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Film reviews

Eileen Review

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Eileen is a film where being vulnerable is at its core. In the film’s introduction, there is already a sense of desperation to feel connected as a girl watches others kiss in their vehicle. With a sad backdrop and eerie lighting in the depths of winter, there is bound to be a treacherous adventure. In Eileen, director William Oldroyd brings his audience into the world of the 1960s. It is a time when feeling loved is at the core of being fulfilled…despite the consequences. Thomasin McKenzie plays Eileen, and she has the looks and the personality to portray a character of deep emotions from a rough life. She sees that some light may come her way, but questions whether what she is doing is right.

Eileen works as an employee at a prison facility where she has agreedy and negative boss. All kinds of weird behaviors go on at the prison and each day is filled with catastrophes and mental stress. There are bizarre scenarios and rude employees all around. On top of it all, she lives with her father Jim (played by Shea Wigham), a former police officer and an alcoholic. Eileen’s father behaves erratically while he verbally abuses and blindsides his daughter. Eileen’s turmoil causes her to seek empathy and imagine closeness to cope. When a new doctor named Rebecca (played by Anne Hathaway) is hired at the prison facility, Eileen feels she has found a loving friend who truly cares about her. Is Eileen’s life about to be fulfilled?

The direction of Eileen focuses on the inseparable bond between Eileen and Rebecca. Rebecca caters to Eileen, buys her a few cocktails, and talks to her repeatedly. Eileen begins to feel her life is improving because someone cares for her. The human connection is surreal as Eileen and Rebecca are chatting on a winter’s night. What Eileen does not realize is that there is something sinister about Rebecca which is hard to see due to the clever and laid-back style of Hathaway’s performance.

While Eileen’s home life is a wreck, she believes that Rebecca is there for her until she begins to experience some weird patterns. Her father is still a narcissistic prick, and the prison facility is still filled with upsetting factors. Most of the film’s first halfcenters on the trials and errors of Eileen’s mental frustrations at home and work. However, Rebecca remains on her mind despite the looming danger. Eileen is a paced-out suspense that remains neutral in its tone. The writing is about personality trumping thoughts of personal safety. Because Eileen feels worthless every day, Rebecca is her light. Will Rebecca shine as brightlyas Eileen believes?

There is a moment in which Eileen’s father tells her, “Love will make you crazy.” This certainly holds true for Eileen as her-obsession with Rebecca causes her to underestimate the kind of situation, she is putting herself in. Due to the negativity in Eileen’s family life, she struggles to suppress her fascination with Rebecca. The tension is hidden, and the conflict is burdensome. Will audiences be ready for what is hidden when they experience Eileen? There are surprises in store for those curious about what is possible in the midst of a crazy trainwreck of a broken life.

Eileen is invigorating thanks to the captivating personalities in the performances of McKenzie and Hathaway. McKenzie’s performance is of a cute young lady who is unaware of what she is getting herself into. Hathaway’s performance is of a mightywoman with an ego and personality to die for. The connection between the two characters is where Eileen truly takes its audience by surprise. Does Rebecca really have deep feelings for Eileen? Is Eileen a target for Rebecca to use as a scapegoat for something irreparable? Rebecca helps Eileen express heranger and emotions about the sad life she must endure. Eileen is a daring experience with an unexpected and questionable outcome. Four out of four stars for Eileen.

Film reviews

The Boys in The Boat Review

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The Boys In The Boat is a heartfelt film about rowing in the era of The Great Depression as it delves into the theme of bonding through sportsmanship in a tumultuous time. Director George Clooney displays the importance of teamwork from the start, exemplifying that commitment is crucial. The film is set in an era of financial deficits and not many avenues are available for college students who do not have much money. Rowing becomes an opportunity for the young men in this situation. Inspirational in as much as it tugs on emotions, The Boys In The Boat is however lacking in its ability to fulfill.


The film takes place in Seattle, Washington. The year is 1936and the setting is the University of Washington. A time when finances for education are not easy to come by for many students. The first student the film introduces is Joe Rantz (played by Callum Turner). He lives in a broken-down car most of his days since he cannot put a roof over his head. The second student is Roger Morris (played by Sam Strike). He has a mind for engineering, but his finances are the blockade to him getting an education. Both Joe and Roger find themselves in dire circumstances, which leads them to join the rowing team of University of Washington. Their coach is Al Ulbrickson. The rest of their teammates are Chuck Day (played by Thomas Elms), Don Hume (played by Jack Mulhern), Shorty Hunt (played by Bruce Herbellin-Earle), Jim McMillin (played by Will Coban), Johnny White (played by Tom Varey), and Gordy Adam (played by Joel Phillimore). They are a team that will thrive and encourage each other to soar to new heights in their sport.

