proud_luddite
Joined Jan 2018
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Primarily taking place in the early 1950s, Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) and Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem) are preparing for a weekly episode of their legendary TV show "I Love Lucy". Background stories take place including difficulties in the real-life Ball/Arnaz marriage and other conflicts involving their co-stars Vivian Vance (Nina Arianda) and William Frawley (J. K. Simmons). Other timelines include the past when Ball and Arnaz are newly married; and the future when the show's writers are reflecting on the past.
There are other elements in the film's story as well. They include the trouble of Ball's past membership in the Communist Party. The possible accusations of treason take place during a time when the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was successful in destroying careers in Hollywood. The film might have benefitted by spending more time on the Communist accusations and less on Lucy's obsessive attempts to control many details of the TV episode that is about to be filmed.
There are many interesting well-known historical allegations that are used in the film but there seems to be too much of it making the movie occasionally feel like a made-for-TV docudrama. And as many viewers (including myself) are already aware of those allegations, the surprise factor is missing.
Despite the criticisms, there are praiseworthy elements in the film. One is a scene in which Lucy is having an argument and discussion with one of the film's writers, Madelyn Pugh (Alia Shawkat). This scene is well acted and well written by Aaron Sorkin, also the film's director. Another is the final scene in which Desi is highlighted - also well acted by Bardem. And overall, Kidman does a fine imitation of Ball while also giving a strong performance.
There are apparently some inaccuracies (aka "artistic license") in the story as well which is unfortunate. This piece of TV history could have been fascinating with more accuracy. But for TV fans, it's a fun nostalgia trip nonetheless. - dbamateurcritic.
There are other elements in the film's story as well. They include the trouble of Ball's past membership in the Communist Party. The possible accusations of treason take place during a time when the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was successful in destroying careers in Hollywood. The film might have benefitted by spending more time on the Communist accusations and less on Lucy's obsessive attempts to control many details of the TV episode that is about to be filmed.
There are many interesting well-known historical allegations that are used in the film but there seems to be too much of it making the movie occasionally feel like a made-for-TV docudrama. And as many viewers (including myself) are already aware of those allegations, the surprise factor is missing.
Despite the criticisms, there are praiseworthy elements in the film. One is a scene in which Lucy is having an argument and discussion with one of the film's writers, Madelyn Pugh (Alia Shawkat). This scene is well acted and well written by Aaron Sorkin, also the film's director. Another is the final scene in which Desi is highlighted - also well acted by Bardem. And overall, Kidman does a fine imitation of Ball while also giving a strong performance.
There are apparently some inaccuracies (aka "artistic license") in the story as well which is unfortunate. This piece of TV history could have been fascinating with more accuracy. But for TV fans, it's a fun nostalgia trip nonetheless. - dbamateurcritic.
In the fishing town of Gloucester, Massachusetts, teenager Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones) is the only hearing member of her family who run a fishing business. (CODA = Child Of Deaf Adults.) She interprets for her parents (Troy Kotsur and Marlee Matlin) and her older brother (Daniel Durant). With her family dependent on her, she has an inner conflict regarding a desire to pursue a singing career. The film is based on the French-Belgian film "La Famille Bélier". "CODA" was released in 2021.
This film is a powerful story whose conflicts (inner and outer) draw sympathy while focusing on people who are too rarely in the spotlight. There is also power in the side story of music development (Ruby is very talented) and the part played by Eugenio Derbez as a picky music teacher.
Some of the standout scenes include an in-depth mother/daughter conversation plus a concert scene in which Ruby is performing. In that scene, the audience is made to experience the event as Ruby's family does; as a result, it is easy to sympathize with those who can't fully enjoy the victory of a loved one.
Like many modern films that include text messages as part of the story, this film has the flaw of making the messages too small on the screen and therefore illegible. And many situations seemed to be too neatly resolved by the film's conclusion. But "CODA" is still a very moving family story about a very fascinating family. - dbamateurcritic.
This film is a powerful story whose conflicts (inner and outer) draw sympathy while focusing on people who are too rarely in the spotlight. There is also power in the side story of music development (Ruby is very talented) and the part played by Eugenio Derbez as a picky music teacher.
Some of the standout scenes include an in-depth mother/daughter conversation plus a concert scene in which Ruby is performing. In that scene, the audience is made to experience the event as Ruby's family does; as a result, it is easy to sympathize with those who can't fully enjoy the victory of a loved one.
Like many modern films that include text messages as part of the story, this film has the flaw of making the messages too small on the screen and therefore illegible. And many situations seemed to be too neatly resolved by the film's conclusion. But "CODA" is still a very moving family story about a very fascinating family. - dbamateurcritic.
Based on true events: the life and career of music legend Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper) are exposed from 1943 to 1987 in this biographical film. Much focus is on Bernstein's marriage to actress Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). Cooper directed and co-wrote the film.
Cooper gives a fine performance and is at his best during scenes of conducting at performances. The character of Felicia is almost one note in the first half: timid, modest, and people-pleasing; but she does a full pivot around the mid-mark beginning in a scene where Felicia learns that her husband's affections are not exclusive to her - nor to her gender. From this point onward, Mulligan shows depth, variety, and power as she did in "Promising Young Woman". This is especially true when the main focus is on Felicia during many scenes in the second half.
The man-to-man relationships (Leonard's affairs) were visibly evident but rarely spoken about in blunt terms during the film. This is perfectly in line with the attitudes of the times ("we know of it but we must not talk about it") even the later time periods covered in the film. Credit is due to the film-makers for exposing what happened but still doing so with the attitudes of the time periods in which the events took place.
As expected, the musical recreations were spectacular especially Mahler's Resurrection Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra in Ely Cathedral in England in 1973. This particular scene was heavenly.
It would have been helpful to have titles that indicate which year is being portrayed in the timeline. Also, there are times the film feels emotionally distant and only at a surface level but it is still a fine tribute to a magnificent legend. - dbamateurcritic.
Cooper gives a fine performance and is at his best during scenes of conducting at performances. The character of Felicia is almost one note in the first half: timid, modest, and people-pleasing; but she does a full pivot around the mid-mark beginning in a scene where Felicia learns that her husband's affections are not exclusive to her - nor to her gender. From this point onward, Mulligan shows depth, variety, and power as she did in "Promising Young Woman". This is especially true when the main focus is on Felicia during many scenes in the second half.
The man-to-man relationships (Leonard's affairs) were visibly evident but rarely spoken about in blunt terms during the film. This is perfectly in line with the attitudes of the times ("we know of it but we must not talk about it") even the later time periods covered in the film. Credit is due to the film-makers for exposing what happened but still doing so with the attitudes of the time periods in which the events took place.
As expected, the musical recreations were spectacular especially Mahler's Resurrection Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra in Ely Cathedral in England in 1973. This particular scene was heavenly.
It would have been helpful to have titles that indicate which year is being portrayed in the timeline. Also, there are times the film feels emotionally distant and only at a surface level but it is still a fine tribute to a magnificent legend. - dbamateurcritic.