Jones County Mississippi is full of poor but well-meaninged farmers who are sick of fighting so the rich man can stay home and control their slaves. Newton Knight (Matthew McConaghey) is one such man after his implied nephew is unexpectedly killed when he is only a teenager. He is a runaway and the Confederate Army is after him. He is forced to hide out in the swamps with runaway slaves, which he doesn't have a problem with, mainly because they are in the same boat, pissed off at the rich southern white man. Eventually many other deserters join them and fight against the Confederate Army, getting their supplies back. Even though the army promises not to hang deserters who want to rejoin the army, this proves to be a lie and so even the women fight back, firing at them at a fake funeral for the deserters. However, the fight is not over, not even after the war is won, the African Americans still have few rights and Newt tries to change that, but the Klan makes that too difficult.
Unfortunately, the film has a big problem. In addition to the main plot line, it has another equally interesting and compelling plot line of Newt's great-grandson (Brian Lee Franklin) who is in big trouble for marrying a white woman when he is one-eighth black. It is a great story and one that probably deserves its own film. Which leads us to the other problem, with weird love life of Newton. He is married to Serena (Keri Russell, in a thankless role) but she leaves and moves to Georgia but returns after her farm is burned down again but Newt has already taken up with the African American woman Rachel (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, in another thankless role but with more meat and great American accent) and does have a child with her. Despite this the two women co-exist well, probably because back then you needed to have a husband and Newt is a decent human being.
Again, both plots are great and the acting is decent as the cast is huge and filled with small, no-name actors and McConaghey is actually very good and fortunately carries the film. Mahershala Ali is also great as an escaped slave who has a guard around his head. He is especially great when he goes around to recruit African Americans to vote.
The scenery is also great and the mise-en-scene is also superb so it is a shame that the film is too board and tries to cover too much ground for it to be as worthwhile and epic as it should have been. Grade: B
Friday, June 24, 2016
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Nell (1994)
This was an odd sort of film.
Violet Kellty is a recluse, a woman who has no interaction with others. When she dies, people are shocked to discover that she had a daughter, Nell (Jodie Foster) of whom no record exists. Nell is primitive, and because of her mother's stroke, she speaks English with a speech impediment, so no one can truly understand her. Dr. Jerry Lovell (Liam Neeson) is the one who discovers her and he wants her to stay where she is, as she can function properly with minimal interaction with others. On the other hand, specialist Dr. Paula Olson (Natasha Richardson), has other ideas, believing that because this is so rare, a true wild person, that she should be in the hospital so she can be cared for and observed.
So they both camp out and observe her. Jerry camps out while Paula has a whole houseboat and has set up video cameras to watch her constantly.
Eventually, Paula does come around to Jerry's more primal way of watching her, starting to understand her language and learned that she had an identical twin who died in an accident. They also try and teach her that men aren't the enemy, as Nell's mother most likely became pregnant from a rape. They slowly start to introduce her to the outside world and she intimates what others do, which doesn't always work out well.
Unfortunately, the press discovers her and she is taken to a hospital but she shuts down, refusing to open her mouth at all which means that the doctors make a false diagnosis. And now, once again, the courts need to decide.
For whatever reason, Nell understands and gets Jerry to translate for her. Though she is simple, and doesn't know as much as others, she believes that she can truly see people. She wants to do things in her own way.
And she does. Throughout the film, their is some odd sexual tension between Paula and Jerry, and as the sequel five years later, they are married with a young child. It is a birthday party for Nell. She can speak some normal English and a few townspeople are there to celebrate. Nell may have a simple life and will probably never have the things that everyone else will have, but she is happy in her own way.
The film is interesting, with fine performances, especially Foster, who delivers a minimalist performance, she received an Oscar nomination for this role and was great. Neeson and Richardson master American accents and are also great. Ironically, they would get married not long after filming wrapped up. I liked the film, though it was sort of predictable and the final court scene was hard to understand. But the rustic, realistic setting and performances carry the film. It is also interesting to see the old computers and how searches were done before the world wide web. Grade: A-
Violet Kellty is a recluse, a woman who has no interaction with others. When she dies, people are shocked to discover that she had a daughter, Nell (Jodie Foster) of whom no record exists. Nell is primitive, and because of her mother's stroke, she speaks English with a speech impediment, so no one can truly understand her. Dr. Jerry Lovell (Liam Neeson) is the one who discovers her and he wants her to stay where she is, as she can function properly with minimal interaction with others. On the other hand, specialist Dr. Paula Olson (Natasha Richardson), has other ideas, believing that because this is so rare, a true wild person, that she should be in the hospital so she can be cared for and observed.
