December 6th

Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Roma
Second Act
The Coming Back Out Ball

This week we see that Melissa McCarthy is much more talented than films like Bridesmaids would indicate. The poignant slice-of-life film Roma comes from Mexico via the Cinelatino festival, while J-Lo is a lot of feminist fun in Second Act. And a fascinating doco turns the spotlight on the older LGBTQI community. 

Can You Ever Forgive Me
Dir: Marielle Heller
Length: 106 min 

© 20th Century Fox -  McCarthy and Richard
E Grant act up a storm 

Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy) is a broke out-of-favour author, specialising in biographies. She's a reclusive alcoholic, not much liked by anyone. To make ends meet she begins selling whatever she can. But when she accidentally comes across an original letter from Fanny Brice hidden in a library book she steals it and so begins a new (criminal) career. Lee replicates and embellishes letters from famous people like Noel Coward and Dorothy Parker. Collectors pay a tidy sum for these "rarities". Lee's new friend Jack (Richard E Grant) joins her in inebriated soul-searching and eventually assists in the scam. This well-scripted, wonderful film is based upon a true story which in itself is fascinating, but it is the unexpectedly brilliant performances from McCarthy and Grant that won me over. Despite having so many unpleasant traits, Israel is portrayed in a complex way that cannot help but elicit empathy from the audiences. Grant's flamboyant campy Jack is both sad and funny. Both characters are grappling with their fatal flaws, and we can't help but relate to the heartfelt truths of their lives' disappointments. Simply wonderful viewing. 
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended! 

Roma
Dir: Alfonso Cuaron
Length: 135 min
Exclusive to ACMI, Lido Hawthorn, Nova

© Cinelatino FF - Roma is a slow-burn, deeply 
compassionate film about family, caring and more.

It opened the Cinelatino FF in Melbourne, and won the Golden Lion at Venice FF this year. Roma revolves around a year in the life of a middle class Mexican family in the 1970s. Apparently the story is highly inspired by Cuaron's own youth, and the film feels like a the diary of a family with all its foibles; raucous kids, a messy dog, philandering husband and a wife rediscovering her identity. There is also a background thread of political turmoil and protest at the time.The central focus however is on the family's beloved maid Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio) who unintentionally falls pregnant. The non-professional actress is sublime in her portrayal of the stoic, loving, hard-working girl. Cuaron displays a genius for observing the tiny details of life and employs exquisite black and white cinematography in carefully constructing each scene. The film is suffused with a depth of emotion around love, loss, and the deep attachment one can develop for others who are not necessarily family. Some colleagues declared it boring; I was transfixed.
4 - highly recommended! 

Second Act
Dir: Peter Segal
Length: 103 min 

© Roadshow -  ???

Maya (Jennifer Lopez) is a 40-year-old retail worker, experienced and smart at her job but overlooked for a promotion. Her friend Joan (Leah Remini) encourages Maya to go for a better job and with the help of Joan's son, who creates a bogus CV and Facebook profile, Maya lands a top consulting job with a prestigious firm. Films of this nature tend to be predictable, but this one manages to overcome the cliches with a winning performance from Lopez, who strikes just the right note. The sub-plots involving the boss's daughter Zoe (Vanessa Hudgens), the competition between employees to create a new product, and revelations of Maya's past all prove entertaining, and the minor characters are quirky enough to keep the film feeling fresh. Surprisingly, I found myself enjoying it and even getting a tad teary in parts. Sometimes films like this are just the antidote to all the intensely deep and meaningful stuff I seem to immerse in. (And of course it's always great to see the gals shafting it to the blokes!)
3 - recommended! 

The Coming Back Out Ball
Dir: Sue Thomson
Length: 84 min 
Exclusive to Cinema Nova

© Backlot Films - a special event for "elders" of the 
LGBTQI community

Winner of the People's Choice Award for documentary at this year's MIFF, this is a heartfelt homage to the so-called "elders" of the LGBTQI community. The observational doco follows several people who have been invited to this special ball, celebrating gender diversity. For many, who lived through the era when being gay was criminalised, and who now feel isolated in their older years, this is the first experience of total acceptance. Artistic director of the ball Tristan Meecham is pivotal in bringing the whole thing together, and he acknowledges how so many of the older members of the community paved the way for him to be out and proud. The film is very heartwarming and an excellent window into the diversity that is the LGBTQI community.
3.5 - well recommended!