Disobedience Movie Review

May 4, 2018 (updated May 4, 2018) Published by JMcNaughton

The movie “Disobedience” is a deep dive into the inner workings of an Orthodox Jewish enclave located in London. The focus is on two women, and how the community reacts to the sexual attraction between them. The pacing of the story is slow and methodical, as the ramifications of their forbidden love spreads even deeper. Since one of the stars is Rachel McAdams, the shortcut title might be “The Notebook for Orthodox Jewish Lesbians”. All that is missing is the kiss in the pouring rain and the swans on the lake…

Ronit (Rachel Weisz) is the daughter of the main rabbi in a small London Jewish community. The elder rabbi is much respected, and Ronit is estranged from everyone in the Orthodox group. She has moved far away and does not communicate with anyone from back home. That is, until the rabbi dies suddenly. She is informed that he has passed away, and she decides to make a trip from New York back to her old community. That is, if anyone there will put up with her. There was some undefined incident that caused the falling out with her father and the rest of the people. But she comes back and stays with a childhood friend.

That friend is Dovid (Alessandro Nivola) who is a young man getting setup to be the new rabbi for the community. He is married to their childhood friend Esti (Rachel McAdams) who is the one that secretly contacted Ronit. Dovid is surprised to see Ronit return, because he thought that nothing would make her come back to the place that caused her so much pain. Esti is secretly pleased, because she and Ronit have a hidden past of passion and love. It was this relationship that caused Ronit to leave in the first place.

Passions get reignited and emotions get all tumbled when Esti and Ronit reconnect. The community around them start to get wind of the underground love affair that has rekindled. Dovid becomes very angry and at the same time confused. The things that Ronit assumed would be part of her father’s will that he would leave to her are instead being funneled to the synagogue. So, she left with nothing, and she is coming back for nothing. Only the subversive and illicit love between her and Esti will bring her anything resembles joy. Yet the passion that connected them is tearing apart the community in which they live.

The keys of this movie are ‘The Two Rachels’, Rachel Squared as it were. Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams are very enlightening as the two leads, Ronit and Esti. They pour a lot of talent into the lost and longing looks and steely gazes of the two characters. They are the reason that a very mediocre story line can be enhanced into a higher level of viewing. Also, Alessandro Nivola does a very fine job as the poor guy who gets stuck in the middle of something that he does not understand. Every other actor is well suited to be a typical Jewish community member. Perhaps a bit too stereotypically, in some of the cases.

This will, in most cases, be a must-see movie for a very small and select slice of the audience. It does have two strong female leads. They are in a very interesting situation where they rebel against a very traditional religion. But for a clear majority of people, it might be a little languid in the pacing of the movie. It might also be a little non-specific in the final resolutions. There are many loose ends, and many times an audience likes to see most of the situations wrapped up. There is not a huge excitement factor in the plot or the pacing. The movie simply exists to give ‘Rachel Squared’ a platform to give a very powerful pair of performances.

In Phoenix, playing exclusively at Harkins Camelview…

Tully Movie Review

May 3, 2018 (updated November 16, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

Going into ‘Tully’ I didn’t know what to expect. Sometimes when I know ahead of time that I’ll be reviewing a film, I avoid all mention of the said film, so I can go in without any knowledge of the concept and therefore don’t build any preconceived notions. I especially avoid trailers as I believe, this is especially true of the last few years, they give away too much of the plot. I’ll try not to reveal too much here, myself.

What I knew of ‘Tully,’ and all I needed to know to sell me on it, were the stars, the director and the writer. Charlize Theron, Mark Duplass and Ron Livingston in a film directed by Jason Reitman who directed the wonderful ‘Up in the Air’?! Enough said! But then written and produced by Diablo Cody, too?! Cody first came on the scene when she wrote her smash hit film ‘Juno” for which she procured a BAFTA, Writers Guild, Critics Choice and Academy Award® for Best Original Screenplay. Quite the accomplishment. ‘Juno’ was also directed by Reitman. ‘Young Adult,’ which I considered to be rather good, as well, Sees Cody and Reitman together also and stars Charlize Theron. Knowing this, I was chomping at the bit for this new film. Still I refused to learn too much of the story, instead, I went in trusting the team that designed the piece. I had heard all I needed to know to get me in the theatre and should do it for you, too. Reitman and Cody make a good team. ‘Tully’ is very well written, quite charming and whether you think you can relate to the characters or not, very much worth your time.