So they both camp out and observe her. Jerry camps out while Paula has a whole houseboat and has set up video cameras to watch her constantly.
Eventually, Paula does come around to Jerry's more primal way of watching her, starting to understand her language and learned that she had an identical twin who died in an accident. They also try and teach her that men aren't the enemy, as Nell's mother most likely became pregnant from a rape. They slowly start to introduce her to the outside world and she intimates what others do, which doesn't always work out well.
Unfortunately, the press discovers her and she is taken to a hospital but she shuts down, refusing to open her mouth at all which means that the doctors make a false diagnosis. And now, once again, the courts need to decide.
For whatever reason, Nell understands and gets Jerry to translate for her. Though she is simple, and doesn't know as much as others, she believes that she can truly see people. She wants to do things in her own way.
And she does. Throughout the film, their is some odd sexual tension between Paula and Jerry, and as the sequel five years later, they are married with a young child. It is a birthday party for Nell. She can speak some normal English and a few townspeople are there to celebrate. Nell may have a simple life and will probably never have the things that everyone else will have, but she is happy in her own way.
The film is interesting, with fine performances, especially Foster, who delivers a minimalist performance, she received an Oscar nomination for this role and was great. Neeson and Richardson master American accents and are also great. Ironically, they would get married not long after filming wrapped up. I liked the film, though it was sort of predictable and the final court scene was hard to understand. But the rustic, realistic setting and performances carry the film. It is also interesting to see the old computers and how searches were done before the world wide web. Grade: A-
Friday, June 10, 2016
Suffragette (2015)
Emily Davison's (Natalie Press's) death was broadcast across the world and finally brought attention to the long battle of women trying and failing to get the vote.
But this film is not about her. She is only a minor character in this overall depressing film. Instead, a laundress Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan) takes center stage. She is, at first, a reluctant suffragette, as her grueling job, husband and young son take up all of her time. But her boss is horrible. He is a pedophile. She also befriends the known suffragette, Violet Miller (Anne-Marie Duff), whose daughter, Maggie (Grace Stotter), is the subject of Taylor's (Geoff Belll's) attention. But her new activities come at a cost. She is arrested, and then her husband (Ben Whishaw) kicks her out of the house. If she hadn't of shown up on little George's birthday, she would have never known that Sonny was giving him up for adoption. She has no rights over her own child.
Maud is arrested again, for throwing a bomb in an official's house. Upon her return to prison, she refuses to eat so she is force-fed, which is a horrific experience.
Yet, she does not give up. The main point of the film comes when both Maud and Emily, whom Maud met in prison the first time, attend a derby to get the attention of the King. Emily has the banner and goes out to the ring while the horses are racing and she is struck and dies. Her funeral is well-attended and finishes out the film.
While this is a good story and one that needed to be told, it wasn't done right. It should have ended with the women finally getting the vote, something which would not happen until 1928, eight years after it happened in America. It did show realistically how cruel the police were to the women and how much the rest of the country looked down on them. it portrayed a simple woman and why she decided to change the future for her hypothetical daughters. She wants girls to have better opportunities than she had. Maud, a life long laundress, wishes for something more. Which brings up a problem. For someone who didn't receive much education, she is well-written and thoughtful with her letters to Steed (Brendan Gleeson), a police officer who tries, in his backhanded way, to help Maud and her letter which also ends the film on how women will not give up the fight.
