She Watches THE ROOM NEXT DOOR

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Pedro Almodovar and Sony Picture Classics is a story based on the book What Are You Going Through by Sigrid Nunez with THE ROOM NEXT DOOR.

Writer Ingrid (Julianne Moore) is back in town promoting her new book when she learns from a Stella (Sarah Demeestere) that their mutual friend Martha (Tilda Swinton) is in the hospital with cancer. Surprised to hear of it, Ingrid decides to visit much to Martha’s surprise. They speak of the time that has passed between them and decide that they are going to visit a lot more now that Ingrid is back in town.

Spending time with together reminiscing about their years as friends, Ingrid wonders why Martha’s daughter is not taking care of her. Martha decides to share the story of that situation of love, loss and choosing her career as a war correspondent. That is when she asks Ingrid for a favor of sorts that Martha could never have expected. Not sure how to respond, she calls their mutual friend Damian (John Turturro) to talk through it.

The women pack up and head to Martha’s lakeside home to spend more time talking and listening to one another about life and what she has experienced. Each day brings deeper conversations but it also brings about the reality of the situation between the two women and the decisions they have made.

Ingrid is conflicted about those decisions and finds herself writing daily to understand it all as Martha takes it a day at a time looking for the perfect day!

Moore as Ingrid is a woman who has enjoyed a life of traveling and writing not even realizing so much time has passed since seeing Martha. Once she does, she is compelled to spend as much time with her as possible talking about their life choices. When Ingrid has a request of Martha, that is when Moore kicks into high gear of portraying a woman who wants to be there for her friend even if she realizes the conflict within herself. I adore when Moore gets her hands on complex characters because I know she is going to bring anyone watching into the story with ease.

Swinton as Martha is equally matched with Moore portraying a woman who looks on her life with not so much regret but a sense of intense understanding. Swinton gives Martha a strength that almost says “I am not mad or upset about anything in my life” and has us believing it as well. I feel the same toward Swinton’s performances in that no matter what role she takes, I am thrilled to see where she will take me and, most of the time, its to the most unexpected places of emotion, thoughtfulness and intrigue.

Turturro as Damian is a man dealing with his own emotions yet manages to keep them in check when Ingrid needs his help. This is a softer side of Turturro and I have to say, I enjoyed it very much.

Other cast include Esther McGregor as young Martha, Alex Andersen as Fred, Alvise Rigo as Jonah and Tilda Swinton as Michelle.

Sony Pictures Classics brings television, digital content, new entertainment services, independent films and technologies to viewers. Such films as GREED, THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY, THE CLIMB, CHARM CITY KINGS, I CARRY YOU WITH ME and THE FATHER are just a few of the current and upcoming releases. For more information on what Sony Pictures Classics has to offer please visit www.sonyclassics.com.

THE ROOM NEXT DOOR is a totally thought-provoking film that is not mired by anything other than the thoughts and emotions of these two women. There is not outside white noise keeping us from investing totally in the story they are trying to tell. Director Almodovar keeps the surroundings to the bare minimum and I appreciate that very much in this particular case.

Each of these women has a story to tell and they do it in their own way. One talks through it and one writes through the journey of their emotions. The raw energy between these two award winning actresses is intense, amusing, caring until it swings back to intense once again. The rich love between Ingrid and Martha is not lost even if time separated them throughout their lives. Swinton and Moore command the screen together, in unison leaving me breathless at the startling conclusion.

In the end – friendship has no limit!

 

 

 

They Become THE QUIET ONES

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and digital from director Frederik Louis Hviid and Magnet Releasing is the biggest heist on Danish soil pulled off by THE QUIET ONES.

Kasper (Gustav Giese) is constantly boxing training but doesn’t seem to be rising up in his sport. Taking care of wife Aaliya (Camilla Lau) and young daughter Sara (Dagmar Halse), he has to find a way to earn. Realizing that his dream is being buried by his losses, Kasper enlists Slimani (Reda Kateb) with an idea for a robbery. Putting together a team they can trust causes immediate problems since one of their partners, Hasse (Christopher Wagelin) doesn’t care for Kasper.

