Cassandra (Carey Mulligan), is traumatized by an event in her past, seeks revenge to all in her path.
After watching this film I sat there thinking, how can I recommend this film. I mean, there's really not a good soul in this film. There are sleazy guys. There are females who are assholes. Then there Is Cassandra who is just batshit crazy. However 2 days later the film still sticks with you. Its like nothing I have seen before, which is always a pleasant surprise. but this one is something.
Its spoiler free,I will not get into the whys and hows ...but..again batshit crazy. You will finish watching it and think...ugh...then the next two days you will keep thinking about it.
This is highlighted by an Oscar worthy performance by the always good Carey Mulligan. Her best performance since An Education (which is available on Netflix, also a little nutty). Wait a minute I just realized Alfred Molina is in Promising Young Woman and An Education also, I guess I am a little slow lol. Well anyway Mulligan is freaking good as Cassandra, she has you cheering for her, but also scaring you. She walks that fine line perfectly. She spends her nights pretending to be drunk until she get back to the mans apartment or home...then surprise. This is no spoiler its in the trailer and in the first 5 minutes. The tension never lets up. This is not a horror film in the sense of a slasher film, but it is horror on another level, psychological.
Credit goes to Director and Writer Emerald Ferrell. He keeps the film moving at a nice clip. It is never boring that is for sure. The camera work at the bachelor party makes you the viewer claustrophobic, you want out of there also!!! Well done.
4 out of 5 stars for Promising Young Woman, one of the best films of the year. Sure to have you talking.
Wonder Woman is back....this time in the 80's. With two foes...Max Lord and The Cheetah.
In a rare occurrence this will have spoilers at the end...I will note if you want to avoid them. I need to note spoilers to explain my problems with this film.
And yes I only review films I see in theaters and yes I saw this in IMAX. Do not ask.
First there are some good things:
Gal Gadot is just great, a perfect Wonder Woman.
Gal Gadot has great chemistry with Chris Pine, wonderful together.
This movie does not work without a good bad guy, and Pedro Pascal is just awesome as Max Lord. He drips with sleaze!
Kristen Wigg as Barbara Minerva/The Cheetah, is really good. She adds a bit of sadness and at the same time humor to her role.
So wrap all this up and you have a good start to a film (ignoring the bad special effects). I sat there thinking well this is not really as bad as what people have been saying.
SPOILERS NOW
I will not get into the confusion of the return of Steve Trevor and what happened to the other guy he took over...I guess.
I will not get into why we needed to see the beginning sequence of Diana as a youngster. What does it have to do with the movie?
I will get into the end. What the .................!!! After 2 hours and 30 minutes of film it gets decided by the bad guy just changing his mind. Diane just sitting in the corner saying...please renounce because your son will want you to. Then out of no where he cares about his son and renounces.
I put this lazy PC ending in the hands of Director, Patty Jenkins. The same Director who made a mess of the last convoluted half hour of the last Wonder Woman film. She cannot finish a film. I wish to have a million dollars...but now I renounce..it makes me a bad person, this is what people did in this movie. WTH!!!!!!!!!!!! Then Max Lord is rushing across a field because has enlightenment now because Wonder Woman is a therapist evidently. However even more ridiculous we are suppose to believe everyone and everything goes back to normal. What the heck happen to Max????!!! It almost makes the whole film pointless!!!
Then the confusing part at the end with Diana with the the body that Steve used. Why? Just why?
I don't understand the love for Patty Jenkins. You know its OK to put down a female director. I mean, just like men there are good and bad directors. I mean there are great directors like Greta Gerwig, and then there are bad, and I think Patty Jenkins is bad. The scary part she is going to direct the next Star Wars. She would have Kylo Renn renounce the dark side because he feels bad. There would be no light sabers just renounce and hugs.
I literally put my hands in the air in the theater and whispered, no..no..she is not doing this? Right? A Hallmark movie ending.
Okay enough...
2 1/2 stars out of 5 for Wonder Woman 1984. 2 1/2 for the acting and plot.
After Derrick, Michael Ealey, has a one night stand, his life unravels, with help from Detective Valerie Quinlan, Hilary Swank.
