FIVE DAYS AT MEMORIAL

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on AppleTV+ from director John Ridley and based on true events is the heartbreaking events of Hurricane Katrina with FIVE DAYS AT MEMORIAL.

Memorial Hospital and Life Care are attached hospitals in New Orleans. On August 29^th, Hurricane Katrina was making its way on to land. Dr. Horace Baltz (Robert Pine) is making his way through the hospital to keep things calm. Dr. Anna Pou (Vera Farmiga) begins to make her rounds but notices the other staff not taking the storm too seriously.

Susan Mulderick (Cherry Jones) is the Incident Commander reminds the staff that it is a functioning hospital and that they all have a job to do. Connected to Memorial Hospital is Life Care and they are dealing with their own issues. Diane Robichaux (Julie Ann Emergy) is checking in on their patients.

As the storm progresses, evacuation orders are given for New Orleans and people are now wondering what they are to do. At Memorial, the windows are shattering, gangways are swaying and the waters are coming in with no way to stop them. In the emergency room, Dr. Baltz and Dr. Bryant King (Cornelius Smith Jr.) are moving everyone up another floor. Finally, the power goes out.

Day two comes and the hospital is attempting to clean up and find a bit of normal patient care. Outside of the hospital, the looting has begun and people do not want to leave the hospital. The staff is seeing and experiencing the trauma each person experienced trying to keep everyone calm yet, they are only human with emotions of their own.

Then, the levees broke and what came after became even more cataclysmic than Hurricane Katrina. Both hospitals now know the water is coming and with no flood plan, they are reaching out to who ever can hear them for help!  Communications are crossed and no one seems to be in charge but there are those that are trying their best.

As the patients begin to be evacuated, the water inside the hospital is rising and patients are on the roof waiting.  Now comes the even harder choices and those who make them are being questioned in the aftermath. People begin helping people without being told because it is not only what is right, it is what is necessary.

After, as investigators Arthur Schafer (Michael Gaston) and Virginia Rider (Molly Hager) take on the work of discovering what happened at Memorial, everyone becomes tightlipped. The two decide to head over to Memorial and try to find out what it is the people are not talking about.    

Now comes the question of what happened to the forty-five patients found later?

Farmiga as Dr. Pou refuses to leave the hospital and the patients that need her. Doing her best to save who she can, there are choices that are could be easily misunderstood and misinterpreted. Farmiga always gives such strong performances and this is one where I am riveted by what this actress achieves and it is met with anxiety on my part. This is a stellar role and she gives an equally stellar performance.

Jones as Mulderick is so amazing I can not even begin to describe her performance. Her character is called upon to do a job that is not even in the emergency manual. Given information, then having it revoked, then told something else and trying to keep everyone calm is a role that Jones gives strength, courage and character mixed with fear. I would expect nothing less from Jones.

Pine as Dr. Baltz is a steady doctor at Memorial but as chaos begins to ensue, he can only offer solace to those who need it the most. Pine gives the performance of a compassionate that I would hope I’d see at any hospital. Smith Jr. as Dr. King watches what is happening and makes judgements on the situation and those around him. Trying to keep the staff helping the patients is his main goal.

Emergy as Robichaux is compassionate and wants the best for her patience. Pregnant, a hurricane and the aftermath of her concern for everyone around her, especially of Mr. Everett, has her emotions collapsing. What a performance.

Cast includes Adepero Oduye as Karen Wynn, Stephen Bogaert as Rene Goux, Sharron Matthews as Cheri Landry, Damon Standifer as Emmett Everett, Sarah Allen as Lori Budo, W. Earl Brown as Ewing Cook, Jeremiah Oh as Ken Nakamaru, Tammy Isbell as Gina, Katie Boland as Krsity Johnson, Darrin Baker as Dr Martin Bisley and Diane Johnstone as Wilda McManus.

Apple+ is a video on demand web television that debuted in 2019. Viewable through Apple’s TV app, CEO Tim Cook wanted original content calling it “a great opportunity for us from a creation point of view”. From THE MORNING SHOW to TRYING and THE BANKER and Jason Momoa in SEE, there is plenty of choices for everyone. Plenty of genres? That is exactly what they are bringing to viewers and to see more of what they have to offer please visit www.apple.com/tv/.

