The Way – Taking the Road to Understanding

While movies have only been around for a century or so, the idea of the road trip as a tale is almost as old as the written word. Its lineage can be traced from Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ through a thousand diverse texts that preach the journey is paramount, the destination a convenient point to conclude the narrative.

It is a concept that has been borrowed countless times by screenwriters, providing a framework where the central character leaves home in order to grow and develop;  to be transformed in some manner that would not otherwise be possible.

In Emilio Estevez’s film “The Way” father Tom Avery (Martin Sheen) is an ophthalmologist living comfortably in California who is thrust into the real world far from his cosy existence when his son Daniel (Emilio again) dies while walking the Camino de Santiago. This, we learn, is an 800km trail that starts from St Jean-Pied-du-Port in France, goes across the Pyrenees and Spanish border to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, allegedly the resting place of St James.

Called from the golf course to come and identify his son’s body, Toms’ shock and grief is palpable. He cannot imagine why anyone would undertake such a journey. Through flashback we learn that it is his inability to understand his son that is the prime reason for their estrangement. As an act of contrition, Tom abandons his practice and, takes up the abandoned backpack and sets out to finish the journey his son had started, taking his ashes along to be spread along the trail.

Tom (Martin Sheen) pauses at the spot his son was killed in the storm on the Camino de Santiago

Naturally he cannot accomplish change on his own; someone has to play devil’s advocate and hold the mirror up to him. Despite his prickly and self-absorbed nature, now compounded by a loss that he is loath to share, he soon has company. None of these pilgrims is overly spiritual, yet have no hesitation in walking a holy trail to ask for intervention from a saint. As Tom is told by one character, “Religion has nothing to do with this.”

Almost from the outset he is accompanied by Joost, a jovial Dutchman with a pharmacy in his pockets and obesity on his mind. Next to fall in is Sarah, an equally abrupt Canadian woman trying to overcome her own demons; and Jack, a stereotypical Irish writer struggling to come up with something original.

The movie travels at its own gentle pace, giving time for the characters to develop and bond. Despite the differences that threaten to split the group they find there is also much to bind them, not least their common fallibility.

Under normal circumstances these people would never interact, but here on the trail they have the opportunity to confess and play confessor, unloading themselves of the baggage that has held them back, not always comfortably. But the human dynamic between them; that is the glue that holds this movie together and maintains our interest.

It is easy to be seduced too by the landscape and the casual, relaxed lifestyle of those who choose to tread this historical path. The Xunta de Galecia (Galician Tourist Board), who arguably re-invented the pilgrimage in 1993 with an international marketing campaign, will surely reap the benefits of this movie.

But Estevez didn’t set out to make a travelogue, and he didn’t desire a modern day Canterbury Tales. He set out to make a film about family, and loss, and redemption, and the desire to do more with our time on this planet. And along the way we learn that life should be shared, and fulfilling.

"You don't choose a life, Dad. You live it."

Age Shall Not Weary Them – ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’

Perhaps its a sign of the global ageing of the population. Perhaps someone has discovered the untapped potential in providing entertainment for people of a certain age. Or maybe its just a decent bit of movie-making whose time has come.

Whatever the reasons, the producers of ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel‘ have put together a talented cast, given them a solid script to interpret, and rolled out a blue-rinsed rom-com that is sure to resonate with the retirement set. It certainly found a happy home with the audience I viewed it with.

Almost in keeping with the slow slide into old age that most will face in their lifetime, the story unfolds in its own time. The simply drawn characters are introduced, their limits and past failings are detailed, and the plot is brought slowly to the simmer, never being allowed to boil over.

The cast is rife with first class talent, actors that the potential audience has grown up with on both the silver and small screen. At the centre of the ensemble is Judi Dench in the role of Evelyn, whose voiced-over blog serves to tie the events of the movie together. She plays a woman who has trusted in one man to look after her for her whole life and must now find a way to live and fend for herself.

This is a recurring theme in the movie. Redemption for past errors of judgement are balanced with the desire to be able to begin again; to not give up on life and what it may hold in the future. As the entrepreneurial hotel manager Sonny (Dev Patel) often espouses, “All will be well in the end. And if it is not well, then it is not the end yet.”

