2021

 January 11th

Nomadland 

Summerland

Spread Your Wings

Misbehaviour

Gugu-Mbatha Raw features in half of today's reviewed films.

There's quite an emphasis upon women in three quarters of these films, while the fourth is a treat for bird-lovers and eco-warriors. All four films are well worth catching.  

Nomadland
Dir: Chloe Zhao

Length: 108 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=6sxCFZ8_d84

© Searchlight - living out of a van
comes with ups and downs

Fern (Frances McDormand) is  widowed and homeless since the factory (and the entire town) where she was employed closed down abruptly due to the Great  Depression of 2007. She now lives life out of her van, travelling around Nebraska, Arizona and Dakota. In trailer parks she connects with other nomads, some only once, and then never again; others, like Dave (David Strathairn) recur in her life. Some of the people live this life by choice, others by necessity. Based upon a non-fiction book, the film has already received more than 60 various awards, and deservedly so. It is suffused with melancholy and loneliness, the majesty of the wide open spaces, but also the intimacy of true human connectedness. Many of the characters are non-professional actors playing versions of themselves which brings an authenticity and deep understanding to the way of life the film is portraying. This blending of real life into a loosely fictional scenario creates an unforgettable and deeply affecting cinema experience.

4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended

Summerland
Dir: Jessica Swale

Length: 99 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJF5stmA5ys

© Icon - another side of World War 2

During WW2 in London, certain children were evacuated to the countryside to be far away from the constant threat of bombing. Local "grump" Alice, (Gemma Arterton) is totally reluctant to take in young Frank (Lucas Bond) and vows to get rid of him at the earliest possible opportunity. Gradually we discover the cause of Alice's sadness and slowly she also warms to Frank. This is a sweet film, with a very unexpected performance from Arterton, who shines in her role, as does Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Vera, a significant part of Alice's past. Young Bond is the real stand-out as Frank, a good-natured child full of curiosity and enthusiasm for life. There's nothing earth shattering in the film-making, but again it's a solid and touching story, with yet another take on the war, and also on past times, when freedom to be one's true self was unknown.

3.5 - well recommended

Spread Your Wings
Dir: Nicolas Vanier

Length: 113 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxGXbsiDhw0

© Icon - just follow the ultralight
and you'll get home!

Here's a family friendly, environmentally messaged film based upon the true story of Christian Moullec (Jean Paul Rouve), a passionate ornithologist who wanted to save an endangered species of geese. He raised his own flock, transported them up to Lapland in his van, then taught them the migratory route back to Europe, using an ultralight aircraft, with which the birds had become familiar and liked to follow. Christian's son Thomas (Louis Vasquez) features large in the plot, as he learns to fly, bonds with one particular goose, and reconnects with his estranged father. There's some stunning cinematography in this uplifting tale, and the geese are real (no digital tricks here). It's reminiscent of earlier films Travelling Birds (2001) and Fly Away Home (1996). If you want to read a terrific article about the real Christian (offering flights to adventurers in his ultralight alongside the geese), go to:

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/a-man-a-tiny-aircraft-and-a-flock-of-geese-flying-among-birds-in-france

3.5 - well recommended

Misbehaviour
Dir: Philippa Lowthorpe

Length: 106 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUa0Mtdv1HQ

© Studio Canal - feminists take on the cattle 
market that is a beauty pageant

In 1970 the Miss World pageant was rudely interrupted by the then embryonic movement known as Women's Liberation. Sally Alexander (Keira Knightley) and Jo Robinson (Jessie Buckley) were significant among the protestors, but to complicate matters two women of color were among the contestants, hopeful that a win for either of them could really change things for girls in their racial demographic. This is a typical British film, skillfully blending historical fact with impressively depicted characters. The film features several outstanding perfs, especially Greg Kinnear (almost unrecognisable) as pageant host (and resident sleaze-bucket) Bob Hope, and Rhys Ifans as Eric Morley, founder of the Miss World contest. Gugu Mbatha Raw is strong as Miss Granada, as is Knightley as the resolute, no-nonsense Sally. The issues haven't gone away - the contest continues and women are still judged for their appearance. As a fascinating slice of history, this is informative and highly  entertaining viewing.  

4 - highly recommended