FILM
The Grand Budapest Hotel | Opens April 10, Rated M, 99 min
Jumping backwards through several narrative frames – each with a corresponding shift in aspect ratio – lets us know we’re watching a Wes Anderson film. The director has long displayed a love for highlighting the artifice of his films, a level of self-consciousness supported by the heightened, kitschy visuals that characterise his work. On The Grand Budapest Hotel, possibly his best film and certainly his strongest since The Royal Tenenbaums, Anderson finally delivers a story with the substance to match his style.
Once our heroes Zero (newcomer Tony Revolori) and M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) pair up, the film rattles along with the impetus of a great thriller and the flair of a great poet. Fienne’s Gustave is an irresistible creation – urbane, corrupt, passionate, perverse and fundamentally decent.
Embodying both innocence and debauchery, he belongs to a lost, more polite world in which being a gentleman was something to aspire to (even if you happen to be a gentleman thief). Smaller roles are no less beautifully formed and delivered with similar gusto by Jeff Goldblum, Willem Dafoe and Tilda Swinton.
Joyful, witty and deeply arch, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a pure delight.
TV
The Gods of Wheat Street | ABC 1, Saturday April 12, 8.30pm
Odin Freeburn is in trouble. His brother is in prison, his boss has died, his wife has left him, and his dead mother keeps hanging around to give him cryptic, mostly unwanted advice. Since mum turns up only when things are about to go pear-shaped, Odin rightfully assumes far worse trouble is on the way.
There’s a lot to love about this new ABC drama. It’s beautifully shot, with some strong performances from actors such as Ursula Yovich, Lisa Flanagan, Shari Sebbens and Kelton Pell. Although the drama is small-scale and domestic, there’s an alluring undercurrent of the mythical, reminiscent of Neil Gaiman’s work or, less flatteringly, True Blood. For the most part, however, this is a new spin on the sort of pleasant rural drama that has long filled Australian TV schedules.
Neither as bleak as The Straits nor as edgy as Redfern Now, this is indigenous drama for a cosy night in.
The first episode isn’t perfect, let down by a script that struggles to establish a large cast. There are also some curious tonal decisions, exemplified by a scene in which a teenage girl is abducted by local thugs, soundtracked by upbeat country music. The direction seems determined to keep things light and fluffy, regardless of the circumstances. Hopefully, these are teething troubles for what looks to be a quirky and enjoyable new show.
MUSIC
Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks | Enter The Slasher House
Recorded more or less live, this solo album from Animal Collective’s Dave Portner (aka Avey Tare) is surprisingly coherent. The free-wheeling experimentation of his other band is evident on tracks such as Catchy Was Contagious, but is here pinned down to reasonably snappy ’60s psychedelic pop.
Recorded more or less live, this solo album from Animal Collective’s Dave Portner (aka Avey Tare) is surprisingly coherent. The free-wheeling experimentation of his other band is evident on tracks such as Catchy Was ContagiousThe campy horror film aesthetic is fun – more carnival ride than genuinely spooky – but it does leave the LP’s 11 tracks feeling a little plastic and disposable. There are flashes of the greatness of the Collective, Dirty Projectors (former member Angel Deradoorian plays on the album) and Jane’s Addiction, but it’s hard to take something seriously when it’s trying so hard to be frivolous.
COMEDY
Boy Next Door | Melbourne Town Hall, Backstage Room, until April 20, $18/$23
South Yarra comedian Nath Valvo has been a festival highlight over the past couple of years, with his shows Almost 30 and Grindr: A Love Story? tackling life as a young gay man in the early 21st century. His latest show finds him stuck on the singles table at yet another friend’s wedding and starting to consider a dating scene he’s snubbed. Fans of The Project – on which Valvo is a regular guest – will be familiar with the man’s gift for hilarity, but the uninitiated might want to tune in to SBS2 this Sunday for his guest spot in Stand Up @ Bella Union.
PLAY
Dead Certain | Labassa, 2 Manor Grove, North Caulfield, until April 13, $18/$15. Bookings on 9690 1593
When out-of-work actor Michael is hired by a reclusive ex-dancer to read her play, he becomes ensnared in a thrilling game of cat and mouse. A play within a play within a play unfolds, with no shortage of twists and turns. This two-hander, written by UK playwright Marcus Lloyd, has been staged in London and New York to great success and makes its Australian premiere thanks to the Adelphi Players Theatre Company. The chosen venue, North Caulfield’s Labassa mansion, has a 19th century grandeur that feels all-too-appropriate for this Sleuth-like production.
EXHIBITION
Art Town | Chapel Off Chapel, Opens April 11, free entry
If you’ve spent any time on or around Chapel Street lately, you will probably have noticed the easels erected on street corners. A diverse range of artists has set up shop on the pavements and kerbs, hoping to draw inspiration from one of Melbourne’s most iconic shopping strips. This week, the fruit of this public labour will be put on show in a special exhibition at Chapel Off Chapel, with one lucky artist walking away with $2000 in prize money. Awards will be announced on opening night from 6pm, with artworks on display for the next month.
FESTIVAL
Festivus | Ocean Grove Park, Saturday April 12, 10am, $33/$45
It might take its name from a spoof holiday in a Seinfeld episode, but Ocean Grove’s new arts festival is a serious business. Mixing music with art, food and fine wine, Festivus is an innovative annual event intending to inspire the imagination and highlight the importance of creativity to a healthy community. Celebrating a wide range of artistic activities, the festival will encourage visitors to become involved in making the art, rather than just looking at it.
Music will be supplied by a mix of local and visiting musicians, including Strange Tenants, Carus Thompson and David Bridie.
MYKE’S SPACE
Watching | The Spoils of Babylon (ABC2, Thursdays) Star-studded daft comedy from Will Ferrell.
Listening | Ratking’s So It Goes. Exciting debut from the New York experimental hip-hop group.
Attending | Tim Key. Single White Slut. My most anticipated gig from this year’s fest. His last show was surreal and oddly moving.
