It’s been a busy movie going end of the year. Lots of one week qualifying runs.
The Quiet Girl - After killing a man in the ring, a 12 year old Irish girl returns to Inisfree… OK, not really. A quietly heartbreaking movie about a young Irish girl in the 1980’s (much of the dialog is in Gaelic with subtitles) with a quiet soul, in the wrong family situation, given to relatives, and finding the first love and nurturing in her life. A very specific story set in a slice of life that takes you to a place an time that you probably haven’t thought about. Very much recommended.
Empire of Light - Reviews of this have been mixed, at best. It’s a movie that’s more about some great ensemble acting rather than the plot, which is somewhat of a stereotype. However, Olivia Colman gives a performance that is almost certain to be Oscar-nominated (she may be the new Meryl Streep, every performance is astonishingly good, just pencil her name in to the list of nominees every year). I like it for the performances, but if that’s not enough for you, give it a pass.
The Whale - Another one with great performances within a poor plot, almost nonsensical in fact (plus you can clearly see the live theater bones in the script). See it if you are puzzled about reports of standing ovations at festivals for Brendan Fraser’s performance, as well as for a strong turn by Hong Chau. Otherwise, you may want to pass on this.
Living - A remake of Kurosawa’s Ikiru (which is a masterpiece). Not up to that standard, but a decent update, and if it brings Bill Nighy’s brilliant performance to the attention of the general movie going public, so much the better.
Babylon - A glorious mess of a picture about the transition from silents to talking pictures, with with an intense performance by Margot Robbie as a composite of all the stars that did not make the transition (particularly Clara Bow). It is obvious that the director loves the period and this is a story from his heart, but he throws everything but the kitchen sink into the narrative, which leaves it a bit overstuffed. It’s also very downbeat (if you want to see an upbeat portrayal of this period, watch Bogdanovich’s Nickelodeon), so be warned.
Women Talking - 12 Angry Women. Well, sort of. Sarah Polley (a brilliant director) has written and directed an intense drama which is primarily scenes of women talking. Talking about their future in a religious cult where they are not allowed an education, must submit to their husbands, and are subject to nightly sexual assaults by the men and boys of the cult. It is obviously allegorical, but it kept me riveted.
Broker - If Decision to Leave were not the hands down favorite as South Korea’s entry as Best Foreign Language film, this would be a worthy entry. It reminds me, in the best way, of the Japanese film Shoplifters, in that it is about how family that is better than blood can be built through small (and large) acts of love. Very much recommended.
Corsage - I had high hopes for this one, a film about Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who led quite a life just before the turn of the century (late 1800’s). While the movie uses real people and places, it takes huge liberties with events, time, place and throws in even elements of the late 20th century. Vicky Krieps gives a great performance as a woman constrained and constricted emotionally, intellectually, and physically (a “corsage” is basically a version of a corset) by her position and expectations thereof. While the narrative is interesting, the real life accomplishments and character of the Empress would have made an even more interesting film. See it for Krieps (especially if you’ve never heard of her), but don’t expect much historical insight.