Theron plays Marlo, a pregnant mother of two, who’s about to have baby number three shortly. One of her children, her son, has difficulties in school, shows all the signs of autism, and makes getting through the day quite a struggle. She has to brush his body to reduce the anxiety of everyday stimulation for him. Her husband Drew, played by Ron Livingston, of ‘Office Space’ fame, works a lot and when home he spends more time playing video games than he does noticing if Marlo has had a good day, is okay or needs his help. He is a good father and they do have a loving relationship, but their communication is more about the kids and problems that arise rather than relaxed and problem free. Then, of course, when she has the baby things get more chaotic for Marlo and, seeing less of him, she begins feeling drained and sleep deprived.

Her concerned and very wealthy brother Craig, played by the charismatic Mark Duplass, offers to pay for Marlo to have a night nanny come over in the evenings and help her. This is so she can get some rest and be more prepared to handle the sunrise. At first, the idea of someone coming into her home and taking care of her child doesn’t thriller Marlo but she eventually finds herself unable to dig herself out from underneath mounds of housework piling up around her. She feels neglectful and, realizing how good it’ll be for her family to have someone help, she accepts the generous gift.

This is when Tully, (Mackenzie Davis from ‘Blade Runner 2049’), a young woman in her twenties, enters her life. Still a little nervous about the situations, when she finally meets Tully she feels genuine warmth come from her. Knowing that all will be well, Marlo puts her head on the pillow, closes her eyes and gets the first good night’s sleep she’s had in years.

As the relationship deepens and the help she’s receiving becomes more about the bond between the two women, their conversations and the film itself gets more engaging. It’s also considerably witty. Whether you’re a woman or have been a parent or not, you’ll enjoy the banter between all the characters in the film. The Reitman/Cody union has always been strong and this time it’s not only good but has matured, as well. A twist they throw at you at the end of the film is not only kept well-hidden but is a testimonial to how Cody has evolved as a writer which makes you giddy for her future work. Whatever she has coming up for us, hopefully, she’ll not stray too far from her formula and from these partnerships that work.

For more information, visit the website and check out the social pages:

Official Website: http://www.tullyfilm.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tullymovie/

Twitter: @TullyMovie

Instagram: @TullyMovie

#Tully

Kings Movie Review

May 1, 2018 Published by JMcNaughton

The movie “Kings” is an attempt to tell the story of the LA riots in 1992. It zooms in to a close-up level on a black foster mother raising quite a few kids while living in the South Central section of LA. After the beating of Rodney King, there were four cops on trial for the incident. The verdict came back ‘not guilty’, and much of the town exploded in violence. Black people were outraged and took to the streets in droves.

Mille (Halle Berry) somehow has seven or so children in her care. She gets some money from the state for raising the kids, but she also gets some more cash by selling bundt cakes. Which is a very black thing to do, I hear. There are some her kids with names, but there are so many it all seems a blur of who is who. There is an incident at night where Millie pulls another young black boy off the streets, who is being stopped by the cops. She just takes him in and that’s that. Also, there is some young black girl who drops out and maybe gets involved in a gang, but it is not clear.

There is a neighbor who lives alone named Obie (Daniel Craig) and he is one of the only white men left in that part of the city. He plays classical music (it figures) and he gets annoyed when Millies younger boys play ball in the alley. There is one day when Mille is mad at the three younger boys and tells them to stay outside, because they misbehaved will not get supper. Obie sees them and takes the three smaller kids in and gets them some food and cares for them. Millie is panicked, but she sees that her grumpy neighbor has a softer side.

