Review: Love & Friendship

Jane Austen finally gets her comedy on the big screen. Adapted from her novella, "Lady Susan", Whit Stillman's self-aware LOVE & FRIENDSHIP does the late author justice, though dragging a bit at times.

Lady Susan (Kate Beckinsale) is often described as the "most accomplished flirt in England" -- widowed and with a teenage daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark), whose life she tries to control for her own benefit, her current game is playing the system to make a married man jealous. She does this by flirting with Reginald DeCourcy (Xavier Samuel), a younger man who is easily swayed -- and simultaneously, trying to set her daughter up with a silly man whom Frederica cannot stand.

Almost immediately, the film is saturated in a kind of self-aware humor, introducing the characters like a Victorian soap opera with little spotlights and titles as they stare off into the distance. The story is not shy in assuming the self indulgence of those in aristocratic society, and the film's ability to laugh at itself continues somewhat sporadically throughout the story, as its protagonist (though certainly not the hero) allows her antics to become more and more ridiculous.

Beckinsale and Clark are superb, as is Chloe Sevigny as Lady Susan's best friend, Alicia Johnson. You will see Stephen Fry pop into the frame a couple of times, as well as Jemma Redgrave -- but the story gives way to a few lesser-knowns who own the screen.

While the situational humor is present and flourishing, there is a certain lack of empathy for the characters -- you never quite get close enough to any of them to do more than sympathize for them. Perhaps it is the way that the form matches the frills on their petticoats, but LOVE & FRIENDSHIP is enjoyable mostly in the way that it ruffles your feathers, providing an opportunity to laugh at these selfish characters' games.

Come check out Jane Austen's humor for yourself -- LOVE & FRIENDSHIP starts at Midtown Cinema on May 27!

Review: The Meddler

Everyone's worst nightmare is a meddling mother, especially one who's got nothing else better to do. Writer/director Lorene Scafaria's THE MEDDLER boasts just such a character -- but carefully extricates her from her stereotypes to reveal her lovable qualities.

Our first glimpse of Marnie is in bed -- surrounded by bright yellow bedding, she lies in bed, staring solemnly at the ceiling fan. This is the quietest you will see Marnie (Susan Sarandon), for almost immediately, her cheery New Jersey accent floods the speakers, introducing a flashy, sunny Los Angeles -- Marnie is exploring her new home, to which she has just moved in order to be closer to her daughter, Lori (Rose Byrne). It seems that Marnie's life revolves around talking -- voicemail after voicemail (which she graciously bestows upon her daughter's cell phone) describes Marnie as ready to embrace this new page in her life -- a page that is made possible by her deceased husband's money.

As we begin to see this vibrant yet overbearing mother in her new habitat, the story quickly becomes clear: Marnie fills her time with busybody tendencies, preferring to meddle with other people's lives than deal with her own ("Basically, I feel great!" she repeats several times throughout the film, often coupled with a bit of advice that was not asked for). From commandeering her daughter's social life to financing and planning a complete stranger's wedding, Marnie has a heart of gold, but she doesn't realize how deep she's getting herself (and others) into messes.

The performances in this film are spectacular -- Sarandon delightfully handles the complexities of a woman juggling loneliness and fear, and Byrne plays the quintessential depiction of mortification, while still allowing for connections throughout the film. Sarandon also brews some great on-screen chemistry with J.K. Simmons as the "biker teddy" love interest, Zipper. The characters are tangible and relatable, and while there are a few too many plot points crammed into the story, the core is worthwhile.

It's not the perfect flick, but it's fun and engaging -- THE MEDDLER starts May 20th at Midtown Cinema! Be sure to check it out!

Review: The Man Who Knew Infinity

Based on a true story, Matt Brown's THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY may try a little too hard at times, but it will still stir your soul.

The story follows Srinivasa Ramanujan (Dev Patel), a young man in Madras, India, who has no formal education to his name, yet harbors a brilliant mind, seeing mathematical equations like they are paintings. Ramanujan is desperate to publish his work, but continually hits dead ends -- until he receives a letter from G.H. Hardy (Jeremy Irons), a professor at Cambridge University. Hardy takes the ambitious mathematician under his wing, bringing him to England to get published.

There are complications -- many at the university look down on him for being a foreigner, and he has the additional tax of being separate from his wife -- their culture technically forbids them to cross the seas. And Ramanujan and Hardy's differing personalities are a point of contention: while Hardy calls himself an atheist, relying heavily on proofs, Ramanujan believes his abilities come from God, and is very reluctant to prove himself by finding the proofs that Hardy demands of him.

Though the film gets slightly over-sentimental at times, Ramanujan's journey is a fascinating story of passion and prayer. Backed by a stunning Indian soundtrack, the film is beautifully shot, and gives you a snippet of history. THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY starts May 13 at Midtown Cinema!

Ramanujan loves form for its own sake -- "an art unto itself," Hardy describes.

Review: Elvis & Nixon

One of the most requested photos from the National Archives is that of Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley in the Oval Office. There is not too much of a recorded account of what happened while he was there, but the scant details provided by those who were present for this bizarre event have now been made into a movie. A fabulous movie.

Amidst a sea of bungling joke-fests that favor shock value over situational comedy, what a refreshing comedy we have in ELVIS & NIXON. The film, directed by Liza Johnson, takes two larger-than-life figures, extracts the humorous dynamics that such characters could foster, and blends the two together with juxtapositionally hilarious results.

Elvis (Michael Shannon) is a quiet, cavalier man who doesn't seem to quite have a grasp on priorities. His closest friends, Jerry (Alex Pettyfer) and Sonny (Johnny Knoxville), know it, and do everything they can to prevent Elvis from knowing it too. This trio seems to have taken some time apart, but now reunites for a jaunt to Washington, DC, where Elvis would like to become a "federal agent at large" ("Is that a real title?" is the question of choice from many people in the Oval Office throughout the film). He strives to arrange a meeting with President Nixon to get a badge from him so that he can help the youth of America.

Nixon (Kevin Spacey), on the other hand, wants nothing to do with Elvis. But Egil "Bud" Kogh (Colin Hanks), White House Deputy for Domestic Affairs, and Dwight Chapin (Evan Peters), Deputy Assistant, convince him that it will be a good idea -- perhaps they think it will be good for the President's image, or perhaps they just want to meet the King.

The entire film is one big shenanigan -- though not without its somber moments -- culminating in a satisfying glimpse of what this moment in history might have been like. Shannon runs the show, though Spacey, Hanks, and Pettyfer give great performances as well. The real beauty of the story is watching Presley and Nixon butt heads, and the constant confusion of the names "Mr. President" and "Mr. Presley" escalates the clash of power that these characters experience in their meeting. Even more enjoyable is watching each and every ridiculous reaction of the supporting characters when they meet Elvis.

Overall, this is a delightful film -- one you should be sure not to miss. ELVIS & NIXON starts May 13 at Midtown Cinema!