Review – No Hard Feelings

No Hard Feelings (2023)
R ‧ Comedy ‧ 1 Hour 43 Minutes
Written by John Phillips and Gene Stupnitsky
Directed by Gene Stupnitsky

THE CAST

Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti, Natalie Morales, Matthew Broderick

THE STORY

(In their own words) Jennifer Lawrence produces and stars in No Hard Feelings, a laugh-out-loud, R-rated comedy from director Gene Stupnitsky (Good Boys) and the co-writer of Bad Teacher. Maddie (Lawrence) thinks she’s found the answer to her financial troubles when she discovers an intriguing job listing: wealthy helicopter parents looking for someone to “date” their introverted 19-year-old son, Percy, and bring him out of his shell before he leaves for college. But awkward Percy proves to be more of a challenge than she expected, and time is running out. She has one summer to make him a man or lose it all.

Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) and Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) in Columbia Pictures NO HARD FEELINGS.

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film:

Funny – I laughed a lot during this film. I laughed hard. It was a good laugh.
Acting -Jennifer Lawerence just gives a solid performance. She’s almost too good for the movie. She elevates the script and the story to a level that it wouldn’t be at if a lesser actor were in the film. She also does comedy really well, and it makes me want to see her do more comedies. Also, a very nice supporting actor performance from Matthew Broderick.

Laird (Matthew Broderick) and Allison (Laura Benanti) in Columbia Pictures’ NO HARD FEELINGS.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the film

Editing – There was some clunky editing. Characters changing positions as camera angle cuts happened. In one scene, Jennifer Lawrence has a tear on her cheek, the camera changes views one second and comes back, and it’s gone. Also, her hair dries in half a second. Just sloppy work in that regard. And that’s stuff I don’t usually notice or I am really forgiving about.
They Don’t Stick The Landing – Without giving anything away…The movie gets to where it needs to be, but I don’t feel like they earned it. They didn’t figure out a way to move past moments in a believable way and kind of skipped to where they needed to go.
Lacking – There’s nothing exceptional about the story. It’s nice, just…Not great. Not something I feel an urge to tell people about.

THE COMMENTS

This is a good date movie. It’s not high art, but it’s not bad. It’s not gonna raise a lot of issues. Hopefully, you are both on the same page that the age difference is a bit gross. Yes, the humor is closer to raunchy, and there are outrageous scenes in it, but it’s not disgusting. So…if the couple is on the same page, comedically, I think they’d enjoy the movie.

It’s also a nice refreshing break from the constant IP blockbusters that are hit and miss and the arthouse film where you feel like you’re watching yeast rise but have to pretend it is artful and you “get it.” As another reviewer mentioned to me, this is the kind of film that would have made the studio $100 Million ten years ago, but now people just come out to film like this.

This mid-budget movie is really missed on the big screen. The straight comedy movie is something we need more of. Jennifer Lawrence stated that she left for the last year because she thought the audiences were sick of her, but I don’t think they were. I think this film is something that reminds us that maybe we need more of this side of her. This fun, carefree side. What other movies can she lift up with her presence?

THE LESSON

There’s a fine line between being content and being stuck.

IS IT REWATCHABLE

Yes.

Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) in Columbia Pictures NO HARD FEELINGS.

THE FINAL WORD

Jennifer Lawerence returns to the screen in a film that lets her flex her considerable comedic chops. Lawrence’s performance is a highlight of the film. She is probably a much better actor than the movie deserved. It’s kind of an awkward plot with a vast age difference in the this would-be/almost rom-com but a little more of a raunchy sex comedy. The film suffers from some clunky editing and unearned resolutions. However, it’s not really bad. It’s not terrific. It’s that lovely mid-level film that makes for a good night out when you don’t want to choose between some multiverse films or an artful British drama about bread. This is the type of movie where you go in open-minded, ready to laugh, and let the film wander around and have fun.

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

No Hard Feelings gets a Like It.

