Friendship and THE BANSHEE OF INISHERIN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Today on Digital HD and coming to Bluray from writer/director Martin McDonagh and Searchlight Pictures is the story of a friendship that is going through its paces with THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN.

It is 1923 Ireland on the island of Inisherin and Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson) and best friend and drinking buddy Padraic (Colin Farrell) are having a problem. Well, it actually seems that Colm has a problem and Padraic is confused. Out of nowhere, Colm decides he does not want to be friends with Padraic any longer.

Padraic is not the only one confused as the news reaches everyone in the sleepy little town. The only answer Colm seems to give is that he wants more out of life and friendships and Padraic just doesn’t have what it takes. Colm wants music, conversation and to be remembered for something other than drinking with his pal.

That does not sit well with Padraic who wants more answers and seeks out his friend time and time again. Frustrated, Colm gives Padraic an ultimatum – stop bothering him or he will do something horrific to make it clear. Someone else who does not understand the treatment of her brother is Padraic’s sister Siobhan (Kerry Condon) who does try to help. Taking care of her brother has been a full-time job.

It is the eerie Mrs. McCormick (Sheila Flitton) who warns of death in the town. Padraic starts to hang out with Dominic (Barry Keoghan) to at least have someone to vent to. When Dominic tells Padraic what is being said in town, he goes to Colm once again for answers and is only met with something vile being thrown at his door. But when one of Padraic’s animal friends is hurt by Colm’s threats, a side of Padraic is released that no one could have expected.

Friendships can be brutal.

Gleeson as Colm is a man going through changes. Practically overnight he has decided that his life should mean more and leaving something musically behind could be that thing. The one person he feels could stop him from having this new outlook is Padraic so, the friendship abruptly ends. Gleeson gives us a character that is resolved, literally, in making sure that no one stop him from what he wants. I just love the back and forth between he and Farrell. It is superb, strong and award worthy.

Farrell as Padraic is a man who does not want the changes. He enjoys his friendship with Colm and it boggles his mind that he would abruptly end it. Even given the reasons for the ending, it is not enough for Padraic. Farrell gives his character such a sad but determined place in this story. Sad in that he is so confused by his friend’s behavior and determined when things start to take a strange turn and another side of Padraic emerges. He is also superb, strong and award worthy.

Condon as Siobhan has been taking care of her brother in a life that hasn’t made her happy either. Trying to help the situation, she realizes they are both stubborn and it is time for her to think about life away from them all. Condon is not a weak woman in a man’s world, she is actually a strong woman on an island with crazy people (and I mean that in an ‘I know the feeling’ small town feeling way).

Keoghan as Dominic is a young man in love, or just really and truly wanting love. Finding friendship where he can, it is a small island and a small town so his choices are, well, small. Keoghan portrays his character in that smallness and it is tragically lovely.

Other cast include Pat Shortt as Jonjo Devine, Jon Kenny as Gerry, Brid Ni Neachtain as Mrs. O’Riordan, Gary Lydon as Peadar Kearney, Aaron Monaghan as Declan and David Pearse as the Priest.

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.

The Bonus Features include Creating THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN – Go into the inimitable mind of director-writer Martin McDonagh as he delves into THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, from story inception and reunion of its gifted actors, to searching the islands of Ireland for the perfect, evocative locations. Also, Deleted Scenes with Chasing Colm, Colm Can’t Compose, Parent’s Grave and Peadar, Siobhan Crying Too Loud and Stoic Equals Boring.

Director McDonagh has been one of my favorite filmmakers for quite some time. His films such as IN BRUGES (2008), SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS (2012, which is still one of my favorites) and THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI (2017) are only part of his repertoire. This film is equally as beautiful as those named above. Reuniting Gleason and Farrell (they starred together in IN BRUGES) is pure magic.

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN is a dark story of a friendship that has gone sideways. Keeping certain things out of this review because it needs to be experienced, just know when I say that these two have serious issues. Neither are sure what they want as their reasons will have heads shaking.

