Category Archives: Film reviews

59th Chicago International Film Festival, Film reviews

Evil Does Not Exist Review

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Evil Does Not Exist is a film with symbolism in its title. The title does not refer to terror, but instead what matters. There are hidden tensions and a sacred environment in this film where those looking for change impact others. It is an experience in which politics, funding, and people clash. From director and writer Ryusuke Hamaguchi (director of Drive My Car) comes a masterpiece with class and brilliance in its faithful direction Evil Does Not Exist is one of the best films of 2023 because how it-subtly establishes the importance of triumphant empathy. The film displays how far people will go to keep what is right for the sake of themselves and their families. When politics and infrastructure get in the way, it may be time for people to stand their ground and fight for what belongs to them.

The film was primarily filmed in Nagano, Japan. The quiet village setting is beautiful with crisp lighting that emphasizes the film’s scenery. The film focuses on a man named Takumi (played by Hitoshi Omika) and his daughter Hana (played by Ryana Nishikawa). Takumi is a man of a few words, and Hana is a quiet too. Takumi spends his time chopping wood, and his daughter strives to find outdoor adventures. The life of Takumi and his daughter hits a plateau when businesses want to build a camping site around their home. The vast land is considered profitable as a place for tourists to enjoy the natural scenery. Takumi is against the idea because the forest is his place of solitude that he and his daughter have adapted to. However, the profits may provide some benefit for Takumi if he takes part in the project. Based on Takumi’s routines and the life he is used to, it is unlikely he will support the project.

The film opens with some of the strongest direction I have seen. It captures the essence of the life of enjoyment Takumi and his daughter lead in their quiet forest life. It is a film that shows howroutines are important to those who lead fulfilling lives. As Takumi chops wood by his cabin, he does it repeatedly and passionately. His home matters to him as does the life of his daughter. The idea of an infrastructure project is not one he has on his mind. Takumi does not cause conflict with the political factors of the project but tries to have civilized discussions. He focuses on where the meaning lies for his daughter and himself. The location does have meaning in Evil Does Not Exist and it ties to both culture and tradition. These factors make it clear that Takumi will not let go.

The political side of the infrastructure project is where the film battles its climax. The project appears unstoppable because the-land is too profitable not to proceed. Are there irreparable consequences if Takumi tries to stop it? The forest is the playground for Takumi and his daughter. The land is rich withresources and outdoor enrichment that has always fascinated Takumi. The film’s direction which highlights the scenery is spellbinding and shows true appreciation for film as an art form.

I love movies that take me to a place of escapism. I also love movies that are about not giving up what people love. Those movies have class. In my opinion, Evil Does Not Exist should be mandatory for those interested in filmmaking. It is a moving and poetic experience where my eyes could not turn away. There is a climax that is unforeseen and surreal. Evil Does Not Exist will enthrall its audience with nature, culture, and love. Four out of four stars for Evil Does Not Exist.

59th Chicago International Film Festival, Film reviews

The Holdovers Review

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The Holdovers, directed by Alexander Payne and written by David Hemingson, is a film about people who know how to turn hard times into good times. Paul Giamatti plays the lead in the film, and his performance as a lonely man and a frustrated teacher is stellar. The Holdovers is simply one of the best films of 2023.


The Holdovers takes place in the 1970s. It is the depth of winter at a New England boys prep school. Teacher Paul Dunham (Giamatti) volunteers to stay on campus with boys who can’t go home for the holidays. Many of the boys are hot-headed and not very academically inclined. Dunham is strict teacher, and the students tend to rebel against him.

One of the students, Angus Tully (played by Dominic Sessa), couldn’t go home because his mother is in a new marriage and she didn’t want him home for the holidays. All the other boys manage to find a way to get home, so Paul is stuck with just Angus and the cafeteria lady, Mary (played by Da’Vine Joy Randolph). Angus is desperate for a holiday feeling so Paul begins to take him on excursions, mostly restaurants and a few other places. Paul can see that Angus craves a sense of connection at a time when his family is not there for him.

One of the fascinating things about the writing in The Holdovers is that even though Paul is all about discipline and tough love, he breaks the rules many times to help Angus feel connected. It’s the holidays, a time when it’s important to be with family. And we find out that not only is Angus alone for the holidays, Paul also doesn’t have anyone to be with either. Paul is tenured and has been at the school for many years, so even though he’s breaking the rules, he probably wouldn’t lose his job and he thinks it’s worth the risk in order to provide Angus with some happiness.

