Chinese Puzzle

This trilogy by Cedric Klapisch gets a 9+ from me.  In order to get the most out of it, follow the following steps:

Step One: Rent L'Auberge Espagnole the 2002 film about Xavier Rousseau, the 20 something Parisian who goes to Spain to  learn Spanish which will further his financial career.  For one year while he studies Spanish he lives in an apartment with a colorful international group of  20 something male and females.  He leaves the love of his life, Martine, back in Paris who he eventually breaks up with.

Step Two:  Rent Russian Dolls the 2005 film that continues the exploits of Xavier and the now almost 30 group from L'Auberge Espagnole.  Xavier is smitten with Wendy from that group and is wooing her even though he continues his friendship with now divorced Martine.

Step Three:  Chinese Puzzle (now in theaters) is a must see especially if you have seen the previous two.  Xavier is now almost40 and newly divorced from Wendy and is pursuing a writing career.  He follows his wife and two kids to the Big Apple to start over.  Yes the characters from the previous two movies show up here too.   All three movies are among my favorites.  Chinese Puzzle is the best of the lot and you should not miss it.  Stars:  Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Cecile DeFranco , Kelly Reily.

Jersey Boys

This movie is a nostalgic look at the Four Seasons and their bumpy offstage lives that stretches across four decades.  Each of the musical act's four original members present a different set of memories.  The music brings back lots of memories.  No new artist has done their songs like the original Four Season.  Fergie, you aren't even close with your version of Big Girls Don't Cry.  I give it a 7.  Stars John Lloyd Young, Vincent Piazza, Erich Bergen, Johnny Cammizzaro, Christopher Walken.

The Grand Seduction

The cash-strapped harbor of Tickle Cove must persuade a doctor to move to town if they want a plastics manufacturer to build a new factory in the little harbor.  But selling the advantages of the tiny Newfoundland village to a young professional won't be easy.  The villagers band together and use many innovative techniques to lure the doctor to stay and the manufacturer to build.  A truly pleasant surprise of a movie.  I highly recommend this comedy.  You might even want to see it twice to see what you missed while you were laughing.  Stars Brendan Gleeson, Taylor Kitsan, Anna Hopkins, Liane Bulban.

Obvious Child

After being fired from her job and dumped by her cheating boyfriend, a comedian bottoms out and has a drunken one night stand with a nice guy who's not her type.  Weeks later she finds out that she is pregnant.  Definitely a 20 or 30 something movie with all the ups and downs.  The younger generation will love it so I am giving it a 7.  Stars Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffman.

The Other Woman

When she finds out that her boyfriend is married and that she is his mistress, a woman, teams up with the jerk's wife to get revenge.  Then they find out there is another mistress.  Game on to bring jerk down by his mistresses and wife who can be very creative.  Definitely a chick flick so leave the other sex home.  Light and amusing so I give it a 5.  Stars Cameron Diaz, Niki Minaj, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton.

Words and Pictures

 


A picture is worth a thousand words--or is it?  That's the question prep school students must answer as their teachers egg them on in this diverting romantic comedy.  Clive Owen plays the alcoholic honors English teacher and Juliette Binoche plays the disabled honors art teacher.  Entertaining movie that poses some real questions on what is art.  I give it an 8.

Ida

Raised in a Catholic orphanage during the Nazi occupation of Poland, Anna is poised to join the order when she learns she has a surviving aunt.  But, visiting the woman before taking her vows uncovers some inconvenient truths about her heritage.   These truths are shocking.   The movie is more than another Nazi hate movie with some outstanding acting. Filmed in black and white it matches the somber subject.  I give it a 7+.  Stars Agat Kulesza; Agata Trzeduckowkski.