It is a shame that this film isn't good. Giving the setting, costumes and performances it had the making of a good film, but Emily's death played such a big role, the film should have been told from her point of view. Yet, it wasn't. Though I know now that women have rights, and that they were fought long and hard for, the end left me without hope. Mulligan is great, along with Helena Bonham Carter who plays an extreme suffragette, a chemist and intelligent. Meryl Streep has a cameo appearance as Emmeline Pankhurst, another suffragette who is described by Emily herself as fearless. Unfortunately, all these performances are wasted in a lackluster film which should have been better. I'm not angry, just disappointed. Grade: B
But this film is not about her. She is only a minor character in this overall depressing film. Instead, a laundress Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan) takes center stage. She is, at first, a reluctant suffragette, as her grueling job, husband and young son take up all of her time. But her boss is horrible. He is a pedophile. She also befriends the known suffragette, Violet Miller (Anne-Marie Duff), whose daughter, Maggie (Grace Stotter), is the subject of Taylor's (Geoff Belll's) attention. But her new activities come at a cost. She is arrested, and then her husband (Ben Whishaw) kicks her out of the house. If she hadn't of shown up on little George's birthday, she would have never known that Sonny was giving him up for adoption. She has no rights over her own child.
Maud is arrested again, for throwing a bomb in an official's house. Upon her return to prison, she refuses to eat so she is force-fed, which is a horrific experience.
Yet, she does not give up. The main point of the film comes when both Maud and Emily, whom Maud met in prison the first time, attend a derby to get the attention of the King. Emily has the banner and goes out to the ring while the horses are racing and she is struck and dies. Her funeral is well-attended and finishes out the film.
While this is a good story and one that needed to be told, it wasn't done right. It should have ended with the women finally getting the vote, something which would not happen until 1928, eight years after it happened in America. It did show realistically how cruel the police were to the women and how much the rest of the country looked down on them. it portrayed a simple woman and why she decided to change the future for her hypothetical daughters. She wants girls to have better opportunities than she had. Maud, a life long laundress, wishes for something more. Which brings up a problem. For someone who didn't receive much education, she is well-written and thoughtful with her letters to Steed (Brendan Gleeson), a police officer who tries, in his backhanded way, to help Maud and her letter which also ends the film on how women will not give up the fight.
It is a shame that this film isn't good. Giving the setting, costumes and performances it had the making of a good film, but Emily's death played such a big role, the film should have been told from her point of view. Yet, it wasn't. Though I know now that women have rights, and that they were fought long and hard for, the end left me without hope. Mulligan is great, along with Helena Bonham Carter who plays an extreme suffragette, a chemist and intelligent. Meryl Streep has a cameo appearance as Emmeline Pankhurst, another suffragette who is described by Emily herself as fearless. Unfortunately, all these performances are wasted in a lackluster film which should have been better. I'm not angry, just disappointed. Grade: B
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Me Before You
Full disclosure: I have read this novel twice, including once just last week. It is one of my favorite books of all time.
That being said, I couldn't wait to see the film and though I have many issues with it, the film remains excellent.
The plot is simple enough, Louisa Clark (Emilia Clarke) is hired by Camilla Traynor (Janet McTeer) to be a companion/caregiver to her quadriplegic son, Will (Sam Claflin). Their relationship starts off horribly as Will doesn't want someone chatty and Louisa is a perpetually happy and talkative. Not that it matters, she has a boyfriend, Patrick (Matthew Lewis). Yep, that's right, Neville from the Harry Potter films, all grown up.
The twist is, Louisa is also around to make sure that Will doesn't commit suicide. Will was a businessman and daredevil before he was hit by a motorcycle, and now must live the rest of his life in a wheelchair and it depresses him. So he wants to die, as seen by the scars on his wrists. Louisa is devastated to learn this and becomes determined to keep him alive. She tries taking him on activities, which have mixed results. The two grow closer, much to the chagrin of Patrick and eventually their relationship comes to an end. Louisa and Will grow close and though they both love each other, Will still can't bring himself to live so he goes to Switzerland where he can have an assisted suicide. Louisa is forced to move on and live without him.
Though the performances are brilliant, even the supporting characters shine, including Steve Peacocke as Will's loyal in-home nurse, Nathan and Jenna Coleman as Louisa's great and inventive sister, Katrina, Emilia Clarke was miscast. Louisa is supposed to be slightly overweight. It is a shame as Clarke is great with some of the most expressive eyebrows ever. Fortunately, Claflin is perfect, albeit a little young. But he will break your heart, and he only has his face to convey his meaning, and he succeeds.
