2001 was not by any stretch of the imagination a great year for movies. Very few films stood out from the pack. But there were some encouraging trends. It was a very good year for suspense films (“The Man Who Was Not There,” ” Mulholland Drive,” and Memento.”), animated features (“Final Fantasy,” “Waking Life,” “Monsters Inc. and Shrek”), and fantasy flicks (“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”)
It was also a decent year for teen angst films (“Bully” and “Ghost World”), revivals (“Apocalypse Now Redux” “Band Of Outsiders” and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”),and Asian dramas (“Chunhyang,” In the Mood for Love,” “Taboo,” and “The Road Home.”)
The best film of the year was a rejected and reworked television show pilot. What does this say about television network execs? My picks for best actor and actress were both under 25. Maybe there’s a future for this art form, after all.
1.)Mulholland Drive-Brilliant neo noir about a mysterious woman with a past who loses her memory and is befriended by a naive actress. America’s finest avant-garde director, David Lynch, creates a sinister atmosphere of dread and anxiety, and takes some well-deserved shots at the Hollywood system. The year’s most haunting, perplexing, and unforgettable film of the year.
2.)Faithless-Tragic and powerful drama about an adulterous affair that causes the breakup of a marriage. Partially based on an incident from the youth of the screenplay writer, Igmar Bergman. Well directed by Bergman’s ex-wife and frequent collaborator, Liv Ullmann. In Swedish with English sub-titles
3.)The Man Who Wasn’t There-Joel Coen’s black and white suspense film about a quiet barber who commits a crime. Featuring a dead on performance by Billy Bob Thorton as a quiet barber who commits a murder. Beautifully shot film has provocative existential overtones and a fine supporting cast.
4.)Memento-Twisted and complex crime story of an amnesiac man who tries to solve his wife’s murder is told backwards. It masterfully makes viewers feel the same paranoia and sense of bewilderment as the main character. This brainy but demanding film benefits from multiple viewings.
5.)A.I.-Mature science fiction film about an artificial boy who tries to find love thoughtfully raises nonhuman rights issues. Haley Joel Osment is excellent in the lead, and Jude Law shines in a tailor made role of an android gigolo. Kind of like a cyberpunk version of “Pinocchio.”
6.)Innocence- Paul Cox’s bittersweet romance about a couple who find love in their autumn years is one of the year’s most compelling dramas. Wonderfully acted by Julia Blake and Charles Tingwell.
7.)Amores Perros-Three thrilling interlocking stories about a group of characters that come together in a car crash. The first tale of a man in love with his brother’s wife is brilliant, but the other two are excellent as well. As tough and riveting as Tarantino’s best work, but with better characterization. In Spanish with English sub-titles.
8.)Bully-Ugly but powerful film about a ludicrous plan to murder an evil teen, which goes bad. Brutal teen angst in the tradition of “The River’s Edge” and “Kids” has some unexpected moments of dark comedy.
9.)The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring-Dazzling fantasy epic about a young man’s mission to protect a magic ring. Surprisingly well cast film features the most exciting battle scenes of the year, stunning special effects and marvelous sets. It takes viewers completely into another world.
10.)Shrek-Charming family film about a tough- on the surface ogre who falls in love with a human woman. It cleverly plays with fairy tale conventions, and effectively blends comedy, adventure, and romance. This Dreamworks feature satirizes their competition, the Disney empire.
Honorable Mentions: A Beautiful Mind, Amelie, Bread and Tulips, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Crazy/Beautiful (until the ending). Fat Girl, Final Fantasy, Ghost World, The Gleaners, In the Bedroom, Iron Monkey, In the Mood for Love, Keep to the Right, Moulin Rogue, No Man’s Land, 101 Reykjavik, The Others, Save the Last Dance, The Son’s Room, Save the Last Dance, Taboo, Waking Life, When Brendan Met Trudy, The Widow of Saint Pierre, With a Friend Like Harry
Best Actress-Thora Birch in “Ghost World” was completely captivating as the cynical new wave chick who plays matchmaker for a sad sack record collector.
Best Actor-Haley Joel Osment showed he could out act many of his adult contemporaries in his moving “A.I”. performance.
Most disappointing film- “Pearl Harbor”-The great battle scenes don’t make up for the terrible drama, half-baked characters, sophomoric performances, and preposterous dialog.
