BFI London Film Festival: What to watch this weekend

1/2
10 April 2012
The American, Vue 5 and Vue 6
Saturday, October 16
8.15pm
(also screening at Vue 5 Sunday, 17 October 2.45pm and and at Vue 6 Tuesday, 19 October 12.45pm)

Yes, it's got more style than substance, but what style. Anton Corbijn's surprise follow-up to Control is a coolly efficient thriller starring George Clooney as Jack, a jaded hit man working for a Shadowy Organisation. At the start of the film he's bearded in his snowy retreat by two assassins, and kills them. No surprise there.

Then he shoots his girlfriend, to cover his tracks. Blimey. No wonder he wants out of the killing game. It's murder on the love life. Jack's Shadowy Boss helps him go to ground in Italy but demands one last job – that Jack supply a rifle to a beautiful female assassin.

Meanwhile, and contrary to his instincts, Jack befriends a priest and falls for a hooker. There's something of the 1970s in the film's blend of paranoia, soul-searching, international glamour and offhand misogyny, not to mention the methodical preparation for a kill that recalls Day of the Jackal. It's hokum, but hugely enjoyable, because Corbijn keeps the tension would tight, and shoots scenery, Clooney, hardware and women ravishingly. And the star himself is effective as a man clenched tight as a fist.

The Peddler, NFT1
Sunday, October 17
9pm
(also screening at NFT1 Tuesday, October 19 4.15pm and at ICA Wednesday, October 20 6.45pm)

Most festival attention today will be focused on the Palme D'Or winning Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, and the hotly anticipated Africa United, but it's worth seeking out this beautifully low-key documentary gem.

Its subject, artisan film-maker Daniel Burmeister scrapes a living travelling from town to town in Argentina, devising and shooting a feature film at each in 30 days, using the locals as cast, crew and co-creators. In exchange, he asks for board, lodging, and a few pesos from a public screening in a town hall. Oh, and the loan of a camera.

The film's huge charm lies in the potent sense of community that flowers as the village cooks up a rackety comedy called Let's Kill Uncle. And from the ebullience of Burmeister himself, a sixtysomething Hemingway lookalike.

It's not often that you see an auteur patching up the radiator of his own battered Dodge.

Burmeister claims to have jump-started several romances by casting neighbours as romantic co-stars, and I can well believe it.

To book tickets call 020 7928 3232 or visit www.bfi.org.uk

The 54th BFI London Film Festival is in partnership with American Express. The London Evening Standard is a media partner.

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