A Trio of Movie Reviews
I'm on a mission, as usual at this time of year, to see as many potential Oscar contenders as possible before the nominees (and winners) are announced. I've gotten a bit of a late start but hopefully I can still squeeze in quite a few in the next month.
MILK
This should be nominated for quite a few awards, including Best Actor (Sean Penn), Best Supporting Actor (Emile Hirsch and Josh Brolin), Best Director (Gus Van Sant), and Best Picture. Of all of those, I would predict best director as the most likely to lead to an actual award. Sean Penn's got a pretty good shot at winning, but right now Mickey Rourke's getting a lot of love for The Wrestler and his comeback story might make him the sentimental favorite. (I will comment more on those odds when I've actually seen The Wrestler.) Now that I've gotten the award talk out of the way, let's talk about the movie itself.
Milk is coincidentally the most timely film I've seen this year. Proposition 8 in California has reminded us that regardless of how far we've come in the equal rights movement, we have a long way to go before true equality is the status quo. Sean Penn embodies Harvey Milk's humanity as a charismatic political leader who made unlikely allies and inspired a movement that outlived himself. It's always harder to play a real person, especially one that living people have met and remember. One could easily fall into the trap of simply doing a good impersonation; or be afraid to embrace the flaws and weaknesses of the character for fear of being rejected by those who knew the person. Sean Penn is more than up to the task, however. He's come a long way since the Fast Times at Ridgemont High days.
Gus Van Sant has been hit and miss as a director who occasionally tries too hard to be avant garde (was a Psycho remake really necessary?) and then over-corrects by trying too hard to be mainstream (wasn't Finding Forrester just a less original version of Good Will Hunting?); but the rest of the time, he makes killer movies (My Own Private Idaho, the aforementioned Good Will Hunting, To Die For, Drugstore Cowboy). Milk is a killer movie. Great cinematography, establishing shots that signify the time and place and the tone of the movie. A phenomenal cast. Thoughtful editing. Fantastic.
Emile Hirsch is a revelation in his role as one of Harvey's young converts who ends up being a key community organizer, Cleve Jones. Hirsch really lives inside this role, and has fun with it along the way. Most people will be talking about Josh Brolin as Dan White, Harvey's political rival; and James Franco as Scott Smith, Harvey's longtime partner. But to me, Hirsch outshined both of them in a smaller but more memorable role. Two relative unknowns, Joseph Cross (Running With Scissors) and Alison Pill (Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen), also bring great energy to the screen.
We all know how it ends before we go to see it, yet the ending will astound and move you nonetheless. I urge you to go see it, and take its message and Harvey Milk's legacy to heart.
HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Sally Hawkins plays Poppy in this Mike Leigh-directed film which will likely put a spring in your step and a smile on your face. Poppy, a great name for a character, exudes genuine kindness and has a remarkably cheerful demeanor in the face of nearly all circumstances and people, no matter how difficult. But this isn't one of those films that's going to make you feel bad for not being equally happy; it's just a fun, pleasant romp with the kind of whimsy that movies haven't seen since Amelie. Poppy teaches at an elementary school, has shared a flat and many fun times with a roommate for the past 10 years, and when her bike gets stolen she decides to take driving lessons. Here, she meets her literary foil in Scott, the stressed out, surly driving instructor who would intimidate the living daylights out of most people. Poppy laughs at his sullen demeanor and does not heed his instructions to avoid high heeled boots when driving, claiming that she doesn't look good in flats. His exasperation at just about everything from education and society to his other students to Poppy herself lead to many comedic moments. Things take a somewhat surprising turn towards the end, but ultimately this is just a fun little movie and a nice change of pace from some of the more serious ones that will get nominated.
Sally Hawkins won the Golden Glob for best actress; she will probably garner at least a nomination in that Oscar category but I'm not sure she deserves to win it. Nonetheless, I recommend the film and I applaud the filmmakers and actors for giving us a snapshot of humanity rather than trying to make the next big epic. We need this kind of down-to-earth perspective once in a while.