I did not know whether to laugh or cry at the behavior of two grown men living on a sheltered island. Instead, my jaw spent a lot of time on the floor with their antics. Friendships are difficult enough at times, McDonagh has added a whole new layer of craziness that is completely wild. There are also undertones of a woman knowing it is time to make changes of her own as Siobhan realizes she cannot be her brother’s keeper forever.

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN is a story filled with emotions, but not exactly the kind that one would expect of a friendship.

In the end – everything was fine yesterday!

THE NORTH WATER is Chilling in the Tale

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on AMC+ from writer/director Andrew Haigh from the novel by Ian McGuire is the five-part television series THE NORTH WATER.

It is 1859 and Patrick Sumner (Jack O’Connell) is a surgeon who has joined the whaling vessel Volunteer. He watches the crew and particularly a man named Henry Drax (Colin Farrell). Drax is a ruthless man who has done heinous things so being part of the crew as the harpooner, he manages to avoid the law.

Sumner has his own past that he is trying to get away from and does so with bottles of laudanum. As they go further north to look for whales, Captain Brownlee (Stephen Graham) has made a deal with the company for what is to happen with the ship. Sumner also tries to help the whalers and discovers the dangers of the waters. On board, it is discovered that a cabin boy has been treated horribly and Sumner is not about to let it go.

Looking for the man responsible, Sumner’s eyes turn to Drax and with good reason and Brownlee meets the hostility of a crew member. The ship continues north even though the crew does not understand why. With the help of another ship, the Hastings, a plan is put into motion but, as with all evil plans, everything goes wrong. As the ship is in distress, the crew is abandoned on an ice shelf waiting for a good time to board the Hastings.

Cavendish (Sam Spruell) has taken charge but the next morning the Hastings is no where to be found. What is left of the crew boards the rowboats and try to find a pace to be safe. On a rock surrounded by ice mountains, the crew try to survive. When a pair of Inuit arrive, there is meat for everyone but Drax and Cavendish as always, want more. If things are not already bad, they are about to get worse.

As the others trek across the ice, Sumner follows a bear in hopes of having food. Another storm hits when he is discovered by a priest (Peter Mullan) who takes him in. The Inuit come to hunt with Sumner, and he begins to have a legendary name for himself. But Sumner has other plans and wants to get home.

Once home, he discovers the truth about the journey and decides to take care of it all once and for all.

McConnell as Sumner begins the series as a young man dealing with the injustices of war, greed and those who held his life in his hands. Taking the vessel surgeon job on the Volunteer was the only thing he had left in his life. It is on the journey that Sumner realizes that treachery can be found anywhere in the world, not just on the battlefield. McConnell is absolutely stunning in this role, and I loved every step he took from start to finish. The growth of the character came to be in good hands with this actor.

Farrell as Drax is out and out vicious, diabolical, deliberate and menacing. Keeping his character so hidden like a ragged harpooner added such depth to what this character was consistently doing to those around him. That being said, Farrell has the amazing ability to play an amazing, good person but when he goes bad, he truly goes full force bad. Drax is a full-on bad man who does not see anything wrong with what he does.

Graham as Brownlee is a man who is trying to find his own redemption in the whaling world and the only way to do that means committing a different kind of crime. Spruell as Cavandish, who starts out as friends with Drax, comes to see that there is no future in befriending the devil.

Shout out to Tom Courtenay as Baxter, the man responsible for setting into motion the events that put lives in danger, caused death and the eventual confrontation with Patrick Sumner. I have always been an avid watcher of Courtenay’s work and he continues to shine.

Other cast include Kieran Urquhart as Jones, Philip Hill-Pearson as McKendrick, Nive Nielsen as Anna, Jonathan Aris as Corbyn, Lee Knight as Stevens, Gary Lamont as Webster, Eliza Butterworth as Hester, Mark Rowley as Bain, Roland Moller as Otto and Tom Courtenay as Baxter.

AMC+ is an American subscription video on demand streaming service owned by AMC Networks that was launched in June 2020. The service streams THE WALKING DEAD franchise as well as MAD MEN, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES and currently THE NORTH WATERS. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.amcplus.com.

