Frances Ha

Determined to make it as a modern dancer in New York, Frances pursues her unlikely goal with more enthusiasm than natural talent.  The rest of the time, she and her sardonic friend, Sophie, put off growing up for as long as they can.  Bringing your significant other to this movie is questionable. It is about relationships and all that mushy stuff.  A total deficit on the action.  I give it a 7.  Stars Greta Gerwig, Mickey Summer, and Adam Driver.

Before Midnight

This is the third in the series of romantic dramas:  Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. Jessie and Celine are back after years of living together and having twins.  In this romantic drama they are re looking their relationship.  Mainly a dialogue between Jessie and Celine but well done and hits a relationship note for couple who have been together for a long time.  I give it an eight.  Try to see the first two movies in this series before going.  Stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.

What Maisie Knew

In this updated rendering of the timeless Henry James novel, a perceptive 6-year-old girl becomes a bargaining tool when she gets caught in the midst of a toxic custody fight between her self-seeking , childish parents.  The two people not related to her turn out to be the better parents.  Very entertaining with a thought provoking issue.  I rate it an 8.  Stars Julianne Moore, Alexander Skarsgard, Onata April, Steve Coogan.

Love Is All You Need

Pierce Brosnan stars in this romantic comedy about several people in Sorrento, Italy searching for love and dealing with jealousy, passion, romance and loneliness as they struggle to change their lives for the better.  The event that brings them together is a destination wedding.  This is a romance of the 50-60 generation.  Funny and well done.  I give it a 7.  The scenery is to die for.  Stars Trin Dyrholm, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Bodina, Paprika Steen.

The Great Gatsby

Mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby is obsessed with Daisy Buchanan in this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel.  Fascinated by the mysterious, affluent Gatsby, his neighbor Nick Caraway bears witness to the man's obsessive love and spiral into tragedy.  Not the epic of the aggressive ad campaign that proceeded the movie, however, it was glitzy and fast paced.  I was never bored even when the movie script deviated from the novel in the end.  Of course, I didn't like either ending. I would rate it a 7.  Toby McGuire and Leonardo DiCaprio carried the movie.  One could save it for DVD.  Stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey McGuire, Carey Mulligan.

 

The Company You Keep

Robert Redford stars as Jim Grant, a lawyer and single dad who has to go on the lam after a reporter identifies him as a long-sought U.S. terrorist.  As the journalist locates more of Grant's old contact, his guilt begins to appear less certain.  The movie was much better than I expected.  It was great to see the "old stars" appearing in such great roles.  This was not a PR piece for the FBI.  I really wanted to smack the agent in charge as being a real douche bag.  The reporter also deserved a smack for being an insensitive idiot.  I rate it a 7.5.  Very entertaining.  Stars Robert Redford, Julie Christi, Sam Elliot, Terrance Howard, Nick Nolte; Susan Sarandon.

The Big Wedding

A long divorced couple pretends years of wedded bliss to please their son's birth mother as she travels to the USA for the nuptials.  As the hoax spins out of control among family and friends, it leaves behind a  poignant and funny tale about ties that bind.  Entertaining and amusing with the senior actor and actresses carrying the weight of the film.  I would rate it a 6.  Stars Robert DeNiro, Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Katherine Heigal.