So it is that Graham (Tom Wilkinson), the gay retired high court judge, seeks to find his first love and right the wrong he feels that he has done him.

Muriel (Maggie Smith), is the ‘accidental’ tourist among this group of retirees, in India for a hip replacement at the behest of National Health in England. With her deep distrust of anyone not of Anglo-Saxon heritage, can she overcome her prejudices and find an opportunity to redefine her purpose in life?

Even the Marigold Hotel itself (which is actually the 17th century Ravla Khempur, a charming rural palace hotel set in the state of Rajasthan) is a metaphor of hope in old age, with its promise to rise “phoenix-like” from the ashes of its decay.

Brand India actually does quite well out of this venture too. Images of rural life, scenic beauty and Hindu ceremonies mix with bustling modern city life amid references to life and light and joy that should guarantee a surge in tourism to the sub-continent.

The comedy is gentle, the jokes are self-effacing. Bill Nighy is in his element playing a self-deprecating Englishman whose marriage has passed its use-by date. His wife Jean (Penelope Wilton) is ultimately the only one it seems who cannot sever her ties to the past, and must confront what the future holds for her if it is not within the walls of the hotel.

Ronald Pickup and Celia Imrie play the irrepressible rake Norman and would-be seductress Madge, whose desire to be ‘active’ in love despite their advancing years provides much humour. Their performances, like all the cast’s, are credible, and contribute to the success of the ensemble.

Perhaps the great takeaway from this movie is that  while growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional. The urge to be forever young like Peter Pan is stronger within some than others. Unlike that tale though, this production soars high without the aid of pixie dust. It has a magic all of its own.

Betting on Red – How the House could fall if Gillard wins.

There’s an old Chinese curse that goes along the lines “May you live in interesting times”.

Well, for the Australian Labour Party, it doesn’t get much more interesting than the past ten days. Though of course the seeds for this discourse were planted on June 23, 2010. And for Australia, the most interesting days may well lay ahead.

Such leadership spills are not altogether uncommon, with four occurring within the government since McMahon toppled Gorton in 1971, and more still in the Opposition over that time. Mostly they have been conducted in the face of poor polling, and seldom have they saved the government of the day.

The rhetoric proceeding each of these spills has historically been peppered with assurances of loyalty to the incumbent. Howard described the likelihood of his challenging again as “Lazarus with a triple by-pass”. Keating declared in 1991 that “I will not be challenging the Prime Minister”. But he did. Twice. Hawke lost narrowly the second time, but interestingly the numbers in the first challenge were almost identical to those predicted as the outcome of tomorrow’s caucus vote – 66-44.

Most pundits give the first round to Gillard. Certainly enough of caucus are making noises to the effect that they will vote for her, if only because they recall the days prior to the mutiny in 2010 that saw Rudd left, well, rudderless, cut adrift in the seas of Foreign Affairs.

But what to do this time with the body? Like a zombie he just keeps coming back to life, wanting to devour the head of the parliamentary party. It’s hard to imagine there will be any conciliatory offers this time round; the only olive branch extended will be the one swung in the direction of the loser’s scone!

So what can Rudd do if he loses? I can’t imagine him quietly exiting, there’s too much steam built up and too much pride for it to be extinguished so easily. Here are the four options I see before him, from likely to ‘very interesting’.

1. Sent to the Naughty Chair – Rudd agrees to be banished to the seat furtherest from Gillard. And Swan. And anyone else that might want to bring bodily harm upon him. Or him to them. It would have to be out of spitball range, but not so far he couldn’t see when to vote with the party;

2. The Disappearing Act – Rudd picks up his bat and ball, resigns from parliament and goes directly to a cushy UN job. Without his support at the by-election the ALP would lose the seat, the balance of power is shot (not Oakeshott this time), bringing on a general election that again the Liberals would win. And Rudd ‘wins’ the war;

3.  We’re All Individuals – Rudd resigns from the Party, but keeps his seat, sitting on the cross-benches. Again the ALP would have effectively lost their slim majority, and Rudd would relish the idea of Gillard having to rely on him to get passage of bills.