The five-part episodes include Behold the Man, We Men Are Wretched Things, Homo Homini Lupus, The Devils of the Earth and To Live is to Suffer.

THE NORTH WATER is a series you must binge watch. I could not stop and do not regret a moment of it. This is a series about what men do to one another, the reasons they do it (whether good or bad is indifferent to their reasons), the horror of what memories can push someone to and when you put it all in a mixing bowl, the results are disastrous.

The cast is amazing led by O’Connell as Farrell lies low in the background but never letting you forget he is there. The entire cast put their stories out to lead the story in different directions but never straying from the fact that the boat they are on is leading them to death. Using the barren lands of the Artic, there is nothing distracting the viewer from investing in every moment of Patrick Sumner’s experience.

In the end – the hunt will change!

They are Young VOYAGERS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Neil Burger and Lionsgate is the story of being raised in isolation and being sent into space being the next VOYAGERS.

It is time to look for other places to live in the universe and Richard (Colin Farrell) is part of a space program that is creating children in isolation for a journey across space. The idea is to raise the children into young men and women who will take the ship across the vastness of space to a specified distant planet.

Richard decides that he must go with them in order to monitor them. He has come to care for the young people being sent up and is given permission to go. Christopher (Tye Sheridan) and friend Zac (Fionn Whitehead) are curious about everything and spend their time getting into harmless mischief. That is until they uncover information that had only been known to Richard and they are not happy.

This is the time where the two young men make a decision to either follow the plan or rebel in a way that could be dangerous for them all. Christopher tells Sela (Lily-Rose Depp) what is happening and begins to see a change in Zac who is collecting others to his side. When an accident on the ship makes it clear that it is time to choose a leader, two that were once friends become rivals for good and evil.

If any of them are to survive, each person will have to decide for themselves how they want their confined world to be – working together or total destruction.

Sheridan as Christopher has a grasp on what their mission is and even when he discovers that not everything is as he believed, even then he understood there were serious implications for the entire crew. He could have easily chosen the road of narcissism but instead, when the truth comes slowly forward, it gives him options of survival. Sheridan does a fantastic job playing Christopher and if there were ever such a voyage, I would hope there were many Christopher’s on the ship. Sheridan gives his character a sharpness that kept me silently cheering every move his character makes.

Whitehead as Zac has a friendship with Christopher that one would expect since they were raised together. As their trip gets deeper into space, it is Zac that gets deeper into a place that is dangerous for everyone. There is a rage that just lies underneath the surface and Whitehead’s performance lets you know that every moment his character is on screen is scary because there is no place to run! Whitehead has the unique ability to give a frightening stare that can fill the viewer with anxiety beyond belief.

Depp as Sela of course has the look of her very famous father. In her role as Sela, she is a straightforward ‘we have a job to do’ ship mate. When Christopher fills her in on everything that has been happening and his suspicions, Sela wants to do everything possible to stop the chaos just waiting around every corner. Constantly feeling the very stalker-like behavior of Zac, she is not a young woman to be trifled with either. Depp gives us a look at a strong, intelligent and capable space traveler who knows what it is going to take to survive.

Farrell as Richard decides to take this one-way trip with the young crew to keep an eye on their progress and how they handle space. He is also there to dole out advice should his young wards need it. As Richard, Farrell gives his character a soft spoken but stern leader model yet there is one of the crew that does not take to kindly to anyone telling him what to do. Farrell has given us so many unique characters (one of my latest favorites is from the film THE GENTLEMEN) in films so I expect nothing less from any film he does.

Other cast include Chante Adams as Phoebe, Quintessa Swindell as Julie, Archie Madekwe as Kai, Isaac Wright as Edward, Viveik Kalra as Peter, Madison Hu as Anda, Archie Renaux as Alex, Wern Lee as Tayo, Veronica Falcon as Marianne and April Grace as the Mission Director.