Lets face it, we have seen this film many many times. This film kind of works because of the two leads:
Michael Ealey, I like him as an actor. He plays the every man realistically. Its just that, he has played this type of role way too many times.
Hilary Swank: interesting role for her. She acts this shit out of this low budget thriller. You like her and hate her at the same time.
Well it is a standard thriller, it delivered the thrills with a bit of craziness.
This is spoiler free...so I cannot get to into the plots twists and turns...but its entertaining and does not over stay its welcome. Sadly at the same time it is forgettable.
2 1/2 stars out of 5 for Fatale. It works for what it is thanks to the two leads.
Renato, an Aviation Executive (Luis Gerardo Mendez), finds out he has a Half Brother Asher (Connor Del Rio). They are forced to take on a road trip together as per their fathers request.
This was a pretty funny film. I love a road trip movie so I was sucked in.
Highlighted by a very funny performance by Del Rio; and Mendez was really good as the uptight straight man.
The script, yes the reason for the road trip is contrived, but still it has many funny moments, and you know where its going in the end but the two leads are really good, and they have you caring for the characters.
This may be the funniest film I have seen this year.
The big negative is a complaint of mine that I have blogged about before. If I go to see a political film, or a true story, I usually know what I am getting and what the umbrella of the story line is. Now movies like this, I sit in the theater to get away from the world, so adding certain unnecessary political statements bother me and I think disrupts the flow of the movie. The most important thing is, these scenes were not needed in this film and it felt like pandering. No spoilers here but I wanted to mention it.
So .....4 out of 5 for Half Brothers a very nice surprise.
An Artist, Han Van Meegeren, Is suspected of selling a valuable painting to the Nazis,but there is more to this story that meets the eye.
Right away I want to tell you this, I really had no idea what I was walking into. I was just thrilled to be sitting in a theater and supporting theaters and the workers within. As I watched this film I realized I am glad I knew nothing about Meegeren. Not knowing made this film better with a surprise twist in the middle. So if you plan on streaming this film do not do any research..go in blind. It is fun.
The highlight of the film is Guy Pearce as Meegeren. Meegeren is a drinking, flamboyant, womanizer and Pearce gives a fantastic performance. Strange as it is I would not say he was the lead, he was the focus but I would say Claes Bang as Captain Joseph Piller is the lead. He is in almost every shot. Bang plays off Pearce real well. He is the straight man to Pearce's flamboyant behavior. Piller's job is to investigate if Meegeren profited from the Nazi's, aka Hitler, during the war. He stoic, often too stoic which bleeds into his cold marriage.
There is another really good performance by Minna Holmberg as Vicky Krieps, Meegeren's assistant and slowly became Piller's assistant.
If there is a negative to this story It would be Dan Friedkin the Director, and possibly the screenwriter Jonathan Lopez. The film at 2hrs has a slooooow pace. Friedkin and Lopez, had many small parts added in that could have been left out , which would have given us more Guy Pearce, I mean when he is on the screen the film is very interesting. Then that would have put us at the trial quicker. Plus they could have added more of the back end of Meegeren's life.
Well do not let that sway you away from this very odd based on real events film. 4 out of 5 stars for The Last Vermeer, this well acted, interesting film. NO SPOILERS HERE...AS ALWAYS.
Screenplay by Michael Kennedy and Christopher Landon
Well it is pretty much Freaky Friday, the horror version. You can watch the trailer to see the hows and whys.
If you are a frequent flyer to my blog you already know I am not a horror film guy. I rarely review them. This trailer to this film kinda intrigued me. The Director Christopher Landon scored big with Happy Death Day, then created the god awful Happy Death Day 2. So...how about Freaky?
Freaky did a lot right...first in casting...
Vince Vaughn is freaking (No pun intended) great as not only the The Murderer but as Millie also.
Kathryn Newton as Millie and then the Murderer, is so good it messes with your mind a bit. You cheer for her then you think...WAIT..I am not suppose to!!
The script adds humor with Millie's friends...Celeste O'Connor as Nyla and Misha Osherovich as Josh. They are so funny in the face of the terror going on around them.
Landon did everything right here with a mix of horror, tension, and humor. The story-line, as silly as it is, just works. Just don't overthink it. You come for the screams and laughter, and you get that with some good performances.