THE TRAILER

THE MEME REVIEW

Review: Elemental

Elemental (2023)
PG ‧ Animation/Comedy ‧ 1 Hour 42 Minutes

Written by Peter Sohn; John Hoberg; Kat Likkel; Brenda Hsueh

Directed by Petry Sohn

THE CAST

Leah Lewis as Ember Lumen, a tough, quick-witted fire element who loves working at her family’s convenience store in Fire Town.
- Clara Lin Ding voices little kid Ember, while Reagan To voices big kid Ember.^[
Mamoudou Athie as Wade Ripple, a fun, sappy water element who is making his own choices and works as an inspector living in Element City.
Ronnie del Carmen as Bernie Lumen, Ember’s father, Cinder’s husband, and owner of their family’s convenience store in Fire Town.
Shila Ommi as Cinder Lumen, Ember’s mother and Bernie’s wife who is prejudiced against non-fire elements, like her husband.
Mason Wertheimer as Clod, a young, street-smart earth element and the Lumens’ neighbor who has a crush on Ember.
Wendi McLendon-Covey as Gale Cumulus, an air element with a big personality and Wade’s employer.
Catherine O’Hara as Brook Ripple, Wade and Alan’s mother and Harold’s sister who is very welcoming to Ember in a luxury apartment building.

THE STORY

(In their own words).n a city where fire, water, land, and air residents live together, a fiery young woman and a go-with-the-flow guy discover something elemental: how much they actually have in common.

LOVE IT

The BEST things about the film:

First Rom-Com – I’m pretty sure this would be considered Pixar’s first rom-com film. Sure, there have been love interests in other films, but I think this is the first time such a vast section of the film occupies that idea.

LIKE IT

What worked about the film:

Story – The tale is basically an analogy for the Asian immigrant experience in America. The “fire” element in the city feels othered and faces hostility around the city, where even parts of the city aren’t built with characteristics hospitable to life.

The animation – Lovely animation. I liked how they brought everything together into this world while still keeping a harmonious production design.

LOSE IT

The WORST things about the film:

Lack of good antagonist – The central conflict seems to be with Ember’s father, but even then, there isn’t lost love between them; they clearly have familial love for each other. It’s more about hiding from a father’s potential disappointment. He’s not really a bad guy, though. I think the film would have been much stronger if they had a bit stronger of an antagonist to fight against.

Lack of oomph – As fun as it was, I don’t know if this is going to be a memorable tale. Maybe it will grow more on me. I just didn’t walk away super excited by the movie.

THE COMMENTS

The idea for the film is more significant than the actual film. I could see a whole animated series taking place in Element City. The film doesn’t really take an opportunity to explore very much with the city and instead focuses on the relationship between Ember and Wade. Which is fine. Maybe if they spent more time world-building, I’d be mad they didn’t focus on the relationship. I’m a critic; perhaps I can’t be happy. It feels like a little bit of a waste of this setting. The potential for world-building in this universe is enormous.

THE LESSON

No matter how opposite two people are, they still could be a good match.

Don’t force your dreams onto other people.

IS IT REWATCHABLE?

Yes.

THE FINAL WORD

Elemental is a pleasant enough film. The film is an analogy for the immigrant experience in America wrapped together with a traditional rom-com. Overall it is a funny and enjoyable Pixar film, just not one that will leave a lasting impression. I’m willing to concede that this might be a movie that will grow on me over time. I’ll show it to my kids so I can buy the merch. Its lack of a significant protagonist is probably good for younger kids where bad guys scare them, but I want my plots like I want my carbs…complex.

THE TRAILER

THE MEME REVIEW

Rated: PG

Review: The Flash

The Flash (2023)
PG-13 ‧ Action/Adventure/Comedy ‧ 2 Hours 35 Minutes

Written by Christina Hodson

Directed by Andrés Muschietti

THE CAST

Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / The Flash
Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El / Supergirl
Michael Shannon as General Zod
Ron Livingston as Henry Allen
Maribel Verdú as Nora Allen: Barry’s mother who was murdered in his youth.
Kiersey Clemons as Iris West
Antje Traue as Faora-Ul
Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne / Batman

THE STORY

(In their own words).Worlds collide when the Flash uses his superpowers to travel back in time to change the events of the past. However, when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, he becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation. With no other superheroes to turn to, the Flash looks to coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian — albeit not the one he’s looking for.

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film

The Story – I really enjoyed this story because it managed to tell an origin story without lingering on that too much. The best origin stories focus on WHY they do what they do instead of drowning us on HOW they got these magic powers. It touches on Flash’s motivation for justice and covers how he got them, but still focuses on this story which takes place much later. I also am a big fan of how they dealt with the multiverse in this story and how it affects things.

Ezra Miller’s Performance – Look, I didn’t want to like them in this. I get the problems with keeping Ezra in this role, and they should probably be recast. That said, they are outstanding in the part, playing dual Barry Allens. They portray such clearly different versions of the same person so incredibly well with minor changes to the delivery and presentation that you really get the sense that this is the same person…but not.

