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Top 10 of 2012

The following are the ten best films that I was able to see that were released in 2012.

1. Oslo, August 31^st

From Norway, Oslo, August 31^st is the most profound film of 2012. Forget that you have probably never heard of it, this movie holds your attention from the opening scenes through the final, harrowing scene. Oslo, August 31^st takes place during a twenty-four hour period when alcoholic and drug addict Anders, played by Anders Danielsen, takes leave from a rehab clinic for a job interview. He visits an old friend, now married and a father. These two have a frank conversation about the paths they have taken in life, and Anders conveys his desperation and sense of uselessness. Through recollections, we gather that Anders was once a promising young man. Dejected and surrounded by a city full of reminders of his troubled past, Anders faces the urge to keep battling or surrender. Oslo, August 31 kept me fully invested, is perfectly paced, and without a doubt evoked the strongest reaction of any of the films I saw in 2012.

2. Silver Lining Playbook

The most original movie of the year, Silver Linings Playbook is a refreshing comedy-drama with riveting characters and a terrific script. Bradley Cooper provides the best performance of his career as Pat, who has just left a mental health facility following the assault of the man who was having affair with his wife. Pat, who has bipolar disorder, is obsessed with winning back his wife. Great performances come from Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver as Pat’s parents. Crucial to the film’s success is the performance of Jennifer Lawrence (from Winter’s Bone and The Hunger Games) as Tiffany, who befriends Pat and convinces him to participate in a dance competition with her. Tiffany is also a little mentally unstable and knows it, and doesn’t care. The conversations between Pat and Tiffany provide comedy and frankness that makes their relationship so unique. The dialogue in Silver Linings Playbook is impeccable and David O. Russell’s direction maintains an effective tone throughout the film. Even in the most dramatic moments, there is an atmosphere of absurdity in Silver Linings Playbook that makes this film stand out.

3. Argo

The film that has emerged as a slight favorite to win Best Picture at the Oscar’s is Argo, and for good reason. Argo builds and builds tension, using the true story of the rescue of six Americans from Tehran during the Iran Hostage Crisis. Ben Affleck directs and stars as C.I.A. agent Tony Mendez, who comes up with the plan to rescue the six Americans, hiding out at the Canadian embassy in Tehran, by using cover as a Canadian film crew scouting for a sci-fi film called “Argo.” Fantastic supporting performances come from Alan Arkin and John Goodman, members of the film industry who work to create a believable cover for the fake movie. Many sweaty palms will be found in the audience of Argo, as the tension is high as well as the consequences. Argo benefits from being based on a true story and never losing credibility with the audience. All credit to Ben Affleck for creating the best thriller in recent memory.

4. Celeste and Jesse Forever

One of the most overlooked films of 2012 is the intelligent comedy Celeste and Jesse Forever starring Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg. Written by Jones and Will McCormack, the film tells the story of Celeste and Jesse, a separated couple who still spend most of their time together during the day, but sleep alone at night. Celeste seems content to allow this arrangement to go on forever. It seems it may until Jesse begins dating again and complications arise. Celeste goes through the process that is familiar to us all of thinking she is right and gradually realizing that perhaps she is wrong. Celeste and Jesse Forever takes the romantic-comedy formula and twists it, providing an inventive, genuinely funny comedy rooted in the delightful performance of Rashida Jones. Humorous supporting performances from Elijah Wood and Emma Roberts add enjoyment to the viewing of this film. Celeste and Jesse Forever is what great comedies should strive to be: smart, funny, with some heart at the center.

5. Lincoln

As a history buff, I found Lincoln to be a fascinating watch. As a moviegoer, Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln is storytelling at its finest and acting at its highest level. As the celebrated president, Daniel Day-Lewis gives a mesmerizing performance that is worthy of the Academy Award he will receive next month. Wisely, the film decides to focus on the last months of Abraham Lincoln’s life, during which he bravely pushed for the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment, which outlawed slavery in the United States. Lincoln details the methods in which Lincoln governed and gained the passing of the amendment in the House of Representatives. Sally Field is predictably effective as Mary Todd Lincoln, encapsulating the strains the presidency and the loss of a young child placed upon the first lady. Tommy Lee Jones gives one of his best performances of the past decade as abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens. Joseph Gordon-Levitt does good work as young Robert Todd Lincoln. Lincoln may be the most important film of the year and comes at an appropriate time in American history.

6. The Impossible

Easily the most provocative film released in 2012 is The Impossible, which chronicles the true plight of the Belon family, who endured and survived the disastrous 2004 tsunami. Renamed the Bennett family in the film, the husband and wife and their three sons are on Christmas vacation in Thailand when the tsunami hits their resort, with no warning. Naomi Watts is terrific as Maria, who, along with her oldest son Lucas (Tom Holland), becomes separated from the rest of her family. Seriously wounded, Maria and Lucas are aided by locals, who transport Maria to a hospital to receive much needed medical attention. Henry, played by Ewan McGregor, finds himself in the remnants of the hotel with the two younger sons. This family’s story of survival and reconnection is truly inspirational and at times heartbreaking. With numerous earned tearjerker moments and some cringe-worthy visuals, The Impossible is not for the viewer is not willing to be challenged. The visuals of the tsunami itself are devastating and capture the enormity of the storm. Watts here is particularly impressive in her performance and young Holland’s is one to be remembered. The Impossible is a humbling, awing viewing experience.

