Category Archives: Film reviews

Film reviews

A Good Person Review

Leave a comment

Actor, producer, and director Zach Braff has a narrative eye for projects that portray genuine emotions. A focus on “connectivity” is a key component in his projects. Dating back to his 2004 masterpiece Garden State (which he also starred in), Braff dives into scenarios that relate well with his audience. Problems surrounding family dynamics are always a major factor in his projects including Garden State, Wish I Was Here (2014), and now in A Good Person. His current film explores a heavy tragedy impacting multiple parties and explores both connections and disconnections that lead to the film’s growing tensions.

A Good Person features Allison, played by Florence Pugh. Allison has a life that seems like it is headed in a successful direction. In the beginning, it seems like Allison has it all, but then her life is changed forever after a traumatic car accident. Allison survives the accident, but her passengers do not. As she wakes up, she can’t overcome an opioid addiction, and is plagued with grief. The extra hard part for Allison is that the people in the accident were related to her fiancé. In hard times, Allison’s mother Diane (played by Molly Shannon) tries to encourage her to get her act together by getting a job and being more productive. Allison, however, is too addicted to drugs and always uses pills to help overcome her pain.

As her grief takes over her mental capacity, some positive light is shed as she gets to know Daniel (played by Morgan Freeman). Daniel would have been her father-in-law. Daniel is also looking over his granddaughter, Ryan (played by Celeste O’Connor) because of her emotional state of mind. With Daniel’s old-school attitude, and laid-back, but firm sense of humor he tries to help both Allison and Ryan find ways in life to better themselves. His efforts are a touching representation of rebuilding oneself after losing what is special.

The fatal car accident is the doorway to resolution and forgiveness. The writing of A Good Person is strongly emotional and poetic. Braff himself wrote the film during Covid, so many of his frustrations came out in this screenplay. It is audacious and vivid in its portrayal of human feelings. The film’s emotions are so natural and demonstrate how filmmaking appreciates life. “Life” is what Daniel wants Allison and Ryan to “appreciate,” but both are allowing their emotions to take over their lives which Daniel will not let them do that.  Although he has his own anger due to who died in the car accident, his heart is forgiving based on the evidence and the fact that it was a mistake.  Daniel is able to be “forgiving” if there are efforts for change and resolution. The writing of A Good Person strikes a chord with the message of Allison and Ryan needing to be heard and found.

The dynamics of a full range of emotions caused my blood to boil during A Good Person. There is a car accident leading to a young woman’s depression, drug addiction, and disconnect. There is also a granddaughter who is lost and having temper issues due to grief. Both face challenging mental health problems and are impacted differently.  The film illustrates how one incident drives the need for Allison to change, but also how the same incident causes a major change for Ryan.  The impact of Allison’s accidental car crash on Ryan leaves lasting consequences.

The brilliance of A Good Person is monumental thanks to the dynamics being portrayed feeling so real. I love this movie for the message it tries to get across. Braff’s take on movies about life’s issues are wonderfully crafted and include unexpected sadness.  His exploration of “Connection” is the saddest, but best part of A Good Person.

Love may be lost in A Good Person. Faith, however, looks for restoration in the film. There is no easy way to define the experience of A Good Person. Audiences will have to watch for themselves and see how it makes them feel. I believe that movies are about feelings and allowing people to connect issues in movies to real-life scenarios. A Good Person does a lot of that, but leaves viewers with a strong reminder that resolution is almost always possible. Three and a half stars for A Good Person.

Film reviews

John Wick: Chapter 4 Review

1 Comment

John Wick: Chapter 4 is almost three hours long, but it doesn’t feel like that because it’s one of the most action-packed and lethal flicks in this franchise. In this latest, possibly the last, John Wick film, all the events and conflicts from the previous films come together. There are simply no limits to the violence in John Wick: Chapter 4. It left me breathless and dazzled.

Keanu Reeves continues as John Wick in John Wick: Chapter 4, but this time he’s on his biggest mission yet—taking on the High Table, the world’s most powerful crime organization. All that Wick has worked for has come to this point. The way for Wick to earn his freedom is to win the battle against the High Table. Wick still works for Winston (played by Ian McShane), and he’s come a long way towards meeting Winston’s expectations, and the expectations of Bowery King (played by Laurence Fishburne). But before Wick makes his way to the High Table, there are some harsh situations and enemies he must get by, including no less than an entire army. With another crime boss, Marquis (played by Bill Skarsgard), and a deadly assassin, Caine (played by Donnie Yen), who happens to be blind, coming into the fray, John Wick: Chapter 4 sizzles with deceit, twists, and the most danger yet for Wick.

