For those who thought they had Darren Aronofsky’s films sussed out, they will not know what hit them with Caught Stealing. This over-the-top nineties period piece is wild and crazy in a most fun manner. Those are words not often attached to his work, but after a long and illustrious filmography of very assertive works, we can forgive him for just wanting to have a little fun.

Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) is just a dude tasked with looking after his neighbour’s cat, Bud. Said resident, Russ (Doctor Who’s Matt Smith), is a mohawked punk rocker who has to travel back to England to visit his ailing father. Hank is completely unprepared for the shite show that is coming his way from this bit of neighbourly assistance.

Thrown into a world inhabited by crazy Russian Mobsters, coke-snorting barkeeps and two absolutely bonkers Hasidic brothers, Lipa and Shmully Drucker, who are played by an almost unrecognisable Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio. These two turn Hank’s world upside down. The bros are absolute sociopaths and believe in a scorched-earth policy when it comes to conflict resolution.

Based on a book of the same name by Charlie Huston, Caught Stealing is set in a time frame that reflects a pivotal time in Aronofsky’s life. It’s less than hyper realistic in contrast to most of his earlier work, and the absurdest sense of humour on display might hint that he has some fond memories of that time. Taken in the context of his collected works, it’s a welcome side step.
Rob Hudson
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Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) was a high-school baseball phenom who can’t play anymore, but everything else is going okay. He’s got a great girl (Zoë Kravitz), tends bar at a New York dive, and his favourite team is making an underdog run at the pennant.

When his punk-rock neighbour Russ (Matt Smith) asks him to take care of his cat for a few days, Hank suddenly finds himself caught in the middle of a motley crew of threatening gangsters. They all want a piece of him; the problem is he has no idea why. As Hank attempts to evade their ever-tightening grip, he’s got to use all his hustle to stay alive long enough to find out…

Caught Stealing is directed by Academy Award® nominee Darren Aronofsky, screenplay by Charlie Huston, based on his book of the same name. The film stars Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Griffin Dunne, Benito A Martínez Ocasio, and Carol Kane
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This film is never tranquil in its intent or its execution. It’s based on a play of the same name written by Samuel D. Hunter (who also penned the screenplay). It tells the story of Charlie a morbidly obese man who is so damaged by losing the one he loved, he is eating himself to death.

In his mind, his fate is sealed and in the last moments of his life, he tries to make a connection with his daughter Ellie, played with venomous intensity by Sadie Sink. She is truly awful but Charlie sees only the good in her and still feels deep guilt over abandoning her and her mother when she was a young child.

Aronofsky builds in so much discomfort with his creative choices, you are never left at ease. Fraser’s performance is a master class in delivering emotion with a minimal amount of body activity. His sad puppy dog eyes will tear out your heart. This is not easy to digest cinema but for those that are up for the challenge, it creates real and visceral emotions.
Rob Hudson
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A reclusive English teacher living with severe obesity attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter for one last chance at redemption.

The Whale is coming to Australian cinemas February 2.

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I’ve read director Darren Aronofsky sees this as a companion piece to his 2008 film, The Wrestler and it’s easy to see why. Both are an examination on the extremes one will go to for their art. However in this case he ramps things up visually and thematically into a full-scale assault on the senses. This film engenders absolutely no passive feelings.

The demand Aronofsky places on the audience is a mirror of the demands he placed on his cast members and the two main actors turn in outstanding performances. Portman’s excellence is not a great surprise (once she tackles a script worthy of her talents) but Mila Kunis is a revelation. Who though the TV actor could so effectively throw off the shackles of being cute and become so dangerous?

Even though it’s early in the new year, what better way to add that first entry to your best of list than Black Swan. It’s an experience that will resonate for a long time.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/20thCenturyStudiosAUNZ

From Darren Aronosfky, director of Requiem For A Dream & Black Swan, Academy Award ® winners Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem star in mother!

A couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.

Mother stars Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, and Michelle Pfeiffer in this Darren Aronofsky film – in cinemas September 14!

www.facebook.com/OfficialMotherMovie

From Darren Aronosfky, director of Requiem For A Dream & Black Swan, Academy Award ® winners Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem star in mother!

A couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.

Mother stars Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, and Michelle Pfeiffer in this Darren Aronofsky film – in cinemas September 14!

www.facebook.com/OfficialMotherMovie