Now, to my other problems. In the film, Louisa makes her case better for Will to continue to live. She cries at him, that though this might be what he wants, it isn't what she wants and that should also be taken into consideration. Also, in the book, there was an implied sexual assault with Louisa being the victim, which is why she hasn't left her small town, something Will just can't understand. You also know why Louisa lost her first job, her boss had to leave town to care for his elderly parents, nothing against Louisa's great work ethic. There is also some hostility between Katrina, a young single mother who returns to school and Louisa who has a crazy sense of fashion but must stay at her job with the Traynors as her family needs the money. And they do, her mother (Samantha Spiro) needs to care for Louisa's elderly grandfather who recently suffered a stroke and her father, Bernard (Brendan Coyle) is on the edge of losing his job and does, about half way through the novel. And the Traynors have a bunch of money. Another difference between the book and film, in the book Will has a sister, who doesn't exist in the film and also in the book, Will's father, Steven (Charles Dance) is having an affair and it wasn't the first time, this is barely implied in the film. Plus, it would have been helpful if the film explained Will's previous suicide attempt, where he rammed his wheelchair into a rusty nail so many times, it cut the bone. Yeah, that would have been helpful.
And it is a shame, as some of the scenes are verbatim from the book, which makes sense as Jojo Moyes wrote both. The film is also laced with controversy, and book shows both sides better as Louisa does her research, joining online support groups and even gets Will this machine that will type what he says, a great moment that the film should have had. Will would have never been a burden to her, despite his belief that that would be the case. He wants Louisa to have a crazy life, to live up to her potential, to travel, live life to its fullest. He wants her to someone who can give her all the things that he can't. Yet, Louisa is also the only thing that makes him happy. She is the sole reason for his smile.
Okay, that all being said, the film is still superb, evoking some funny moments, mainly from the competition Patrick and Will have over Louisa and how Patrick is jealous of someone who cannot walk nor will he ever walk again. And Louisa is a live wire with her charming personality and quirky sense of style. Her shoes alone are worth watching for alone. Both Clarke and Claflin make the characters come to life in a way that you will never forget. Grade: A-
That being said, I couldn't wait to see the film and though I have many issues with it, the film remains excellent.
The plot is simple enough, Louisa Clark (Emilia Clarke) is hired by Camilla Traynor (Janet McTeer) to be a companion/caregiver to her quadriplegic son, Will (Sam Claflin). Their relationship starts off horribly as Will doesn't want someone chatty and Louisa is a perpetually happy and talkative. Not that it matters, she has a boyfriend, Patrick (Matthew Lewis). Yep, that's right, Neville from the Harry Potter films, all grown up.
The twist is, Louisa is also around to make sure that Will doesn't commit suicide. Will was a businessman and daredevil before he was hit by a motorcycle, and now must live the rest of his life in a wheelchair and it depresses him. So he wants to die, as seen by the scars on his wrists. Louisa is devastated to learn this and becomes determined to keep him alive. She tries taking him on activities, which have mixed results. The two grow closer, much to the chagrin of Patrick and eventually their relationship comes to an end. Louisa and Will grow close and though they both love each other, Will still can't bring himself to live so he goes to Switzerland where he can have an assisted suicide. Louisa is forced to move on and live without him.
Though the performances are brilliant, even the supporting characters shine, including Steve Peacocke as Will's loyal in-home nurse, Nathan and Jenna Coleman as Louisa's great and inventive sister, Katrina, Emilia Clarke was miscast. Louisa is supposed to be slightly overweight. It is a shame as Clarke is great with some of the most expressive eyebrows ever. Fortunately, Claflin is perfect, albeit a little young. But he will break your heart, and he only has his face to convey his meaning, and he succeeds.