The weeks go on and there is a rising sense of tension, until the verdict comes in from the trial. Then a match that has been thrown onto a puddle of racial gasoline ignites the city into flames. There are roving gangs of violent gangs and multiple stores being looted. There are multiple fires across the city, and the firemen and policemen cannot come out to save structures or people. The raw power of hatred has overcome society, and Millie and Obie are trapped in the middle.

This movie very uneven and it has a place that it wants to get to. But it never seems to get to that place. In a time where there are major true stories to tell (LA race riots), this movie would rather serve up a weak fictional story of a black mother and some white guy. There is a very awkward sort-of romance that is tacked onto this relationship. But that does not feel deserved at all. The characters of each of the kids is so fuzzy that I could not tell which black teenage foster son was the ‘good son’ and which was the ‘mean streets son’.

And there is no indication of that silly movie title and what it means. “Kings’, does that mean LA Kings, the NHL team in LA? Does it mean that LA cops see all the inner-city black dudes as ‘Kings’, as in a bunch of Rodney Kings? Does it mean there was a defective deck of cards, and it contained only face cards, the ‘King’ type card? Inquiring minds what to know!

If this movie wants to see what an excellent movie about a race riot looks like, then they can check out ‘Detroit’. It is a movie from last year, but it also had some similar themes of racial injustice and black rage. This movie “Kings’ is a Hallmark version of a real gritty, down-to-earth expose of a race riot.

Playing in Phoenix area at Harkins Shea 14

STARZ drama VIDA Advance Screening Viewing Party

April 30, 2018 Published by markdeli

Advance Screening Summary

Two Mexican-American sisters return to their old neighborhood in East Los Angeles, where they are confronted by the past when they learn the shocking truth about their mother’s identity..

https://www.warnerbros.com/game-night

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Advance Screening For STARZ drama VIDA

Find your chance to receive special advance screening passes below.

Phoenix, Arizona

Special pre-release event viewing party for the new STARZ drama VIDA.

The first two episodes of VIDA will be shown at this event, and everyone attending will receive a complimentary small popcorn/drink combo.

Movie Screening Date: Thursday, May 3
Location: Harkins Christown
Movie Screening Time: 7:00pm
Rating: Unrated (no one under 17 years of age will be admitted)
Running Time: 60 minutes
[button link=”http://www.gofobo.com/tmciovida” type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] Get Passes[/button]

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Advance Movie Screening Information

To redeem a pass, simply click the Get Passes button. You will taken to our movie screening partner site (where you can sign up for a free account). Once you’ve done so, you’ll be able to print out your pass and bring it with you to your screening or event.

Admittance into a screening or event is not guaranteed with your pass. Events and advance screenings are filled on a ” first come, first served ” basis. To ensure that you stand a good chance of being admitted, we recommend that you show up 30 minutes to one hour early.

The number of admissions that are permissible for each pass are printed clearly on the ticket that you print out. You are allowed to bring as many guests as is indicated on your pass. For example, if your pass is for ” Admit Two, ” you can bring yourself and one guest. If you have an ” Admit One ” pass, you can bring only yourself.

If you have any other questions or comments, please contact us.

Backstabbing for Beginners Movie Review

April 27, 2018 (updated April 30, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

Director Per Fly opens his film by showing the Iraqi people and their blind loyalty to the dictator, Saddam Hussein and most importantly, their unwillingness to see him as the monster that he is. It’s a brilliant move to put on display how easy it is for people, though their leader is taking their country into decline and them personally into poverty, malnutrition and slavery, follow anyway, refusing to believe the person they support would do anything to harm them. It’s very much what we are now witnessing all over the world, even in America where it was never thought possible. This movie was made to help us understand the importance of Civics being taught in our schools, something being pulled from today’s curriculum to the detriment of the people and of the state.

Set in New York in September of 2003 and based on a true story, ‘Backstabbing for Beginners’ tells the story of a brave young whistleblower named Michael Sullivan (James). Michael, whose father was his hero, desperately wanted to follow in his footsteps. In order to do that, he needed to work to try and help people. His father, a diplomat, died in a bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut when Michael was only five. He worked at the United Nations and spoke of how the U.N. was founded and why it was so important for the world that it exists.