Paul Giamatti’s performance in The Holdovers is on par with his brilliant performance in Payne’s Sideways (2004). Almost two decades later, Giamatti still has that frustrated yet heartfelt attitude of inspiration. He inspired his friend in Sideways as much as he inspires Angus in The Holdovers. Payne’s directing is such that the key characters in many of his projects often find encouragment for others. The Holdovers is a masterpiece of connection.

I loved The Holdovers because it deals with loneliness and melancholy in an interesting and encouraging way while the characters navigate situations that are difficult and unavoidable. And we all have difficult and unavoidable situations in our life. It’s a film where the joy of feeling loved is restored, where good times come out of the bad. The Holdovers is an achievement that is unique in its brilliance. It is not to be missed. Four stars for The Holdovers.

59th Chicago International Film Festival, Film reviews

Anatomy of a Fall Review

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A film with many moving parts requires audiences to think. In Anatomy of a Fall, I thought about the evidence and about who is associated with the conflict. Ultimately, it comes down to determining the evolving resolution. Anatomy of a Fall is an emotional experience of realism with an enticing vibe of disconnect. French writer and director Justine Triet brings her audience on a journey of a tragedy that focuses on findingfactual evidence. The story includes family dynamics and conflicts. These two elements create an experience of sadness, empathy, and hope while investigating a death case.

Anatomy of a Fall takes place in France. The film introduces us to Sandra (played by Sandra Huller). Sandra is a successful writer with an eleven-year-old son, Daniel, who is blind (played by Milo Machado Granier). Sandra seems to have a normal life filled with daily routine and success. That all changes when her husband, Samuel (played by Samuel Theis), is found dead outside. Her deceased husband becomes a stressful nightmare that enters the life of Sandra and Daniel.

With authorities doing the research and putting the pieces together, it is hard for them to find proof and put evidence together regarding the cause of Samuel’s death. He supposedly fell while doing construction on their rooftop home. The film’s writing tackles difficult and mind-boggling emotions as Sandra tries to navigate the situation and the impact on her son. Sandra’s lawyer friend, Vincent Renzi (played by Swann Arlaud), comes in to help. As the evidence comes together, Anatomy of a Fall goes down an irresistible slope for answers. Due to Daniel’s blindness, he can only recount the events of what happened based on his auditory memory of his auditory. Daniel also has memories of the tension between his mother and father before Samuel’s death. The autopsy makes it hard to determine whether Samuel committed suicide and the authorities dive into the possibility that Sandra might have killed him. Exploring this possibility is where Anatomy of a Fall has the most spellbinding direction.

As the evidence and pieces come together, the courts begin to bring the dynamics between Sandra and Samuel into the bigger picture. The stressful energy between the two of them could have provoked triggers for Samuel. Sandra declines the negative attention, but the situation is not good for Daniel. Thelimitations in his daily life caused by his blindness put him in a mental state that is overwhelming for him. Through it all, Sandrais a good mom and does not give up on Daniel. The autopsy of confusing factors and the tough love exhibited in Anatomy of a Fall portray a very emotional form of resilience. Each piece of evidence is a new piece to the puzzle. Ultimately, how did the death of Samuel happen?

Anatomy of a Fall won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes film festival this year. This film is deserving because its direction is so precise. It is moving, stressful, and strong in portraying a mother and son sticking together in an unprecedented time. With the evidence making it hard to bring the case to resolution, the voices of Sandra and Daniel matter. It is inevitable.

As someone who has struggled with emotional dynamics in my own life, Anatomy of a Fall was an experience that reminded me how hard it can be to remain strong. This is especially true during life events that are unexpected and unwelcome, but nonetheless we must tolerate. The film paints a portrait of how far people go to help the ones who are most important to them. Daniel may be blind, but he can use his words to protect himself. Sandra may be in a rough place with the authorities due to her husband’s death, but that does not make her his murderer. The film demonstrates that even when systems in society can be unfair, sticking together can lead to a stronger outcome. Anatomy of A Fall is a breathtaking ride in the life of Sandra and Daniel and deserves four out of four stars.