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58th Chicago International Film Festival, Film reviews

Aftersun Review

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Aftersun is a film in which people look at their lives both past and present. Aftersun is filled with melancholy moments, but they display endearment. This may not be a feel-good movie. However, it is breathtaking in terms of its narrative.  Aftersun’s positive light is the struggle which involves mixed feelings between a father and a daughter.

The film focuses on a father, Calum, and his daughter Sophie. Calum is played by Paul Mescal and Sophie is played by Frankie Corio. They are on a vacation together and experience frustrations with each other and with themselves. They have their good days, but also bad days when their fun plans fall apart. Aftersun is about the struggle of accepting the hard life that Calum and Sophie lead. Calum has a rough past, and so does Sophie. Her father does the best he can to be a good father, although it is hard for Sophie to see that in him. It is also difficult for her to accept that he oversees her.

Aftersun is a film that feels experimental because it closely follows the dynamics of Calum and Sophie’s relationship. Their vacation is filled with tension and the intriguing narrative connects effectively with the film’s cinematography. Aftersun portrays true feelings of disconnect in a surreal tone of dramatic filmmaking. The conflicted relationship between Calum and Sophie is unique. It shows that they have hatred, but deeply want to feel connected with each other. In Mescal’s role as Calum, he displays a generous amount of love as a father. In Corio’s role as Sophie, she displays belligerent behavior as a daughter. Aftersun’s story of attempted reconciliation is deep with irreparable consequences.  The emotions between Calum and Sophie are purely sad, but purely engrossing.

With the complicated frustrations and tension between Calum and Sophie, Aftersun flows like a depressing story. However, it is about Calum and Sophie figuring out how to get on the same page to maintain their relationship. The story is about how they come to terms of acceptance, despite their dark past. Calum’s challenging childhood drags her into his suffering. Aftersun is ultimately about forgiveness and second chances despite the struggles between them.

Aftersun is hard to feel positive about. I did appreciate the movie for its realist portrayal of a difficult subject. I found reflecting upon how relationships tend to hurt so much with the ones we love most. The film’s direction and style of filmmaking is faithful to life and society. Three stars for Aftersun.

Film reviews

Babylon Review

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Director Damien Chazelle’s films create worlds like no other. Babylon is about the movie industry and it has lots of fictionalized characters who are fueled by drugs and glamor. Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie play the leads, and they are two who will definitely tango. Babylon will make viewers’ heads spin, but it may also challenge their gut with its repulsiveness.

Babylon is set in the 1920s golden days of Hollywood, when sound was just being introduced to cinema. Jack Conrad, played by Pitt, is a cinema tycoon, and he is one crazy party animal. Nellie LaRoy, played by Robbie, is the next big female actress talent, but she has drug problems. Manny Torres, played by Diego Calva, is an assistant for the projects involving Conrad and LaRoy. We first meet Manny when an elephant is being delivered to a party being thrown by Conrad, and it only gets crazier from there. Another quirky character is James McKay, played by Tobey Maguire. He’s in a supporting role, but one with some secrets that the audience will find surprising.

Babylon actually has many surprises, including a scenario where someone is fighting a snake in front of a party. Expect lots of drugged up mayhem, nudity, and all kinds of bizarre situations from the mind of Chazelle. But it becomes repetitive, and sometimes just plain silly. There are some amazing performances, but the frequent parties tends to be boring, especially in a film that’s just over three hours long.

Despite the moments of boredom, Babylon manages to weave some joy between the accomplishments and mayhem of its characters. But this is mostly just Hollywood movie people going insane with danger and fierce competitions for success. Conrad is Hollywood royalty with fame and money. LaRoy has the looks and the talent to rise through the star ranks, but will she be able conquer her drug addictions? It seems that everyone is out of control in Babylon.

Babylon is a film with some cinematic energy but, overall, I would call it just all right. It’s a film that is certainly not perfect, and I have some serious issues with it. I felt at times like Chazelle was almost trying to make Babylon seem like a Martin Scorsese film, and I think that its writing is over-the-top in places. It isn’t for everyone, and I personally found it rather overwhelming. Two and a half stars for Babylon.

Film reviews

Spoiler Alert Review

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It’s hard to see Jim Parsons in a role without thinking of him as Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory. Parsons is quiet with a nerdy sense of humor. His personality and characterizations always have positivity. In Spoiler Alert, he is a caring character in this one-of-a-kind dark comedy. Spoiler Alert is a film where Parsons’ character comes out of his shell for someone he loves.

In Spoiler Alert, Parsons plays Michael. He is a man of a few words, an introvert. He finds himself in a relationship with Kit, played by Ben Aldridge. They have a special connection. They have their moments of frustrations and disagreements, moments where they feel their relationship is in trouble. But all of that is set aside when Kit is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Kit’s parents, Marilyn and Bob, (played by Sally Field and Bob Irwin), are empathetic and love Kit as much as Michael loves him.

Spoiler Alert is narrated in fragments by Parsons. It’s a film that displays love and acceptance in the good and bad times. Despite the sadness and questions that spiral through the film, the chemistry between Michael and Kit is strong and devoted. Spoiler Alert’s title speaks for itself, as the premise enters uncharted discoveries with Kit. The deep empathy of Spoiler Alert, the connection and acceptance, is what drew me in.

The sadness of Kit’s parents and Michael brings a deep melancholy to Spoiler Alert. But the melancholy keeps reminding its audience that Kit and Michael are in love. Michael is Kit’s top fan and his devoted partner. The cancer though, hits both Michael and Kit hard. It challenges their emotions and the past and the present moments of their relationship. Can Michael help Kit fight the cancer? Is Kit stronger than he sees himself? Spoiler Alert is engrossing and its empathetic moments will enthrall its audiences.

Spoiler Alert may seem at first glance to be a depressing film, but Parsons is revolutionary and Aldridge is brilliant as well. Both actors deliver charming and deep performances. Field is also amazing in her role. And regardless of the sadness, Spoiler Alert is mesmerizing, touching, and endearing. One of those feel-good holiday films to remind people to stay connected. Three stars.