4. Joe who? – I really like this scenario. Rudd follows step 3, but takes a leaf out of the Joseph Lyons playbook, votes against his old party in a no-confidence motion and forms a new party to take to the polls that must inevitably follow. He conscripts those MPs that supported him, (thus  likely ensuring their survival in the bloodbath the ALP suffers at the polls), as well as some like-minded Liberals and politically-savvy independents. Australia is gifted a third federal party, and the Greens are reduced to a lobby group based in Tasmania. I really like the idea of a Rudd-Turnbull team sweeping all before them.

There is one wild card in all of this though, and that’s the Governor-General. Right now I suspect she is sitting in a room with all the lights on trying to keep the ghost of John Kerr at bay. Because if all of this goes pear-shaped, it will fall to her to make the call. She can’t just dismiss the government though, she needs the PM to ask her to do it. And she can make a PM.

Here’s how that plays out…Rudd takes the fourth option to the point where he fails to support the government in a no-confidence motion (he might be sick that day, who knows).

The independents who have held the balance can see the writing on the wall, and cut a deal with the leader of the opposition – we will support you, in as much as your first and only act as PM is to petition the Governor-General to dissolve parliament and call a general election. They could do this if Rudd wins too. Ideally, Abbott would call a double dissolution to really clear the air.

And for a triple whammy – call the election for the end of March, just to screw up the Queensland poll.

Oh yeah, interesting times indeed. Cursing guaranteed.

Life as a MINI Splendoured Thing.

Ever since MINI was re-imagined by BMW the branding has been spot on. Aimed initially at the seriously hip urban influencers, they have carved out a niche among the young and the perpetually young at heart.

To launch the latest models in the MINI family, Brisbane MINI Garage gathered up 130 like-minded enthusiasts and sent them on an adventure for a day. No coincidence there – the new Roadster and Coupe have as their tag line “Another day. Another Adventure”.

Arriving early at the Garage there were still some 30 cars ahead of us, and breakfast was being laid out. Registration and route maps were taken care of quickly, friendships renewed and new acquaintances made. Under wraps were half a dozen vehicles, the main course that everyone had come to sample. And weren’t the crowd anxious for a look!

This was the first chance the public had to see these much anticipated models in the flesh, and when the covers came off the crowd were all over them in a flash. Both cars exhibited all the usual MINI traits we’ve come to know and love, but being two-seaters they had the added bonus of massive boot space. Well, massive by MINI standards anyway.

To drive them though we would have to head down the freeway to Thunderbird Park at Mount Tambourine.

Here the MINI people had arranged a number of activities, ranging from the innocuous (getting a temporary MINI tattoo) to the extreme (hitting the high ropes course). In between were rock wall climbs, riding the mechanical surfboard and, at last, test driving the cars themselves.

Unfortunately the drive was only a very short run down a one lane road with two way traffic, so there wasn’t much chance to explore the car’s capabilities. There was a causeway however, and this was gave everyone the chance to make a splash and have some fun.

Hopefully I will be able to bring you a more in depth drive impression in the near future.

All this adventure burns up the kilojoules, so a lavish lunch was laid on as well, with plenty of drinks to keep the fluids up in the hot and muggy conditions.

Days like this go a long way to ensuring brand and dealer loyalty.

By going out of their way to put on something special Brisbane MINI Garage have ensured a strong word-of-mouth response among the converted, and backed up with their social media work on Facebook you can be sure they have had good reach among the general public.

Fair reward for the effort they have put in.

Driving the BMW 330d – the Wolf in a Sharp Wool Suit.

I never really got the whole ‘Joy’ thing that BMW have been using in their marketing for a while now.

I mean, what is ‘Joy’? The first thing I think of is a middle-aged English woman with a predilection for collecting lion cubs. In Melbourne it’s a gay/lesbian radio station.

Joy just wasn’t a word I associated with a car. Now say ‘Fun’, and straight away I think MINI. But ‘Joy’ as a byline for a Beemer – that was obscure to say the least.

Then I was given the chance to drive the BMW 330d Coupe for a week. This is no wolf in sheep’s clothing, this is a wolf dressed to go to town, doing it in style!

