The best films of 2011

At the end of the year, we as humans are inclined to reflect, look back and create lists of the things that were the best something. Doing a much better job than last year, I saw thirty-one new releases at the cinema in 2011. I was sad to miss Blue Valentine, Le quattro volte, Take Shelter and plenty of others. But here are my top twelve.

1. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Unusually, this was a film that gave me what its trailer (possibly the most exciting of the year) had promised. The paranoid Cold War atmosphere glows from the screen, bathed in the tawdry oranges and browns of the 1970s. The acting is subtle and powerful, the merest glance from Gary Oldman giving us Smiley's weariness and compassion together. The complex plot is tightly handled and tense throughout. And most importantly, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is more enjoyable than any other new film I saw this year. I loved it.

2. True Grit
Everything comes together perfectly in the Coen Brothers' offering this year. But most special of all is the acting. Jeff Bridges' hilarious, slurring marshal and Matt Damon's preening Texas Ranger are pitch perfect and naturally funny. But the film is carried by young Hailee Steinfeld; strong, confident and magnetic. Also, there seemed at one point to be a bear riding a horse. This is Coen territory par excellence.

3. A Separation
This Iranian film was a revelation. It is a deft portrait of life in modern Tehran, with divisions across religious and class barriers serving as the backdrop to an escalating drama. We eavesdrop, the camera often observing from another room through a window or door, and the tension is at times nearly unbearable.

4. The Tree of Life
Terrence Malick returns. This is an intimate family story played out on the cosmic stage. The Big Bang, dinosaurs, the afterlife(?): they all make an impact, but the real focus is on the boys growing up in 1950s Texas. Whispered narration, dream-like memories and incredibly beautiful photography are spell-binding. It is unique.

5. The Deep Blue Sea (my review here)
Terence Davies returns. This strong, rich adaptation is released from staginess by elegant direction, surging music and impeccable acting. Absorbing.

6. Senna
A Formula One documentary astonishing enough for those of us who have no time whatsoever for the sport. The presentation of the archive footage could hardly be done better and the story is fascinating. This is exciting, incredible and tragic.

7. Drive
The Year of the Gosling reached its peak here. An ultra-violent and super-slick story in which the relationships shine strongest. Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan are wonderful, always.

8. Black Swan
Not as crazy as I had expected, or perhaps hoped. And then the last thirty minutes happened. An enjoyable feast of loud Tchaikovsky and body horror. Its greatest success might be its seam of dark humour.

9. The King's Speech
I maintain that The Social Network was the better film, and that Colin Firth and Jeff Bridges won their Oscars the wrong way round. But The King's Speech is still a British prestige picture of the best kind. The scenes with Firth and Geoffrey Rush are funny and impressive. As a friend pointed out, a classic sports film (without sport).

10. Weekend (my review here)
Andrew Haigh's breakthrough is well written and well acted, brought into focus by attention to tiny details. A film about a gay romance that is completely, unselfconsciously universal.

11. Win Win
One of the most purely enjoyable films I saw this year (see also Albatross). It is a rare thing: unassuming, funny, heart-warming, intelligent. It cannot fail to be liked.

12. Hanna
Saoirse Ronan and director Joe Wright together give us beauty, humour and violence: a warped fairy tale with delicious visuals. In all, a blast with a Chemical Brothers soundtrack.

There they are. Honourable mentions go to 127 Hours, Never Let Me Go, Albatross, Beginners, The Skin I Live In, We Need to Talk About Kevin, and Tabloid.

Finally, of the other films I saw this year, my favourites include The Social Network, Days of Heaven, Rocco and His Brothers and F. W. Murnau's Faust. If there are any of those you have not seen, I can highly recommend you toss your internet to one side and seek them out as soon as possible. They are all wonderful.

Have a great 2012, everybody. Be happy.