Anyways, enough moaning - time for more exciting things :D Am totally enjoying the film festival!!! I really want to work for it next year - and Debbie's promised to do it with me! I'm so glad I got the chance to stay and enjoy it this year. If only I went to last year's - Keira was there!!!!!

Anyhoo. I've been super lucky with getting tickets and all, especially since I didn't book them till the day before the festival started. I'll give a quick review of the movies I've seen so far...

Away we go
Don't know how I managed it, but I somehow got a ticket for the first screening when other people booked their's way in advance and only got the later screenings. Anyways, a must-watch, especially if you've been traumatised by Revolutionary Road. The story's basically about a couple (Maya Rudolph & John Krasinski) who are expecting their first child, trying to find a new home. The relationship between different couples are shown by the various friends/relatives they visit during their quest for a place to settle down. Whilst some of these were for comedy, others (especially later ones) brought up issues around modern-day relationships. I went to the Sam Mendes Q&A event the day after, and he said that in a way he wanted to highlight some problems couples these days face, contrasting it with those from the fifties (in Rev rd.). For those familiar with Mendes, he uses a much looser and freer style in this film (I'm not too familiar - I've only seen Rev rd, but the difference is obvious). Personally, I think this style works nicely as it allows a sort of 'intimacy' between the viewers and the couple. I came out of the theatre with a content smile on my face and feeling all fuzzy inside :D (major difference from Rev rd!!). I reallllly enjoyed it - so run along and see it when it comes out!!!

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee

The story itself seemed to be slightly lacking, perhaps as a result of misguidance by the title. Rather than "private lives", it was more of the past of Pippa Lee. I think I'd have enjoyed the movie more if I were older or married (likewise for Away we go - not in terms of enjoyment, but insight). Nonetheless, Robin Wright Penn did a great job as Pippa Lee, and surprisingly Blake Lively was also good. No comment on Keanu Reeves's 'acting' though he did look good ;) LOL this reminds me of something RWP said about a particular scene in the movie... but I won't spoil it for anyone. Contrasting with Away we go, Private Lives of Pippa Lee left me rather confuddled about marriage.