A country house situated in the London suburbs holds a collection of photography dating back through the last century. Plans have been raised to divide the collection and turn the house into a business school....
Three-part drama written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff about the battle to save a vast photographic library. A US property developer finds the library employees still ensconced in a London building he's come to renovate. After unsuccessfully trying to sell the pictures to an advertising agency Marilyn makes a personal plea to Anderson. Meanwhile, Oswald begins an investigation into Anderson after seeing a picture of his mother in the library.
With Potter and Bleasdale behind us, we were already in a golden age of drama that just happened to appear on television. Stronger than the Sun, Caught on a Train and Close my Eyes were major works that put Poliakoff into the top bracket. However, Shooting the Past makes it clear that they were early pieces. This is his middle period and the clearest exposition yet of his dramatic purpose. Photographs that capture both less and more than the moment are fascinating and fertile ground. Poliakoff often betters his peers because he also directs and in this case the performances he draws from already superb actors is quite extraordinary.
A work of genius and profound beauty. The casting is superb the cinematography, a delight. The acting is a tribute to the writing and direction and the "plot" a solid ... more >
A work of genius and profound beauty. The casting is superb the cinematography, a delight. The acting is a tribute to the writing and direction and the "plot" a solid metaphor for the times we may always be in. The many philosophical themes unfold effortlessly yet the drama is always engaging and intense. The film provides a place to work through some of the most important issues we may face about what we value in the present and the threats that those values face from a time-dominated world. There is more love and intelligence woven into this film than I have ever come across in a single production. Like the greatest classical music compositions, it has a timeless quality and an immediate relevance. If you havn't seen it, do. If you have seen it watch it again - there is more to it. Buy it, watch it and tell your friends about it. If you love film, you'll love THIS film. < less
"Shooting the Past" left me breathless. It's original, well written, and superlatively acted. The music and editing brought the already well-crafted movie to perfect... more >
"Shooting the Past" left me breathless. It's original, well written, and superlatively acted. The music and editing brought the already well-crafted movie to perfection. I cannot say enough about how moved I was by "Shooting the Past." I know it's a cliché to say the British understand complex material (let alone having written it), but I couldn't help thinking how mucked up an American production would have been. Not only would Oswald have been lost in a series of ticks and other "character-establishing" mayhem, but also Marilyn and Charles would have ended up in bed together and ruined a respectful friendship. Male and female friendship doesn't exist on screen in the U.S. Then there's the issue of Marilyn's complicated character. There's a movie just out in the States right now called "Being John Malcovich." Its originality blows your socks off in a way "Shooting the Past" does. But it relies on the fantastic where "Shooting the Past" takes realistic events and shapes them into a timeless story. I'm gushing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reinvigorating my love for film. < less