Now, at age twenty-four, Michael finally lands his dream job as a program coordinator working for Pasha (Kingsley), the Under-Secretary-General of the U.N., as his special assistant. Pasha runs the largest humanitarian program in U.N. history, Oil-for-Food. The Oil-for-Food program was started in the late 1990’s to grant Iraq enough oil to purchase food and necessities to its people. Once the Gulf War began, sanctions were imposed and the nation got sicker and poorer.

Michael feels privileged to be working in the office in charge of trying to feed over twenty million starving people, however, instead of honor, virtuosity and the law working to help those in need of support, what he finds is corruption, thievery and bribes. Only some of the money goes to the people, a large chunk of it benefits those at the top. Michael is hired to look for any inconsistencies and to make sure everything is by the book. Working on his first report to hand into Pasha, he finds a great deal of skimming off the top, service fees that don’t add up and kickbacks that need to be investigated. Michael explains how up to or more than 30% of the funds is missing, not to mention that the Kurds are getting skipped for more money to go to Hussein’s hometown. Pasha takes the report and shreds it.

Pasha tells Michael to choose his truths wisely. Michael’s very naïve heart is crushed. Pasha, a good man, does what he can but also does for himself. He’s okay with corruption, justifying everything by saying that he’s happy there’s decreased malnutrition and starvation and that people are getting the staples. Christina Dupre, (Bisset), an officer at the U.N. is tired of the payoffs and malfeasance and she intends to fix things. Michael finally wises up when Christina, who refuses to falsify her report as Pasha does, ends up meeting an untimely death. Michael is also offered a bribe and is told by Nashim (Bilgin), that his predecessor didn’t die in an ‘accident.’

This is an important film for idealists to see and should be regarded as a reminder of what we all have to lose if we don’t keep our eye on the ball. It doesn’t matter the country in which you live, power corrupts and if we’re not paying attention, we, like the Iraqi people found out, can crash into anarchy. Twenty billion dollars of the Food-for-Oil money got diverted from the program and everyone seemed to profit. No one, Michael found out, no matter how much you may like them, can be above suspicion.

At least some good came out of Michael getting the position he held. He went to the Wall Street Journal and told his story of finding oil vouchers worth billions and even handed them a list of names he had procured. He went on record, as well, adding that he needed to take responsibility and give his name. Someone had to own what was going on to lend the story the credence it needed to be trusted. What he did led to the largest and most significant changes in the U.N.

The movie has a love scene that doesn’t really seem to fit. Once you’re involved in the story and getting to the truth of things, it’s really the last thing you want to see. Theo James is also not a strong enough actor to show the emotion the part truly needed and Michaels gullible nature and naivete does get old but for the larger part of the story, even though it works some to explain that most of those about to lose democracy are indeed Michael (not aware of what’s going on around them) this is a must-see because the message is too important not to be.

*’Backstabbing for Beginners’ opens exclusively at AMC Arizona Center

Godard Mon Amour Movie Review

April 27, 2018 (updated November 16, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

The filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard, who this movie is about, has said of this Michel Hazanavicius film that it’s ‘A stupid, stupid idea.’ This quote is then put on the poster and why not? Hazanavicius knew right there that he got it right. You can’t get a bigger endorsement, in my opinion. Michel Hazanavicius, director of ‘The Artist,’ which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, now gives us the fairly humorous ‘Godard Mon Amour,’ a subtitled French film originally titled ‘Le Redoutable.’ In ‘The Artist,’ he showed us the world of silent films by introducing us to one of its actors and focusing heavily on that star’s world. In ‘Godard Mon Amour,’ we meet a truly innovative filmmaker from the 1960’s named Jean-Luc Godard (Garrel) when he’s in a state of flux. Already a successful director in the eyes of the public and of the critics with films such as, ‘Breathless,’ ‘Contempt’ and ‘Pierrot le Fou’ he decides he wants to be a revolutionary. He wants more out of life and desires to give more to the world through cinema.

We meet him in 1967 when Godard was regarded as one of the most gifted directors of his generation. He was very avant-garde because about ten years previously, he got involved in the ‘Nouvelle Vague,’ a group of French movie directors who came together to shrink away from the cinema of the day that was being created, to give films a more expressive voice.

