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Flash Movie Review: Hamnet
SUCH A UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE, DEATH, YET everyone internalizes and processes it in their own way. I may have mentioned this before, but when a close relative of mine died, I would play a favorite song of theirs on the piano every day for a month. The months that followed, I would still play it quite often; sometimes when i just happened to be thinking about them, or on a holiday that meant something to them. Some years ago a former partner of mine passed away in such a way that health and government officials had to be involved. Both the deceased’s relatives and friends had to wait a long six to eight weeks before the results and cause of his death were announced, with the body being released to the parents afterwards. Though we had broken up in a bad way several years prior, I decided I wanted to give a eulogy, so I began to work on one for a week, up until the funeral. At the memorial service, a few of their friends were surprised to see me, since our breakup was rather dramatic. A couple of their relatives came up to tell me how glad they were to see me. When the time came for me to get up and eulogize them, I was taken aback how I and many of the guests were tearing up. Gratefully, I got through the whole thing, sat down, and felt an unusual comfort come over me. I NEVER CONSIDERED ANY OF MY actions extreme or out of the ordinary, unlike some of the things I witnessed from others. There was a daughter I knew who after her mother’s funeral arrived at her mother’s grave every day with a thermos of hot coffee, two cups and two lawn chairs. She would set up the chairs, one on each side of the plot, fill the two cups with coffee, place one cup on the empty lawn chair, keeping the other cup for herself, and sit there the entire morning having a one-sided conversation with her mom. The only time she would cut her visit short was during the winter months when the weather was bitterly cold; otherwise, she was there whether there were flurries, sun, or rain. It came to the point where relatives would gently broach the subject about maybe she could find a way to heal herself, talking to a professional in the medical field. She had no interest. This was the way she wanted to spend time with her mother. As I said, everyone handles death in their own way. What I witnessed in this period piece drama, took me by total surprise. THOUGH SHE IS A HEALER, A mother experiences unbearable grief within her own family, during the plague in England. She will have to find the strength to heal herself and provide for her family while trying to keep them safe. With Jessie Buckley (Wild Rose, Beast) as Agnes, Paul Mescal (Gladiator II, All of Us Strangers) as Will, Joe Alwyn (The Brutalist, Harriet) as Bartholomew, Emily Watson (The Happy Prince, Midas Man) as Mary, and Justine Mitchell (Smother-TV, Maryland-TV movie) as Joan; I was taken completely taken by surprise with this film. Not knowing or hearing anything about it, I went in thinking the story was going to be a comedy or farce, assuming that Hamnet was maybe a long lost brother or relative of Hamlet; I could not have been further from the truth. The story, based on the novel, was simply beautiful, and the acting was brilliant. In the very beginning, I did wonder where the story was going, but as things unfolded and the chemistry between Jessie and Paul crystalized, I was swept away. I thought the filming and directing were outstanding, lush scenery with a steady unfurling of the story. By the end of the movie, I felt it was a privilege to have been a witness to this family, with their joy and sorrow. This is definitely an Oscar contender in my opinion.
