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Edinburgh International Film Festival · 2013

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2013

American Dreams

Programme

8 films · 8 reviews

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The Bling Ring

Review preview for The Bling Ring

The Bling Ring cuts through the vapid foam to the vapid core to ask questions about morality, responsibility and where desolate idleness may lead.

Anne-Katrin Titze · 4 out of 5
A group of teenage fans monitors celebrities' activities over the internet in order to rob their homes.

(Country: US; Year: 2013; Director: Sofia Coppola; Writer: Sofia Coppola; Stars: Katie Chang, Israel Broussard, Emma Watson, Claire Julien, Taissa Farmiga, Georgia Rock, Leslie Mann, Carlos Miranda, Gavin Rossdale, Stacy Edwards, G. Mac Brown, Marc Coppola, Janet Song, Annie Fitzgerald, Lorenzo Hunt)

Full review

C.O.G.

Review preview for C.O.G.

Despite Alvarez's good work with his actors, the oil of Sedaris's satirical characters and water of Alvarez's indie sensibilities refuse to mix.

Amber Wilkinson · 2.5 out of 5
A student takes time out in Oregon and learns some life lessons.

(Country: US; Year: 2013; Director: Kyle Patrick Alvarez; Writer: Kyle Patrick Alvarez; Stars: Jonathan Groff, Denis O'Hare, Corey Stoll, Dean Stockwell, Casey Wilson, Troian Bellisario)

Full review

The East

Review preview for The East

The setting may be current and sound edgy on paper but beneath the zeitgeist veneer, the mainstream thriller formula they employ is as familiar as your slippers.

Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
A spy who has infiltrated an eco-terrorist group, finds her loyalties tested.

(Country: US; Year: 2013; Director: Zal Batmanglij; Writer: Zal Batmanglij, Brit Marling; Stars: Brit Marling, Alexander Skarsgård, Elliot Page, Toby Kebbell, Shiloh Fernandez, Patricia Clarkson)

Full review See: Sundance 2013: Capsule reviews of Ain't Them Bodies Saints, The East and Stoker

Frances Ha

Review preview for Frances Ha

You can enter through the objects, like an Eames chair or three pairs of Ray Bans, bought online. Or through the religious conflict inherent in a bacon bagel.

Anne-Katrin Titze · 4 out of 5
Lightning-in-a-bottle, Noah Baumbach’s love poem to his star and co-writer Greta Gerwig recalls Godard’s early celebrations of Anna Karina, but, as a New York movie, it’s beautiful in a brand new way.

(Country: US; Year: 2012; Director: Noah Baumbach; Writer: Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig; Stars: Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver, Michael Zegen, Patrick Heusinger, Teddy Cañez, Hannah Dunne, Grace Gummer, William Todd Levinson, Marina Squerciati, Finnerty Steeves)

Full review See: 2012 New York Film Festival - diary two

Magic Magic

Review preview for Magic Magic

Worth seeing for the performances but ultimately confusion reigns.

Amber Wilkinson · 2.5 out of 5
A young American starts to unravel on a trip to Chile.

(Country: US, Chile; Year: 2013; Director: Sebastián Silva; Writer: Sebastián Silva; Stars: Michael Cera, Juno Temple, Emily Browning, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Augustín Silva)

Full review See: Keeping score: Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurrians talk about Last Days In The Desert, Enemy and Wolfpack

This is Martin Bonner

Review preview for This is Martin Bonner

This Is Martin Bonner is undoubtedly a small film but it is finely crafted and has a big heart.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
Two men embark on an unlikely friendship.

(Country: US; Year: 2013; Director: Chad Hartigan; Writer: Chad Hartigan; Stars: Paul Eenhoorn, Richmond Arquette, Sam Buchanan, Robert Longstreet, Demetrius Gross)

Full review See: Chad Hartigan and Richmond Arquette in conversation about This Is Martin Bonner , Paul Eenhoorn interview about This Is Martin Bonner

Upstream Color (Upstream Colour)

Review preview for Upstream Color

The subject of understanding and mystery prove a sticking point, with the film remaining so wilfully opaque that it is more frustrating than rewarding by the end credits.

Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
A man and woman are drawn together as they try to reassemble their wrecked lives.

(Country: US; Year: 2013; Director: Shane Carruth; Writer: Shane Carruth; Stars: Amy Seimetz, Shane Carruth, Andrew Sensenig, Thiago Martins)

Full review See: New Directors/New Films preview

What Maisie Knew

Review preview for What Maisie Knew

Directed with wit and panache by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, written by Carroll Cartwright and Nancy Doyne, Maisie stays true to Henry James's two-part essence.

Anne-Katrin Titze · 4.5 out of 5
A divorce and custody battle from the perspective of a young girl.

(Country: US; Year: 2012; Director: Scott McGehee, David Siegel; Writer: Nancy Doyne, Carroll Cartwright, Henry James; Stars: Julianne Moore, Alexander Skarsgård, Onata Aprile, Joanna Vanderham, Steve Coogan, Sadie Rae, Jesse Stone Spadaccini, Diana García, Amelia Campbell, Maddie Corman, Paddy Croft, Trevor Long, Emma Holzer, Nadia Gan, Samantha Buck)

Full review