THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY : Tuesday 28th July 2020.

'THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY' which I saw earlier in the week is an MA15+ Rated drama thriller Directed by Giuseppe Capotondi who has helmed numerous music videos over the years, television commercials and a small number of TV series and feature films. This film adaptation is based on the 1971 book of the same name by Charles Willeford and was chosen as the closing film for last years Venice International Film Festival and went on release in the US on 6th March and was then pulled when the world went into COVID-19 lockdown. It was re-released a couple of weeks ago now in Australia and is scheduled for a re-run in US theatres from 7th August, has generated mixed or average Reviews and has so far grossed US$208K.

The film opens up with ambitious and charming art critic, James Figueras (Claes Bang) who has fallen from grace somewhat and now spends his time lecturing rich American tourists into the why's and wherefore's of the art world around many Italian cities famed for their artworks.  He's happy to bend the truth by incorporating a series of convincingly told fabrications to demonstrate the power that art critics can have upon the unsuspecting admirer or purchaser, but comes clean in the end with his rouse when the lecture is over and his American customers are bidding their thanks and farewells.

All except Berenice Hollis (Elizabeth Debicki) who hangs back because of the free chips on offer, and because they seem to share a chemistry. That chemistry soon lands the pair in the sack together in Figueras' Milan apartment. Having learnt that Figueras was a failed art student who was advised to go into art journalism by his teacher, and that Hollis hails from a small town south of Duluth, Minnesota where an indiscretion with a married teacher has meant she is on forced leave for an extended period, there is little else we know about their back stories.

Following their night of passion Figueras invites his new love interest to the Lake Como home of wealthy art dealer Joseph Cassidy (Mick Jagger), who has contacted Figueras and extended an invitation for him to spend the weekend, for reasons that are as yet unclear. Upon arrival at the palatial home, the pair are escorted up to their room and told to make themselves available in one hour for lunch. Over lunch the three get acquainted, and taking coffee out on the verandah overlooking Lake Como, Cassidy announces that residing in a small cottage on the edge of the estate is renowned and very reclusive artist Jerome Debney (Donald Sutherland) who has not been interviewed for the past fifty years. Cassidy invites Figueras to break that drought, on one condition.

And that one condition, is that Figueras 'procures' a Debney artwork for his own collection, no questions asked, otherwise Figueras goes home empty handed and Cassidy will expose some dirt he has on the art critic from his past. Figueras reluctantly agrees although has no idea how is going to get his hands on a Debney painting without paying a princely sum for, or without the artist knowing about it. The first hurdle however, is getting the reclusive artist to agree to an interview.

The next morning while idling by the pool, along saunters Debney and the three strike up a conversation. By now Cassidy has had to fly out of town leaving Figueras and Hollis to make the most of the weekend and have the run of the estate. Debney is instantly taken with Hollis, and he agrees to let Figueras interview him if he can swim two lengths of the swimming pool under water, which he does, of course. Debney then sets out his agenda for the day which includes a boat ride later that afternoon and dinner that evening in his cottage, during which time they will engage in conversation rather than a formal interview.

For the boat ride across the lake Figueras makes his apologies saying that he needs to rest up, so deputising to Hollis to accompany Debney. Figueras has an ulterior motive naturally, and while the pair are away enjoying each others company, he attempts to break in to Debney's very secure cottage, albeit unsuccessfully. We have also learned subsequently that Debney has no surviving art works from his earlier years as these were all destroyed in two fires - the first at his home, and the second years later at a gallery which housed his collection. He then went into self imposed hiding and barely no one has seen him, or his paintings, for the past fifty years.

Later that evening having talked and eaten Figueras asks Debney if he can see his art work collection. Debney at first is offended by the request stating that it is his choice not to show the world his paintings and they are private works, but Figueras counters this with better the world to see his collection while he is still alive, than to have free rein when he is dead and ransack his work when he is no longer around to defend it. Reluctantly Debney agrees and takes them into a secure locked studio fitted out with unopened tubes of paint, brushes, blank canvases, easels, more blank canvases and more still. There is not a single painting in the whole room. Figueras, who was hoping to 'procure' a painting in an unguarded moment when on cue Hollis would drop her drink glass, is left dumbfounded and astounded by this revelation. Hollis happens to notice on the reverse side of a canvas the title of the supposed painting 'The Burnt Orange Heresy', and upon enquiring Debney responds that the title is just meant to fool anyone who comes looking. Figueras goes outside to catch his breath, and is joined by Hollis and Debney moments later. Debney takes his leave saying that he has a date with an older lady and he cannot leave her waiting and so bids them both farewell.

