Film Picks: Prodigies, Gladiator II, All We Imagine As Light

Prodigies special screenings and Q&A

French film-makers Frederic and Valentin Potier drew on the lives of French piano prodigies Audrey and Diane Pleynet for their debut feature film, Prodigies.

It stars Emily In Paris (2020 to 2024) actress Camille Razat and Melanie Robert as twin virtuoso pianists Claire and Jeanne respectively. The film follows the sisters’ ascent after they join the prestigious Karlsruhe Conservatory to train to become soloists.

However, they discover they are suffering from a rare disease that gradually weakens their hands. Refusing to give up on their dreams, Claire and Jeanne fight their illness and find ways to play the piano. 

There will be special screenings of Prodigies at Alliance Francaise de Singapour on Nov 27 and at Shaw Theatres Lido on Nov 28, followed by a question-and-answer session with French actors Razat, Robert and Franck Dubosc.

The film opens in Singapore cinemas on Dec 5.

Where: Alliance Francaise de Singapour, 1 Sarkies Road, and Shaw Theatres Lido, 350 Orchard Road
MRT: Newton/Orchard
When: Nov 27 and 28, 7pm
Admission: From $14.50
Info: 

str.sg/jgyw

and

str.sg/GSSx

Gladiator II (M18)

148 minutes, now showing
★★★☆☆

Gladiator wowed moviegoers when it was released 24 years ago and turned Russell Crowe into a bona fide Hollywood A-lister. The sword-and-sandal historical epic went on to win five Oscars, including for Best Actor for Crowe and Best Picture.

Film-maker Ridley Scott, again in the director’s chair for Gladiator II, still knows how to deliver blockbuster entertainment.

The sequel’s story is a straightforward revenge plot. Lucius (Paul Mescal) wants General Acacius’ (Pedro Pascal) head after the latter’s troops killed Lucius’ wife, and master of gladiators Macrinus (Denzel Washington) is more than happy to accede to his champion’s request.

Rising Irish actor Mescal is formidable as Lucius. There is much charisma underneath all the rage, and his brooding presence emphasises the maternal loss he suffered as a child.

His foil is Washington, who puts in sterling work as the manipulative Macrinus. He relishes his flamboyant character, one draped in fine garb and decked out in gold jewellery, yet holding his intentions close to his chest.

The double Academy Award winner chews up every scene and steals the show with each conniving smile and sly twinkle in his eye. The American actor deserves another Oscar nomination for this performance.

Gladiator II has a lot to live up to and, in some ways, it does. But one may miss the gravitas, heart and Hans Zimmer’s stirring score of the original.

There are several deja vu moments, but Gladiator II is entertaining enough to make it an adequate successor.

All We Imagine As Light (M18)

118 minutes, now showing exclusively at The Projector
★★★★☆

Conscientious head nurse Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and young, flirty Anu (Divya Prabha) are flatmates as well as colleagues at a hospital maternity ward in Mumbai.

Prabha is troubled at the arrival by post of a mysterious rice cooker, presumably from her husband, who has made no contact since moving to Germany after their arranged marriage: Is this his break-up token?

Anu is, meanwhile, secretly seeing a young Muslim man (Hridhu Haroon).

This is a story about absence in India’s most populous city, a metropolis of teeming bazaars and packed metro cars recorded in all its sensuous textures by Payal Kapadia’s impressionistic camera. The Indian writer-director is the documentarian behind A Night Of Knowing Nothing (2021).

It is not only the men they love who are absent or unavailable, but also the women’s emotional autonomy and any warmth of home. Prabha and Anu are among the millions of anonymous economic migrants passing through.

This humane tale of multigenerational sisterhood is too alive to their desires and dreams to be grim despite its awareness of social injustices and patriarchy. A surreal third act promises new beginnings, and the actresses are superb. – Whang Yee Ling