Maria (Amanda Collin) is a security guard that is looking for her own success. Responsible for her family, she stays on top of what she needs to do to get the job done. Once Slimani and Kasper work out the details of the robbery, each step is meticulously planned and prepared for. They also enlist the help of Joppe (Jens Hulten), Mo (Granit Rushiti) and Warsame (Amin Ahmed) to get the job done.

When the time comes, Kasper gears up with the others knowing they only have minutes to grab and go. Even the perfect crime isn’t so perfect when things begin to slowly fall apart but the group has a contingency plan for that as well. What they don’t expect is to see Maria and a spit decision might be the downfall of them all!

Giese as Kasper portrays a boxer who just can’t seem to find his punch. Not a loud or abrasive person, he gives us the most unlikely criminal. As he brings a plan to Slimani, we see that Kasper has thought out the robbery clearly. Giese gives us a character that is desperate to take care of his family but clearly doesn’t fit the killer mentality that his cohorts do.

Kateb as Slimani is just vicious in the way he looks, talks, and behaves. He has no problem taking out anyone who gets in his way, including Kasper. He is clear that his goal is to rule everything and get his hands on the money. Kateb is excellent in this role that is quite the opposite of Kasper. He gives us dark and dangerous down to the depths of Slimani’s dark heart.

Wagelin as Hasse is just a large man with an even larger attitude. He is going to do what he wants when he wants and god help anyone who stands in his way. Wagelin has the right amount of swager to bring his character a fearlessness necessary to be in the middle of Kasper and Slimani.

Collin as Maria is actually a very underdeveloped character. I have to say I was geared up to see her be more a part of the film so I think this was a missed opportunity. That being said, Collin is clearly a woman trying to show what she can do where her job is concerned and, when the time came, showed no fear and a stubbornness I respected absolutely.

Other cast include Ida Rasmussen as Pumpkin, Mohammed Abbas as Mohammed, Sandra Stojiljkovic as Elin, Victor Ivan as Josef, Anders Hove as Olaf and Anastasios Soulis as Juventus.

Magnet Releasing is a part of Magnolia Pictures that specializes in films from the vanguard of horror, action, comedy, and Asian cinema. It is also the home of classics like Tomas Alfredson’s LET THE RIGHT ON IN, Ti West’s THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL, Andre Ovredal’s TROLLHUNTER, Neil Marshall’s sword and sandals bloodbath CENTURION and Tony Jaa’s ONG BAK trilogy. Recent released include the terrifying anthologies V/H/S and V/H/S/2, Xan Cassavettes’ stylish vampire film KISS OF THE DAMNED, and the sci-fi thriller THE LAST DAYS ON MARS. Upcoming films include Ti West’s THE SACRAMENT and to find out more of what is to come please visit www.magnetreleasingfilms.com.

Director Hviid says of the film, “THE QUIET ONES is about the pursuit: the pursuit of money. The pursuit of a dream. The pursuit of respect and a place in life. This pursuit is essential. Whether you follow the young bank robber with a promising talent for boxing, the Moroccan man who pulled all the strings behind a veil of lies and deceit, or the security guard who trusted in her instincts and ended up uncovering and bringing down a group of international criminals. The pursuit of something greater was shared by them all”.

He ends with, “we will witness a piece of criminal history. My ambition is to place the audience in the middle of the chaos and bring them into our group of hardened criminals.” Well, that is exactly what Hviid does. We are to pick apart each of their reasons for what they do, not excusing their acts, but focusing on the reasons for their criminal act and making it the biggest in Danish history.

It is a slow-paced film that took the characters planning step by step. There was no need for a backstory for the other robbers because their presence was enough that no one in their right mind would ask questions. It is Giese’ Kasper that is out of place in the group yet it doesn’t stop him from inserting himself in the plan and carrying it out. It is after the robbery that things get dicey and a little bit like 1991’s GOOD FELLAS. Once the crime begins, so does the action and the result of what the men have done.

In the end – it was the largest heist in Danish history!

 

It is A REAL PAIN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and coming to Bluray in February from writer/director Jesse Eisenberg and Searchlight Pictures is a story of family, history and everything in between when dealing with A REAL PAIN.

