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Film reviews

May December Review

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May December explores important societal boundaries. Those moments when making the right choice affects a life’s trajectory in a big way. Broken rules of conduct have implications that last forever. This is the case in the film May December. Director Todd Haynes is known to take on the challenge of dark subject matters, and this is one of his most daring and question laced experience for moviegoers yet. It is a film where wrong choices are made and the outcome is devastating. There is a pervasive tension among those associated with the story. The deep natureof May December reaches a point of being overwhelming in its subject matter, because it confronts the issue of pedophilia wrapped in the experience of portraying the abuser.

The approach of the film delivers a haunting odyssey of disturbing music in frequent fragments of the film. Haynes’ approach gives his audience the feeling that the scenario is not right and the consequences are irreparable. The film’s cinematography feels ominous with colors that seem overly saturated, which heightens the darkness and the storyline’s dark direction. The tragedy of May December is that it is a true story. It is based on the account of Mary Katherine (also referred to as “Mary Kay”) Schmitz Letorneau Fualauu. In the mid 1990’s, she sexually assaulted a coworker that was age twelve. The most disturbing part of this story is that they stayed together, built a family and have lived with the controversy. It sparked all kinds of negative attention and although names have been changed, the narrative follows true events.

The film begins with an actress named Elizabeth (played by Natalie Portman). She is set to play the role of Gracie (played by Julianne Moore), who assaulted her young coworker. She spends time with Gracie and her husband Joe (played by Charles Melton) who is the young man that Gracie seduced. They are married with kids and have lived with a bizarre and disturbing dynamic for many years. Elizabeth tries to get insight into how the events came about for Gracie and Joe and their relationship. She tries to immerse herself in their current and past lives to help feed into her upcoming role. She learns a lot about Gracie and Joe and the details of their affair. She also learns about who it impacted, and how they are perceived. However, her immersion into the uncharted territory of their relationship (based on sexual assault) is where the waters are tested for Elizabeth.

The film becomes eerie as it continues in the direction of Elizabeth finding the harsh truth. Her exploration of their livesbegins to create tension between Joe and Gracie. Joe starts to realize that he was forced into this relationship he has with Gracie. Gracie starts to realize that her fake happiness only creates more inner turmoil. It is not pleasant to watch. Elizabeth also begins to realize that there is more to the story that can only be damaging for everyone involved. The fact that love and acceptance is forced upon the nature of a negative situation is the crux of May December.

The film becomes eerie as it continues in the direction of Elizabeth finding the harsh truth. Her exploration of their livesbegins to create tension between Joe and Gracie. Joe starts to realize that he was forced into this relationship he has with Gracie. Gracie starts to realize that her fake happiness only creates more inner turmoil. It is not pleasant to watch. Elizabeth also begins to realize that there is more to the story that can only be damaging for everyone involved. The fact that love and acceptance is forced upon the nature of a negative situation is the crux of May December.

59th Chicago International Film Festival, Film reviews

Rustin Review

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This film is faithful to a true story and has a strong sense of appreciation and empathy. Rustin is directed by George C. Wolfe, written by Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black, and has Barack and Michelle Obama as executive producers. Rustin is one of the most inspiring and realistic films of 2023. It is a story in which voices and delivering a message matter. Rustin tells the tale of Bayard Rustin and the 1963 March on Washington.

In the movie, Bayard Rustin is played by Colman Domingo. Roy Wilkins is played by Chris Rock, A. Philip Randolph is played by Glynn Turman, and Martin Luther King Jr. is played by AmlAmeen. Rustin focuses on the efforts to get the March on Washington to be a monumental success to bring attention to racial discrimination and the passing of the Civil Rights Act. The conflict arises because Bayard is gay. He is closeted and maintains a discreet relationship with Tom (played by Gus Halper). Bayard is trying to do his part in the fight for Civil Rights. However, the politics continue to provide challenges and cause him plateaus, so he must keep finding inspiration for the March on Washington to be successful. The many political voices have various perspectives. Adam Clayton Powell (played by Jeffrey Wright) is the vocal congressmen. Powell, Wilkins, and Randolph believe politics should go by the book. Bayard, however, believes in creating a legacy with the March on Washington and says, “Sound is how you turn a crowd into an audience.” The voice of his wisdom throughout Rustin is monumental.