A retired sheriff George Blackledge (Kevin Costner) and his wife Margaret (Diane Lane), after the death of their son, set out to find their grandson.
Make no mistake, this is Diane Lane's film. Kevin Costner sits back and lets her work. Yes he has his moment.. but Lane is in the lead here. Diane Lane delivers an Oscar worthy performance. She is pissed and it shows in her eyes.
There is another good performance here, this does not work without a good bad guy (woman) and Lesley Manville delivers as Blanche Weboy. She is the evil leader of the Weboy.s and does it with a smokey nasty laugh. You have to hate her.
The script?
The script is based on the Larry Watson book by the same title. It is a slow burn. Like real slow. I do not mind a slow burn, but this slow burn is tense. Almost too much tension. Often hard to watch, with a scene which is so violent it is hard to explain, but it involves an ax.
Disappointments? I have two.
-There is an interesting small story involving an orphan Peter (played by Booboo Stewart) out on the range, now an adult. His storyline never gets fleshed out but we kinda love him, and in the end...we know nothing.
Speaking of the end, the films ending is sort of a downer...in a way..but...No spoilers here. I just wanted more. More for the Blackledges, and more for Peter.
Well anyway, this intense film is well acted and is one of the best films I have seen all year. 4 out of 5 stars
Hoping to live an honest life, a serial bank robber decides to turn himself in. Well things do not go as planned.
I really enjoyed this film!! It had a slow burn.
Well acted by Liam Neeson who is Tom the honest thief.
Tom's girlfriend, Annie, is played by wonderfully by Kate Walsh. She has great chemistry with Neeson.
There is also a very good small role played by Jefferey Donovan, as the wise Agent Myers.
Helping the actors out is a good tight screenplay by Allrich and Williams.
Director Williams keeps the script on point, at 99 minutes, Honest Thief does no over stay it's welcome.
Yes there are negatives:
I do not want to give away too much about the film, however I can say the hole or maybe highlight the stupidity of Tom. For someone so smart, who can rob many banks without getting caught (In a brilliant non-violent way by the way), how did he not know to call a lawyer first before calling the police!?
I don't know why but that thought kept bugging me during the film. Or maybe the great bank robber finally made a mistake..so...
Still the film is fun and intense with a love story thrown into it. I would give it 3 1/2 stars out 5.
Catch in on pay per view...it a fun watch.
From the shadows as always thanks for for your time!!
It is Halloween week!!! So here comes a revisit!! The 60 year anniversary of PYCHO!!!
It is time for a DEEP DIVE!!!!!!!
Lets look at the original trailer first:
It is time for Fun And Not So Fun Facts:
-The famous shower scene. Anthony Perkins was not in the scene. In fact he was not in the State!! He had to leave the set to go to NY for he was in rehearsals for a show on Broadway. It was a stand-in wielding the knife.
-When the cast and crew began work on the first day they had to raise their hands to and promise not to divulge the ending of the film.
-Janet Leigh never took a shower since the making of Psycho...she took baths from that point on.
-Shirley Jones (Partridge Family) was the runner up for the part of Marion Crane that went to Janet Leigh.
-Now follow this...Marion Crane's lovers name is Sam Loomis. Later when Janet Leigh's daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis, was making Halloween the Dr's name is Sam Loomis.
-Marli Renfro was the body double in the shower scene. She made 500 dollars. She was a Dallas born stripper. Was one of the first Playboy Bunnies.
-Anthony Curtis stated people would not leave Janet Leigh alone after Psycho. He claims it drove her to drink and was the major cause of their break up.
-The movie was given an R rating in 1984.
-Hitchcock insisted that theaters could not let people go into the theaters in the middle of the film. Back then films were played on a loop and people would enter anytime.
-Ted Knight, yes from Mary Tyler Moore, is at the end of the film as one of the guards who open the door to Norman's cell
-Vera Miles, Lila Crane, was not happy about the unflattering wardrobe she had to wear during the shoot. Hitchcock wanted to make her matronly. Even though the designs were done by Edith Head.