Lionsgate is a global leader in motion picture production and distribution for theatres, television, home entertainment and more. Theatre franchises include THE HUNGER GAMES, and DIVERGENT along with JOHN WICK.

Writer/director Burger says of his film about the 80-year voyage, “It’s about human nature in a vacuum – who we are at our core and about a group of extraordinary young people waking up to sensual desires, to freedom, to power, and the thrilling euphoria that goes with that experience.” He also explains that he wanted everything in the film based in reality, “VOYAGERS is not a fantasy. The spacecraft is purely utilitarian and functional based on actual proposals within NANA studying space travel outside our solar system.”

Because of that, the viewer will feel totally drawn into what is happening knowing full well there is no where to go. These individuals are confined to a place where they either work out their problems or fall but if they fall, they fall totally. The ship is very practical and is very much like those aboard – to frilled and very plain to look at. I believe that is what makes these characters stand out as there is nothing else to distract the viewer.

When there is division among the young voyagers, again, there is no place to hide the rage and emotional turmoil which is frightening in the sense that one wrong move….  Buckle up because this is going to be a bumpy ride into space!

In the end – what does it feel like?

 

THE GENTLEMEN Charms us all on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Bluray, DVD and Digital from writer/director Guy Ritchie and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes the story of a different kind of shill game with THE GENTLEMEN.

Fletcher (Hugh Grant) has decided he wants to tell Ray (Charlie Hunnam) a story. It’s quite a detailed story about a man named Michael Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) who learned early in life that the way to grow a bank account is by growing marijuana on several estates in London. Married to the lovely Rosalind (Michelle Dockery), the couple become part of the elite in the social circles.

Deciding it might be time to leave the game, Pearson meets with Matthew (Jeremy Strong) who is interested in purchasing the business for a large sum of money. Things are going well until a group of kids raid one of the farms. Pearson sends Ray to investigate who is responsible which leads him to the Coach (Colin Farrell) and a group of his boxing boys.

Coach helps Ray find Dry Eye (Henry Golding) who is linked with Lord George (Tom Wu) believing there is a connection. In the meantime, Pearson is trying to finish the deal with Matthew, but Matthew has decided that with the recent hit that the business may not be worth it.

While wife Rosalind is trying to keep her own business together, she lets her husband know that no one is going to get in their way. Yet Fletcher is a distraction who has a story he wants to either sell to Hollywood for big bucks or get a payday from Pearson, he doesn’t mind either way.

Are you confused? Well, let’s just say that nothing is as it seems, and everything is as it seems and run with that!

McConaughey as Pearson is charming, well spoken and doesn’t lose his cool in the midst of reasons to lose his cool. He comes to the edge of it a few times but still manages to remain – gentlemanly. I love when McConaughey gets a chance to be this cool because he does so with such ease that it made me laugh on a few occasions.

Hunnam as Ray is equally a cool customer and Pearson’s right-hand man. Trusted and informed about the business, he is willing to hear what Fletcher has to say about what he thinks he knows. Their conversation is filled with colorful language, yet it is in those conversations that everything becomes clear. It’s good to see Hunnam back on the screen and this role is so suited for him.

Grant as Fletcher is a sleazy journalist that is looking for a big pay day. He doesn’t care who pays him as long as someone pays him. Telling Ray the story, Fletcher feels that this situation has the biggest chance of a payout – plus a wagyu steak. It is clear that Grant had a good time playing this role but then again, I would have too. It’s a great character!

Dockery as Rosalind is charming, endearing, beautiful and if that isn’t enough – very, very smart. She stands behind her husband not because she’s a woman but because she’s a businesswoman in all aspects. It must be said that Dockery gave chic a whole new and stunning look. Strong as Matthew jumps into the business proposition given to him by Pearson. Seeing what it could do for his own business, he does his homework.

Golding as Dry Eye is a gangster who wants to rid himself of anyone who doesn’t see things his way. Not afraid to take everybody on, Golding gets the chance to shed his romantic/thriller roles and embrace his badass side from start to finish.