The era of segregation is not displayed in a negative way during the film, but on establishing a foundation to end it. The building blocks of Rustin are in the screenplay which highlights the importance of having a voice. The story is also built upon the mission of Bayard to do what is right. Unfortunately, his sexuality is his weakness. During this time, racism and sexuality do not mix well. Still, Bayard does not let the negative media or the people around him deter him. He finds inspiration in pursuing his goal. Rock’s performance is strong in portrayingpolitical power. His character believes in playing fair and by the rules, but Bayard is not. Their competing mindsets demonstrate strength in Rustin.

This film’s focus on diversity gets a little misconstrued as it covers the historical evolution of the story. Rustin is realistic in portraying perspectives of black and white characters. Some of the racial dynamics and political conflicts alter the plans for the March. The film primarily highlights the dynamics involved in overcoming the hurdles so that the March can happen. Overall, the film is a revolutionary experience that will touch audiences hearts.

Watching Rustin was thought-provoking for me. What came to my mind is how much lives matter, no matter one’s race. The fight for freedom is an emotional ride in Rustin, and it is a winning experience. The performance of Domingo shines with hope as does much of the movie. There is that historic sense of what the times were like to be a voice for the world. There is a narrative of the trial-and-error throughout the era that reveals how repetition can serve a purpose in life. Rustin is an experience that is alive.

How successful was the March on Washington? Does Rustin have many supporters by his side? Does the message of the film resonate? I had many moments of happiness during Rustin. The story proves that changing the world takes an army of like-minded people. Four out of four stars for Rustin.

Film reviews

Nyad Review

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Nyad is the true story of Diana Nyad, who at sixty years old decided to swim from Cuba to Florida, a distance of about 110 miles. The film is inspiring, passionate, and a powerhouse of motivation that will have audiences wanting more.

Swimming is an important life skill, but few people have the persistence and braveness to fulfill a dream like Diana Nyad. This film shows that dreams really can come true. Directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Nyad is first and foremost a film of inspiration and courage. Featuring the incomparable Annette Bening (as Diane Nyad), Jodie Foster (as Bonnie Stoll), and Rhys Ifans (as John Bartlett), the film just shines. All three actors were excellent, but Bening’s performance in particular really stood out.

Although it was Diana Nyad who was actually in the water, teamwork is the emphasis in Nyad. At one point Diana’s friend Bonnie questions her commitment to her goal and the timing of the swim. The weather when she chose to make the swim was unpredictable and the currents were strong, making the conditions dangerous. But despite these issues, Diana shows that she is in fact fully invested in completing this task. Bonnie becomes her coach and sticks by her side to help Diana complete her dream.

There is a lot of trial and error associated with Diana’s mission, and their assistant John goes out of his way to help navigate the conditions. Diana is always learning something new in her quest to complete the task, but with something as difficult and dangerous as Diana is attempting, there are always delays and other barriers. She also had a lot of people trying to talk her out of trying to make the journey. But that only motivates Diana to work harder to condition her body for the dangers ahead, and to just keep moving forward.

In addition to all the other issues, Diana’s age is of course also a problem. But each time Diane hits a plateau she finds a new way to overcome the problem. The conditions are always harsh, but she keeps jumping back into the rough water. The route from Cuba to Florida is not going anywhere, and neither is Diana, Bonnie, or John. They are the dream team helping Diane to become a legend in the water. And for Diane, despite her age, this dream is not too late.

Nyad is a reminder to us all to never give up. And it shows that having the courage to make mistakes, and then correcting those mistakes, benefits us in the long run. One of the lines in the film is, “It looks like a solitary sport, but it takes a team.” Those words highlight the focus of this film. Diane followed her dreams, and Bonnie and John were her essential partners in crime. Nyad is a one-of-a-kind achievement with a positive attitude. Four out of four stars for Nyad.