-Hitchcock preferred shooting on sets. Only the distant shots were outside at the Bates Motel, everything else was on sets.
-Perkins was always Hitchcock's first choice for Norman
-This was the fifth and final time that Hitchcock was nominated for an Oscar...though he never won.
-Psycho was based off a series of "Pulp" novels written by Robert Bloch.
-Janet Leigh's only Oscar Nomination.
-Three actresses recorded Norma Bates voice.
-Hitchcock asked Walt Disney to use Disneyland for a future film. He said no, that he was disgusted by Psycho.
-Psycho cost 800,000 dollars to make, but it earned 40 million dollars.
-The sound the knife makes is a knife going into a casaba melon.
-The blood in the tub was chocolate syrup.
Well that is enough of the fun facts or not so fun...
Lets revisit the cast...
Janet Leigh...Lila Crane: She went on to be in many films like Manchurian Candidate , and also starred with her Daughter Jamie Lee in The Fog. She passed away in 2004 at the age of 77.
Anthony Perkins Perkins...Norman Bates: He went on to do Psycho 2 and 3. However he spent a lot of his time on his first love Broadway. He was nominated twice for a Tony for Look Homeward, Angel and Greenwillow. He passed away in 1992 due to complications fro Aids. He was 60.
Vera Miles..Lila Crane: She went on to star in many other famous films like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and The Searchers. She also did a lot of TV in later years like Murder She Wrote and The Love Boat. She revisited her role as Lila Crane in Psycho 2 with Perkins. She is still alive today at the age of 91.
John Gavin...Sam Loomis: He went on to star in many films like Spartacus and Modern Millie. In later years
He did some TV spots like Fantasy Island. He went on to work in Government under Ronald Reagan as the first Ambassador to Mexico. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 87.
-Martin Balsam...Det. Milton Arbogast: He was one of Hollywood's most popular character actors. He was in 12 Angry Men; All The Presidents Men; and many more films. He also was in many TV Shows like Archie Bunkers Place and Murder She Wrote. He died in 1996 at the age of 76 in Rome, Italy.
Well there is your deep dive into PYCHO!!! 60 years old!!!
From the shadows, when in the shower...lock the bathroom door, as always thanks for your time!!
A once celebrated kid detective is now a 32 year detective who solves trivial crimes between hangovers. A young girl brings him his first "adult" case.
From the trailer I had very high hopes!!!
NO.
I just cant win right now. I am on a bad streak of films. Nothing very good is hitting theaters.
Positives:
Adam Brody is very good as Abe the former kid detective who is now older. Struggling through life. He is another version of the high school athlete who peaked to soon, but he was a detective that peaked to soon. He is a mess and often does not help his own cause. It is good to see Brody in a juicy role again, he is a very good actor.
Sophie Nelisse is also good as the naive high school Caroline who hires Abe. I like her as almost a Watson to Abe's Sherlock.
There is also a small role Lucy played by Sarah Sutherland. She is Abe's secretary. She adds much needed humor with a look or one liner.
This leads me to ....
Negatives:
The story!!! What we see is just Abe being down trodden. Abe finding no clues or anything for 90 minutes, which means nothing is happening. Then he finds something in the last ten minutes, then guilty person admits his guilt, movie is over. The film is surprisingly boring. I wanted more of Lucy's humor. I wanted to know more about Caroline. They were interesting!! It has a sub-plot about the worry of Abe's parents that did not work, which only added to the down trodden feel of the film.
Its just a bad script that had hope.
1 1/2 stars out of 5 for The Kid Detective. Good performances, however this lands at the feet of the director and screen writer Evan Morgan. A great idea that failed.
A Filipina Teen, Rose Garcia (Eva Noblezada) who lives in a small town in Texas pursues her dream of becoming a country music star. However her mother being arrested by immigration throws a wrench in her plans.
First let me get this out of the way: The young lady who plays Rose, Eva Noblezada, is just great here. She says so much with a look!! You cant take your eyes off of her. She also is a pretty good singer. A performance that could get her an Oscar Nomination for sure...well if there is an Oscar Awards this year.
Another Positive, there is a rare Lea Solanga sighting in this film. Sadly, she is in the film for only 10 minutes but, it is rare she does movies so there is that. You don't know who Lea is? Google!!! Tony awards!! The only, ever, double Disney princess!