The Multiverse Presentation – In films like this, I always wonder how they will get across the point of what Barry Allen sees in the multiverse and how he travels back in time. I believe they found a fantastic way of showing how he moves through time and learns about his options. It was fun and exciting and made things very clear to me.

The Cameos & Callbacks – This has some fantastic expected and unexpected cameos. It’s a real treat for DC fans. Now, I have read complaints that this movie was just fan service for the cameos and callbacks to other films, and I feel like that is completely missing the point and dismissing some excellent storytelling. The cameos and callbacks are the icing on the cake. They work because the film does. And honestly, after all the subpar DC films we’ve had in the past, the fans deserve a little bit of fan service.

The Humor – I really loved that the film’s humor was its own. Many of the Marvel movies have gotten a bit formulaic with the way they use humor, to the point that you can see it coming. It’s a Marvel brand of humor. The humor in this film is its own, and it feels unique; it feels internalized for the mechanics of that world. It doesn’t feel like the Shazam style of humor, and that makes it feel special.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film

The Time Stuff – Yes, I get it; the Flash sometimes does things that don’t make sense; he’ll be in the midst of talking to someone, then super-speeds to Paris, come back with a croissant before the person is done turning around. That doesn’t happen in this story exactly, but it’s the kind of thing he does in this story and in the television show and the comics. It doesn’t make sense because he probably had to at least go into regular time to buy the croissant unless he stole it. I get that. It’s kind of annoying. But that’s just what this character does. You have to let it go if you are going to enjoy ANYTHING about The Flash. And I do agree, and I wish they would stop doing this kind of thing.

THE COMMENTS

I really feel like this is the best DC film we’ve seen yet. There is so much I like about the film. The story, the humor, the direction, the acting, and the tone… hit it perfectly for me. Admittedly Flash is one of my longest-running loves of superheroes. So I admit I might be biased, but the audience I was with clearly agreed with me.

THE LESSON

The only way to move forward is to let go of the past.

IS IT REWATCHABLE
YES.
THE FINAL WORD

The Flash may be the best DC Film to come out. It’s creative, funny, and lays out a complex story in a simple way. It tells an origin story without dragging itself into feeling like it has to explain everything by focusing on the WHY Barry Allen takes on his role as the Flash rather than the how. The film’s story primarily works because of an impeccable performance by the problematic Ezra Miller. While I really appreciate the nuanced and stellar performance in the movie, I would be glad to see it recast so we can explore more of the Flash universe. The film is topped off by some stellar cameos that, yes, are full of DC fan service. However, DC fans deserve this after so many years of disappointment.

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

The Flash gets a Love It.

THE TRAILER

THE MEME REVIEW

Review: The Blackening

The Blackening (2023)
R ‧ Horror/Comedy ‧ 1 Hours 36 Minutes
Written by Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins, based on the 2018 short film of the same name by the comedy troupe 3Peat.
Directed by Tim Story

THE CAST

Grace Byers as Allison
Jermaine Fowler as Clifton
Melvin Gregg as King
X Mayo as Shanika
Dewayne Perkins as Dewayne
Antoinette Robertson as Lisa
Sinqua Walls as Nnamdi
Jay Pharoah as Shawn
Yvonne Orji as Morgan
Diedrich Bader as Officer White
James Preston Rogers as Camden Conner

THE STORY

(In their own words).

Seven friends go away for the weekend, only to find themselves trapped in a cabin with a killer who has a vendetta. They must pit their street smarts and knowledge of horror movies against the murderer to stay alive.

THE LOVES

The things I LOVED about the film:

The Comedy – It’s a really funny movie. Probably more comedy than horror.
It’s Not Gross – It’s not a horror movie that is overly gross. There’s some tough scenes to watch, for sure, but it’s not very gory, which is my preference.
Really Captured Black Culture – It definitely was written by POC, because it felt like a ‘Black Horror” film. The characters are speaking authentically from the culture and not like stereotypes that white writers have written in so many past movies.
The Story – A funny thing happens when you have stories written by people from a different life perspective…you get new jokes. You get new ways of telling a story. This makes the telling of a simple “cabin in the woods” type of horror film suddenly seem very fresh and fun.

THE LOSE ITS

The WORST things about the Film

Couple of the actors really didn’t do it for me. I didn’t think they were very believable as people
There are some really predictable moments of the film that take away from the enjoyment.

