Words and Pictures (2013 Fred Schpisi)

Rich, charming film about above competition engendered by failing alcoholic English teacher Clive Owen and his fight with art teacher (and artist) Juliette Binoche (who never seems to age, and created the remarkable artwork herself). Despite the dialogue heavy script, theatre-trained Owen never fluffed a line in countless retakes. Liked that the bully doesn't reappear once he's found out, where in a more cliché ridden film he'd probably come back for revenge etc. yawn.

With Bruce Davison, Navid Negahban, Amy Brenneman, Valerie Tian, Adam DiMarco, Josh Ssettuba.

Wonderfully acted by the leads. An unexpected delight. As one of the behind-scenes people says it's the Dead Poets' Society of our time - better, I think.

Gerald di Pego clearly is a literate type of screenwriter. The producers wanted to make the film 'the right way', so the writer was present at rehearsals and throughout shooting, where he was the 'go to guy' for any technical issues that prompted a rewrite. Great music from Paul Grabowsky (including - I guess - the music he leaves her on email), shot by Ian Baker (in Vancouver).