Sadly the story kind of sits there. There is no arc. There is really no end, in reality we really do not what happens to Rose. It is kind of a nice ending but really not fulfilling. There is nice performance by Liam Booth as Elliot , he is Rose's only real friend. However that relationship or even his story is not hashed out either. I found their relationship interesting, but it went no where.
There is a nice relationship Rose has with Dale Watson, playing well Dale Watson, and that relationship come up flat with no emotion, even when there was suppose to be some.
So I will give Yellow Rose 3 out of 5 stars for a interesting story at least and some very good performances. Sadly it is a bit flat.
A widow, Annabelle (Gifford), is planning an around the world trip, seeing places she has seen in the movies. Her first stop is Scotland where she meets Howard (Craig Ferguson).
This was shown for one night in a theater before going to streaming. This was bad. Like really bad.
As you can see by the trailer it feels like a Hallmark film. I am okay with a good Hallmark film. Sadly this is a bad Hallmark film.
The writing is bad.
The chemistry between Ferguson and Gifford is bad.
Ferguson is in this movie but the script does not give him room to be ....well....Ferguson.
The comedy fails big time, including a moment with Annabelle's ex-husbands ashes which is just cringe worthy.
The only good thing about this film is it was filmed in beautiful Scotland.
Well not much else to say. It is bad.
1 star out of 5 for Then Came You.That one star is for the cinematography of Scotland. If you have an option of renting it for stream, save money, a Hallmark movie would be better.
Its October 3rd ....MEAN GIRLS DAY!!!!! It is so FETCH!! So bring out your pink...here we go...DEEP DIVE!!!
Right away lets get into the fun and and not so fun facts:
The film production was in a constant battle to keep it's PG13 rating...
-The scene "Is your muffin buttered" was suppose to be "Is your cherry popped"
-"Made out with a hot-dog" Was suppose to be 'Masturbated with a hot-dog"
-The scene when Cady walks in on Jason and Gretchen kissing at her party. The script had her giving oral sex to Jason
These were just a couple of the many changes they were forced to make. Director Mark Waters got upset because they were doing the same things as the film Anchorman and that was a PG 13 film. Sexist much?
Who missed out or turned down parts???!!
James Franco tried out for the part of Aaron Samuels
Scarlett Johansson tested for the role of Karen Smith
Ashley Tisdale also tested for Karen Smith
Elisha Cuthbert tested for Regina George
Rachel Wood turned down an offer to be in the film, she had a filming conflict. What part? We do not know!!
The film was based off a non-fiction book based out of a high school in suburban Chicago called Queen Bees And Honeybees Helping Your Daughters Survive Cliques; Gossip; Boyfriends; And other Realities Of Adolescence. Written by Rosalind Wiseman. Yes that is the full title.
The skirts for the famous Christmas Dance were actually plastic...to represent..The Plastics...
Well we have to see it again....
Lacey Chabert (QUEEN OF HALLMARK) was the first hire, and the only choice for Gretchen Wieners. As it should be!!!
Lindsay Lohan was cast as Regina!! However at the time she was known in the press as the wild "Bad Girl", she was afraid the public may intertwine her life with the character of Regina. So the move was made to play the "Nice Girl" Cady.
Amanda Seyfried first film role. Originally suppose to play Cady. However because of the Lohan switch they moved her to play Karen. So Yes Seyfried was suppose to be the lead.
Tim Meadows broke his wrist before filming so they explained it by him having carpal tunnel.
Rachel McAdams was cast as Regina George, according to the producer only a "Nice Girl" could play a "mean girl.
Rachel McAdams was 25 years old playing a high school student...7 years older than Lindsay Lohan at the time and only 7 years younger then Amy Poehler in the film.
This was Tina Fey's screenwriting debut.
The first non-Disney film Lindsay Lohan was in.
Amy Poehler pinned a cocktail wiener on her bra so her dog would nibble there.
Tina Fey wrote the script saying at Upper Darby High School she was a real life Mean Girl
The character Mrs Norbury was named after a German Teacher of Tina Fey at Upper Darby High School where she went to school.
