Saw a lovely small indie film over the weekend at the Angelika, called SAINT FRANCES. Don't know if it will ever find wider release but look for it. - maybe streaming at some point.
Here's the brief review from the NYT.
Vaginal bleeding plays a potent supporting role in Alex Thompson’s “Saint Frances,” unsurprising in a movie this deeply invested in the everyday joys and agonies of being a woman. Covering one difficult, transformative summer in the life of a dissatisfied waitress named Bridget (played by the film’s writer, Kelly O’Sullivan), the movie gently queries our assumptions about what constitutes female success. At 34, Bridget worries that time is running out on finding a career, landing a life partner and, especially, having children. She’s not sure she wants these things, she just knows she’s expected to want them. Her parents hint darkly about her aging uterus, and her younger, more relaxed lover (Max Lipchitz) wonders why she refuses to define their connection as a relationship.
Then, almost simultaneously, she makes a momentous life decision and is hired by a mixed-race lesbian couple (Charin Alvarez and Lily Mojekwu) as a nanny to Frances (Ramona Edith-Williams), their precocious six-year-old. Initially a rather inept caregiver, Bridget gradually warms to her lively charge and her stressed-out employers. More important, she begins to make peace with herself. With a warm heart and a nonjudgmental mind, “Saint Frances” weaves abortion, same-sex parenting and postpartum depression into a narrative bursting with positivity and acceptance. Some scenes can feel forced and even a little hectoring (as when a breastfeeding mother is verbally attacked in a public park). Others, though, are so modestly insightful — and the performers so appealingly natural — that we forgive the occasional heavy hand. Bridget’s bond with the family feels organic and restorative, the movie making the argument that family is wherever you find it. And if Bridget still lacks direction, it could be because she no longer needs one.
The best seque that I can come up with is Agnes of God.. Strange and not sure if I can say I liked the film but it was an eerily fascinating story and somehow I think the above reference works with the plot.
slipping in a book recommendation. The early chapters of the all around terrific historical novel "The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Shutter Island) offers an extremely evocative and chilling account of the Spanish Flu pandemic, mostly in Boston.
slipping in a book recommendation. The early chapters of the all around terrific historical novel "The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Shutter Island) offers an extremely evocative and chilling account of the Spanish Flu pandemic, mostly in Boston.
Hmm, I loved both of those films. Just really caught all of Shutter Island, a film you can't catch in the middle and figure out what is going on. Hard enough when you do start from the beginning.
Just watched American History X again. Edward Norton draws me in every time.
Another Edward Norton film that I love, probably not very well known is The Painted Veil. Watched it every time it ran.
2 very different roles for him. Something changes in his face, his expressions. Hard to believe it is the same actor.
Love to know if anyone else liked those films.
I never saw Painted Veil but I'm a big Edward Norton fan. Loved American History X as repellent as it was.
I thought Motherless Brooklyn was awesome. But my favorite Edward Norton film is probably an early one: Primal Fear. He was so great in that. And a fantastic twist at the end.
yeah, big Edward Norton fan here. I don't know The Painted Veil though, will have to look into that. Been meaning to watch Motherless Brooklyn too. I think Fight Club is my favorite Norton film, though Am History X ranks up there too.
anyway, the reason I came to post is that I just came across what looks like a great free movie site called kanopy.com. You need a local library card to use it, but they've got a great selection of movies - stuff that I think would normally be hard to find on the other streaming services. You can watch up to 10 movies a month.
Not sure all libraries have Kanopy, but I know I have access to it through the East Orange library.
Besides better and more movies to choose from than I get on my XFinity account.
Plus, they offier online classes in lots of different subject areas. Not things you can get credit for, I don't think. But put created by University level professors.
I never saw Painted Veil but I'm a big Edward Norton fan. Loved American History X as repellent as it was.
I thought Motherless Brooklyn was awesome. But my favorite Edward Norton film is probably an early one: Primal Fear. He was so great in that. And a fantastic twist at the end.
Wow I forgot about Primal Fear! Great film!
Check out Painted Veil. If you are a Norton fan you will find this one hauntingly beautiful.
Anatomy of a Murder
Paths of Glory
To Kill a Mockingbird
Breaker Morant
The Verdict