 Farrell as Coach just wins me in this film. He is engaging, a respectful gentleman and with that said, just as gangster as any of the others wearing a fine suit! I just loved every minute he was on the screen because, like Pearson and maybe even more so, he kept his cool at all times. A killer combination and winning role for Farrell.

Other cast include Lyne Renee as Jackie, Chidi Ajufo as Bunny, Simon Barker as Frazier, Jason Wong as Phuc, John Dagleish as Hammy, Lily Frazer as Lisa, Gershwyn Eustache Jr. as Roger, Samuel West as Lord Pressfield, Geraldine Somerville as Lady Pressfield, Eliot Sumner as Laura, Franz Drameh as Benny, James Warren as Jim, Sean Sagar as Mal, Bugzy Malone as Ernie, Tom Harries as Power, Danny Griffin as Aslan, Ashley McGuire as Maureen, George Asprey as Lord Snowball and Eddie Marsan as Big Dave.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

The Bluray includes the Bonus Features of Behind the Scenes of THE GENTLEMEN: Get up close with the talented cast of THE GENTLEMEN as they give an inside look at the making of the film and share their experiences working with legendary directory Guy Ritchie, Best Gentlemanly Quips: A selection of some of the funniest lines from THE GENTLEMEN that spotlights the witty writing behind the film, Glossary of Cannabis: Viewers are given a fun educational montage highlighting the numerous nicknames of Marijuana shown throughout the film, Photo Gallery.

THE GENTLEMEN is nothing short of brilliant and so much fun to watch. You almost need a score card to keep up which makes this film all the more fun. Yes, it is filled with action which comes in always at just the right moment but also so very much more.

I found myself jaw dropping, laughing, yelling “I knew it!”, clapping, laughing some more. The cast is responsible for so much of this. They each brought their best to the table and I couldn’t help but thing they had a good time making this film.

Keeping the film’s story line in generalities is important because I want each person to unravel it all on their own. We are all in a stressful time right now, but THE GENTLEMEN is such a marvelous distraction from all of that. That’s what a good film does, distract us with such a good yarn that all else gets pushed aside, even if for only a little while.

This is definitely a film for the adults as the colorful language gets sassy and salty at times, oh who am I kidding, it’s in the film from start to finish. So be aware and wait for the kiddies to go to bed if they happen to be around.

THE GENTLEMEN is a story of what money can do to those who have it and those who want it.

In the end – criminals with class!

DUMBO Arrives on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Landing on Bluray from director Tim Burton and Walt Disney Home Entertainment is the beloved pachyderm we know as DUMBO.

Captain Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) has returned home after being wounded in the war. His home happens to be a circus where his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) are waiting. They have had a tough time too with the loss of their own mother.

The circus is much smaller than Holt remembers only to discover that owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) has hit hard times. The only job open for Holt now is working with the elephants. The circus waits for Jumbo to have her baby and is dealing with cruel handlers. Holt steps in to find a baby with the biggest ears and in a snap a protective Jumbo is taken away!

Milly and Joe take an interest in the baby they name Dumbo and are delighted to learn that he is special for more than just his ears. Everyone learns about Dumbo and crowds are selling every seat in the tent.

It also comes to the attention of V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton) who makes a deal with Max to take the whole troop to Dreamland. Dumbo begins working with Colette Marchant (Eva Green) for a big act.

It is what Dumbo discovers at Dreamland that shakes up Vandevere’s plans but brings joy and help from his friends.

Farrell as Holt is a man feeling broken from war and detached from his children. Trying to find his place in the circus, Dumbo gives him purpose. This is the emotional Farrell that feels reminiscent of his role in SAVING MR. BANKS. He is charming and finds adventure once again with his family and the most unlikely of friends.

DeVito as Max is trying to keep the circus afloat and the whisperings of making things better by Vandevere push him. Devito is always a joy to watch because he makes every character just that – a character.

Parker as Milly wants science over circus and her family back as it was. Dumbo becomes her emotional respite. Hobbins as Joe loves the flying elephant and will do anything to keep him safe.

