THE 2007 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATED SHORT FILMS (LIVE-ACTION PROGRAM) — *** 1/2 — Compilation of live-action short films; with English subtitles (European and Scandinavian dialects); not rated, probably PG-13 (profanity, violence, drugs, nudity, vulgarity, slurs, brief gore)
As they have in previous years, Magnolia Pictures and Shorts International have joined forces to release programs featuring shorter-length, live-action and animated works that were nominated for this year's Oscars.
The surprise is that "The 2007 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (Live-Action Program)" is the more consistent and enjoyable of the two for a change. (Salt Lake's Tower Theatre will open the animated program next week.)
"The Tonto Woman" is a handsomely staged British western about the relationship between a cattle rustler (Francesco Quinn) and an emotionally scarred woman (Charlotte Asprey). Its tone is a little icy, though.
And while the Oscar winner, France's "Le Mozart de Pickpockets (The Mozart of Pickpockets)," does have some laughs, its exploitation of a minor subplot is a little troubling.
However, Italy's contribution is "Il Suplente (The Substitute)" is light-hearted fare. It's some brief silliness about an imposter who pretends to be a substitute teacher.
The crowd-pleasing Belgian romantic comedy "Tanghi Argentini" has plenty of charm and an unexpected twist at the end.
But the arguable highlight of the program is the longest of the five shorts — "Om Natten (At Night)," a Danish drama about three young women (Julie Olgaard, Laura Christensen and Neel Ronholt) spending the holidays in a cancer ward.
It's very well-acted and features the sort of ending that defies you to remain dry-eyed.
"The 2007 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (Live-Action Program)" is not rated but would probably receive a PG-13 for some strong profanity, violent action (including fisticuffs and shootings), prescription narcotics use (and an attempted overdose), female nudity, crude sexual and other references, slurs based on sexual preference, and some brief gore. Total running time: 136 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com