DOUBT
Here's a question: Have Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman ever been less than outstanding in a film? Well, Hoffman was in Along Came Polly so I guess nobody's perfect; but still, both have impressive resumes and the nominations and awards to show for it. This film will be no exception.
The year is 1964. The place is St. Nicholas Catholic School in the Bronx. The school's principal is Sister Aloysius (Streep), a powerful nun whose eye misses nothing. She clings staunchly to tradition and propriety, and objects to the progressive tendencies of Father Flynn (Hoffman). Their philosophies about everything from music and writing utensils to the treatment of students and parishioners are worlds apart. Sister Aloysius instructs the other nuns to keep an eye out for strange behavior and report it to her, without getting into specifics. The young, somewhat naive Sister James (Amy Adams) isn't sure what to look for, but gets worried when Father Flynn calls a male student out of her class for a private meeting in the rectory. The boy, Donald Miller, happens to be the only African-American student at the school and has no friends. Sister James thinks Donald is acting a little strangely, and decides to consult Sister Aloysius on the matter. Sister Aloysius immediately believes the worst has happened, and thus begins a confrontation between herself and Father Flynn. Throughout the film, we can see both sides of the story but never receive definitive confirmation of Father Flynn's guilt or innocence. Thus, "Doubt."
These characters in less talented hands might turn into caricatures, but Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman deliver nuanced, complex performances. At times, even when Sister Aloysius seems cold and exacting and even conspiring against a perhaps innocent man, we can't help but sympathize with her: She's trying to protect a child. She also underscores her character with a dark humor. Father Flynn gives fantastic sermons, seems to genuinely care about the students--including Donald Miller; yet he could be hiding a dark secret and manipulating those around him.
A great scene in the movie will probably lead to a supporting actress nomination for Viola Davis as Donald Miller's mother, who listens to Sister Aloysius' theory about the "improper" relationship between Donald and Father Flynn and tells the sister a thing or two about what's best for her son. It's not what you would expect a mother to say, but she sure has her reasons for saying it and Viola Davis more than holds her own opposite Meryl Streep.
Overall, a great film that will leave you wondering.
So there you have it... more reviews and predictions on the way.
MILK
This should be nominated for quite a few awards, including Best Actor (Sean Penn), Best Supporting Actor (Emile Hirsch and Josh Brolin), Best Director (Gus Van Sant), and Best Picture. Of all of those, I would predict best director as the most likely to lead to an actual award. Sean Penn's got a pretty good shot at winning, but right now Mickey Rourke's getting a lot of love for The Wrestler and his comeback story might make him the sentimental favorite. (I will comment more on those odds when I've actually seen The Wrestler.) Now that I've gotten the award talk out of the way, let's talk about the movie itself.
Milk is coincidentally the most timely film I've seen this year. Proposition 8 in California has reminded us that regardless of how far we've come in the equal rights movement, we have a long way to go before true equality is the status quo. Sean Penn embodies Harvey Milk's humanity as a charismatic political leader who made unlikely allies and inspired a movement that outlived himself. It's always harder to play a real person, especially one that living people have met and remember. One could easily fall into the trap of simply doing a good impersonation; or be afraid to embrace the flaws and weaknesses of the character for fear of being rejected by those who knew the person. Sean Penn is more than up to the task, however. He's come a long way since the Fast Times at Ridgemont High days.
Gus Van Sant has been hit and miss as a director who occasionally tries too hard to be avant garde (was a Psycho remake really necessary?) and then over-corrects by trying too hard to be mainstream (wasn't Finding Forrester just a less original version of Good Will Hunting?); but the rest of the time, he makes killer movies (My Own Private Idaho, the aforementioned Good Will Hunting, To Die For, Drugstore Cowboy). Milk is a killer movie. Great cinematography, establishing shots that signify the time and place and the tone of the movie. A phenomenal cast. Thoughtful editing. Fantastic.