THE COMMENTS

This was an unexpectedly great time in the theater. I honestly wasn’t sure if this was going to be my kind of film. I was told it was closer to a Scary Movie type of horror/comedy than Bodies Bodies Bodies, but I disagree. I think it’s closer to the vein of Scream. It’s self-aware without being parody. It laughs at itself but also keeps an element of seriousness to keep the audience engaged and invested in the characters. It’s thought provoking in its examination of what it is to be Black and how to navigate relationships as you get older.

THE LESSON

Be wary of judging someone’s level of Blackness.

IS IT REWATCHABLE

Yes

THE FINAL WORD

Finally, a horror/comedy film that allows Black voices to exist authentically. When you have underrepresented voices write and direct a movie with a somewhat familiar plot; suddenly, the jokes are different, the tone is different, and the story is somehow different. This is a very entertaining, scary, and very, very funny film with some solid performances. It’s an intelligent and multi-layered movie; there’s much more to this film than I think it will get credit for. Its only downside is a couple of actors don’t quite fit into the skin of their character, and it suffers from too much predictability. But overall, it is well worth it to discover some new voices in horror/comedy and laugh a lot.

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

The Blackening gets a Like It.

THE TRAILER

THE MEME REVIEW

Review: You Hurt My Feelings

You Hurt My Feelings (2023)
R ‧ Comedy ‧ 1 Hour 33 Minutes

Written by Nicole Holofcener

Directed by Nicole Holofcener

THE CAST

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins, Arian Moayed, Owen Teague, Jeannie Berlin

THE STORY

(In their own words). From acclaimed filmmaker Nicole Holofcener comes a sharply observed comedy about a novelist whose long standing marriage is suddenly upended when she overhears her husband give his honest reaction to her latest book. A film about trust, lies, and the things we say to the people we love most.

Get my in-depth review by listening to the podcast or watching the video review at the bottom of the page. Here are the highlights:

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film

The Writing
The Directing
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
The Comedy

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film

It’s not nearly as quick as the trailer makes it seem.

THE LESSON

Honesty is complicated when you are in a relationship.

There’s a fine line between encouraging and creating delusion.

IS IT REWATCHABLE

Yes

THE FINAL WORD

Julia Louis-Dreyfus shines while starring in this honest film that explores honesty in relationships. A very well-crafted film from writer/director Nicole Holofcener, this is one of those films that lingers in your mind long after the movie ends. It provokes thought and discussion and makes you examine your own actions in relationships. I think that’s when films really do hit their highest level…when they cause self-reflection. The ensemble cast is excellent as we see truth and honesty examined between all the different types of relationships in the film.

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

You Hurt My Feelings gets a strong Like It.

THE TRAILER

THE VIDEO REVIEW

THE AUDIO-ONLY PODCAST

THE MEME REVIEW

Episode #214: Chantel Riley – 7 Questions

Interview with the star of the new film Colorblind, Chantel Riley. She discusses how she got into acting and answers the world-famous seven questions.

Available in video and audio-only podcast.

VIDEO

AUDIO ONLY PODCAST

Review: Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3

Posted in Action, Adventure, Film Reviews, Film Reviews 2023, MCU, Scifi, Superhero by Silas Lindenstein – May 04, 2023

Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume III (2023)
PG-13 ‧ Action/Adventure ‧ 2 Hours 29 Minutes

Written by James Gunn
Directed by James Gunn

THE CAST Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, Elizabeth Debicki, Maria Bakalova, and Sylvester Stallone

(L-R): Sean Gunn as Kraglin, Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Dave Bautista as Drax, and Pom Klementieff as Mantis in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2023 MARVEL.

THE STORY

(In their own words). Still reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill must rally his team to defend the universe and protect one of their own. If the mission is not completely successful, it could possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

THE BEST
The BEST things about the film

The Story – They took the wisest path for this movie; take a simple story and tell it well. And very importantly – relatable.
The Villain – The villain for this film, I think, is one of the scariest villains we’ve had in the MCU in a long, long time.
The Send-Off – It’s been widely stated that this is the final chapter and final film for the Guardians of the Galaxy, at least as we know it today, and I wasn’t sure how they would handle it. The story was a perfect culmination of all the films we’ve seen them in. It puts a bow on most of the character’s stories while setting the groundwork for individuals’ future tales.
The Comedy – I’ve had many complaints about Marvel squashing the serious moments in films by always making a joke happen and killing the seriousness of the film’s in-world moments. This felt like a departure from that. They let the funny moments be funny, and the serious moments have weight and importance.

