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Film reviews

The Quiet Girl

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Films that make audiences feel empathy and love are films that captivate me deeply. Movies that paint a picture in which someone wants to feel touched or comforted are endearing to me. The Quiet Girl, written and directed by Colm Bairead,has all the loving qualities that make it impactful in a positive way. The Quiet Girl is directed and written by Colm Bairead. The one-of-a-kind styleis soothing because of its compassion. The Irish setting is visually audacious making it one of the most moving films I have experienced in a long time.

As the film begins, the audience will feel a sense of connection which is present throughout the whole film. The film’s presentation is enhanced through its wonderful setting, wonderful characters, and wonderful plot. The Quiet Girl will enthrall its audience based on the deep emotions revealing what it means to be there for someone. The film also displays the acceptance of the various challenges faced by the main character. The Quiet Girl’s dialogue is in the Gaelic language. While there are moments in English, the Gaelic makes the realism of The Quiet Girl shine.

The Quiet Girl focuses on a young girl named Cait (played by Catherine Clinch). Cait lives in a large dysfunctional family household in which her family does not provide much for her. Cait does not receive the right kind of nurturing many would expect from parents. Because Cait’s family faces so many problems at home, she gets sent away to live with a middle-aged couple on her mother’s side of the family. When Cait steps foot into her new life with Sean and Eibhlin (played by Andrew Bennett and Carrie Crowley), she feels a sense of change which is initially hard for her to take in at such a young age. Eibhlin does what is right for Cait. She nurtures her, spoils her, and teaches Cait that she is more than welcome to make herself at home. All of this is like a blur to Cait at first after years of living in a dysfunctional household. For the first time in Cait’s life, Cait feels free and loved. But will she always be able to live happily like this?

The movie’s portrayal of people having big hearts is what really makes The Quiet Girl have a positive impact.  The Quiet Girl is a beautiful portrait of love being found in people’s hearts. Deep down behind Cait’s little eyes, it is clear she is emotionally confused trying to come to terms with her previous life at home and the new life she is becoming adjusted to. Fortunately, her new life has many moments which are uplifting and affirming. The Quiet Girl is a simple yet astonishing work of art. Nothing can beat the power of the love and imagery makes this film a masterpiece.

As I mentioned before, love permeates The Quiet Girl. The visceral load of that critical element is what makes The Quiet Girl memorable. Love is what is meant to happen for Cait. I will always treasure The Quiet Girl for the loving light it sheds on human relationships.

The Quiet Girl has many sad moments, but in the end, it finds the bright side of life. The Quiet Girl is alluring, delightful, elegant, and warm. The Irish culture shines purely and lovingly in The Quiet Girl. Many simple delights of the human experience is what audiences will feel when they see The Quiet Girl. Four stars.

Film reviews

Creed 3 Review

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In this the third installment of the Creedfranchise, Creed III, directed by Michael B. Jordan, who also stars as Adonis, there is no Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, and the film shifts the storyline from the previous two films. Adonis has made his mark and his money with his boxing championships, and it appears he is set to live life to the fullest. But the past is not through with Adonis. He may just have to put his gloves back on for true resolution and redemption from his past.

In Creed III, Adonis is living his best life with his wife and daughter, being a millionaire from his boxing success. He has the mansion, the fancy cars, everything a rich man can ever imagine, although his family is still his biggest priority. His wife Bianca Creed (played by Tessa Thompson) and his daughter Amara Creed (played by Mila Davis-Kent) make his life shine. His mother Mary-Anne Creed (played by Phylicia Rashad) is still a big part of his life. It is obvious that boxing has benefited Adonis because he has has earned enough to retire, live off his royalties and sponsorships, and just feel like everything is right in his life. But this all starts to change when his old friend Damian Anderson (played by Jonathan Majors) comes back into Adonis’s life. Damian and Adonis go way back, getting into all kinds of trouble. Damian has done time behind bars. Adonis got out of the streets and worked his way up with boxing. Damian wants a shot to be a pro boxer. Adonis is against that, but their past though leads to one choice—to settle their differences in the ring.