Now, to my other problems. In the film, Louisa makes her case better for Will to continue to live. She cries at him, that though this might be what he wants, it isn't what she wants and that should also be taken into consideration. Also, in the book, there was an implied sexual assault with Louisa being the victim, which is why she hasn't left her small town, something Will just can't understand. You also know why Louisa lost her first job, her boss had to leave town to care for his elderly parents, nothing against Louisa's great work ethic. There is also some hostility between Katrina, a young single mother who returns to school and Louisa who has a crazy sense of fashion but must stay at her job with the Traynors as her family needs the money. And they do, her mother (Samantha Spiro) needs to care for Louisa's elderly grandfather who recently suffered a stroke and her father, Bernard (Brendan Coyle) is on the edge of losing his job and does, about half way through the novel. And the Traynors have a bunch of money. Another difference between the book and film, in the book Will has a sister, who doesn't exist in the film and also in the book, Will's father, Steven (Charles Dance) is having an affair and it wasn't the first time, this is barely implied in the film. Plus, it would have been helpful if the film explained Will's previous suicide attempt, where he rammed his wheelchair into a rusty nail so many times, it cut the bone. Yeah, that would have been helpful.
And it is a shame, as some of the scenes are verbatim from the book, which makes sense as Jojo Moyes wrote both. The film is also laced with controversy, and book shows both sides better as Louisa does her research, joining online support groups and even gets Will this machine that will type what he says, a great moment that the film should have had. Will would have never been a burden to her, despite his belief that that would be the case. He wants Louisa to have a crazy life, to live up to her potential, to travel, live life to its fullest. He wants her to someone who can give her all the things that he can't. Yet, Louisa is also the only thing that makes him happy. She is the sole reason for his smile.
Okay, that all being said, the film is still superb, evoking some funny moments, mainly from the competition Patrick and Will have over Louisa and how Patrick is jealous of someone who cannot walk nor will he ever walk again. And Louisa is a live wire with her charming personality and quirky sense of style. Her shoes alone are worth watching for alone. Both Clarke and Claflin make the characters come to life in a way that you will never forget. Grade: A-
Monday, June 6, 2016
Top Five (2014)
This was another good film.
Andre Allen (Chris Rock) is a former stand-up comedienne, and alcoholic who is trying to be taken seriously. But his latest film, on the savage uprising of a Haitian slave who killed over fifty thousand white people in his quest for freedom is a flop. None agree with this more so than New York Times reporter James Nielsen.
Andre is also set to be married to the reality star, Erica Long (Gabrielle Union) so his every move is being captured for her benefit.
Enter the journalist Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson) another recovering alcoholic and single mom. Once she arrives, you know that Chelsea and Andre are going to end up together and they do, though not in the way you would expect.
Though this relationship is the heart of the film as Chelsea tries to get the real truth out of Andre, like why he stopped being funny and what truly inspired him to get and stay clean. As it turns out, a false rape charge was one of his inspirations along with Erica's support. But Erica is also annoying and doing everything for the camera. Andre certainly did love her, at one point, but now he is mostly with her out of obligation. And she is also annoying him. But there is another hurdle, Chelsea has a boyfriend and seems to be totally into him. However, Brad (Anders Holt) arrives and it is heavily implied that he is gay so Chelsea quickly ends things with him.
Only then, a curve ball is thrown. Chelsea turns out to be James Nielsen, the writer who proclaims to not like Andre's new material. So things get ugly. Andre tosses away four years of sobriety and immediately after finishing his first beer, he attacks a display of his comedic character that he is sick of and ends up in jail. Which doesn't last long.
At the end, each character is fine going their separate ways only then Andre finds a high-heeled shoe in his gift bag from his fancy bachelor party leaving him with a look on his face. He is going to turn around and go after Chelsea just as his handler, Silk (JD Smoove) told him to.
It is not going to be an easy break-up between him and Erica but it would be better for him in the long run, as Erica is all about the camera as she has no other talent and that scares her while Chelsea dabbles in many, including photography.
The film is also an interesting twist on Cinderella. Chelsea declares that her daughter is doing a school project on Cinderella and gives her new twist on the traditional tale. Which is why Chelsea places her shoe in the gift bag. The ball is now in Andre's court.
While the film is incredibly enjoyable, there are some problems with it, including the many characters from Andre's past who are great and give the film some truly funny moments but they are poorly explained which is a shame.