Louis Garrel as Jean-Luc Godard

Godard and Anne discuss the future of film -Photo by Philippe Aubry

Stacy Martin as Anne Wiazemsky

Godard loves a good revolution.

While making his new movie, ‘La Chinoise,’ he starts doubting everything he has ever believed in. He feels he’s old (he’s thirty-seven) and out of touch and marrying an actress Anne Wiazemsky (Martin) almost twenty years his junior, doesn’t help much. She falls in love with his passion and his talent but as he gets more distracted with his heavy interest in politics, he pays less and less attention to her, at one point telling her that love can wait for later. He is always speaking as though his life means nothing but the cinema and when he has switched to politics only, his love life falls in order. He tells her he doesn’t have it in him to make a romantic film, saying, ‘Enough with the dictatorship of sentiments… sentiments don’t make revolutions.’ While loving and attentive early on, as the film continues, she’s starting to see what this means for their future. Previous to marrying him, she thought he was fascinating, unpredictable, charming and funny but before long comes to grip with the fact that he’s miserable and therefore incapable of thinking of anyone but himself. To support her husband, the young bride finds herself running from the police during student marches and protests rather than making films with him, even boycotting the Cannes Film Festival during the strikes of the following year.

The cinematography is outstanding and worth watching for that alone. The comedy, when it kicks in, rivals that of early Woody Allen pictures but takes place so far into the film that you may lose interesting getting there. Like the filmmaker Godard himself eventually became, Hazanavicius, is looking for something other than a joke to entertain you. I’d like to go on record as saying that if the film doesn’t please your palate right away, don’t give up on it. It drags on at first but does get better. There’s a lot of ground to cover and the clever way that this profound character is revealed at such a heavy turning point in his life, shouldn’t be missed by anyone who is looking for something meaningful. Hazanavicius is relaying to his audience a time when the filmmaker was trying to stay relevant. He’ll be criticized for creatively yet harshly revealing this time in Godard’s life but it doesn’t mean it should not have been explored.

*Releasing in Phoenix exclusively at Harkins Camelview at Fashion Square.

Skyscraper New Poster Revealed

April 23, 2018 Published by Shari K. Green

SKYSCRAPER

Father. Fighter. Hero. There’s no limit when it comes to family.

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #SkyscraperMovie

Global icon Dwayne Johnson leads the cast of Legendary’s Skyscraper as former FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader and U.S. war veteran Will Sawyer, who now assesses security for skyscrapers. On assignment in China, he finds the tallest, safest building in the world suddenly ablaze, and he’s been framed for it. A wanted man on the run, Will must find those responsible, clear his name and somehow rescue his family who is trapped inside the building…above the fire line.

Written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber (Central Intelligence, We’re the Millers), the 3D action-thriller is produced by Beau Flynn (San Andreas,Baywatch), Johnson, Thurber and Hiram Garcia (San Andreas, Central Intelligence).

Skyscraper’s executive producers are Dany Garcia (Baywatch, Ballers), Wendy Jacobson (San Andreas), Eric McLeod (Kong: Skull Island, Pirates of the Caribbean series) and Eric Hedayat (The Great Wall, Real Steel). The film will be released by Universal Pictures.

Genre: 3D Action-Thriller

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Neve Campbell, Chin Han, Noah Taylor, Roland Møller, Byron Mann, Pablo Schreiber, Hannah Quinlivan

Written and Directed by: Rawson Marshall Thurber

Produced by: Beau Flynn, Dwayne Johnson, Rawson Marshall Thurber, Hiram Garcia

Executive Producers: Dany Garcia, Wendy Jacobson, Eric McLeod, Eric Hedayat

Where Is Kyra? Movie Review

April 17, 2018 Published by Shari K. Green

This movie is remarkable. I’d like to warn that it was also one of the most depressing films I’ve ever seen… but oh so good, I promise you that. ‘Where Is Kyra’ was very well done and the bleak, cloudy atmosphere created was so alluring that I couldn’t look away. I’d like to say it was an exceptional film.

