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Film reviews

Origin Review

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Origin is a deep film which is faithful to a true story. The film is about a meaningful journey in society with moving elements as well as an inspiring purpose. The cinematography in Origin delivers seriousness and the technical environment creates tension. Origin is about the writer Isabel Wilkerson played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. Wilkerson is the author of the 2020 novel Caste: The Origins of our Discontents, a book that was published during the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement. Origin is the story of Wilkerson’s approach to her novel and various issues surrounding her research.

The film has a sense of tough love experienced while trying to find the right places. Origin begins with Isabel and her husband Brett (played by Jon Bernthal) and then transitions to Isabel being asked to write a piece about the Trayvon Martin case. Isabel is focused on doing research and writing the story. Herwords are her art and her voice. Many things happen in her life which cause her to feel depressed. Her husband and her mother die, and her sister Marion (played by Niecy Nash) is all she has left. The story that comes to her mind based on her research is how race and caste systems have evolved in society.

The film jumps to a narration of human divisions from prior eras when there were serious restrictions based on race. Origin is a portrait of how dynamics in society have changed over time. The inspiration for Isabel is the in-depth focus of her research and her prolific writing. Her mind boils with emotions as her goal is to write a thesis based upon her research on minorities, racism, and caste systems. Origin is a portrait of how reality has stressors that can be hard to tango with.

As Isabel begins to dive deep into her story, rising empathy grows throughout Origin. A moment of grief inspires change. A moment of loss causes a sad climax. Origin is an experience which demonstrates that life has meaning. The film’s writing and direction develop characters trying to fulfill what provides light in their lives. Isabel believes instead of soul-searching with one specific focus, she can expand her horizons. Isabel strives to connect the dots of racism and loss into a story that can inspire the world.

The mission of the film is to offer a refresher on past eras and how they have evolved. Origin reminds its audience that even though rules and systems for minorities have shifted, they still exist today. The presentation of Isabel and her research offers athought-provoking experience. The film’s honesty and sense of sadness flow throughout the story.

Racism in politics, countries, systems, and theories— all connect for a riveting story of truth in Origin. As part of her research, Isabel visits other countries, including Germany and India, to understand their political systems and their evolution over time. She finds herself in turmoil when she faces disagreement with her beliefs in other countries. Although there are “structural similarities,” each country has developed their own society in their own way which has led to different outcomes. Origin is a revelation of empathy and hope as it provides context which aids understanding. The film and Isabel’s story will touch many hearts. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Origin.

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

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.