts, one of the most objective signs of a truly great playwright is not only if their work stands the test of time, but can be adapted to different eras or…
Rafiki (2018)
For every city, there is usually at least one filmmaker that is its definitive poet laureate. New York City has Woody Allen, London has Mike Leigh, Tokyo has Yasujirō Ozu, Rome has Federico Fellini – the list goes on ad infinitum, and the act of pairing cities with specific filmmakers is often quite fascinating. Nairobi…
Materialists (2025)
At some point in our youth, we encounter the dreadfully trite adage “there is someone for everyone” – it’s often used to comfort someone who feels lonely and has struggled to see any romantic spark in their humdrum life. For about as long as we’ve been sentient and developed the desire for relationships (whether in…
Straight Up (2019)
There comes a time in everyone’s life when they suddenly realise who they are supposed to be – or at least that’s the myth that we have been sold for decades. The belief that within us lurks our true identity patiently waiting to emerge is nothing more than a fallacy, since we’ve often found that…
Broken English (2007)
We all strive to be the best version of ourselves, not realising that the only way to improve and lead a life in which we can have pride is to stop defining ourselves by the people who surround us, and instead focus on developing the confidence to love ourselves, regardless of the cost. It’s a…
The Most Charming and Attractive (1985)
We all yearn to improve ourselves – but change starts within, and it can only be accomplished through small but significant steps to making a difference in our own lives. Some of these changes are exceptionally easy, others take time and effort, and in both cases, the rate of success is not always consistent, and…
Storm in a Teacup (1937)
There is something about stepping into a small town that can be truly exhilarating. Whether returning home or visiting for the first time, many quaint hamlets have their charms and eccentricities and can be the location of some delightful adventures. This is the initial impetus behind Storm in a Teacup, a film directed by Ian…
Go Fish (1994)
While it is certainly true that the vast majority of artworks are designed to be enjoyed by a wider audience, even those which tackle more niche subjects, there are some that exist primarily to target one specific group, usually being made by those within that community for their peers. However, this does not disqualify those…
The Well-Digger’s Daughter (1940)
When it comes to sharp but meaningful satire, few writers were more adept at capturing the social and cultural milieu more than Marcel Pagnol. As both a playwright and filmmaker, he is responsible for several of the most important texts in the history of French literature, being an influential artistic force in both theatre and…
The Postmodern Pelican 