3 3/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: Harriet
I BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS A BREAKING point; the only difference is each person has it set at a different threshold. Some years ago, there was an employee at the company I worked at who was a jovial man. Friendly to everyone, always a smile on his face; for all intents and purposes, he was an ideal employee. Let me add, he had been employed at the company for several years. I never heard the details of what caused him to reach his breaking point; only that it was a “bad” scene. He got into an argument with another employee. If the two men had a history of confrontations, I was not privy to the information. However, the fight turned heated as the 2 men raised their voices and started yelling obscenities at each other. I do not know how long this went on; but at some point, the jovial employee picked up a large monkey wrench and chased the other employee around their work area. Another employee intervened by tackling the employee and wrestling him to the ground, while grabbing the monkey wrench and twisting it out of his hand. As you may have guessed he was fired that day. When news spread throughout the company, employees were stunned; no one ever imagined he could get so angry or try to cause bodily harm to another person. REMEMBERING THAT EMPLOYEE REMINDED ME OF my younger days when my breaking point was set at a lower threshold. I was always quick to use my anger to solve disturbing situations. If I felt someone slighted me, I would immediately go on the attack. Gratefully I never ventured into the use of physical harm; however, I would verbally abuse them by using every swear word I knew. If that did not satisfy me, I would plot out covert ways I could get back at them. I am too embarrassed to tell you about a few of the things I did in my past; let me just say I am not proud of those actions. What I can tell you is I am no longer that individual. These days, my breaking point resides on a higher level. The reason may be a variety of things, from becoming more mature to exploring avenues of self-help. Regardless, having a stronger sense of self has allowed me to make better and more rational decisions. Though I am still capable of letting my anger come out full force, I have not encountered a situation that called for it. Certainly nothing near what the main character endured in this dramatic, historical biography. IF IT MEANT DYING THEN THE slave Minty, played by Cynthia Erivo (Widows, Bad Times at the El Royale), was at peace with it if it meant there was a chance, she could be free of her master. Chances were not in her favor. With Leslie Odom Jr (Red Tails, Murder on the Orient Express) as William Still, Joe Alwyn (The Favourite, Mary Queen of Scots) as Gideon Brodess, Clarke Peters (John Wick, Marley & Me) as Ben Ross and Vanessa Bell Calloway (Daylight, Lakeview Terrace) as Rit Rose; this movie based on a true story had the perfect actor playing the role of Minty/Harriet. Cynthia’s acting was memorable just as her voice was when her character would sing a few bars in several scenes. The story was incredible and unimaginable. For most of the time my eyes were glued to the screen; however, when the script went off into a religious fantasy mode it lost me a bit. I thought those scenes were over dramatic and thick. If they had been toned down and made to be more of a realistic conversation, I would have put more stock in them. Still, I was engaged throughout the story. On a sad/poignant note, the news today is reporting about a fast food restaurant where the staff asked a black family to change their seats because a white customer did not want them seated next to him. I cannot stop wondering if we will ever see a change.
3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
THERE is nobody I know who wants to hear “bad” news. I do not think anyone would like to receive such news. What I find interesting is the way people react to such news. There are families who do not acknowledge news of a loved one’s illness. They may hear a relative was diagnosed with cancer but they do not know how to react or act on such news. The relative may go on their journey towards death without having the support and love of their family members, not out of hate only ignorance, who do not know how to make things better. Sadly you cannot always make things better; however, lending an ear or bringing a cup of ice chips to the dying relative could make a world of difference. WHEN it comes to the general public I am not sure if “bad” news is always reported honestly by the media. Sure they are quick to report a tragedy, let us say an earthquake or flood, but the focus seems to go to what will grab a viewer’s attention or heart strings. A small child saved from the roof of their home would make good story; but not an individual who was struck with a debilitating injury from the catastrophic event, who will no longer be able to perform their job, facing a life of poverty. Now I know there have been times where this is not the case, just recently seeing these “Go Fund Me” pages would be an example of getting the word out. I think the influx of reality television shows and the various social media outlets have warped people’s perceptions of basic truth. It is because of this movie that I have been thinking about this subject. We may want to only celebrate and focus on the positives, but the reality may not always match the cheering. RETURNING to the states for a short victory tour Billy Lynn, played by relative newcomer Joe Alwyn, had one person who did not want him going back overseas after the celebrations; his sister Kathryn, played by Kristen Stewart (Café Society, Still Alice). This film festival winning war drama directed by Ang Lee (Life of Pi, Taking Woodstock) was filmed by a new process using a high frame rate. It made this picture look like a live television show is the only way I can describe it. Personally I found it a big distraction and did not like the look it created on screen; there was a harsh sharpness to the scenes, but that is simply my tastes. With Garrett Hedlund (Pan, Unbroken) as Dime, Steve Martin (The Pink Panther franchise, Cheaper by the Dozen franchise) as Norm and Vin Diesel (The Last Witch Hunter, Fast & Furious franchise) as Shroom; the acting was good but the script did not provide enough for the actors. At times there were scenes of brilliance but then another scene would fall flat. I did not think the story offered much for the viewers; I was left with a bored feeling, wishing I knew more about certain characters and their motivations. Overall the viewing aspect was not pleasant to me and if this technique of shooting a film is going to be a reality, then I want fantasy.
1 ¾ stars
moviejoltz 