How about where are they now???????!!!!!!!:
Lindsay Lohan........Cady.... she does not live in the USA anymore. She lives in the Middle East and Australia. She works on the Australian addition of The Masked Singer.
Rachel McAdams.....Regina....Nominated for an Oscar for Spotlight. Is now being seen on Netflix in the very funny Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga. She cutback on her work load since having her first baby at the age of 40. (My favorite Film Actress by the way)
Lacey Chabert...Gretchen....The queen of Hallmark. Enough said. (My favorite TV actress by the way)
Lizzy Caplan...Janis....She stars in a newer series called Truth Be Told. She was in the popular film Cloverfield, and has mainly been known for the series Masters of Sex.
Daniel Franzese....Damian.....he mainly is a working actor, he takes small roles on the big screen but also bigger roles on TV series like Recovery Road and Conviction
Jonathan Bennett.....Aaron....he is also a working actor, taking on many big roles in Hallmark type films.
Amanda Seyfried...Karen...has been the lead in a lot of films like Les Mis; Mamma Mia; and Dear John. Small films like The Big Wedding and Chloe. An Allentown Pa. native!!!
Let me finish Mean Girls day with some movie quotes:
"On Wednesdays we wear pink"
"This is so fetch"
"Gretchen stop trying to make fetch happen. It's not going to happen"
"I gave him everything, I was half a virgin when I met him"
"Half the people in the room are mad at me. The other half in the room like me because they think I pushed somebody in front of a bus, so that's not good"
"You smell like a baby prostitute"
"Oh, thank you"
"What is fetch"
"Oh, it's a slang from England"
"Coach Carr, step away from the underage girl"
"I love seeing teachers outside of school. It's like seeing a dog on it's hind legs"
"Miss Smith, why would Regina refer to herself as a Fugly Slut?"
This film follows a family of scammers Mom/Theresa (Debra Winger); Dad/Robert (Richard Jenkins); and daughter/Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood). Things get strange when they include Melanie (Gina Rodriguez) in their scams.
For a story about scammers this film is surprisingly quiet and a little sad. I got fooled a bit, in the beginning I thought this film is a bout a screwed up family, I was wrong. Along the way you see the film is actually about the daughter Old Dolio (Yes that is her name), and realization that her mom and dad may be the worst parents one could have. They just love her to help with scams and nothing else. Then the film kinda turns into a kinda sad yet sweet love story.
The film is well acted:
Wood is wonderful. She takes the lead kinda half way through the film. Walking around with a slouch, in the same baggy polyester work out suit everyday, she is beaten down. Her voice is harsh and quiet as if afraid of the world.
Winger (who is great to see again) and Jenkins (great as usual) have wonderful chemistry.
Rodriguez, is fantastic here, maybe her best performance. She plays Melanie almost as an observer who is trying to help, yet someone who is showing love for Old Dolio, then realizing no one has ever showed her love. Rodriguez says so much with just a look.
The film has negatives. It feels too long, even though it is only 1:45 it feels longer. It has a slow pace, and feels choppy a bit.
I would give Kajillionaire 3 out of 5 stars. It has an odd, maybe weirdness to it, but in the end it works, mainly because Evan Rachel Wood has you caring about Old Dolio so much.
An American man, played by Jim Caviezel, is kidnapped in Cairo after expressing his religious beliefs as a Christian on a TV show. His wife, played by Claudia Karvan, heads to Cairo to try and get him free.
I do not have much to say about this film. It is an...okay story, that kind of sits there. It is not an enjoyable watch, more of a film that is frustrating to watch. Nothing happens while the husband gets beat by bad guys. The wife keeps running into road blocks trying to get either of the governments to help her. So the movie sits there until about the last 15 minutes of the 110 minute film, that's when things get moving.
Also I got a little frustrated with deaths that happen at the expense of saving Caviezel's character; when even his wife said use common sense when being interviewed. Do not stir the pot. Yes it is good to be honest but sometimes saying nothing at all is honest and may NOT get others killed!!!
2 stars out of 5 for this frustrating true story. Well acted but kind of flat.