The boxing takes a back seat in Creed III, and the conflict between Adonis and Damian is the real deal. The boxing ring becomes a circle of vengeance between the two. With Damian having been in prison for many years, he may have some anger built up that comes out in his fighting. And with Adonis having retired, he needs to take his training on a new level to avoid sustaining serious injuries. Can the ring settle everything between Adonis and Damian? With Adonis fighting without Rocky as a mentor, is his lifestyle and family is at risk? Who has more to lose in the ring? Creed III is a nailbiter of dark pasts, and realizations of how boxing can hide the anger and emotions one has while in the ring.

Even though there is no Rocky in Creed III, the film still heads in the right direction. With Jordan in his directorial debut as well as the star, Creed III succeeds in continuing the boxing film legacy. A most exciting continuation in fact, especially with Adonis having to face consequences from his past.

So who will be the champion—Adonis or Damian? Does Adonis still have the skills and agility to succeed in the ring? Creed III is a wild ride of rampage and boxing adventure. Three and a half stars for Creed III.

Film reviews

Pacifiction Review

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The setting is ominous. The city and the country have all kinds of infrastructure conflicts. The man in charge of improving the problems has ego issues. In Pacifiction, the negatives are in the brilliance of the film itself. Director Albert Serra knows how to utilize ego and personality to serve as a conquering power over other elements in his projects. Pacifiction demonstrates that there is better environment to live in, but politics, culture, and the big boss often prevent anything new.

In Pacifiction, the focus is on De Roller (played by Benoit Magimel). He is a French government official with a mind of his own who cares about his image and success as well as what profits his own name. He is sent to oversee the French Polynesian island of Tahiti. His responsibility is to bring resources to the Island to benefit its people, its environment, and its business infrastructure. De Roller consistently rejects what he is asked for. A business acquaintance named Matahi (played by Matahi Pambrun) pushes De Roller to take some strides to improve the infrastructure of the island. Matahi wants nuclear testing for the island. From De Roller’s perspective, this is a negative, because his actions could cause a news outbreak. The crazy part is that De Roller already has operations that many would deem inappropriate. With shady venues and many singles mingling nightly on a poor island, Pacifiction proves that it is about De Roller wanting his business ventures to benefit him and only him.

The film’s pure adrenaline is within the business and political conversations De Roller has with others associated with the island. All want a form of steady infrastructure to improve the island. De Roller, on the other hand, continues his excuses to not go forward with doing his job. He falls back on not wanting to hurt his image, while he should be ready to take on heat by making changes. Instead, he strives to find ways to prove he is the master in his position, and not to make the island a better place.

There is evidence that poses a risk to De Roller including dirty politics, rumors, and a submarine. De Roller is being watched and the government is out to derail him. De Roller’s ego, his position, and his name may not be able to protect him as much as he anticipates due to the shady behavior going on at the local clubs. De Roller takes part in the wrongful behaviors himself several times. The film’s darkness is within the scoring, the writing, and De Roller’s self-centeredness. Matahi knows that De Roller will do what he can to not make changes. Even De Roller’s local friends Cyrus and Olivier (played by Cyrus Arai and Baptiste Pinteaux), start to feel bridges are burned. The breakdown with even his decent connections does not bode well for the future of the island.

As the risk factors grow as more politics come into play, De Roller’s ruthlessness only grows. He doesn’t want to set aside the pleasure he has in his life and his continued failure to improve the island is due to his corruption. Still, he envisions himself as the philanthropist of his craft and his position and believes there is no one else who can accomplish what he feels he can.

Pacifiction is an artistic and monumental masterpiece. A political ride of enticing factors. It is also a showcase of egotism with a tone that is belittling. Pacifiction is shocking in the way De Roller handles expectations. But can De Roller truly win based on his strategic expertise and conquering mind? Find out in Pacifiction. Three and a half stars.