But the message of this film is good and Andre's fear is real. He wants to re-invent himself after his recovery but that means his reputation is in danger along with his career. Sometimes just standing on your own two feet is all you can manage for the day. Grade: B+
Andre Allen (Chris Rock) is a former stand-up comedienne, and alcoholic who is trying to be taken seriously. But his latest film, on the savage uprising of a Haitian slave who killed over fifty thousand white people in his quest for freedom is a flop. None agree with this more so than New York Times reporter James Nielsen.
Andre is also set to be married to the reality star, Erica Long (Gabrielle Union) so his every move is being captured for her benefit.
Enter the journalist Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson) another recovering alcoholic and single mom. Once she arrives, you know that Chelsea and Andre are going to end up together and they do, though not in the way you would expect.
Though this relationship is the heart of the film as Chelsea tries to get the real truth out of Andre, like why he stopped being funny and what truly inspired him to get and stay clean. As it turns out, a false rape charge was one of his inspirations along with Erica's support. But Erica is also annoying and doing everything for the camera. Andre certainly did love her, at one point, but now he is mostly with her out of obligation. And she is also annoying him. But there is another hurdle, Chelsea has a boyfriend and seems to be totally into him. However, Brad (Anders Holt) arrives and it is heavily implied that he is gay so Chelsea quickly ends things with him.
Only then, a curve ball is thrown. Chelsea turns out to be James Nielsen, the writer who proclaims to not like Andre's new material. So things get ugly. Andre tosses away four years of sobriety and immediately after finishing his first beer, he attacks a display of his comedic character that he is sick of and ends up in jail. Which doesn't last long.
At the end, each character is fine going their separate ways only then Andre finds a high-heeled shoe in his gift bag from his fancy bachelor party leaving him with a look on his face. He is going to turn around and go after Chelsea just as his handler, Silk (JD Smoove) told him to.
It is not going to be an easy break-up between him and Erica but it would be better for him in the long run, as Erica is all about the camera as she has no other talent and that scares her while Chelsea dabbles in many, including photography.
The film is also an interesting twist on Cinderella. Chelsea declares that her daughter is doing a school project on Cinderella and gives her new twist on the traditional tale. Which is why Chelsea places her shoe in the gift bag. The ball is now in Andre's court.
While the film is incredibly enjoyable, there are some problems with it, including the many characters from Andre's past who are great and give the film some truly funny moments but they are poorly explained which is a shame.
But the message of this film is good and Andre's fear is real. He wants to re-invent himself after his recovery but that means his reputation is in danger along with his career. Sometimes just standing on your own two feet is all you can manage for the day. Grade: B+
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Unexpected (2015)
This was a good little film.
Samantha Abbott (Cobie Smulders) is a teacher in an inner city Chicago high school. However, she is taken aback and forced to rethink the path she wants her life to go when she unexpectedly becomes pregnant. Fortunately, her boyfriend, John (Anders Holt) is incredibly supportive and the two marry quickly. Because her school is closing, and John makes enough money to support both of them, she can become a stay-at-home mom, though she isn't sure if that is what she wants.
Sam finds a friend in the most unexpected place, one of her brightest students, Jasmine Davis (Gail Bean). Despite being on track to attend college, Jasmine is also pregnant and is adamant about keeping the baby. Still, Sam is determined to get Jasmine into the college of her dreams, which also happens to be Sam's alma mater. This is not possible, legitically speaking as Jasmine can't get family housing and she won't leave the baby with her grandmother and only see it on the weekend.
This creates a huge riff but Sam was just upset. She applied for a job at a museum where she would be able to help create the science curriculum for the whole city, but she would need to start just a week after her due date and that is a firm start date. She understands though she is super pissed about being pregnant at that moment. She is just determined for Jasmine to not have her dreams cut short.
But Sam doesn't realize how lucky she is, with a supportive partner who comes to the doctor's appointments with her and is mature enough to handle fatherhood while Jasmine's boyfriend cannot. Sure, Jasmine could have it worse, though her childhood was troubled. Her mother moved from guy to guy and once Jasmine lived without electricity for six months. But at least her boyfriend isn't abusive, a secret fear I had, for some reason.
The film does end on a happy note with Sam attending Jasmine's baby shower and apologizes for her actions. Jasmine accepts this and is horrified when she learns the terrible truth about how much labor hurts.