Keaton as Vandevere gets to be a very charming, ruthless and kid-mean character all in one role. Of course this family is a Keaton fan so there isn’t anything we won’t enjoy from him. Green as Colette is under the thumb of her Dreamland boss but starts to understand how absolutely wonderful Dumbo is.

Other cast include Roshan Seth as Pramesh Singh, Lars Eidinger as Hans Brugelbecker, Deobia Oparei as Rongo, Miguel Segura as Ivan the Wonderful, Zenaida Alcalde as Catherine the Great, Phil Zimmerman as Rufus and Alan Arkin as J. Griffin Remington.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

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 Bluray Bonus Extras include Deleted Scenes, Easter Eggs on Parade, Clowning Around Bloopers, Behind the Scenes Look at the Magic of Dumbo and more!

DUMBO made his first appearance in animation in 1941 as the fourth Disney film in the format. Helen Aberson-Mayer wrote the original story as Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

It is clear that this is a Tim Burton film with the grayish tones and even the reds are deep which give hints of trademark.

There are a few nods to the original film but this version has its changes. The story retains the charm of friendship, loyalty, family, extended family, life, death, caring for animals and exposing those who are cruel and malicious.

Those are definitely a staple of Disney films and reason families continue to return again and again to watch them. Some family’s even go as far as making Disney films a tradition in their household. Those of us who grew up on the original animated film appreciate the live-action.

Dumbo teaches to love almost unconditionally and push ourselves to heights we wouldn’t think imaginable – and there is certainly nothing wrong with that!

In the end – a beloved tale that will take you to new heights!

ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. is an Acquired Taste

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres for Thanksgiving weekend from writer/director Dan Gilroy and Columbia Pictures is a different look at the law from the eyes of ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ.

Roman (Denzel Washington) is a lawyer who doesn’t go into the courtroom but instead is responsible for writing the briefs for employer Jackson. Going to work and being in a routine is what works for Roman.

That is until his boss of 30 years has a heart attack and daughter Lynn (Amanda Warren) announces that the office will close and the clients will be taken by George Pierce (Colin Farrell). Roman can not comprehend what is happening but George steps in and offers him a job at his firm.

Wanting to try something different, Roman meets Maya Alston (Carmen Ejogo) who is responsible for a volunteer law service. There meeting is strained and Roman has no choice but to take the job with George.

Their first case is a young man named Derrell (DeRon Horton) who is involved in a store robbery and murder. Roman tries to work the case himself to make a deal with the D.A. in exchange for information regarding the other man who is wanted by police. When that goes wrong, George is furious and Roman spirals.

Doing the unthinkable, he decides to do for himself and experience life outside of the law. When it all becomes too much, Roman does what he has always done – what works for him.

Washington as Israel is a character locked into his ways and has no problem giving his opinion – even if it makes other uncomfortable. His verbal confrontations put him in situations that has consequences and Washington’s performance brings each on head to head on a level that can be dizzying.

Farrell as George wants to do the right thing by Roman but at times you get the feeling he is doing it for his own financial gain. The thing about Farrell is that he has this amazing ability to give us a character that might be a little bit douchey but the performance is worth it. A sharped dressed lawyer seems to suit Farrell and it must be said the women around me had no problem with looking at him.

Ejogo as Maya is a little surprised by Roman’s behavior yet there is something uniquely honest that draws her. They both try to understand one another yet there is still a thin line of disconnect. Jackson as Amanda knows that Roman is an important part of her father’s work and tries to be understanding when Roman has to deal with death.

Other cast includes Lynda Gravatt as Vernita Wells, Hugo Armstrong as Fritz Molinar, Sam Gilroy as Connor Novick, Amari Cheatom as Carter Johnson, Nazneen Contractor as Melina Nassour and Tony Plana as Jessie Salinas.

ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. is a film that deal with several issues of law and the criminal court system. The character of Roman is definitely set in his ways and doesn’t suffer fools. When he feels that the system isn’t fair and those who claim to defend the helpless are not doing just that, Roman strays and Washington takes him to levels that are questionable yet riveting.

