1984

Only recently did I become aware that there was a film version of George Orwell's brilliant novel 1984 before the widely known one from, well, 1984.

This came out in 1956. Other than it being in black and white, it is the same film. Now, my memory of the John Hurt/Richard Burton version is a bit sketchy by now (must watch that again soon) but I don't think that it contained anything that the older version does not provide.

That it also to say that this is rather brilliant, as well. The only significant difference I could notice has not so much to do with the merit of the tale but with the look. The setting may be as bleak as one would expect. What is much, much prettier than should be in my opinion is Julia (here credited as Julia of the Outer Party). This is the classic Hollywood beauty of old, with always perfect blond hair in 1950's style and perfectly made up. Of course, this was made before it became fashionable for any actress worth her salt to play 'ugly'.

But in the end, 2 + 2 = 5. Because Big Brother says so.

8/10

The Double

The Double is Richard Ayoade's second feature film after Submarine (2010) and even though the tone and pace is similar, this is infinitely darker. It has the look and feel on 1984 and the work place could be another room from John Hurt is about to enter at any moment. In comparison with this, however, The Double is almost light in topic.

Simon James, the main protagonist, has been working at the same, dingy place for 7 years but has made barely an impact. One of his co-workers actually refers to him - quite fittingly - as "a bit of a non-person". He has been pining for Hannah and spends his evenings looking at her through a telescope from the house right opposite where she lives.

One day his lonely existence is shaken by the arrival of his doppelganger, James Simon. James is everything that Simon is not - self-assured, charming, noticeable and a go-getter. After Simon's initial shock and bewilderment of why nobody appears to be fazed by the two looking exactly alike, the two seem to be getting along. But soon Simon is doing chores that get attributed to James and Hannah, of course, falls for the wrong guy.

It is all very bleak with moments of hilarity and scenes that could be right out a David Lynch film (the elderly band performing at a mandatory company event!). The film is peppered with Japanese (?) lounge music and a perfectly fitting orchestral score.

I admit that I am not a fan of Jesse Eisenberg, because I argue that he has been playing the same role in pretty much every film he is in (or, that I have seen him in). Here, at least, he gets the chance to play two characters with very different characteristics. Still not convinced that his acting chops are up to scratch, though.

Anyway, the film just keeps getting weirder and weirder (in a good way). Not many films these days are this interesting.

7/10