Though the film is simple enough, I do have some minor issues with it. For example, Jasmine's grandmother is on government assistance but throws a huge baby shower? Something doesn't completely add up. Jasmine doesn't even have her baby by the end of the film and Sam's daughter doesn't get a name.
Fortunately, it does bring up some powerful points, subtly. The performances are also very good and it is realistic enough. This film has the timeless message, can women find meaning in their own lives outside of motherhood? Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Sam's mother, says that it is a sacrifice either way, going back to work or staying at home with the baby, each one is difficult. But support is needed regardless of the choice. And fortunately, both Sam and Jasmine have a good support system. Grade: B+
Samantha Abbott (Cobie Smulders) is a teacher in an inner city Chicago high school. However, she is taken aback and forced to rethink the path she wants her life to go when she unexpectedly becomes pregnant. Fortunately, her boyfriend, John (Anders Holt) is incredibly supportive and the two marry quickly. Because her school is closing, and John makes enough money to support both of them, she can become a stay-at-home mom, though she isn't sure if that is what she wants.
Sam finds a friend in the most unexpected place, one of her brightest students, Jasmine Davis (Gail Bean). Despite being on track to attend college, Jasmine is also pregnant and is adamant about keeping the baby. Still, Sam is determined to get Jasmine into the college of her dreams, which also happens to be Sam's alma mater. This is not possible, legitically speaking as Jasmine can't get family housing and she won't leave the baby with her grandmother and only see it on the weekend.
This creates a huge riff but Sam was just upset. She applied for a job at a museum where she would be able to help create the science curriculum for the whole city, but she would need to start just a week after her due date and that is a firm start date. She understands though she is super pissed about being pregnant at that moment. She is just determined for Jasmine to not have her dreams cut short.
But Sam doesn't realize how lucky she is, with a supportive partner who comes to the doctor's appointments with her and is mature enough to handle fatherhood while Jasmine's boyfriend cannot. Sure, Jasmine could have it worse, though her childhood was troubled. Her mother moved from guy to guy and once Jasmine lived without electricity for six months. But at least her boyfriend isn't abusive, a secret fear I had, for some reason.
The film does end on a happy note with Sam attending Jasmine's baby shower and apologizes for her actions. Jasmine accepts this and is horrified when she learns the terrible truth about how much labor hurts.
Though the film is simple enough, I do have some minor issues with it. For example, Jasmine's grandmother is on government assistance but throws a huge baby shower? Something doesn't completely add up. Jasmine doesn't even have her baby by the end of the film and Sam's daughter doesn't get a name.
Fortunately, it does bring up some powerful points, subtly. The performances are also very good and it is realistic enough. This film has the timeless message, can women find meaning in their own lives outside of motherhood? Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Sam's mother, says that it is a sacrifice either way, going back to work or staying at home with the baby, each one is difficult. But support is needed regardless of the choice. And fortunately, both Sam and Jasmine have a good support system. Grade: B+
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
This was a delightful romcom.
Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) is a lonely widower who needs a change of pace so he and his young son, Jonah (Ross Malinger) move to Seattle.
Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) is a journalist who just got engaged to her co-worker, Walter (Bill Pullman) who is allergic to everything. Though she is content, everything isn't special. She longs for that magic.
Because Annie lives in Baltimore, you might wonder how the two ever meet. They don't, not until the film is more than halfway over. Jonah calls in to one of those call-in radio shows which airs nationwide. Jonah knows that his father is lonely and he wants his dad to get back out there. Annie overhears this call and hears Sam gush about his late wife and before she knows it, she is driving to Walter's parents house in tears. There is just something about his story. Sam is dubbed sleepless in Seattle as Sam cannot sleep as he misses his wife so much.
Annie longs for something more in her relationship, though she and Walter are perfectly comfortable together, but there are not surprises, everything is predictable.
However, Sam does get back out there, as many women from across the country want his hand in marriage. But he starts seeing this interior designer, Victoria (Barbara Garrick) who is fine, but Jonah already has his heart set on Annie, even though she has only written them a letter. She does come and visit, for her story, of course, but can't even talk to him, as they are both dumbstruck. Neither can take their eyes off each other.