David (Jesse Eisenberg) decides to take cousin Benji (Kieran Culkin) on a family journey back to their grandmother’s homeland of Poland and their Jewish roots. Flying into Poland, they are met by the tour guide James (Will Sharpe) and travel companions Marcia (Jennifer Grey), Eloge (Kurt Egyiawan), Diane (Lisa Sadovy) and Mark (Daniel Oreskes). They aren’t even gone a day but David is missing his wife Priya (Ellora Torchia) and son.

It doesn’t take long before he also becomes nervous about Benji’s outbursts. Being the reserved, working-class husband and father, his cousin is the total opposite testing the boundaries of convention and never in one place very long. David believes that taking this trip will help them both deal with the grief of their grandmother. As the trip begins, it is clear that Benji manages to connect with the group with his charm and humor and David struggles to accept his cousins’ behavior. During one stop of the tour, the group begins to see Benji’s struggles as he confronts James’ authenticity of being the tour guide.

Finally, at dinner, David comes clear with his own emotions regarding his cousin. It all comes to a head when they visit Majdanek concentration camp. Emotions come out of everyone as they come face to face with what is still at a camp that the Germans didn’t have time to completely destroy. Each step they take, David and Benji begin to see what their grandmother survived in her younger years. Visiting her home is the final destination before the cousins go home.

Arriving home, the two have final moments to remember that they are flawed human beings but that doesn’t make them any less cousins who love one another.

Eisenberg as David seems to be afraid of everything from making sure he is solid in his job for family security to what everyone else thinks of how he handles life. When Benji comes along with his brazen attitude and charm, it makes David physically uncomfortable. The only way he can deal with it is to go along to get along. Eisenberg has the uncanny ability to play the role of the guy feeling left out, sort of the square peg in a round hole syndrome. But Eisenberg also gives David the ability to slowly let his emotions come out in a way that is scary yet loving at the same time.

Culkin as Benji gets an opportunity to let just a little bit of Roman Roy (HBO’s SUCCESSION series) out to play with wit but it is this actor’s ability to rattle off lines with razor sharp precision that is attention grabbing. It is apparent that Benji has unresolved family issues as well as personal and perhaps mental issues. As much as David is tightly wound, Benji is free flowing and doesn’t have a filter or sensor that guides him. If he thinks it, he speaks it and Culkin delivers it expertly.

Sharpe as James is the statics and facts kind of tour guide. He knows everything about where he is taking the group but when Benji puts in his two cents, however harshly, it causes him to pause. Egyiawan as Eloge is an unexpected surprise to the group, why he is there is heartbreaking but also joyful. What a wonderful addition to the tour group. Oreskes as Mark is on this tour because of wife Diane played by the very compassionate Sadovy. Grey as Marcia is trying to find herself by remember where her family came from. It is wonderful to see Grey take on this role and immerse herself in the experience of two totally different cousins.

Searchlight Pictures is responsible for such films as SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, THE SHAPE OF WATER and THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI. They have an extensive film library as well as documentaries, scripted series, and limited series. For more information, please visit www.searchlightpictures.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

The Bonus Features include Beautiful Fate: Making A REAL PAIN – Take A Tour through the heart and history of Poland while going behind the scenes of A REAL PAIN. Explore the themes of family and connection with Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin. Experience all the humor and humanity that brought this story to life.

A REAL PAIN has been nominated for 4 Golden Globe Awards® including Best Picture, Best Actor Jesse Eisenberg, Best Supporting Actor Kieran Culkin and Best Screenplay. The film won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

The film begins with the feeling a lot of us have about that one person in the family who seems like an understandable and unexpected butterfly. Loving them from afar seems to be the safest thing to do yet David decides to try and help his cousin Benji deal with the death of their grandmother by a trip. Almost immediately David realizes that his cousin is going to not only test his patience but his own beliefs in life and family.

Eisenberg and Culkin are amazing together as they bounce off one another, although it seems Culkin is doing the most bouncing. As the film progresses, it is an opportunity to watch these two cousins air out their issues, try to understand one another and grieve the one person they both saw as the miracle in their family. There are moments between these two actors that are so sublime that I fell in completely.

This is a film of love, acceptance, raw emotions, the every day life of family, history, humor, and what it takes to be part of it all. A REAL PAIN isn’t just one person, it is a little bit of us all.

In the end – there’s always something about family!