Women in film was a hot topic in 2015, both behind and in front of the camera, and there’s no doubt that gender disparity remains a huge problem for the industry. This year has, however, seen a number of filmmakers create strong, memorable and diverse female characters, and I wrote the following piece in celebration of the best of them for the British Independent Film Awards ceremony brochure.
Gambler Gerry (Ben Mendelsohn) is feeling the pressure of another losing streak when a chance meeting with charismatic poker player Curtis (Ryan Reynolds) seems to bring about a change of fortune. The pair set out on a cross-country journey, from Iowa to Louisiana, determined to win big, but Gerry’s capacity for self-destruction threatens to derail them at every turn.
Anyone who’s seen one or both of the Transformers movies may think they know what to expect from this latest collaboration between toy giants Hasbro and movie studio Paramount Pictures. So, then, it may come as something as a surprise to say that GI Joe is far more enjoyable than either of Michael Bay’s head-splitters. True, it’s utter action fantasy aimed squarely at kids and anyone who remembers playing soldiers in their back garden – the boys playfighting at the front of the screening I attended were clearly having an absolute ball – but if you take it in the spirit it’s intended there’s fun to be had.
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