Of course this film will be a hard sell I think because the way the character speaks might be just a tad much. I will be honest and say my head was spinning at certain points and the story is fairly predictable as well.

Director Gilroy is sort of a hit and miss for me because I absolutely love the 2014 film Nightcrawler and theatre goers went crazy for Kong: Skull Island. Then there is a lull with other films so I wouldn’t mind having a conversation with him about it all.

In the end – all rise!

THE BEGUILED

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Sophia Coppola and Focus Features is a story of love, jealousy and one man in the middle of THE BEGUILED.

It is Virginia at the time of Civil War as head mistress Miss Martha (Nicole Kidman) keeps the students of her girls school hidden away from war. Teacher Miss Edwina (Kirsten Dunst) gives lessons to the young ladies Alicia (Elle Fanning), Amy (Oona Laurence), Jane (Angourie Rice), Marie (Addison Riecke) and Emily (Emma Howard).

Foraging in the woods, Amy finds Confederate Corporal McBurney (Colin Farrell) wounded up against a tree. Instead of alerting the Union soldiers, she takes him back to the school. Alarmed at what Amy has done, Miss Martha still takes the soldier inside being reminded it is the Christian thing to do. Tending to McBurney's wounds, a decision is made that he will stay until well enough to be turned over to the Union Captain.

Immediately McBurney's presence begins to have an impact on the women and girls of the school. McBurney takes a keen interest in Miss Edwina and she shares her desire to be gone of the school. Miss Martha is also affected by his presence but she maintains an air of Southern hospitality and charm. It is Alicia (Elle Fanning) who makes it clear to McBurney that she is smitten with him.

As he begins to heal, McBurney helps around the grounds with gardening and fixing things. The tensions begin to rise when McBurney and Miss Edwina get closer but one slip brings disaster to the entire house. One fateful error brings a group decision that will change everything each of them thought about themselves and each other.

Kidman as Miss Martha is cool, calm and steadfast - even when her own womanly desires kick in. I love when Kidman puts on a corset and tight chignon and makes it clear that no one is going to mess with her, especially a Confederate soldier with an Irish brogue.  

Farrell as McBurney is charming, dark and doing what ever it takes to survive. Lets be honest, he smolders on screen whether he wants to or not which adds to the intensity in many scenes. Dunst as Edwina is a woman clearly unhappy with life and feeling trapped inside the school. Her performance gives the faraway wants of this character on point.

Fanning as Alicia is the teenage temptress who pretends to follow along with the rules but in fact is trying to find ways to break every one of them. Laurence as Amy wants to believe the best about McBurney and convinces everyone else to do the right thing. Rice as Jane is a mini-Miss Martha with Riecke as Marie and Howard as Emily round out the young girls trying to feel safe in the middle of a war.

In 1971 director Don Siegel brought THE BEGUILED to the screen with Clint Eastwood and Geraldine Page and I loved every frame of that storytelling. That's what makes the 2017 version so difficult for me. Cinematically it is beautiful although I'm not sure how many shots of moss dangling from trees and the sounds of birds I could take over and over again. 

The cast is amazing and I wouldn't have changed a thing about that portion of the film. However, that being said, there is something greatly missing and I can't even tell you what that is. I want to say it seemed the film just went through the motions but that would be insulting Farrell, Kidman, Dunst and the cast that clearly put their all into the film. It is probably my disappointment in the film being remade when the original stands on its own.

I am not a fan of remakes, retellings, rethinkings, or reimaginings as anyone who knows me will tell you. I have said it over and over that the creativity seems to have gone out of Hollywood. Instead of presenting movie goers with new and amazing stories, it seems the decision makers believe that no one will complain if they just recycle (oh look, another "re"!) that they can get by.

This version of THE BEGUILED is a Saturday afternoon relaxing in front of the television type film that will lull the senses and for that I'm saddened. The costuming is stunning which adds a dimension of richness to southern sensibilities.

In the end – innocent until betrayed!