The first week and a half of press screenings have begun, and so far the tally is very positive. There hasn't been a real clinker stinker among the first 15 films. Here's what I've seen and enjoyed, starting from the TOP.
A-
THE NEW GIRLFRIEND--French Director Francois Ozon is BACK to form with this slick, droll, melodrama about a young widower who cross dresses in his deceased wife's clothing to placate his new born daughter---and himself! His secret is quickly discovered by his wife's best friend, and suspenseful psychosexual drama ensues.
FOR GRACE---Skillful documentary about the creation of a new Chicago restaurant--from scratch to opening night, following the physical creation of the building and culinary creation of the owner and his menu. Along the way there are a lot of secrets revealed about his troubled past. It may be about a 1% restaurant that I'll never eat at, but the story has great emotional power.
B+
FLOWERS---From Spain, a wistful, at times sentimental, tale starts with the weekly delivery of flowers to a woman from a person unknown, and this branches off to include the stories of half a dozen characters and their relationships with their families. Lovely, thoughtful, carefully written.
ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL---US comedy/drama with smart characters and script, it becomes a new variation of last year's THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, and just as effective.
ROMEO IS BLEEDING--Very powerful US documentary about struggling teens in gang infested city struggling to present a modern version of Romeo and Juliet, with violence in their real time lives.
LOVE AND MERCY--US drama based on life of the Beach Boy's leader Brian Wilson and his struggles with mental illness. The cast includes smart turns by Paul Dano and John Cusack as Wilson at different points in his life, and the effective supporting cast includes Paul Giamatti and Elizaabeth Banks as the ruthless manager and new sympathetic girlfriend, respectively.
B
TIME OUT OF MIND--US independent film with strong, unusual casting (Richard Gere, Jena Malone, Ben Vereen, Kyra Sedgwick) about a homeless man (Gere!) trying to make it on the streets. The film could have used more humor, but it nails the frustrations and helplessness of the characters --many of them with mental illness issues that prevent them from escaping this modern day hell.
SEOUL SEARCHING---Fictionalized but based on a true story, this has Korean teens from around the world returning to Korea in the 1980's to discover their roots in a "summer camp" situation. There are some annoying cliches in the first 20 minutes as they all arrive with different agendas, and you might feel guilty laughing (or wincing) as these kids start drinking and seeking sex. But about a third of the way into the film some serious issues arise and the themes become rather illuminating. Plus, it has a great 1980's musical score and effective actors, and it becomes a rousing audience pleaser.
B-
VIRTUOSITY--US documentary of a year at the CLIBURN--a prestigious piano competition .
There's lots of piano music and interesting characters, but overall this film is not too memorable.
PHOENIX--German thriller about Holocaust survivor who gains a newly reconstructed face, but must still face demons from the past. Lead Nina Hoss is fine, but plot does have some holes.
GEMMA BOVERY--French film set is small town where the baker wants to pretend new neighbor is a modern version of Madame Bovery. The film is breezy and easy to watch.
WATERLINE--Moody Polish film about pregnant police woman with missing cop fiance must solve murders. The film feels a lot like many BBC or cable police thrillers these days, but with all those Polish names, a half dozen middle aged men all looking alike and darkly photographed images, I found it difficult to really understand what all was happening at times.
I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS--Lightweight US film. with Blythe Danner as a widowed older woman who might have another chance at love.
CIUDAD DELIRIO--Columbia/Spain film with lots of dancing and salsa music, and some romance on the side. It is an audience pleaser in spite of many coincidences in the plot.
GUIDANCE--Wacky Canadian comedy about alcoholic former child star who pretends to be a high school guidance councilor by befriending and plying kids with booze and drugs. It works much better than it should, thanks to the brilliance of writer/director/lead actor Pat Mills. Big guilty pleasure!!!
C+
SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE--US independent film with decent cast and production values, and a well crafted script, but this comedy isn't consistently funny and the subject matter (sex addiction) becomes repellent at times.
MANGLEHORN--US independent film with excellent cast, set in small Texas town. Al Pacino plays a cranky guy pining for his lost love, and Holly Hunter is a lonely bank clerk. It is an odd, moody film, more of a multiple character study, and there are some amazing, curious moments. But overall the film is unsatisfying as a whole.
C-
COOKING UP A TRIBUTE--Spanish restaurant documentary has owners going around world to discover new ways to cook menu. Felt like it was edited in a food blender, and it is really boring.
I'm happy to recommend any film rated B- or better!
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