The exterior is an entree for what lies within. The smooth, racy lines of the Coupe are a promise of open road excitement, and drew admiring glances wherever it was parked. It looks fast standing still. The finish is first class. In fact, it’s classy throughout.

The model I had for a week was maxxed out with mod cons – Parking Distance Control front and back, automatic climate control system to cocoon you, Bluetooth phone connectivity to keep you in touch with your world, and GPS navigation to keep the world at your fingertips.

Up front there were electric sports seats to coddle, squeeze and even warm you, complete with memory functions (as if you’d let anyone else in the driver’s seat!). The 10-speaker Harmon Kardon premium surround sound system would not have been out of place in a concert hall.

There were other luxury appointments too like full leather trim, a seatbelt handover device and a multifunction leather steering wheel. There’s also a swag of safety features from brakes with all the acronyms you can imagine to airbags in every pillar and panel for those times when everything turns to scheiße.

The coupe doesn’t come with a great deal of headroom (my MINI had more space between head and roof) and legroom at the rear may be a problem for those not vertically challenged. But you get that with coupes I guess; all other aspects of comfort were well catered for.

Pushing the 330d along is a turbocharged in-line 6 cylinder diesel donk that is anything but workman-like. This is without question one of the sweetest motors going around today. Smooth in its delivery, with heaps of torque down low, the car is propelled forward with such ease and control you can’t help but feel relaxed as you hurtle up hill and round corners with consummate ease. It’s almost a tragedy that in Australia two-thirds of the speedo will never feel the caress of the needle as it winds its way round the clock.

Matched with a superlative six-speed automatic transmission that begs to be driven in ‘manual’ mode, I was never found wanting for power in either city commute or country touring. The paddles on the steering wheel are a return to the ‘left down – right up’ variety which took very little getting used to.

Another thing you might have to get used to is going past petrol stations. The overall average fuel consumption was a tad over 7l/100km. By my dodgy reckoning it meant I could drive from Brisbane to Sydney and probably get back as far as Newcastle on a tank. Given the performance of the car, that’s pretty impressive.

The premium kit as fitted to this car had cruise control that integrated a brake function to maintain the set speed going downhill as well as on the flat and uphill. Given the propensity for police to be used as revenue raisers that little feature could save your license if not your life.

The suspension, while ideal for spirited driving, is by turn a little on the hard side at lower speeds on the goat tracks that pass for city streets in Brisbane. The run-flat tyres that come as standard offer great grip and feedback, but also contribute to the less than gentle ride.

Having said that, I like a car that lets me know what’s going on. Plant your foot and you get a satisfying growl from the motor; in fact it rarely gave any clue inside or out that there was a diesel at work. The steering could be used as a definition of ‘precise’, turning easily and sharply at low speeds. On the open road it’s almost intuitive. In the wet the handling was reassuring, the braking controlled.

It’s hard to find fault with this illustrious oiler. At every opportunity its refined performance delivers no less than you would expect from a marque born of a nation that excels at efficiency. It’s a joy to drive.

Joy. Finally, I get what it means.

The MINI Countryman – All 4 Fun

Few marques are given the luxury of living twice. When Mini was thrown a lifeline in the late 1990′s by BMW,  no-one could have forseen the amazing growth and future ahead of it. Beginning with the new look hatches, and progressing steadily through a handful of new variants, the MINI has carved out a space for itself that is fiercely defended by a new breed of devotees. Now MINI has delivered the latest in the line-up, the all new Countryman.

“Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional.”

Those were my thoughts as I pondered what drove the good designers at MINI to stretch their imagination beyond the venerable hatch to conceive something bigger, something bolder, something even a little more exciting, than they had done before.

It’s not like Mini in its previous incarnation hadn’t envisioned a car for all reasons; a car for those that needed more space. Over 50 years ago Morris was producing the Mini Traveller, and Austin had a Mini Countryman model.

Now all that’s old is new again it seems for here is the MINI for one’s middle years; the MINI you can comfortably transport the family in; the MINI that allows you an air of respectability while secretly encouraging you to indulge in your fantasies of being a rally driver.