Emile Hirsch is a revelation in his role as one of Harvey's young converts who ends up being a key community organizer, Cleve Jones. Hirsch really lives inside this role, and has fun with it along the way. Most people will be talking about Josh Brolin as Dan White, Harvey's political rival; and James Franco as Scott Smith, Harvey's longtime partner. But to me, Hirsch outshined both of them in a smaller but more memorable role. Two relative unknowns, Joseph Cross (Running With Scissors) and Alison Pill (Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen), also bring great energy to the screen.
We all know how it ends before we go to see it, yet the ending will astound and move you nonetheless. I urge you to go see it, and take its message and Harvey Milk's legacy to heart.
HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Sally Hawkins plays Poppy in this Mike Leigh-directed film which will likely put a spring in your step and a smile on your face. Poppy, a great name for a character, exudes genuine kindness and has a remarkably cheerful demeanor in the face of nearly all circumstances and people, no matter how difficult. But this isn't one of those films that's going to make you feel bad for not being equally happy; it's just a fun, pleasant romp with the kind of whimsy that movies haven't seen since Amelie. Poppy teaches at an elementary school, has shared a flat and many fun times with a roommate for the past 10 years, and when her bike gets stolen she decides to take driving lessons. Here, she meets her literary foil in Scott, the stressed out, surly driving instructor who would intimidate the living daylights out of most people. Poppy laughs at his sullen demeanor and does not heed his instructions to avoid high heeled boots when driving, claiming that she doesn't look good in flats. His exasperation at just about everything from education and society to his other students to Poppy herself lead to many comedic moments. Things take a somewhat surprising turn towards the end, but ultimately this is just a fun little movie and a nice change of pace from some of the more serious ones that will get nominated.
Sally Hawkins won the Golden Glob for best actress; she will probably garner at least a nomination in that Oscar category but I'm not sure she deserves to win it. Nonetheless, I recommend the film and I applaud the filmmakers and actors for giving us a snapshot of humanity rather than trying to make the next big epic. We need this kind of down-to-earth perspective once in a while.
DOUBT
Here's a question: Have Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman ever been less than outstanding in a film? Well, Hoffman was in Along Came Polly so I guess nobody's perfect; but still, both have impressive resumes and the nominations and awards to show for it. This film will be no exception.
The year is 1964. The place is St. Nicholas Catholic School in the Bronx. The school's principal is Sister Aloysius (Streep), a powerful nun whose eye misses nothing. She clings staunchly to tradition and propriety, and objects to the progressive tendencies of Father Flynn (Hoffman). Their philosophies about everything from music and writing utensils to the treatment of students and parishioners are worlds apart. Sister Aloysius instructs the other nuns to keep an eye out for strange behavior and report it to her, without getting into specifics. The young, somewhat naive Sister James (Amy Adams) isn't sure what to look for, but gets worried when Father Flynn calls a male student out of her class for a private meeting in the rectory. The boy, Donald Miller, happens to be the only African-American student at the school and has no friends. Sister James thinks Donald is acting a little strangely, and decides to consult Sister Aloysius on the matter. Sister Aloysius immediately believes the worst has happened, and thus begins a confrontation between herself and Father Flynn. Throughout the film, we can see both sides of the story but never receive definitive confirmation of Father Flynn's guilt or innocence. Thus, "Doubt."
These characters in less talented hands might turn into caricatures, but Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman deliver nuanced, complex performances. At times, even when Sister Aloysius seems cold and exacting and even conspiring against a perhaps innocent man, we can't help but sympathize with her: She's trying to protect a child. She also underscores her character with a dark humor. Father Flynn gives fantastic sermons, seems to genuinely care about the students--including Donald Miller; yet he could be hiding a dark secret and manipulating those around him.
A great scene in the movie will probably lead to a supporting actress nomination for Viola Davis as Donald Miller's mother, who listens to Sister Aloysius' theory about the "improper" relationship between Donald and Father Flynn and tells the sister a thing or two about what's best for her son. It's not what you would expect a mother to say, but she sure has her reasons for saying it and Viola Davis more than holds her own opposite Meryl Streep.
Overall, a great film that will leave you wondering.
So there you have it... more reviews and predictions on the way.