From the previous films in this franchise, I had a feeling this would be the longest ride of destruction yet in a John Wick movie. And besides the destruction, the ride was also invigorated by its dialogue. When Wick is told, “Kill as many as you can,” the clock starts for massive damage to begin. I was astounded by the film’s vast array of destruction. It was like attending a prize fight because the punches were loud, and it seemed like you’d be able to hear them from miles away.

Reeves is a man of a few words, in real life and in most of his movie roles, and his quietness helps him role with the punches in John Wick: Chapter 4. In one scene the phrase, “a genuine conundrum,” is used, and Wick indeed finds himself in all kinds of conundrums in this film. Most of the time Wick succeeds in finding his way out of the situation, and he usually does the most damage. The unstoppable force of John Wick will make the audience feel his wrath in Wick in John Wick: Chapter 4.

The fighting, the adventures, the twists—every moment creates an important foundation in John Wick: Chapter 4. There is no stopping Wick from reaching the top to regain his freedom—or is there? Can Wick make it out alive? John Wick: Chapter 4 will keep its viewers wondering what’s to come.

This is definitely one of the best films in the franchise. John Wick: Chapter 4 brings the stressors of the previous films to a gun blazing pinnacle. A wild ride of Keanu Reeves action and unparalleled craziness. An unforgettable experience. Four stars for John Wick: Chapter 4.

Film reviews

Palm Trees and Power Lines

Leave a comment

Being an adolescent is a time of challenge for many individuals. There is peer pressure and a desire to be popular. There is also disconnect in young people’s relationships with their parents. In Palm Trees and Power Lines, the lines of disconnect and peer pressure intersect in this tale of a girl who just wants to feel loved. This movie is visually moving and utterly surprising. The film deals with deep emotions and will change the way many look at individuals growing up in challenging times. Through the eyes of actress Lily McInerny, we experience her vision of what she feels can bring her life and happiness. She is someone who deserves both, but the way she receives them may not be what everyone anticipates.

Palm Trees and Power Lines is focused on the pressures of a teen girl. There are many romantic opportunities for the girl. The issues, however, are that she feels like her mom does not connect with her, and her friends are strange. These issues cause her to not have the best judgment regarding what direction to go in her life. Palm Trees and Power Lines displays many of the emotional behaviors which can cause an adolescent to not think straight or think for themselves. The film is a vivid work of art that crosses boundaries. Despite the disturbing scenarios, it is faithful in its illustration of wanting to be connected.

The plot Palm Trees and Power Lines centers on Lea (McInerny). She is a teenage girl who lives with her mom Sandra (played by Gretchen Mol.) Lea feels disconnected because her mom cares about having a social life which does include Lea. Although Lea’s mom does not have bad intentions, Lea surrounds herself with friends who drink and get into other mischievous teenage behavior. All of this stops when Lea meets Tom (played by Jonathan Tucker.) The age difference between them is huge and concerning. Lea is only seventeen and Tom is in his thirties. When they’re together, Lea feels happy and connected. However, as they continue to hang out and have that romantic vibe, some red flags appear. For example, when Lea goes out with Tom, she is asked numerous times if she needs help which makes Lea question what Tom is like.  Still, she feels too connected to let him go.

The relationship between Tom and Lea raises a lot of eyebrows. It even shifts Lea’s behavior towards her mother. When her mother tries to be there for Lea, Lea becomes rebellious and acts like her mom is distracted. While her mom is distracted, she is not a bad person. Lea struggles to see who is looking out for her, as her relationship with Tom grows stronger. Since their romance is already inappropriate, Lea feels she is invested in being part of Tom’s life. Therefore, she spends more time with him than working on herself or her other problems in her own life.

The theme of Palm Trees and Power Lines is heavy and emotional. Some may find it hard to watch which I did during a few scenes. It is a story in which Lea must decide if she wants to continue the situation she is in with Tom. Is she truly happy?  Is Tom realistic about his feelings? With the age gap, there is a series of consequences that can ruin both their lives. Palm Trees and Power Lines demonstrates how adolescents make poor decisions during difficult times which made me feel empathy for Lea in the film.

One fact I reflected on throughout Palm Trees and Power Lines was that in young adults much of the human brain is not yet fully developed. This was evident in Lea’s performance. Because of her age, she does not understand what it is like to be in love or committed, but simply wants to feel cared for. Palm Trees and Power Lines is one of the heaviest representations I have seen related to the consequences involved in poor judgment while growing up. It is mesmerizing, although it may be hard to sit through a second viewing. Three stars.