The Car with Killer Looks

The first time you see a Countryman you suspect your eyes are deceiving you. It looks like a MINI, but its…bigger. More muscley. At a little over 4m it’s the longest car MINI have ever built, and the extra height and width are in proportion to that. It’s still smaller outside than just about everything in its class, but that just makes it more practical when it comes to getting in and out of parking spots round town.

I was fortunate to drive two models over a period of ten days. First was the standard Cooper S fitted with Chilli Pack, and later the All4 variant again fitted with all the bells and whistles. Harmon Kardon, Bi-Xenon headlights, auto-climate, 18″ wheels and leather seats – well worth the extra outlay!

Notable features on the exterior are the blacked-out grille and snub nose which combine to give an air of toughness while retaining its charm and cheekiness. It reminded me of Sir Michael Caine in ‘Alfie’, which we quickly named our Countryman. (Alfie…All4…okay, it’s a stretch.) The floating roof maintains the MINI look, while the wheel at each corner is another nod to the past.

Inside the snazzy looks continue, again blurring the lines between old and new. The toggle switches are reminders of previous models, but they are set beneath a dinner-plate-sized speedometer-cum-mission control module that takes pride of place in the centre of the dash.This feature was fully loaded in the test cars, and was impressive in functionality. Sound system, bluetooth, navigation guidance (GPS), reversing assistance…oh, and there’s a speedo wrapped around the rim. About the only way you could improve on it would be to make it a touchscreen. At present it is all operated by rotating or pressing a button mounted on the rail between the front seats.

The interior resonates well without being ostentatious. The Cooper S had a striking red/black colour combo with half-leather seats, the All4 a more muted white/black look with lounge leather. The four bucket seats in both were all comfortable for the average adults that occupied them, the two buckets in the rear providing a touch of novelty and practicality. It certainly felt roomier, but if the need is there you can have a 3-seater bench for no extra moolah.

There is a rail that runs through the centre of the vehicle on the bucket seat options that can hold a variety of objects, including an iPod, coffee cups and sunglasses. The rail also holds some of the interior lighting which can be dialled up ion a variety of colours – as a rolling lightshow if you want.

The feeling of spaciousness was accentuated by the twin sunroofs that allowed more light in than usual. Only the front sunroof opens completely – the back one tilts open in line with the front should you just want a little fresh air. Noise levels inside the car rise dramatically with the sunroofs open, but that’s to be expected.

The boot was ample for our needs, holding three large suitcases in a run out the airport with friends. With over 300 litre in its standard configuration, and over 1000 litres with the back seats folded down, there should be space for most people. The ability to access the boot via a gap in the buckets was handy too.

Get Your Motor Running…

I’m not going to get into the numbers of kilowatts and all; you can get that stuff from a brochure. Like 99.9% of the people who drive, I’m more interested in how it goes, than what makes it go.

But this I will say – the twin-scroll turbo Cooper S motors are absolute delights. They rev through the range with ease, and the torque delivers from way down low. In day-to-day driving, that translates to quick off the mark, power through the corners, ready acceleration for overtaking and smooth driving on the highway.

The six speed automatic in both models was quick and precise with its shifts. Slipping it into ‘manual’ mode just increases the fun factor, with a choice of stick or paddles on the wheel to move through the ‘gears’. And if you want a little shot of adrenalin, well, there’s a button for that too.

I particularly liked the fact that you were aware of what the engine was doing. Unlike so many modern vehicles, you get a real feel for what’s going on under the bonnet. Give the needle on the tacho (mounted behind the steering wheel) a nudge and you’ll be quickly rewarded. The twin exhausts are willing accomplices in this anti-social behaviour, delivering a throaty note that reminds you this is a car built for experiencing life, and not mundane existence.

Sticks to the Road Like Stuff to a Blanket

Given its extra height and weight, you might expect that the handling of this over-sized hatch would be akin to a tanker at sea, but the Countryman gives little away to its smaller siblings.

Taking it into the rolling hills to the west of Brisbane and punting round the regular haunts of two-wheeled weekend warriors revealed just how good the handling still is. There is some sway, and hitting potholes mid-corner tends to see it jump a bit, but when the rubber was on the road, it felt like nothing was going to shift it. The All4 in particular was impressive with its ability to maintain traction, even in the loose stuff.

