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Reviews
The Boys in the Boat (2023)
A Boy Movie
Like most films, this one has a male voice. It certainly doesn't meet the Bechdel Test, which isn't the only criteria for judging a film, of course, but that said, given that every human on earth came out of a woman, it just doesn't work to have a film where women (and only a couple of them at that) are only there as a backdrop, to be pretty and support men with their cooking, kisses, and adoration. Real life is full of women; they are everywhere, doing everything (over half the population is female) so a purportedly inspirational film, where men reach their full potential, with no women in sight is so unrealistic as to be ludicrous. Where are the mothers, grandmothers, sisters? Even Hitler had a wife. I kept thinking during the film, that George Clooney must have been embarrassed for his accomplished wife to see this movie, in which no woman has a significant role. It must have been very exciting in real life, but it was forgettable as a film.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
A Moving Metaphor
This film, taking place against the backdrop of the Northern Ireland conflict, is a deeply affecting metaphor for the sad futility of war. The lifelong friendship of two men begins to disintegrate when one depressed half decides he needs more quiet to create something lasting in the form of his music. Like war, this disintegration couldn't have a more apt description than cutting off your nose to spite your face. This film is cinematically gorgeous and haunting, simultaneously. It's subject matter is provocative as it explores the themes of death and dying, the fragility of life, and dreams unrealized.
I Love My Dad (2022)
Sick, Dysfunctional Father
Seriously, there is nothing to redeem this movie. It is not healthy to forgive parents or partners who operate on this level of toxicity. I actually think this film borders on dangerous on its portrayal of this father/son relationship as well as the father's relationship with his own girlfriend. The amount damage this father inflicts on his son and others before he "learns his lesson" is way over the top. His choices could have literally caused his son's death more than once but he keeps going on and on in his deceptions, hurting everyone in his path. Yet we're supposed to believe he's worth it.
The Adam Project (2022)
Great Fun If...
If you can overlook some glaring patriarchy/sexism, this is a really fun movie. It takes me back to Definitely Maybe to watch the two Adams interact and there are some moving moments between grown-up Adam and his mom but more effort is put into making the moments moving between the two Adams and their emotionally unavailable dad. There are terrible plausibility and continuity issues that can be overlooked for the sake of fun, but the messages that will/should rankle are, 1) Women can't really understand science and will steal men's great ideas and make a mess of things because they are easily corrupted if given power, (even if, in real life, they've barely had any yet, but let's get busy scaring people about that happening in the future when they might get some), 2) A father is much more likely to instantly recognize his future child than a mom, who's just not as tuned in as a dad is, and 3) Boys and their video gaming will save us.
Land (2021)
I Was Mesmerized
This film is clearly not for everyone, judging by viewers' comments; I, on the other hand, loved it. I didn't want to pause the film for anything. That never happens. I recognized this character as a woman facing unbearable loss and grief, and not caring whether she lived or died. Yet, she made the only choice that could conceivably lead her back to caring about life, she walked into, not away from, her pain and loneliness. She had only that pain for company and that is how she survived it, by facing it head on, alone, with no distractions, in the realness, and wildness of nature and survival. I recognized something fundamental, even primal, in this story and in Wright's portrayal.