Tuesday, April 9, 2013

I is for I, Anna


I, ANNA
UK/Germany/France 2012
Running Length: 93 minutes
Cast: Charlotte Rampling, Gabriel Byrne, Hayley Atwell, Eddie Marsan, Johdi May
Director:  Barnaby Southcombe
Screenplay: Barnaby Southcombe from the novel by Elsa Lewin
Cinematography: Ben Smithard


This stylish debut from director Barnaby Southcombe stars his mother, Charlotte Rampling, as divorced mother Anna Welles.  Since her divorce she’s been living a comfortable, if boring middle-class life in London.  When her daughter encourages her to try singles events as a means of meeting men, she does.

It’s at one of these events she meets flamboyantly wealthy George Stone and goes home with him.

Detective Bernie Reid is called to the scene of a vicious murder. George is dead, and it’s clear Anna had something to do with it, but what?  Having caught sight of Anna leaving the area, Bernie tracks her down at another singles party and their attraction is instant.

As the pair become more intimately involved, and the clues point more and more insistently toward Anna being a suspect in George’s murder, Bernie finds himself compromised.  Anna initially seems to have no memory of the events, but as time goes on, fragments begin appearing and come together.  Bernie, the audience and Anna begin to piece together what happened that night, and to figure out what else Anna might be hiding.

Essentially a modern film noir, this film is drenched in atmosphere and features many recognisable motifs.  London, as shot by Ben Smithard, is coldly beautiful and as much a character in this piece as Rampling and Byrne.  The production design is striking, but never overshadows the storytelling or the performances.

Moody, unsettling and stylish, this is one to sink your teeth into.


5 comments:

  1. Hadn't heard of this one before, thanks for sharing :)

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  2. My ability to widely appreciate new movies was severely diminished last year. So it's good to hear about another fine movie released from this period.

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  3. I've heard about this one but haven't seen it. It's an awesome cast though. I'm going to have to check it out.

    Happy A to Z posting.
    pensuasion.blogspot.com

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  4. Don't tend to be a movie goer, but this sounds very good. I enjoy/prefer watching from the comfort of my own living room. I can pause, refill my wine glass and other important things.
    A-Z

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  5. Never heard of it but it sounds so good, thanks for sharing.
    #atozchallenge
    maggie winter

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