7. Smashed

Alcoholism affects many, many Americans. Films have taken a hard-lined look at the addiction before, but James Ponsoldt’s Smashed mixes comedy with the alcoholic’s life so that the film does not become too heavy-handed. Mary Elizabeth Winstead stars as Kate, a capable teacher who enjoys partying hard with her husband Charlie (Aaron Paul) on nights off. Following emptying her stomach in front of her classroom of young children, Kate begins to realize that she may indeed have a drinking problem. Nick Offerman is hilarious as the awkwardly helpful Dave, a vice principal at the school who turns out to be a recovered alcoholic. Kate attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with Dave, where she meets Jenny (Octavia Spencer), who becomes her mentor. Charlie does not take Kate’s new life direction very well and their marriage begins to struggle. Smashed takes a look at the tough side of recovering from alcoholism in a way I have never considered. Winstead’s somewhat subdued performance is one of the most enjoyable ones of the year.

8. A Late Quartet

One of the more puzzling films of 2012 to me, in that it received little mainstream recognition, was A Late Quartet. Featuring a stellar cast that includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, and Catherine Keener, A Late Quartet is a fine display of acting. Peter (Walken), Robert (Hoffman), Juliette (Keener), and Daniel (Mark Ivanir) compose a world-renowned quartet that has been together for over two decades. The members complement each other well, but now something has changed. Peter has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and wants to leave the quartet. This creates conflict between the remaining members that has been brewing for years. Robert and Juliette are also married. Robert wants to play first violin, which has been occupied by Daniel since the group’s inception. Juliette does not understand the timing and their relationship suffers. Daniel gives lessons to Robert and Juliette’s daughter Alexandra (Imogen Poots), a relationship that quickly evolves beyond teacher-student. Christopher Walken is tremendous here as a man who feels his time is up and resents that the others cannot accept this. The conclusion to A Late Quartet is subtly very poignant. The talent in this film jumps out of the screen and I found A Late Quartet to be one of the more enjoyable watches of 2012.

9. A Royal Affair

Mads Mikkelsen is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors and A Royal Affair is a terrific display of his talent. The Danish actor, known in the United States from his role in Casino Royale, portrays Johann Friedrich Struensee, a German doctor who became the royal physician to King Christian VII of Denmark in the late 18^th century. At the height of the Enlightenment, Struensee is a proponent of the ideas of the movement, which were considered radical at the time. Christian VII (Mikkel Folsgaard) is mentally deranged and unpredictable. Dr. Streunsee is able to handle the king, who eventually comes to trust the physician more than anyone else. At first skeptical, the young queen Caroline (Alicia Vikander) comes to favor the ideals of Streunsee. Influenced by the doctor and the queen, Christian begins to pass radical reforms, which conflict with the traditional Danish court. As the title suggests, the relationship between Struensee and the young queen intensifies. The new reforms and the affair will have consequences among the Danish nobility. A Royal Affair has two main storylines: the conflict between old and new views of the world, and the passionate romance between the doctor and the queen. A Royal Affair is of the finest quality of period pieces. Alicia Vikander is an intriguing young actress, who could follow in the steps of fellow Swedish actress Noomi Rapace.

10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

This generation of young people has been largely unrepresented or misrepresented in film. The Perks of Being a Wallflower provides a film that speaks for part of a generation, sort of in the way that The Breakfast Club did in the 1980s. Director and screenwriter Stephen Chbosky adapts the story from his own novel, so no straying away from the book here. The three main cast members are strong in Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller. Charlie (Lerman) is entering high school during a tough period; he just lost his closest friend to suicide. Thus he is viewed as a freak of sorts. He finds refuge with two older students: Sam (Watson) and Patrick (Miller), both of whom are averse to fitting in with the crowd and take Charlie for who he is. Telling much more about the plot would be giving away too much, but The Perks of Being a Wallflower has a strong message, not overt, but effective. For Lerman, this is a breakout role for him. Emma Watson picked a great film to be part of following the heavy scrutiny of the Harry Potter films. Following We Need to Talk About Kevin, Ezra Miller is quickly becoming known as one of the most versatile young actors in the business.

Honorable Mention: Seeking a Friend For the End of the World, Seven Psychopaths, Moonrise Kingdom, The Master, Safety Not Guaranteed, Monsieur Lazhar, We Have a Pope, Rampart, Jeff Who Lives at Home

Trey Townsend

Follow Trey on Twitter @TreyMTownsend

Any comments or questions regarding Trey’s movie recommendations may be sent to trey.townsend@legacyworksproductions.org

P.S. Vist rogerebert.com for the best movie reviews on the web.