(L-R): Miriam Shor as Recorder Vim, Chukwudi Iwuji as The High Evolutionary, and Nico Santos as Recorder Theel in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo by Jessica Miglio. © 2023 MARVEL.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the film

I have only one minor gripe that comes near the end, and I don’t want to ruin anything for you, so I’ll save it for a discussion podcast. But it is minor; this is nearly a perfect action/superhero film for me.

Zoe Saldana as Gamora in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2023 MARVEL.

THE COMMENTS

For me, this is by far the best MCU film since Endgame, and it isn’t close.

This story is just absolutely beautiful. I was shocked at how much this film got me to care about an animated raccoon’s life and relationships. I was utterly sucked into the characters and their backgrounds. Marvel found what it’s been missing in the latest offering…a relatable story set in a sci-fi setting. This film is really about the scars inside us that we carry around. The latest movies have mostly been about God-like beings, other dimensions, and “greater than this world” events. Marvel stories are best when they are about the things we care about; love, hurt, moving on, and learning how to grow as a person. Films need to teach us more about humanity with a story grounded in something we can relate to or at least aspire to. The early MCU films like Iron Man and Captain America did this, and even so in the original Guardians of The Galaxy film.

This film is Marvel at its best.

(L-R): Dave Bautista as Drax and Pom Klementieff as Mantis in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo by Jessica Miglio. © 2023 MARVEL.

THE LESSON

Scars on the outside are nothing compared to the scars inside us.

Friends take care of friends.

IS IT REWATCHABLE

Yes. Can’t wait to watch it again.

THE FINAL WORD

The final chapter of the Guardians Of The Galaxy films ends on a high note. For me, this was the best film since Avengers: Endgame. A captivating story about exploring old wounds wrapped up in a Marvel blanket. It’s a simple story told really well. Humor in the right places without compromising the emotional impact of moments, which has been a flaw of MCU films as of late. This last film from James Gunn in the MCU world (most likely) shows how great of a director and storyteller he truly is. GoG Vol. 3 hopefully will be the guidepost for the type of films Marvel will keep making.

THE VERDICT

My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

Guardians of The Galaxy Volume 3 gets a Love It.

THE TRAILER

THE MEME REVIEW

Episode #213: Tom Danger, Director of Sweethurt

Australian Director Tom Danger joins Silas to talk about his new film, Sweethurt, and to answer the world-famous 7 Questions. Available as a Video and audio only Podcast.

VIDEO

AUDIO ONLY PODCAST

Review: Chevalier

Chevalier (2023)
PG-13 ‧ Drama/Music ‧ 1 Hour 47 Minutes

Written by Stefanie Robinson

Directed by Stephen Williams

Video and Podcast reviews are at the bottom of the page.

THE CAST

Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Samara Weaving as Marie-Josephine de Montalembert
Lucy Boynton as Marie Antoinette
Marton Csokas as Marc René, marquis de Montalembert
Alex Fitzalan as Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
Minnie Driver as Marie-Madeleine Guimard

THE STORY

(In their own words). The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Joseph Bologne rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with a love affair and falling out with Marie Antoinette.

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film

The Story – It’s a story that I never heard of, a fascinating story that is supposedly based on true events and people. It’s engaging, really pulling you into the characters. I really like that they chose to just do a short period of the life of Joseph Bologne. That is a better choice for biopics, in my opinion. When they try to squeeze too much of someone’s life into a two hour movie, it just never feels satisfying.
The Themes – A drive for excellence. Being unapologetically excellent at something and demanding respect for it. It really resonated with me on a personal level, especially being someone who was involved with the arts for so long.
The Acting – I think the entire cast did a wonderful job. The scenes between Bologne and Marie-Josephine and between Bologne and Marie Antoinette were just absolutely full of fireworks. So many golden pearls of acting moments. Kelvin Harrison in particular is an incredible actor in the film. I hope that he gets remembered around awards season.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film

Language – I don’t even know if this is that bad but rather really funny….It takes place in France but there’s hardly a French accent. And when someone speaks another language Bologne says, in English, that French is the preferred language. I get…I get it, a mainstream movie audience wouldn’t have gone for a French language film and many of the actors in this movie wouldn’t have been able to do it. But it feels odd how they did it.

THE COMMENTS

There’s so much to this film. Even as I write this review, I keep thinking more about it. It comments on slavery without actually being a movie that depicts it. It is about social class, uprising, about having power over people by birthright. It is about people unable to find happiness because of the people in power. It is about breaking down barriers when you excel at something, but how people will never let you forget where you came from.

