We watched a TON of films over the holiday break. Below you'll find my take on the standouts. I do write about these as if you've already seen them, like we're having a conversation over coffee. Here's what I thought...
Manchester by the Sea
I wanted to love this movie after living in this area for about 8 years after college. The acting was great but where it fell short for me was the script. No one changed or rose to the challenges that lay before them. The characters are the same in the end as the beginning and there was just a tiny journey of family trying to cope with the loss of the glue in their lives. The backstory is where the heart of the film lives, but it would have made a greater impact for that heart to be in the present story as well.
La La Land
Strong feelings here. I didn't like it. I know I'm running against the current on this one. It rang so true for 2/3 of the film from the tone of auditions to the "let's get out there and meet people because you never know who you'll meet." Where it failed was the fact that both characters "make it." If it was going to stay true to the real transplant story, they may have gotten over themselves, stayed together (or not) and kept trying to make their dreams come true. I've known people in LA who have been trying to make it for 20 years which begs the question, how long do you try? The magic is in the performances, the dancing and the desire to see a Singing in The Rain kind of picture. But it's just not the same. It will win awards anyway because the people voting did actually "make it" and see their own stories in this one.
Moonlight
I loved this film because not only is it a different story than I've ever seen or experienced, but it's produced with such a delicate hand, nothing said that doesn't need to be said and nothing seen that doesn't need to be seen. The performances across the board are fantastic. All the actors are being considered for supporting roles, which is difficult because although none of them are in the entire film, each performed so amazingly, I feel as though they deserve to be considered for best actor. I don't want to say anything that may spoil it for you, but this is my favorite so far. GO SEE IT, if you haven't yet.
Fences
Good film. Overwhelming performances by both Viola Davis and Denzel Washington. (Viola stole the show if you ask me.) The main critique I have is that it plays very much like the play. I would've like to see the script adapted by someone other than the playwright himself. (No offense, Mr. Wilson.) See more of their world, isn't that the beauty of film vs. the stage?
Hell or High Water
This movie was so much fun and had real heart as well. I enjoyed the characters and the mirroring relationships of the "good guys" vs. the "bad guys." Although not a traditional western, the film has a certain self-awareness about it that I ate up. Also I forgot I was watching Chris Pine. More than just a pretty face in this one. Worth watching and perhaps the most fun.