It’s macabre and thought-provoking, sincere and honest in its description of what someone will do and who they’ll become when faced with severe adversity. I would use the word exceptional but for one choice director Andrew Dosunmu made that had me cringing when this action occurred in his film. Yes, cringe, and not in a good way. An absolutely terrible noise would accompany scenes where Kyra (Pfeiffer) was impersonating her dead mother.

I’m quite sure it was done to keep the audience on the edge so there was cause for it but it was so absolutely annoying and incredibly irritating that, for me, it not only dropped the grade down a touch but had to be mentioned to you. The audience is already mesmerized and get the point, Dosunmu. You don’t need to use sound to attack those who might have missed it. Trust me… no one missed it. The film is good without its use to influence us.

The lighting was dark and set the tone beautifully, but I will add this, the film is a bit too slow early on for the average moviegoer, however, I implore you to keep watching. That alone should never be a reason to avoid watching a film. It’s okay to allow a director to set the stage for you. I’ll try and do the same here.

The aforementioned Kyra, who Michelle Pfeiffer nailed superbly, is a divorced woman well past her prime. She’s living in Brooklyn and wants independence but with limited skills for today’s needs, she is having trouble finding a job that will keep her afloat. She moves into her elderly mother, Ruth’s (Shepherd), apartment and helps take care of her. These scenes, one of them with a very brave and very nude Suzanne Shepherd, are tremendous and the connection they have is evident as Kyra helps Ruth in and out of her bath, keeps her company… expresses to her how much she’s loved. Suddenly and unexpectedly, Ruth dies. Kyra is alone and for the first time feels abandoned. She looks around her mother’s home where her mother no longer resides and breaks down. Not only has Ruth left her but the financial support she was able to get is gone, too. What to do?

She meets up with one of Ruth’s neighbors, Doug (Sutherland), who also happens to be a caretaker at a nursing home. He’s had a checkered past but has found helping people to be cathartic and rewarding. He genuinely cared for Ruth and decides to do what he can to help her daughter. They’re physically attracted to one another, as well, so they begin to have a much deeper relationship that’s mutually beneficial. She opens herself up to Doug but when she gets so desperate for money as to do the unthinkable, she’s afraid of losing him so she keeps it a secret. She’s aware of the fact that what she’s doing can get her into bigger trouble but she’s not finding a job and doesn’t want to risk the relationship. She refuses to ask too much of Doug as she’s prideful to a degree so she tries her best to make it on her own, however, bills are stacking up and it’s time to act to remedy the situation. The rest of the movie is truly captivating and, largely, grueling but you will not get up until the credits roll. Not for anything. Phenomenal.

See this movie. Amongst a world of remakes and reimagining’s it’s quite unique and you’ll do a lot of thinking long after the film is over.

Playing exclusively now at Harkins Camelview at Fashion Square. Don’t miss it!

You Were Never Really Here Movie Review

April 13, 2018 Published by Shari K. Green

Though some may view this as painfully slow in the beginning, I see it more as art being created before your very eyes. With any piece of art, it takes time to make it come to life and why should a film be any different? Slow and lacking in story and structure is different, this builds to a magnificent climax and with its gorgeous cinematography, noteworthy performances and memorable plot, you won’t leave feeling disillusioned. In fact, if you like Martin Scorsese’s ‘Taxi Driver’ this is definitely the film for you. Joaquin Phoenix plays, Joe, his version of Scorsese’s Travis Bickle. Phoenix plays him much in the same way that DeNiro played Travis. He’s raw and unkept but Joe isn’t disturbed. He’s haunted, yes, but he has clear goals and will do anything to meet them, especially when they get personal. Phoenix won in Cannes for the film and I believe he’ll be rewarded here, too.

