With the 89th Academy Awards coming up this Sunday, I wanted to share the last films I managed to see in theaters before the ceremony. I missed out on a couple that I had hoped to see, but plan to rent them as soon as they are available (looking at you, Fences).
Moonlight:
Similar to 2014’s Boyhood, this story is a snapshot of a boy in various stages of his young life, as he grows into a man. Moonlight tells the story of Chiron in three parts, with a new actor taking on the role each chapter. As we follow the quiet and introverted Chiron growing up in a black neighborhood around Miami, we see him deal with a drug addicted mother (Naomie Harris) and attempt to understand his sexuality. Mahershala Ali’s role as a drug dealer, turned mentor, to Chiron is a stand-out, but his presence is cut too short. While his ending is realistic given the setting, you really miss him as the film moves on. Hopefully the success he has found with this film will turn him into a leading star. All three actors who portray Chiron (Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sandersdo, and Trevante Rhodes) do a great job (although don’t look much alike), each showing a solemn, but kind, boy who is trying to find himself and adapt to the world around him. The storytelling sucks you in, and leaves you feeling a bit heartbroken throughout.
Jackie:
Jackie focuses on the days after the assassination of John F. Kennedy and how Jackie Kennedy dealt with his loss, as well as adapting to a new life. The film did feel a bit disconnected at times, and didn’t necessarily tell a full and focused story. I would have liked to expand further into Jackie’s life post life in the White House, but it focuses on just that brief moment in time. The story is set around an interview she gives, but I did find it hard for much of the movie to truly look past Natalie Portman, who plays the title role. Not that her performance was a failure, it was just hard to feel totally engrossed at times as I began to think about the specifics of the character and surroundings. I guess that it was is hard about playing such a well-known person, because even if a performance is good, it is still hard to truly see the person when you are so familiar with how the real one acts. What I liked best about this film though was the music, it was startling and dramatic, and the costumes were impressive. It was interesting to think back on this time in America, especially given the recent inauguration, and wonder what films may on day be made on the time we are living in now.
Lion:
The story of Lion is a powerful true-story about the journey of a young boy in India who becomes separated from his family. After Saroo gets on an abandoned train, he falls asleep, soon taking him far away from his home. He deals with challenges and frightening situations as he tries to find a way back, but eventually is set up for adoption and sent to Australia. The first hour or so of the film is led by young Saroo (played by a wonderful first-time actor, Sunny Pawar), who really does perfectly lead the film with a natural charm and sweetness. When the film switches about half-way to show an adult Saroo (portrayed strongly by Dev Patel) living in Australia, it takes a bit to adapt to the changes and initially almost feels like a separate film. As we come to know the older Saroo, we see how different his life turned out being raised in a Western society, as he goes to university, socializes, and has a girlfriend. His life is incomplete though without knowing what has come of the family he left behind. With some early hesitations, he eventually becomes consumed in researching and mapping his way back home. The first part of the film is truly encompassing and special, but I wish the second part of the film would have focused a bit more on his relationship with his adopted mom (played by Nicole Kidman) who seemed to be an important factor in his life. The differences of the mom he came from and the one who got to raise him would have been very interesting to explore more. My favorite part of the film had to be at the end when we find out the meaning of the title of the film. It made me tear up and was a wonderful moment to round out a special story.
Hidden Figures:
During the Space Race in the 50s and 60s, many people played important roles at NASA, without much credit, but ultimately being the ones who made it all happen. Hidden Figures tells the story of some of these real-life people, which included female African-American mathematicians. Katherine Johnson (Tariji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) used their brainpower to assist the program, all while facing the difficulties that came with being a woman and being black at that time. The cast is wonderful, especially Taraji P. Henson in the lead role, who portrays Katherine’s intelligence and thoughtfulness in a beautiful way. Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, and Mahershala Ali also round out the cast. The story of Hidden Figures is uplifting and positive movie. While you may not have any clue what the calculations mean, you root for the characters and believe that anyone can make a difference, no matter the challenges.
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