On The Sea (15)
Written and directed by Helen Walsh
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

THE great social realist films ground their characters in both a place — a working-class community in a particular part of the world — and an economy, and within these prisons they confront a social taboo — knife crime, single parenthood or, in the case of On The Sea, the agonised existence of a bisexual man in middle age.

We discover Jack (Barry Ward) up to his thighs in the cold waters of the Anglesey mudflats, dredging for mussels and clams. It is this man — the very picture of stoic endurance and emotional restraint — that will be put through the wringer by a younger Scottish seasonal worker (Lorne MacFadyen).

It cannot go well. Given the claustrophobia of a small community and its homophobia, deeply internalised within Jack and manifesting as cancer, it is an achievement worthy of DH Lawrence to deliver such tender and convincing scenes of love, as Walsh achieves, alongside the painful wretchedness of coming out to his wife and son.

This portrait is set in an austere landscape, where pylons step off into the mist and Mount Snowdon presides over its provincialism. The camera is handheld, like a witness that can leap into extreme close-up, inviting contemplation of the forces in conflict within these stoic men; the accents and dialogues are perfectly pitched; the music, and the silences, impeccably crafted.

This isn’t just a plausible gay romance, though. It is as much the portrait of a marriage and of a community that cannot embrace change, that challenges all of its characters to moments of self-loathing as well as ones of unexpected heroism and self-knowledge. 

Does it take a woman, one wonders, to observe men with such compassionate objectivity?

A rare masterpiece.
AR
In cinemas July 24.

A Useful Ghost (tbc)
Directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke
⭑⭑⭑⭑☆

THAI director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s latest feature is packed with abrupt emotional swerves — from absurd and hilarious supernatural encounters, to sentimental reflections; from passionate sex to retributive violence. 

The structure is complex. There are stories within stories, told through subtle symbolism, witty dialogue and meticulously staged tableaux. Some events are set in mundane and recognisable locations; some occur in dreamlike settings; and others mix reality and the supernatural.  

But the director’s intense and idiosyncratic style shapes this material into a forceful and entertaining allegory about the abuse of commercial and political power.  

We begin with the “frame” story of a character self-styled as “Academic Ladyboy.” This involves a faulty vacuum cleaner with an apparently human cough. 

Krong, a mysterious and taciturn technician, arrives to carry out a repair, but becomes Ladyboy’s erotic obsession and, simultaneously, a contemporary Scheherazade, telling tales of haunted domestic appliances.

His stories centre on supernaturally inspired unrest in the vacuum cleaner factory. One concerns the poltergeist-like spirit of a dead worker; another, explored in more detail, focuses on the unquiet spirit of Nat, the factory owner’s deceased daughter-in-law. Both characters have died due to dust inhalation.  

Suman, the owner’s widow, sets out to exorcise the ghosts and suppress further disorder by erasing all memory of them. A less accomplished actor than Aparsiri Nitibhon might have made Suman a pantomime villain, but there are flickers of vulnerability in her portrayal of this ruthless manipulator.

A Useful Ghost is a striking and original satire. It’s funny, horrific and truly enjoyable. 
AH
Available to stream on MUBI from July 24.

Brunello: The Gracious Visionary (12A)
Directed by Giuseppe Tornatore
⭑⭑☆☆☆

DUBBED the King of Cashmere and philosopher-designer, the rise from rural poverty of Italian farmer’s son Brunello Cucinelli to trailblazing billionaire fashion mogul is chronicled in this exquisitely shot docudrama. 

Written and directed by Oscar-winner Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso) it blends gorgeous cinematic reenactments with documentary interviews and archival footage to examine Brunello’s remarkable life. 

The first half of the film concentrates on his impoverished childhood and feels like a nostalgic companion piece to Cinema Paradiso. The second half examines his business empire built on “humanistic capitalism” which seems like an oxymoron. 

While a fascinating story, this film is produced, made and presented by Brunello Cucinelli himself so it isn’t a warts-and-all documentary but an infomercial. 

Family, friends and celebrities like Oprah and even the local priest all wax lyrical about Brunello and his work ethic and ensuring a happy and content workforce whom he considers family. No-one has a bad word to say about him.

Dubious in the extreme.
MD
In cinemas July 24.

Pinocchio Unstrung (18)
Directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield
⭑⭑☆☆☆

AFTER the abomination that was Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey the film-makers have now turned their attention to Pinocchio in this slasher horror reimagining. 

In this version Pinocchio’s journey to becoming a real boy involves taking the organs of evil humans, and mainly of those wanting to hurt his best friend James (Cameron Bell) the grandson of Geppetto (Richard Brake) Pinocchio’s creator. He is egged on by the Machiavellian Cricket (Robert Englund). 

With Stranger Things vibes, this is a very dark and sinister coming-of-age tale with ever more gory and ridiculous killings, devoid of CGI. Though not quite as bad as the Winnie the Pooh horror film, Pinocchio deserved better. 

The best bit was during the end credits which showed clips of how they made the film and brought the animatronic puppet of Pinocchio to life.  
MD
In cinemas July 24.