Jeff Lubeck

Shadow Dancer is a compelling movie worthy of your time and money.

Similar to Carol Reed’s **** Odd Man Out (1947) and Neil Jordan’s **** The Crying Game (1992), Shadow Dancer is an expertly paced thinking person’s Thriller about a conflict on the British Isles.  At 106 minutes run-time there are no Computer Generated Images (CGI) that need to be replayed 246 times (in order to properly amortize the expense) or Product placement. Also there are no trite and easily discarded Villains with overly long scenes explaining to our Lead actors why they must be killed by a school of Chilean Seas Bass ready to feed in a nearby pool.  Shadow Dancer is overt and subtle at-the-same-time. Just ask Ma – superbly played by Brid Brennan.

Shadow Dancer showcases two stars; the versatile, handsome and vulnerable Clive Owen (AAN The Closer, Children of Men, The Grouper) and the up and coming, handsome and vulnerable Andrea Riseborough (Oblivion).  Shadow Dancer also features, the handsome and not-so-vulnerable Gillian Anderson (X-Files) whom is somewhat misplaced, but intriguing non-the-less.

Shadow Dancer is Directed by Academy Award Winner Tom Marsh (AA Man on Wire) based on the screenplay and novel written Tom Bradby.

I never grow tired of intelligent films like these and at least for now – they can still be financed, made and released.

The Sapphires, a comedy and drama with a knockout musical soundtrack tells us the real-life story of a group of women from Australia in the 1960’s.  Based on the stage play of the same name written by Tony Briggs (the real life son of one of the real-life characters), the Sapphires are four talented young female singers, whom are subject to the constraints, bigotry and prejudice that dominates Australia.  The parallels to America at-the-time are not missed and in fact are referenced.  However, the Sapphires is not a dark depressing film and much like the characters powers through an uncomfortable topic and aspect of society with great spirit and soul.  There may be an argument for saying the film treads too lightly on some of the tougher topics, but that is not the point of the film.

Chris ODowd (Bridesmaids, This Is 40) is good as the loveable, but competency challenged manager who genuinely cares for and encourages the girls to improve their lot in life.  The four female leads are a complete breath of fresh air.  They are actually Australian, naturally beautiful, but do not appear to have have been run through the Hollywood gristmill of surgical augmentation, personal body trainers and the like. ODowd and the girls perform the singing.  Jessica Mauboy as Julie, has a commanding voice.  Debra Mailman as Gail, has all the skill and talent to play the films most demanding role.

As for the films soundtrack?  If you grew up liking the 1960’s sound of soul/gospel that crossed over to take control of and top the popular music charts – you are in for a treat.  The sound is genuine and true to the originals – except that the advances engineering and mixing of the 21st century are applied – to our full benefit.

It should be noted that Production Design (Melinda Doring), Art Direction (Janie Parker), Sets (Glen Johnson) and Costumes (Tess Schofield) are wonderful and similar to the music – worth the trip to the theater alone.