10s Movie Review - The True History of the Kelly Gang

Director: Justin Kurzel
Genre: Crime/ Action/ Drama
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: George MacKay, Essie Davis, Nicholas Hoult, Charlie Hunnam, Russell Crowe

Description: Australian bushranger Ned Kelly (George MacKay) and his gang flee from authorities during the 1870s.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 39: A FILM WITH RUSSELL CROWE
 
Review: The story tells the rise of Australian bushranger Ned Kelly and his gang in the 19^th century.
The film has a really strong opening. We see the storyline of Ned growing up. This is the most compelling part of the story. The film has a bold tone and the visuals are beautiful. And the performances are good (Essie Davis and Charlie Hunnam in particular).

The second half really didn’t work for me. It’s less compelling, with less interesting dialogue and a general feeling of emptiness. The modern clothing feels a bit out of place in this historical setting. And the film sometimes feels fragmented, which doesn’t make the story flow smoothly. And the movie just didn’t grab me, especially in that second half.

This movie was not at all what I expected and I was a bit disappointed. Strong start, disappointing finish. A waste of great talent.

Rating: 2,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 61: Girl with a Pearl Earring

Director: Peter Webber

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 100 minutes

Year: 2003

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson, Cillian Murphy, Essie Davis

Description: Young peasant maid Griet (Scarlett Johansson) working in the house of painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth) becomes his talented assistant and the model for one of his most famous works.

Review: “Girl with a Pearl Earring” is based on the novel by Tracy Chevalier. The story feels like it was written while watching the actual painting in the Mauritshuis in The Hague. What was the girl thinking, what’s the story behind this girl? The movie breaths the same fragile and silent atmosphere as the painting.

Griet is a maid that starts to work at the Vermeer household. Off course, man of the house is painter Johannes Vermeer. Eventually Griet became the model for his most famous painting. Like in Scarlett Johansson’s break through film “Lost in Translation” there is a strong connection between her character and an older man. And also in “Girl with a Pearl Earring” nothing is ever explicit, although the intimacy between the two is clearly present. Johansson’s performance is mesmerizing, where Colin Firth is doing a more routine job.

The story unfolds like a good historical drama. We see it all through the eyes of Griet. She doesn’t say much, be sees enough. “Girl with a Pearl Earring” speaks through atmosphere and cinematography.

“Girl with a Pearl Earring” is an excellent adaptation of the successful book and it looks beautiful.

Rating: 4/ 5