As well as whole host of British actors dominating Hollywood and being praised widely for their wonderful work, it has also been another great year for British film itself with some corking movies hitting the big screen.
Starred Up
And it looks like 2015 is going to carry on that trend, as the likes of The Theory of Everything, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, High Rise and Absolutely Anything are just some that we are looking forward to seeing over the next twelve months.
While we are excited about what is on the horizon, we are going to look back at some of the standout British movies of the last year - some of the movies and performances really have been fantastic.
- Starred Up
One of the British actors who really did have a very successful 2014 was Jack O'Connell, and Starred Up was his major breakthrough film back in March - since this film has hit the big screen his star really has rocketed. The movie saw O'Connell team up with David Mackenzie, who was returning to the big screen for the first time since You Instead back in 2011.
The movie followed violent teenager Eric, who is moved into an adult prison for the first time. Here he comes face to face with his father. O'Connell is the heart and soul of this movie and really does give a very powerful central performance, which made everyone sit up and take note of him. Starred Up really was the film that helped put him on the map.
Starred Up is a compelling and rather brutal watch that just oozes realism at every turn - it really is one of the best prison dramas that we have been treated to in recent years. Mackenzie really does balance the brutality of the movie beautifully with more emotional moments and he draws wonderful performances from O'Connell. Rupert Friend and Ben Mendelsohn.
Starred Up was a critical hit when it was screened at the BFI London Film Festival in 2013, and went on to win over audiences when it was released at the beginning of the year. While O'Connell had a string of film and TV performances under his belt, it was Starred Up that really did cement him as a talent to watch out for.
- Pride
Pride is one of my favourite British movies this 2014, and it was the perfect way to kick off the autumn film season when it hit the big screen back in September. The movie saw Matthew Warchus in the director's chair, while George MacKay, Andrew Scott, Imelda Staunton, Bill Nighy, and Dominic West were just some of the names that made up the star-studied and talented cast.
The movie told the story of lesbian and gay activists who threw their support by the miners during their strike during 1984 - this film put a little known aspect of recent British history well and truly in the spotlight. While this movie was based on a true story and real characters, it was very much a film about the bond and strength of friendship as well as fighting the establishment and prejudice.
Pride may be a movie that tackles and explores a couple of serious issues - HIV/Aids is also touched up as well as the strike - but Warchus has mixed serious drama with humour in a way that will have you laughing and crying. It really is a terrifically fun movie with some wonderful performances, but there is a very strong and serious message at its core.
The movie was a huge critical hit when it was released and went on to scoop a string of gongs at the British Independent Spirit Awards. The film was nominated for seven awards, and walked away with Best British Independent Film, Best Supporting Actress for Imelda Staunton, and Best Supporting Actor for Andrew Scott. The movie has gone on to be nominated for the Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Golden Globe and British Film of the Year at the London Film Critics Circle Awards.
- Mr Turner
2014 saw Timothy Spall reunite with director Mike Leigh for new film Mr Turner, which was based on the last twenty-five years of artist J.M.W. Turner's life. Spall took on the title role in the film, which is one of the most critically acclaimed British movies of the year.
Mike Leigh is one of the greatest British filmmakers with the likes of Vera Drake, Secrets & Lies and Happy-Go-Lucky under his belt, Mr Turner was the first time that he had returned to the director's chair since the success of Another Year back in 2010. Spall has also enjoyed a great career that has spanned over thirty years, but Turner is one of the biggest and most important movies roles of that career - it is also one of the most critically acclaimed performances.
If you are a fan of British film but have not managed to see Mr Turner yet, then this is a movie that you really should check out, as it is just a wonderful film. If this had been a Hollywood movie, Turner would perhaps have been painted is a less harsh light and yet this is a warts and all film from Leigh. Turner may have been a genius with a paintbrush, but he was a difficult man and Leigh really does show this in this terrific biopic.
I have always been a fan of Timothy Spall, but this really is the best performance of his successful and illustrious career. He gets well and truly under the skin of this character and deserves all of the praise that has come his way. Spall picked up the Best Actor gong at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year and I was very surprised to see him miss out on Best Actor nominations at both the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards recently. However, he did pick up the Best Actor Award and the New York Film Critics Circle Awards.
- Locke
Tom Hardy is a bit of a favourite here at FemaleFirst, and he was back on the big screen this year with Locke, a movie that saw him team up with writer and director Steven Knight for the very first time. Locke was only the second feature film for Knight as a director after making his debut with Hummingbird in 2013.
Hardy took on the role of Ivan Locke, a man who receives a call that will put his career and family in jeopardy. The film takes place in one night and one riveting car journey with Hardy delivering a truly sensational solo performance. We have seen quite a few solo movies in recent years - Buried and All Is Lost are the couple that spring to mind - and we see Hardy shoulder the responsibility for the entire project beautifully.
This solo performance from Hardy is nothing short of a masterclass, as he commands the screen and demands you attention from the first moment until the final frame. Hardy may be the only character that you see for eight five minutes, but that doesn't stop Locke from being riveting and incredible tense.
Steve Knight must also be applauded for his work behind the camera. On paper a man just driving in the car and talking on the phone, doesn't really sound like an exciting premise. However, in Knight's hands, Locke is a movie that is as dramatic as it is funny, in what is a true human drama. It really is a gripping watch from start to finish.
The movie was a critical smash when it was released and Hardy went on to win Best Actor at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards. Hardy is one of the greatest actors of his generation and Locke once again shows off his versatility.
- '71
We have already looked at one terrific British film starring Jack O'Connell with Starred Up, but he returned to the big screen this autumn with a second… of course, I am talking about the critically acclaimed '71. The movie was the feature film directorial debut of Yann Demange and saw O'Connell take on the role of a British solider who is separated from his unit after dealing with a riot in Belfast in 1971.
First and foremost, I have to heap praise on Demange, as you wouldn't believe that this was his directorial debut as he has delivered an assured and powerful movie - you really would think that he has been doing this filmmaking lark for many many years. 1971 was one of the worst years during the troubles in Northern Ireland, and Demange has portrayed a visceral and brutal movie that really does reflect the darkness of that time.
O'Connell is simply superb as the injured solider who has to survive on the hostile streets of Belfast unable to tell friend from foe. It is an engaging performance from O'Connell and, as an audience, we begin to see the streets though his eyes and this creates a very powerful fear for a character that we start to root for. If O'Connell didn't win you over in Starred Up, he surely will in '71, as it is another great performance from the young actor. He has proved to be the breakthrough star of the year and he is going to go onto bigger and better things over the next twelve months.
'71 was one of the standout British films at the BFI London Film Festival this autumn, where the film was nominated for Best First Feature. The film also went on to receive nine nominations at the British Independent Film Awards - Demange went on to scoop Best Director.
Other great British movies this year include, The Imitation Game (which was a join project with America), Frank, The Riot Club, Paddington, and Belle
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