In walking back to the villa Figueras realises that he has left his laptop and satchel back at the cottage. He tells Hollis to pack their bags as they are leaving immediately. He walks back to the cottage to retrieve his laptop and satchel alone. There he forcibly breaks in, and re-enters Debney's studio. He bundles a whole bunch of paint tubes into his satchel, together with some brushes. He then takes the blank canvas with the inscription 'The Burnt Orange Heresy' written on the reverse and wraps this inside a towel. Next he upturns all the blank canvases, easels, rips up sheets of paper and then squirts a flammable paint thinner all around the room and then sets light to the room. He makes a quick exit as the cottage is very quickly engulfed in flames. He arrives back at the villa before Hollis appears with their bags, by which time he has bundled the blank canvas into the boot of his Range Rover out of sight. They then drive through the night back to Milan.

Hollis slumps exhausted on the bed, while Figueras says he going to start work on his interview notes while its still fresh in his memory. While Hollis sleeps Figueras retrieves the paints, brushes and blank canvas from his car, and sets them up in his office. The phone rings and it is Cassidy enquiring about the fire at his property and whether he was successful in securing a Debney painting before the place burnt to the ground. Figueras answers in the affirmative and Cassidy responds asking him to describe the painting to him which is called 'The Burnt Orange Heresy'. Cassidy much to his joy further adds that he is now the owner of the only Debney painting anywhere in existence since all of his other works burnt in the fire. When Cassidy hangs up, Figueras begins painting his own interpretation of 'The Burnt Orange Heresy' duly signing it with Debney's signature once complete.

Hollis wakes up later and ventures into the office and sees the still wet painting, touching the wet paint with her fingertip. She goes into the bathroom and confronts Figueras. Running a bath, the pair argue, and needless to say it doesn't end well for Hollis. Shortly after the fire, the art world mourns the loss of Debney who died of a heart attack. Sometime later, Figueras has written a book - a retrospective of Debney which is selling like hot cakes, and in New York at Cassidy's Gallery, the pair are seen schmoozing with the who's who of the art world and celebrating 'The Burnt Orange Heresy' which is there on display for all the world to see as Debney's sole surviving painting. One art critic remarks to Figueras that she finds it amazing that Debney had the foresight to leave his fingerprint slap bang in the middle of his artwork, which he had overlooked completely and reels away in horror. Cassidy makes some comments about the whereabouts of Hollis, who has mysteriously disappeared and states that Debney was found in the swimming pool of the villa, face down, drowned. Cassidy also tells Figueras that shortly before his death, Debney sent a sketch to Hollis' mother in Duluth, but as it wasn't signed it is worthless. The film closes out with the sketch of Hollis on her mothers fridge at their home in Duluth, beside newspaper clippings reporting on the first anniversary since her disappearance, and the camera comes to rest on Debney's signature.

Milan with its stunning architecture and Lake Como with its plush lakeside residences provide the smart sexy locations; the glamorous world of works of art, galleries, collectors, artists and critics sets the scene; intelligent dialogue; top notch performances from the four lead characters (even if Mick Jagger comes across as being out of his depth in the company of the other three acclaimed Actors) and a plot that has more surprises in store than you can keep track of, verging on the ridiculous by the time the end credits roll. The first two acts move along a good pace and will keep you riveted, but by the time the third act comes to be the imagination is stretched, all realism is lost and the believability of the pay day is forced to bring the films conclusion to a hastily delivered ending. The film certainly looks the part and there is a real chemistry between Debicki, Bang and Sutherland on screen - it's just a shame that their characters are not more fleshed out from their brief initial introduction, and the film will leave you hanging with plenty of unanswered questions.

'The Burnt Orange Heresy' merits three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard, out of a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-  

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 16th July 2020.

The Coronavirus is far from over, but is seems that governments and authorities from near, far and wide have eased up on restrictions and have allowed the movie going public to return, albeit with some caveats, to their local Odeon, movie theatre, or cinema multiplex to enjoy the full film experience as most film production companies would prefer. And so having been in cinematic lockdown and languished in movie wasteland, apart of course from those newly released to Netflix in the past four months, this week sees a welcome return and a gentle easing back into the world of big screen film entertainment . . . and long may it continue!

And so for the coming week, there are five new films to entice you out to your local Odeon on a cold Winters night in the middle of July. Launching with an American semi-autobiographical comedy drama about a mid-20 year old with a bad case of arrested development who through a series of events is compelled to take his first steps into full blown adulthood. This is followed up by a story of a washed up art critic who is invited to steal a noted painting from a renowned artist, only to have his greed and ambition spin a web around him from which there seems to be little hope of escape. Next up is a mystery comedy drama about the seemingly perfect wife with a perfect husband, a perfect daughter and a perfect home who suddenly one day ups sticks and disappears and how her family then embark on an adventure to find her again. We then wrap up the week with two horror offerings - one set in a Jewish Orthodox community where a young man is asked to keep watch one night over the deceased body of a Holocaust survivor - but this is far from the simple task it at first seems; followed up by the story of a social media Vlogger and his thirst for adventure and pushing the envelope for the sake of notoriety and more followers, he and his group of friends bite off more than they can chew when they go in search of more thrills in Moscow.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the five latest release new movies as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the week ahead.

'THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND' (Rated MA15+) - this American comedy drama film is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Judd Apatow, whose previous film making credits include 'The 40 Year Old Virgin', 'Knocked Up', 'Funny People', 'This is 40' and 'Trainwreck'. Apatow is also a Comedian and Actor who has received numerous award wins and nominations throughout his career. Originally intended to be released in cinemas, it was released instead digitally on various streaming services on 12th June, although it does now also receive a theatrical release this week across Australia. The film is a semi autobiographical look at the life of American Actor and Comedian who has been a regular on Saturday Night Live, Pete Davidson, who with Apatow also co-wrote the screenplay.

Scott Carlin (Pete Davidson) has been a case of arrested development since his firefighter Dad died as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Centre on 9/11. Living on New York's Staten Island, and now approaching his mid-20's, he spends his days smoking weed and dreaming of becoming a serious tattoo artist. As his ambitious younger sister Claire (Maude Apatow) heads off to college, Scott is still living with his exhausted ER nurse mother Margie (Marisa Tomei) and hanging with his besties - Oscar (Ricky Velez), Igor (Moises Arias) and Richie (Lou Wilson) and secretly hooking up with his childhood friend Kelsey (Bel Powley). But when his mother starts dating a loudmouth firefighter named Ray (Bill Burr), it sets off a chain of events that will force Scott to grapple with his grief and take his first tentative steps toward moving forward in life. Also starring Steve Buscemi. 

'THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY' (Rated MA15+) - is a drama thriller Directed by Giuseppe Capotondi who has helmed numerous music videos over the years, television commercials and a small number of TV series and feature films. This film adaptation is based on the 1971 book of the same name by Charles Willeford and was chosen as the closing film for last years Venice International Film Festival and went on release in the US on 6th March and was then pulled when the world went into COVID-19 lockdown. It is re-released this week. Ambitious and charming art critic, James Figueras (Claes Bang), has fallen from grace. Spending his days in Milan lecturing witless tourists about art history, his only ray of sunshine in his otherwise drab world is a new-found love interest, the enigmatic American, Berenice Hollis (Elizabeth Debicki). An opportunity strikes when he is contacted by wealthy art dealer Joseph Cassidy (Mick Jagger) who invites James to his Lake Como villa and asks him to steal a painting from the renowned reclusive artist, Jerome Debney (Donald Sutherland). Soon, James’ greed and ambition prove too much as he finds himself caught in a web of his own making. The film has generated mixed or average Reviews so far.

'THE VIGIL' (Rated CTC) - this American supernatural horror film is Written and Directed by first-timer Keith Thomas and saw its World Premier screening at TIFF in September last year and is Executive Produced by Blumhouse Productions. Here Yakov Ronan (Dave Davis) plays a young Jewish man who is hired by local Rabbi Reb Schulem (Menashe Lustig) to sit in vigil over a recently deceased Holocaust survivor. Ronan has lost his faith, has fled from the insular community he once called home and is also broke so he accepts the opportunity to watch over the body for one evening (as is the case in the Jewish community) - after all what could go wrong? Well it seems quite a lot actually, as he is targeted by a malevolent spirit known as a dybbuk (a malicious possessing spirit believed to be the dislocated soul of a dead person. It supposedly leaves the host body once it has accomplished its goal, sometimes after being helped). Also starring Lynn Cohen (who died in February this year aged 86) as Mrs. Litvak, this film has garnered generally positive Reviews so far.

'WHERE'D YOU GO BERNADETTE' (Rated M) - Directed and Co-Written for the screen by Richard Linklater this American mystery comedy drama is based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Maria Semple. Released in the US in August 2019 off the back of an US$18M production budget, the film has so far grossed US$11M, has received mixed or average Reviews, and only now does it get an Australian release. Former architect Bernadette Fox (Cate Blanchette) seems to have it all - a beautiful home in Seattle, a successful and loving husband Elgin (Billy Crudup), and a brilliant teenage daughter Balakrishna 'Bee' (Emma Nelson) who's about to attend boarding school. When Bernadette suddenly disappears without a trace, her concerned family sets off on an exciting adventure to solve the mystery of where she might have gone. Also starring Kristen Wiig, Laurence Fishburne, Judy Greer, Steve Zahn and Megan Mullally. 

'FOLLOW ME' (Rated MA15+) - Directed, Written and Produced by Will Wernick whose last film making outing was 2017's 'Escape Room', here he assembles a cast for his next horror thriller about an increasingly popular and successful VLOGGER whose social media posts capture his exploits at their most dangerous, adventurous and at times bizarre. Always seeing to push the limits and grow his audience hungry for more exploits, Cole (Keegan Allen) travels with a small group of friends to Moscow for their next adventure. Once there, they enter a cold world of mystery, excess and danger that rapidly blurs the lines between real life and the life of social media. They in turn must fight to survive, and escape. Also starring Holland Roden, Ronan Rubinstein, Kimberly Quinn, Denzel Whitaker and Pasha D. Lychnikoff. 

With five new release films this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere in the week ahead, at your local Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-