FIVE DAYS AT MEMORIAL is one of the most intense series I think I have ever watched. It is shocking, disturbing, full of desperation, fear, anguish and the worst and best of humanity all in seven episodes.

Every cast memory should be extremely proud of their performance given the emotional material they were working with. There is not ONE character or performance that is not believable and filled with compassion, empathy and, well, frakken guts!

As the story unfolds, it does not stop at the storm or the aftermath, but delves deeper into what really happened at Memorial/Life Care and who is responsible. That being said, I think the last two episodes although still shocking, leave the door open for speculation. Focusing on one person when the potential for others being responsible should have been an issue as well.

Be prepared to be shocked and dismayed as each episode will test every human emotion imaginable, and all at once.

In the end - there are decisions that would haunt them all!

 

 

 

 

THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Current available on Digital and coming to Bluray/DVD from Searchlight Pictures and director Michael Showalter is the biopic story of the rise and fall of a ministry through THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE.

Tammy Faye (Jessica Chastain) spent her formative years believing that she was made for something special with the guidance of God. Growing up knowing she was different, especially when it is explained by her mother Rachel (Cherry Jones), Tammy Faye had faith in more.

Off to college she meets young charismatic preacher Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield) and together they start an on-the-road ministry. Introduced to Pat Robert (Gabriel Olds), their calling comes to television and Tammy Faye is thrilled, Jim wants to reach more. Their chance finally comes when they create the PTL Club (Praise the Lord) and begin to reach homes 24 hours a day.

The donations come pouring in, but the marriage starts to fall away. Tammy Faye is looking to be loved and cherished but her husband is looking to keep the donation telephones ringing. He even seeks financial help to build Heritage Village with Roe Messner (Sam Jaeger) but it is Tammy Faye that gets him to agree.

Noticing their success, Pat Robertson, Jimmy Swaggart (Jay Huguley) and Jerry Falwell (Vincent D’Onofrio) are all looking for cracks in the holy foundation. When rumors about Jim begin to swirl, Tammy Faye watches as everything comes crashing down around her while asking ‘where are you God?’

Chastain as Tammy Faye gives viewers an almost spot-on look of Tammy Faye Bakker and a look into her younger years. Even though she is covered in make-up and hair, Chastain gives her character a vulnerability that can be overlooked by the glitz of the world the Bakker’s created. She did believe in loving everyone, no matter their circumstances and did not see the world the way the men surrounding her did. Chastain does what she is excellent at, slowly bringing us into an unknown world and easily believing we are looking at Tammy Faye.

Garfield as Bakker reminded me why I never did care for Bakker very much. There was and still is a narcissism that exudes from Jim Bakker and the actor nails it from start to finish. Telling Tammy Faye the story of how he came to be a minister explains the deep resentment the pastor must have had about giving up his dream. Realizing he could still have that dream; Garfield portrays Bakker as a unreputable man hiding behind the good book.

Jones as Rachel is Tammy Faye’s mother who made it clear from the beginning that her own choices left markings on her daughters’ life. Always blunt, she is also always there when Tammy Faye needed her.

D’Onofrio as Falwell is a man who outwardly wants to be of some assistant to Bakker and is clearly annoyed with the way Tammy Faye handles things. Inwardly he jealous of Bakker’s success and turns on a dime. Olds as Roberts also makes his feelings clear on the PTL’s success, and Huguley as Swaggart had a successful ministry of his own – until it fell as well. All of these pastors claimed to care about their fellow minister but games comes in all shapes and religions.

Other cast include Fredric Lehne as Fred Grover, Louis Cancelmi as Richard Fletcher and Mark Wystrach as Gary Paxton.

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.

Searchlight Pictures’ The Eyes of Tammy Faye Bonus Features - A Look Inside The Eyes of Tammy Faye – Hear what drew Jessica Chastain, cast mates and filmmakers to The Eyes of Tammy Faye. From prosthetics to singing, uncover Jessica Chastain’s remarkable multi-layered transformation into Tammy Faye Bakker.

The film has garnered recognition by the San Sebastian International Film Festival with a win for Jessica Chastain for Best Leading Performance, also the Toronoto International Film Festival with a Tribute Award also for Jessica Chastain. The Women’s Image Network Awards gives Jessica Chastain a Best Actress Award along with nominations for Best Feature Film and Best Film Produced by a Woman.

THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE comes in at a little over two hours from her humble beginnings until the fall from grace and what that leads too. Never giving up even after Bakker falls, she attempts to do whatever she can to take care of herself. Returning to her humble beginnings (except for her continual love of big eyelashes and gauche makeup), no one was going to shake her belief.

Chastain and Garfield bring this one-time successful religious couple from college to their downfall. These two actors gave it everything and that is important when trying to tell the story of an unbelievable couple during an unbelievable time. The costuming is fantastic and that adds more depth and intensity to the story of the 1970’s and 1980’s.

I remember, when living in a southern state, seeing Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker on television constantly by many people I knew. The devotion was intense, and I never judged, only hated that money was given so freely to people who clearly did not need it for the purposes it was asked for. When the couple fell, it broke the hearts of the same people which in turn shocked me as I did not understand how they still gave money. Then again, it still happens today except now with politicians!

Tammy Faye would eventually marry Roe Messner and succumb to cancer in 2007.

In the end – sometimes in life you have to take your lashes!

The Family is all about DEFENDING JACOB

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on AppleTV+ from creator Mark Bomback and director Morten Tyldum is the story of a family that loses who they are all because they are DEFENDING JACOB.

In Massachusetts, Andy Barber (Chris Evans) is the towns prominent District Attorney and is well respected by the community. Laurie Barber (Michelle Dockery) is busy working with local school and their son Jacob (Jaeden Martell) attends the local high school. The family keeps a busy pace and Jacob can be found on his electronics.

What would seem normal to the Barber family is about to be shaken to its core. Jacob’s classmate Ben is found murdered on the path on the way to school. Andy and officer Pam Duffy (Betty Gabriel) go immediately to the murder scene as the school is placed on lockdown. Looking for suspects, Duffy brings up sexual predator Leonard Patz (Daniel Henshall) but holds off speaking to him until there is more to go on.

Baker and Duffy take the time to talk to classmates and it seems that Sarah (Jordan Davis) is more uncomfortable than the rest. Each tell the story of Ben being somewhat of a bully and friend Derek (Ben Taylor) recalls being harassed by Ben a time or two. Later that evening the online chat among the teens brings panic to Baker with fingers being pointed.

Duffy questions Patz but has to let him go and back at the D.A.’s office, Baker finds out that there is one lone fingerprint found at the crime scene – Jacob’s. Baker is immediately removed from the case and the police swarm the house as Laurie watches items being taken out of their home. It is Jacob’s response that causes the most worry.

The Baker’s immediately hire Joanna Klein (Cherry Jones) to represent Jacob. Klein tells the family to not give interviews, no posting on social media and to lay low without trying to seem like they are laying low. What the family has not seen yet is the response from the town but that is coming, and it won’t stop until there are answers.

Klein has Jacob see behavior therapist Dr. Vogel (Poorna Jagannathan) and, along with Andy and Laurie, feelings begin to emerge and memories flood through Laurie about her son. Jacob tells his parents he is innocent but more and more comes out about the relationship with Ben that causes his own mother to question her thoughts.

Barber also must come to terms with his past as his father Billy Barber (J.K Simmons) injects himself into the problems the family already has. Andy is staying out of the office and Laurie has to stay away from her work, Jacob turns to homeschooling and an unlikely friendship with Sarah begins and that is the new normal at the Barber home. Eight weeks may seem a long time before the trial is to begin but not when each day brings new and frightening revelations.

Andy is not going down without a fight; Laurie does not know what to fight and Jacob acts like he has no fight in him. What is the truth of the Baker family and an even bigger question …

…who killed Ben Rifkin?

Evans as tough D.A. Andy Baker is known for his tenacity in prosecuting cases and is dedicated to his family. When Jacob is accused, it throws Baker on the other side of the table. Now, he sees everything from a new perspective and does not like it. Evans as Baker refuses to see what everyone else thinks is clear cut. Shedding his Captain America suit to sink himself into this dark role is well done. There are a few moments when I wanted to shake him (as if I could ever do that!) but that is a parent right? Refusing to see what is right in front of him and Evans takes it to an extremely dangerous edge.

