Champions (12A)
***
Strange symmetries. This week, opening in cinemas are two films from opposite sides of the world, with divergent backgrounds and approaches that are almost identical.
Lunana: a Yak in the Classroom, is a gentle heartwarming drama that is Bhutan's first-ever runner in the Best Foreign Film Oscar race, and Champions is a Hollywood sports comedy star vehicle.
But they are both telling basically the same story about a man who’s a little too full of himself and is forced to reevaluate his life after being sentenced to teach in a cold, backward place. And they both give you exactly what you expect, but without the pain.
Woody Harrelson's Marcus is a minor league basketball coach who thinks he should be working in the NBA. After getting arrested for drunk driving, he is sentenced to 90 days coaching the tall man bouncy bouncy game to people with intellectual disabilities in a rundown community centre.
A remake of the Spanish film Campeones, it's very much like waking up in hospital after a traffic accident to find you've only suffered minor injuries. It could've been so much worse.
You fear the unleashing of a great gush of mawkish, feel-good, go-getting sentimentality, but it never comes. Yes, it’s manipulative, but without strong-arming you. The tolerance message is there, but goes largely unpreached, preferring to use humour to get the message across.
The players' intellectual disabilities are presented with sensitive insensitivity - everybody gets razzed, and the humour is bawdy but without crossing a line. Of course, there’s no good reason why this film should go on for over two hours and some of the humour is a bit forced, but the performances win you around.
All the cast do well but it is ultimately Harrelson's film. The definition of a star is surely someone you enjoy hanging out with even if the film isn’t great, and his relaxed charm works wonders here.
Another film might have spent time exploring the coach’s resentment at his new post and gradually coming to love and understand his new charges. In this Woody likes them pretty much from the off. I approve; we all know it’s going to happen so why drag it out?
If nothing else, it should be celebrated just for being released in cinemas. Most medium-range films like this get hoovered up into streamed obscurity.
Directed by Bobby Farrelly. Starring Woody Harrelson, Kaitlin Olson, Kevin Iannucci, Madison Tevlin, Ernie Hudson and Cheech Marin. In cinemas March 10. Running time: 124 mins.
Lunana: a Yak in the Classroom (PG)
****
Ugyen (Dorji) is Bhutan’s laziest teacher. He’s got a cushy government job – part of their Gross National Happiness scheme - but doesn’t apply himself and dreams of emigrating to Australia to become a singer.
As punishment, for the final year of his five-year contract, his boss sends him to work in Lunana, the world's most remote school, located in the Himalayas, an eight-day trek from the nearest bus stop.
Bhutan's first Oscar-nominated film is as formulaic as any Hollywood product. In a remote, picturesque location, the smart-aleck western-inclined young man from the city will reconnect with his cultural roots through the simple lifestyle of the country folk.
Dorji’s film is so effective because it doesn’t feel the need to add any undue drama to the mix. Most of the cast aren't actors but are playing themselves. Ugyen is smoothly won over to the joys of country life and collecting yak dung for heating. It's shameless but charming. Even a marble-hearted Tory would be melted by the beaming smile of nine-year-old class leader Pem Zam.
Directed by Pawo Choyning Dorji. Featuring Sherab Dorji, Ugyen Norbu Lhendup, Kelden Lhamo Gurung, Pem Zam and Kungzam Wangdi. Running time: 109 mins.
The Wife and Her House Husband (15)
***
Ten years ago, director Marcus Markou enjoyed a big hit with his low-budget debut film Papadopoulos And Sons, a warm, audience-pleasing family comedy which he self-distributed.
The film exceeded all expectations at the box office and was sold to Netflix and the BBC. Markou had made his breakthrough, his foot was in the door, and the future belonged to him. Ten years on, after nothing but a few shorts, is it any surprise that his second feature is a wrenching, downbeat microbudget two-hander about a couple going through a divorce that takes in alcoholism and child mortality?
Cassie (Bayston) and Matthew (Spellman) are just concluding divorce proceedings when she comes across a letter they wrote at the beginning of their marriage, outlining some tasks they should perform if they were ever thinking about separating.
Played out over a series of lengthy socially-distanced dialogues, (it was shot during lockdown) it is intense and truthful, but not necessarily something you'd pay good money to see at the cinema. But, double-billed with his inventive short Two Strangers Who Meet Five Times, and presented under his Cinema For A Pound initiative, it may well be worth it.
Directed by Marcus Markou. Starring Laura Bayston, Laurence Spellman and Peter Barrett. In Cinemas on March 10 with his 12-minute short Two Strangers Who Meet Five Times. Pay Only One Pound. Running time: 86 mins.
Go to http://www.halfmanhalfcritic.com/for a review of the blu-ray/ DVD release of Aftersun.
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