This year’s theme is 'Breaking the Reel'. The selected films celebrates the transformative power of actors and directors who defy expectations, break free from typecasting, and reinvent themselves in groundbreaking ways.
Our first film is Vertigo, the 1958 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Watch the charming Jimmy Stewart turned into a dark and unsettling killer in a classic example of actors breaking their typecasting in spectacular ways.
Insomnia
Actors turned from Charming to Killers is Robin Williams in Chirstopher Nolan’s 2002 film Insomnia. William’s role in this neo-noir psychological thriller deviated from his comedic roles and will have you seeing the actor as an entirely new person.
Thelma & Louise
The 1991 buddy comedy drama film directed by Ridley Scott. Previously known for his brooding action films, Scott’s foray into a humanised female led comedy style is still a classic over 30 years later, proving that directors who take a chance and break the mould can create magic.
The Straight Story
In a notable departure from his more surreal work, Lynch’s 1999 film The Straight Story focuses on human emotion, simple characters and the American midwest imagery in this biographical road drama based on Alvin Straight’s real journey.
Monster
This film focuses on Sudden Shifts; where actors or actresses go from one genre and acting range to a completely different style in a single film. This week’s film is 2004’s Monster, starring Charlize Theron who transformed not only physically but also diverting from her previous roles to play American serial killer Aileen Wuornos in this gritty portrayal.
Ordinary People
This week’s film is Ordinary People (1980), starring Mary Tyler Moore whose sudden departure from previous roles as a comedienne to a bitter mother dealing with the death of her son and a dysfunctional affluent family.
The Boston Strangler
This film focuses on the second of Hero to Villian; where actors or actresses go from being known as ‘good guys’ to ‘bad guys’. This week’s film is The Boston Strangler (1968),
Once Upon A Time In the West
This week’s film is Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), which starred the unlikely villain Henry Fonda who was the beloved ‘everyman’ and father figure of Hollywood to a ruthless and cold-blooded outlaw in this subversive Western.
Airplane
This week’s film focuses on the concept of ‘Serious to Silly’; which features established ‘serious' actors and actresses take a chance in displaying their sillier side. This week’s film is the slapstick 1980 comedy Airplane! Featuring a notable lineup of actors including Leslie Nielson, Peter Graves, and Robert Stack in this parody of the disaster film genre, all of whom had never been in a comedy.
After each movie The Establishment invites ticket holders to redeem a 'buy one, get one free' offer as our program supporter. So join us, sit back and enjoy some light discussion & reviews post movie.