Dockery as Laurie is caught up in a web of unspoken life events and a son that she cannot read so easily. The moment Jacob is accused, Laurie starts playing out their lives in her mind and it becomes a place she cannot seem to get out of. Dockery gives her character the motherly perspective mixed in muck with the reality of it all. There are moments I will say that are a bit melodramatic, but then again who is to say that is not how we would all react.

Dockery says of her role as Laurie Baker, “There were moments where I really had to go into a zone because it required a lot of emotion. The moments that are more difficult are the quiet moments with no dialogue because those small moments I really have to go to a different place.”

Martell as Jacob is the sullen angst filled teenager who would rather stay in his room on social media or playing Xbox than hang out with his parents. There is a quiet disconnect that is easily relatable for anyone who had a teenager that is easily overlooked as ‘normal’. Martell quietly dives right into the role of Jacob and never gives away anything that would tell the viewer one way or the other if he is responsible for the death of his classmate. Well done young man and I loved you in KNIVES OUT!

Jones as attorney Klein is the stable force in this very unstable story being told. She knows exactly what to do and how to do it, of course she is dealing with a family that thinks they know better because of Andy. I am not sure I would have had the patience Jones gives us but damn its good to see her once again on screen.

Davis as Sarah is a young girl that is not sure how to handle any of what is happening. She sees what Jacob is going through and tries to be a comfort, but everyone has their secrets. Taylor as Derek has his own part to play and is hiding until pushed onto the witness stand. Both of these young actors add the right amount of tension as teens are good at secrets.

Now, J.K. Simmons as Billy Barber, what can I say about this actor that has not been said already. He continues to be an actor that captivates on screen. In this role, he carries a look and attitude about him that is nothing short of terrifying. Even his sharp retorts are filled with a special kind of venom reserved for a man who knows he is going nowhere (nope, that is all I’m saying about his character). Impressive as always Mr. Simmons, impressive.

Shout out to Pablo Schreiber as Neal Loguidice who is assigned to prosecute Jacob Barber. There is a history with Andy that makes their relationship one based on jealousy and indifference. Which one is which is for the viewer to decide.

Writer William Landay knows a thing or two about drama in the courtroom having served several years as the Assistant District Attorney in Massachusetts. He also found time to write the John Creasey Dagger award novel Mission Flats followed up by The Strangler. The novel Defending Jacob hit the shelves in 2012 and became an immediate best-seller. Winning several awards, it is not surprising that it would become a mini-series giving the audience time to get to know the characters.

Other cast include Myra Taylor as Judge Rivera, Carrie Quinn as Kathleen Daryl Edwards as Judge French, Cheryl McMahon as Mrs. Mandel, Devon Diep as Reiko, Shawn Fitzgibbon as Detective Peterson, Ted Arcidi as Kingston, Tamara Hickey as Toby, Patrick Fischler as Dan Rifkin, Megan Byrne as Joan Rifkin, Liam Kilbreth as Ben Rifkin and William Xifaras as Father O’Leary.

AppleTV+ is a video on demand web television that debuted in 2019. Viewable through Apple’s TV app, CEO Tim Cook wanted original content calling it “a great opportunity for us from a creation point of view”. From THE MORNING SHOW to TRYING and THE BANKER and Jason Momoa in SEE, there is plenty of choices for everyone. Plenty of genres? That is exactly what they are bringing to viewers and to see more of what they have to offer please visit www.apple.com/tv/.

DEFENDING JACOB is an eight-part series based on the novel and it does not disappoint. It is filled with twists and turns but more than that brings the viewer face to face with a family that thought they had it all and discovers all lived in an empty shell. Each character has their own story to tell and some of it is difficult to hear and some of it pushes each of them to fear.

Each episode throws another wrench into the mucked-up situation that does not only affect the Barber family but has a much longer arm into the community. This is a story of secrets, lies, mystery, fear, panic, unresolved family, breakdowns, truths, realities and how all of that brings this particular family to a place that is frightening.

The cast is absolutely stellar and watching each of them carry their roles to the end had me binging the series all in one sitting. The ending is jaw dropping and leaves the door open for us all to imagine what would come next – and I would binge watch that in a heartbeat!

In the end – family is unconditional.