Joe’s past, shown to us in snippets of macabre flashbacks, has led him to perform very dark things but for good reason. He is an advocate of sorts, hired to help people, mostly little girls who were abducted or are runaways, break free of the sex trade they’re forced into… and he’s exceptional at his job. His preferred method of taking people out is a hammer and when we first meet him, he’s cleaning up a crime scene, indicating to us he’s methodical, careful and very professional. He also takes care of his elderly mother and from the flashbacks, it seems she’s all he’s ever had. With his next assignment, helping a politician’s daughter escape the clutches of a sex maniac, he ends up putting his mother’s and his own life in jeopardy. The film was directed by a female director, Lynne Ramsay (We Need to Talk About Kevin) which could be why Joe, though a killer, conveys such loving and caring characteristics. You’ll sense great sorrow and warmth inside of him and take pity.

I don’t want to give too much away but there’s a scene when Joe’s in a lake. He’s sinking to the bottom for a reason I won’t tell you here but it’s handled so beautifully, so poetically, that it brings you to the brink of tears. As an audience member, you take on Joe’s anguish and heartache. It’s a spectacular look at this character and a shot you may never forget. His relationship with his charges may seem to get in the way of his missions but then you realize those relationships are the missions. He may be saving them but, in essence, when all is said and done, they are saving him.

Don’t miss this fascinating film for anything. I can’t stress this enough. Enjoy the fact that Ramsay takes some time to paint you the full picture… it’s worth it. You’ll like the soundtrack that accompanies the film, as well. The ending is somewhat vague but had it drifted on a definitive course, it wouldn’t have fit the style. Go see this asap!

Aardvark Movie Review

April 12, 2018 (updated April 13, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

This is the story of an unstable man named Josh Norman, played by Zachary Quinto. He’s plagued with hallucinations of his brother, Craig (Hamm), who mistreated him when they were younger… or so Josh thinks. Craig, now a famous actor who Josh believes is morphing into other people, mocking and following him, actually takes care of Josh by sending him money, money that always purchases drugs for Josh that a therapist prescribes but doesn’t necessarily get Josh the true help he needs. What he needs is family and to be seen and loved; to know he’s seen and loved. I had many problems with this film, first of which is that with the amount of talent working on it, these actors should have been used better. They were great, don’t get me wrong, but the film they’re in leads you on a road to nowhere.

It opens on an owl watching an aardvark. Okay. That’s a metaphor for brothers Craig and Josh and you’re curious but, more to the point, it starts with such promise, however, by the time you’re halfway through Aardvark, you realize it isn’t going anywhere and your original thought of giving up on it fifteen minutes ago, should have been listened to. I assumed, by looking at the cast, that this was going to be quite good. I generally do approve of everything Hamm, Quinto and Jenny Slate, (who plays Emily, a therapist Josh starts going to) work on. I can’t say that’s the case with this movie. I had hoped it would be a hit, especially for Slate, as I respect her work so much that I’d like to see her continue to get larger roles but this movie might have been the one for her to skip… for them all to skip.

Enjoying the tone of the film in the beginning, you do like the characters and build a relationship with them but, unfortunately, the narrative between Emily and her patient becomes strained and consequently hard to believe. Director Brian Shoaf creates reasons for you to like Emily and then gives you all the reasons why you shouldn’t trust her and therefore, the story of Josh being unhinged falls apart to a degree.
Emily and Craig meet and she starts to speak on behalf of Craig to Josh and vice versa but she also falls for Craig. Maybe Josh just needs a new doctor? Eventually, you can’t help but wonder if the paranoid man is being gaslighted by everyone around him. Not that this would be remotely possible but is everyone around him in on it? His rich brother could be paying people to make him crazy.
The thought will cross your mind as the muddied script doesn’t get to the point until you’ve already checked out. Even when he meets Hannah (Vand) you wonder if this person really exists. That can be vaguely intriguing as he truly is under the impression his brother can transform himself to be anybody he wants but when the storyline provides you with hope, it then tears everything back down, trying to be a crafty love story but falling short of leading you to believe it’ll win you over in the end.

Perhaps this would have been better with some time to focus on which genre the script wanted to truly be. It’s frustrating as an audience member watching the filmmaker searching for the true voice of the film. The director needed to lead us. It isn’t good if he’s conflicted and this film was all over the place.

*Opens Exclusively at Harkins Shea 14

Tag: Drama