BROKEN HEARTS GALLERY
Directed by and screenplay by Natalie Krinsky
Broken Hearts Gallery follows Lucy Gulliver who is coming off a break up and the loss of her job at an art gallery on the same day. She decides to start her own gallery, asking for people to bring their objects to her that remind them of past relationships.
When I did the review of Unhinged, I noted that even though some parts drive you crazy the film delivers the action and suspense you pay for. Well when you go to see this film, you want to see a sweet love story with some laughs. It definitely delivers!!
What makes this work is the performances and great chemistry between the two leads Geraldine Viswanathan as Lucy. She plays Lucy with a giant ball of over the top emotion, which is often funny. In contrast Dacre Montgomery as Nick is the opposite, very calm, soft spoken. His reactions to Lucy with just a look is marvelous.
Also what works are the performances of the supporting actors:
Molly Gordon as Amanda
Phillipa Soo as Nadine
Nathan Dales Hilarious as Jeff the boyfriend who is afraid to speak
Arturo Castro as Marcus
All 4 are fantastic and believable in their small roles.
The script is light and follows a Hallmark story-line, with a little more sex, in fact you also get the corny ending. However that is what you pay for. You even get the OH NO friction with 20 minutes left which again is Hallmark like. In fact this film is so Hallmark like I noticed it was filmed in Canada like 95% of all Hallmark movies are.
This movie runs a little long; and Lucy sometimes is too over the top. Still it delivers...so 4 out of 5 for Broken Hearts Gallery. It will not change the world, but it will make you smile for awhile.
WORDS ON THE BATHROOM WALLS
Directed by Thor Freudenthel
Screenplay by Nick Naveda
Based on the book by Julia Walton
SPOILER FREE
Diagnosed with schizophrenia as a high school teenager, Adam, must face not only the social struggles of high school, but also the struggles in his own head.
What a wonderful little film. Often hard to watch but should be seen!
What works?
A really good story. This film I can pretty much say is the same story as the fantastic Phoebe (Best performance by an eight year old ever by Elle Fanning) In Wonderland , where an elementary school student sees things and other children become afraid of her, and teachers and parents do not know what to do with her. Well in Bathroom Walls, this film ups the game with its lead being in high school. Watching Adam just struggle while off his medication (And we see the imaginary people talking to him); then struggle off his medication with loss of taste and hand shakes. It is so real.
The performances in this film are fantastic and spot on:
Charlie Plummer as Adam in a very difficult role pulls it off and then some. He has to play a role of being in panic but keeping the panic in check as he sees things, and hears voices around him. So much of his acting is done with his eyes and facial expressions. When he is with his friends, and he "sees" the voices in his head, his performance wants you as the viewer to hug the kid.
Molly Parker plays Beth, Adams mother ...just great. It is tough to have a kid in high school and wanting him to fit in; not throw in that you child has schizophrenia!! The worry on her face and pretending in front of Adam that she is not worried is heartbreaking.
Taylor Russell as Maya, is Adams only friend. She also has secrets. Again its about hiding parts of you to fit in. She is strong yet you kind of see it is a show.
There are a couple very good small parts:
Andy Garcia as Father Patrick, the only person who seems to get him.
AnnSophia Robb as Rebecca, she is not real, she is like a flower girl in Adams mind trying hard to push him toward "Good" and "Love".
The down side:
Well you know it was coming! The last 10 minutes the film blew up with a corny Holllywood ending. Director Freudenthel and Writer Naveda should have avoided it, but maybe the writer of the novel Julia Walton had a final say. Who knows? Still a bad choice was made.The Hollywood ending of standing in front of fellow students, and marching ...well I will stop ...this is SPOILER FREE. So what I think should have been done instead:
A quiet moment between Adam and Maya. A moment of understanding.
A jump in time to not only see how the main characters are doing.
Sadly they went big with a shockingly unbelievable corny ending that I felt did not work.
3 1/2 (could have been 4 except the end) out of 5 stars for Words On The Bathroom Walls. I think it is a movie that should be watched. Not just to see the struggles that Adam goes through but also to understand that others are going through struggles you may not know about. In the movie Wonder, Auggies issues and his battles were what people saw, however he still said it right: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
This is not a fun watch, but it is something that should be watched.
