Film Review Round-up – VERONICA MARS (2014) and KLUTE (1971)

Veronica Mars (2014; USA; Colour; 107m) ∗∗½  d. Rob Thomas; w. Rob Thomas, Diane Ruggiero; ph. Ben Kutchins; m. Josh Kramon; ed. Daniel Gabbe.  Cast: Kristen Bell, Enrico Colantoni, Jason Dohring, Martin Starr, Krysten Ritter, Tina Majorino, Gaby Hoffmann, Percy Daggs III, Ryan Hansen, Francis Capra, Brandon Hillock, Sam Huntington, Chris Lowell, Max Greenfield, Daran Norris, Christine Lakin, Ken Marino, Dax Shepard, Eddie Jemison, Kevin Sheridan, Justin Long, Jamie Lee Curtis, James Franco. Years after walking away from her past as a teenage private eye, Veronica Mars gets pulled back to her hometown – just in time for her high school reunion – in order to help an old flame, who’s embroiled in a murder mystery. Mystery elements are light and the story is populated by annoying one-dimensional characters. This puts heavy reliance on Bell’s charisma and smooth line in sarcastic humour to maintain interest. [12]

Klute (1971; USA; Technicolor; 114m) ∗∗∗∗  d. Alan J. Pakula; w. Andy Lewis, David E. Lewis; ph. Gordon Willis; m. Michael Small; ed. Carl Lerner.  Cast: Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland, Charles Cioffi, Roy Scheider, Jean Stapleton, Rita Gam, Dorothy Tristan, Richard B. Shull, Vivian Nathan, Nathan George, Morris Strassbert, Barry Snider, Betty Murray, Jane White, Shirley Stoler. A small-town detective searching for a missing man has only one lead: a connection with a New York prostitute. Fonda’s call girl’s inner turmoil is the real focus of this thriller and she produces a magnetic Oscar-winning performance. Pakula manages to bring an authentic feel to the drama through naturalistic performances and dialogue alongside an uncompromising use of NYC locations. [18]