The writing in the film delivers a strong message of sportsmanship and encouragement. There is a quote in the film, “Every good race has a jockey”, which exemplifies that every position in the boat has a different responsibility during a race. The power and angling are controlled by the rowers in the back. Speed is the duty for the front rowers. All together though, everyone must deliver as much power as they can and the timing must be perfect. There is also another quote in the film, “Technique is more important than power.” This becomes true to the aspects of winning in The Boys in the Boat. The boys learn that momentum and synchronicity are the most importantbuilding blocks to keep their power going. All of this creates a feel-good experience as they come together as a team and as friends.

The writing begins to lack when the politics of academia enter the story. The biggest issue is finances. The University of Washington cannot compete financially with the wealthier Ivy League schools during this economic time and the resources for a rowing program are scarce. The performances of the rowers do not matter when money and reputation of other schools come first. The unfair advantage of the Ivy league schools is the component that is unclear. Edgerton’s performance as the coach shines with realistic frustration and turmoil. He wants his team to be one of an achievement, but the academic and financial factors keep interfering with their chances of success. Harvard and Yale have the upper hand and he has to find a way for his team to stay in competition.

The road to the Berlin Olympics is the shining accomplishment awaiting in The Boys in the Boat. This climactic moment of the film brings home a strong message of persistence and sportsmanship. Unfortunately, the ironies of the political and financial issues get lost in poor writing and make the script fall short of its full potential in exposing the turmoil they create.There are still politics today when it comes to colleges and sports, however this era depended on survival through pure fortitude and belief in the hope of a better future. It brought forth the ones that shine the brightest lights. Three out of four stars for The Boys in The Boat.

Film reviews

Ferrari Review

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The beginning of Ferrari opens with archived footage in the timing of cars and racing. The film then jumps to the business and profit side of cars and competition. It also gears on the personal life of Enzo Ferrari (played by Adam Driver). The foundation of Ferrari is one of a life of seriousness displayed. A true story where not only cars and racing were a conflict in Enzo’s life, but also tension with relationships with his wife Laura Ferrari (played by Penelope Cruz) and his lover Lina Lardi (played by Shailene Woodley). It is a quiet and in-depth look at the factors of accentuation for Enzo. That does not only exist for Enzo…but also for his entrepreneurship future. Director Michael Mann brings us a journey where success is tormented by Enzos choices and growing debts—that is the harrowing power that surrounds Ferrari.

The film takes place in the summer of 1957. Enzo finds himself in a bind with keeping himself afloat. With Enzo being the entrepreneur and founder of the Scuderia Ferrari Grand Prixmotor racing team, and the Ferrari automobile marque, he realizes a race of success is what is the key to helping him navigate his life of continued personal trouble, debts, and relationship ties with Laura and Lina. Enzo lives a life of lies, competition, and infidelity. Deceit of adultery begins to have consequences waiting for Enzo. The race where there can be a form of success is the Mille Miglia—a life-threatening race that goes 1,000 miles across Italy.

With the race being afloat, the film’s priority gears on the business and ethics and focuses on the drivers who can tear this race apart. The film begins to be one where its audience will find themselves to start to think about all the factors of Enzo’s troubles, his business, but also if the drivers can succeed. The drivers are Alfonso De Portago (played by Gabriel Leone), Peter Collins (played by Jack O’Connell), and Piero Taruffi (played by Patrick Dempsey). Enzo is a man of sportsmanship and a consistent pioneer. These racers are his chance to grow a profit pending the results.

The film is steady with its pieces coming together to understand where its point is. Its continuity just tends to lack in some moments. The levels of excitement do not go up to bar in some respects, but it still finds its tracks to remain enthralling. The era of the vehicles lacks safety features and are creating more of them. The systems of the cars sabotage easily. The film’s poetics is in the sportsmanship of Enzo’s drivers.

Despite the forms of potential accomplishments (to get out of personal and financial binds), Ferrari is an experience that keeps falling down the personal pattern. It is a film that feels two-sided that is out of context. The many moving errors generates financial disputes between Enzo and his wife Laura—their communication of finances is a never-ending death wish. Fifty percent of the film is literally a verbal boxing match through the performances of Driver and Cruz. Monumental on the poetic acting side, but redundant.

Ferrari is an experience where the history of cars and history of Enzo himself speak truthfully. Its continuity is just a blur. The car race though, is a landscape of magnificent sound and scenery. Ferrari may enthrall some and bore some. I felt neutral with my experience with Ferrari. Two-and-a-half out of four stars.