Bear in mind the all wheel drive system is permanently employed, and can deliver 100% of power to the rear wheels if required. A rear-wheel drive MINI – who would have thought? There is no way you could confuse the Countryman for a serious off-roader, but that was never in the design brief.

What you do have is a vehicle that lets you sleep easy when the family is out driving on a rainy night. The All4 is in its element on wet and slippery roads, and if anything should happen, the safety features are right up there with the best – six airbags, brake assist, stability control, corner braking control…the list goes on. Add to that run-flat tyres and you can be pretty sure everyone will get home safe.

The Sum of All Things

Bottom line is, would I buy one? And the answer is an unequivocal YES!

Okay, it’s more expensive than most of its competition. And it gives ground in one or more areas to many of them too. But, the MINI Countryman has one undeniable edge over them all…it’s FUN!

Here is a car that you can drive to work all week, and feel good doing it. You can take the kids with you, and feel like a kid again, like the first time you got behind a wheel and wanted to just go somewhere.

The MINI Countryman…it doesn’t just take you places, it transports you.

Playing Chicken on the Road to Ruin.

“Imagine you are travelling on a road. There is but a single lane. A car is coming towards you. The driver is not slowing, is not veering. In fact, they are speeding up, coming straight at you. You are entering the Twilight Zone…”

That’s pretty much what is happening in the United State right now. Two cars, one Republican, one Democrat, hurtling along the road to economic ruin from opposite ends of the political spectrum. They’re playing chicken with the global economy. Who will be the first to swerve? Can one party hold their nerve, and win through? And are there lessons for Australia with its own minority government issues?

US Congress - playing chicken, or being turkeys?

The strategy of ‘playing chicken’ is nothing new to the art of negotiation. Logically, there are just three likely outcomes. The first involves one party ‘chickening out’ and swerving off the road. We have a clear winner and loser, and all the future fall-out that brings. In the second outcome neither party gives ground and the cars collide head-on. There are no winners, only losers. And wreckage, lots of wreckage.

The final alternative is for both cars to accept that mutual preservation is preferable to total annihilation and swerve to pass each other, living to fight another day. This is the win-win that negotiation seeks as an outcome, or as has been cynically observed, both sides get to walk away unhappy.

But what if one party refuses to play by the accepted rules? What if they abondon logic and reason altogether in their desire to achieve a higher goal – what if one party throws the steering wheel out the window?

Obviously this is a win at all costs strategy. It is the play of the party with nothing to lose, the last ditch toss of the dice by someone who is either crazy, or believes in a loftier ideal than the stakes which are being played for to begin with.

Enter the Tea Party, seen either as patriots of the people, or the Taliban of American politics right now.The Tea Party were instrumental in delivering the Republicans victory in the 2010 Congressional elections, largely on the back of grass-roots frustration over the poor state of the economy. Welcomed at the time for bringing a new zeal to campaigning, in these debt crisis debates they have proven beyond the control of Republican leader and Speaker of the House John Boehner with their conspirator theories.

Boehner now finds himself fighting a war on two fronts – struggling to find middle-ground with the Democrats while appeasing the Armageddon-happy ‘Patriots’ in his own party.

Adding to the Republicans angst is the very public pledges most have taken to oppose any and all tax increases.

Organised by the single-minded power-broker Grover Norquist, who once claimed he’d like to shrink government to the size “where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub!” these pledges have locked the party in to a position that makes retreat all but impossible.

Filled with fervour the Tea Party have effectively ripped the steering wheel from the column and are hanging it out the window for all to see.

As veteran Democratic strategist Bob Shrum observed, ”What we’re seeing is one fifth of the House of Representatives trying to run the country. It’s a constitutional coup d’etat. We’ve never functioned like this.”

As in any relationship, it’s the party who cares least for the future of the arrangement that wields the whip. The Tea Party are convinced that their path is the only one for America, and view the more moderate Republicans as out of touch with the people, if not actual traitors to the cause. If they can derail the process, they believe they can build a better railroad.

Of course, that assumes anyone survives the train wreck that could follow.

Is the US economy about to run off the track?

What would you do – change direction for the good of all, or hold hard to your beliefs?