THE LESSON

Dare to be excellent.

It doesn’t matter how good you are, some people will never accept you.

BEST LINES THAT DON’T SPOIL MOVIE

“Whatever pleases you sounds like heaven.”

“The greatest evil isn’t what they’ve done to our bodies, it’s what they’ve done to our minds.”

IS IT REWATCHABLE

Yes, absolutely.

THE FINAL WORD

Chevalier is probably the most exciting film about classical music I’ve ever seen. The story is compelling, the acting is terrific, and the writing is music to my ears. This film is based on true events and people, sort of a biopic about Joseph Bologne, but written so that key life events occur over just “mostly” a few months. The filmmaking alone merits seeing the film, but beyond that, this is the story of one of the most gifted violinists in France that was nearly erased from history books. It’s a story of Black-French excellence, which is important to see, and it’s crucial to support stories like this where you also learn something.

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

Chevalier gets a Love It.

THE TRAILER

THE MEME REVIEW

VIDEO REVIEW

AUDIO ONLY REVIEW

Review – Showing Up

Showing Up (2023)

PG-13 ‧ Drama ‧ 1 Hour 48 Minutes

Written by Jonathan Raymond and Kelly Reichardt

Directed by Kelly Reichardt

THE CAST

Michelle Williams, Hong Chau, Maryann Plunkett, John Magaro, André Benjamin, James Le Gros, and Judd Hirsch

THE STORY

(In their own words).A sculptor preparing to open a new show must balance her creative life with the daily dramas of family and friends, in Kelly Reichardt’s vibrant and captivatingly funny portrait of art and craft.

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film

The Acting – Solid acting throughout the film.
Hidden Meaning – This is a very subtle film. There are messages and meanings behind a lot of things that I do not believe are apparent right away.
Thoughtful – This is piece designed to make you think; about art, its process, why we make, how we explore it, etc.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film

Not Much Happens – There isn’t a lot that happens during the film. It’s a kind of simple story with little things happening along the way. It’s easy to walk away from the film wondering why it was even made.
Lack Of Impact – Kind of made me feel like a Vulcan when I left the film. I didn’t really have any feelings about it. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it, nothing really stood out as a big moment for me.

THE COMMENTS

Films like this are interesting because they remind me of why I loved theatre. It definitely doesn’t feel like a play, but you know there is a lot of thought put into it. There’s things in the film that are metaphors, like the broken wing of the pigeon the two leads are trying to help mend. So few things happen in the story, you know when something does, it is symbolic or important to the director and/or writers. So then you catch yourself thinking about the movie wondering why certain elements are in it. So it lingers. The film just lingers with you in the back of your mind as your subconscious is working out what you see. That’s what is so fascinating by this film.

I’m writing this two days after having seen it and I still can’t figure out what the point of the film is….and I want to know! I wasn’t bored during the film. I was interested in the characters, it was building toward some dramatic tension at the end, that to me, felt like a misdirection. But mostly likely intentional. The director did a good job keeping me engaged when very little was happening. And that’s a real good thing when so many movies these days are non-stop faced paced action machines. Sometimes, you just need to sit in the moment.

This film is somewhere between a “slice of life” piece and a “character driven” piece. I would go with the former because I think a good character piece needs to have an arc around one or more of the characters and not much changes for any of them through the film.

I have no doubt this film is going to be under-appreciated by most people, including myself.

THE LESSON

I honestly don’t know yet. But here’s my guess, “you are not as broken as you think you are.” I might have a different one tomorrow.

IS IT REWATCHABLE

Maybe. I don’t know. If I did, it would be for a class probably. I’m not excited about seeing it again, but I might be okay with it. See if I get more meaning.

THE FINAL WORD

There’s a lot more beneath the surface of this film. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it. It’s well-acted, well-crafted, and is an exercise in finding the deeper meanings in the things you see on screen. Part “slice of life” part “character” it is a much slower pace than a lot of the movies I’ve seen lately, but it also has a lot more meaning than most of those. The film really delves into the making of art and those who create it. A simple film with a lot going for it, but it isn’t one I expect to leave a lasting impression.

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

I’m giving Showing Up a “Like It” because it did really get me thinking about the film and that is an accomplishment. I’m still trying to figure out parts of it…in a good way.

THE TRAILER

THE MEME REVIEW