But she returns home and Sam continues seeing Victoria. Then Jonah does something crazy. As Annie promised in her letter that she never meant to send, she promised that she would meet them on the top of the Empire State Building, exactly what was promised in the dreadful romance film from the 1950s, An Affair to Remember. So Jonah, with the help of his snarky friend, Jessica (Gaby Hoffmann), books a ticket to New York and sets off, forcing his father to change his plans and go after him. Annie breaks up with Walter, wondering if there was something better out there.
Annie manages to make it to the top, only to miss Sam and Jonah but fortunately, just as I predicted, Jonah left his backpack there, forcing them to return and run into Annie. Sam grabs her hand and just can't let go. They all leave, going down the elevator together.
Yeah, it was a great film, genuinely funny, until the ending. I certainly hope that they get together but Sam was rightly skeptical, pointing out on the map how far away Baltimore was from Seattle. There is no epilogue so who truly knows what does happen despite something special existing between the two of them.
Now, for the funny moments. Sam opens a letter from a woman who wants him and proclaims that her photo looks like his third grade teacher and that turns out to be true. Then, when Jessica is booking Jonah his ticket, she says that she is going to say his age is twelve so they will leave him alone (he is actually eight). No one will question that because it is in the computer so therefore, it is the truth.
Certainly, this was a good film, almost a great one, if only the ending had gone differently, but Hanks and Ryan are brilliant together and the rest of the supporting actors are great also. The film also has a real feel about it, and that is something that cannot be faked. Grade: A-
Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) is a lonely widower who needs a change of pace so he and his young son, Jonah (Ross Malinger) move to Seattle.
Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) is a journalist who just got engaged to her co-worker, Walter (Bill Pullman) who is allergic to everything. Though she is content, everything isn't special. She longs for that magic.
Because Annie lives in Baltimore, you might wonder how the two ever meet. They don't, not until the film is more than halfway over. Jonah calls in to one of those call-in radio shows which airs nationwide. Jonah knows that his father is lonely and he wants his dad to get back out there. Annie overhears this call and hears Sam gush about his late wife and before she knows it, she is driving to Walter's parents house in tears. There is just something about his story. Sam is dubbed sleepless in Seattle as Sam cannot sleep as he misses his wife so much.
Annie longs for something more in her relationship, though she and Walter are perfectly comfortable together, but there are not surprises, everything is predictable.
However, Sam does get back out there, as many women from across the country want his hand in marriage. But he starts seeing this interior designer, Victoria (Barbara Garrick) who is fine, but Jonah already has his heart set on Annie, even though she has only written them a letter. She does come and visit, for her story, of course, but can't even talk to him, as they are both dumbstruck. Neither can take their eyes off each other.
But she returns home and Sam continues seeing Victoria. Then Jonah does something crazy. As Annie promised in her letter that she never meant to send, she promised that she would meet them on the top of the Empire State Building, exactly what was promised in the dreadful romance film from the 1950s, An Affair to Remember. So Jonah, with the help of his snarky friend, Jessica (Gaby Hoffmann), books a ticket to New York and sets off, forcing his father to change his plans and go after him. Annie breaks up with Walter, wondering if there was something better out there.
Annie manages to make it to the top, only to miss Sam and Jonah but fortunately, just as I predicted, Jonah left his backpack there, forcing them to return and run into Annie. Sam grabs her hand and just can't let go. They all leave, going down the elevator together.
Yeah, it was a great film, genuinely funny, until the ending. I certainly hope that they get together but Sam was rightly skeptical, pointing out on the map how far away Baltimore was from Seattle. There is no epilogue so who truly knows what does happen despite something special existing between the two of them.
Now, for the funny moments. Sam opens a letter from a woman who wants him and proclaims that her photo looks like his third grade teacher and that turns out to be true. Then, when Jessica is booking Jonah his ticket, she says that she is going to say his age is twelve so they will leave him alone (he is actually eight). No one will question that because it is in the computer so therefore, it is the truth.
Certainly, this was a good film, almost a great one, if only the ending had gone differently, but Hanks and Ryan are brilliant together and the rest of the supporting actors are great also. The film also has a real feel about it, and that is something that cannot be faked. Grade: A-
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