Geoff Andrew's films of the year

Senior film editor Geoff Andrew picks his favourite five films of 2005.

Dec 19 2005

'Saraband'
Ingmar Bergman proves he's lost none of his insight, honesty, courage or brilliance with a profoundly clear-eyed assessment of human vanity, vengeance and frailty.

'A History of Violence'
David Cronenberg's terrific comedy-thriller comes complete with fascinating subversive subtexts about identity, violence and the smalltown American Dream as a form of stultifying prison.

'Factotum'
Bent Hamer's wonderfully warm, witty, wise and and non-judgmental Bukowski adaptation, boasting a probably career-best performance from Matt Dillon as the writer with an undeniable yen for wine and women.

'Familia Rodante'
Yet another Argentinian gem, Pablo Trapero's latest about an unruly extended family en route to a wedding in a cramped camper van has the freewheeling narrative audacity and wry comic humanism of Altman at his best.

'Last Days'
Gus Van Sant refines the narrative and visual experiments that marked (and marred) 'Gerry' and 'Elephant' to create his finest film yet, an elegant, empathetic head-movie that makes a gentle foray into a life defined and destroyed by an addiction to drugs and rock 'n' roll.

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