Family Gets Together for MY MOTHER’S WEDDING

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Kristin Scott Thomas, John Micklethwait and Vertical comes a story of women with connected history at MY MOTHER’S WEDDING.

Royal Navy Captain Katherine Frost (Scarlett Johansson) is about to head home for Mom Diana’s (Kristin Scott Thomas) wedding, well her third. Katherine’s father was Navy pilot John Frost who died when she was young leaving Diana, Katherine and sister Georgina (Emily Beecham) on their own. Frost’s best friend Johnny Monson becomes Diana’s second husband and they have daughter Victoria (Sienna Miller) who is an actress. Follow so far?

Well, now Diana is set to marry Geoff Loveglove (James Fleet) and the daughters have come together to witness and celebrate as only this family can. That doesn’t mean the get-together does come with extra baggage as Katherine deals with partner Jack (Freida Pinto) and son Marcus (Fflyn Edwards), Victoria deals with her love life as an actress and Georgina just tries to find answers with her own family and husband Jeremy (Joshua McGuire).

As the wedding approaches, there are memories all around the women but the questions become who remembers what, how much of it do they really understand and are the answers going to be what they hoped for? That’s what family gatherings are all about and sometimes there are tears for a different reason all together. Gotta love getting together to celebrate right?

Johansson as Frost is a woman trying to move up the military ladder knowing that it all comes at a price. Returning for her mother’s wedding, the family home brings up memories of her father and the time they had together. That’s a difficult thing to share as sister Georgina doesn’t remember much and Victoria wasn’t born. Feeling alone in it all, it seeps into her relationships and the cracks are showing. Johansson does such a beautiful job portraying a woman wearing many, pardon the pun, hats in all her relationships.  

Beecham as sister Georgina has very few memories of her father but is too busy dealing with her own family problems and her marriage. I loved watching Beecham’s character literally bloom before our very eyes. Admittedly, I went from rolling my eyes at Georgina to yelling and cheering for her. That’s the sign of an amazing character and Beecham brings it all to the screen. Miller as Victoria is the sister that manages to annoy just a tad with her actress ways. Always trying to solve problems in her own unique way, Miller captures her sister issues while wondering where her own love life may be headed. I loved watching Miller be the flighty sister but with a heart.                                     

Thomas as Diana is happy to be marrying once again, finding love a third time and all the fun that comes with it. She is well aware of her daughters and their differences but that isn’t going to stop her from having a wonderful wedding day. Thomas gives us a look at a mother who has clearly seen it all and wants what’s best for her daughters by allowing them their memories without her input – until she has to. A bit flighty like Victoria, it proves the casting is pure perfection.

Pinto as Jack wants more from Katherine making it clear that everything isn’t about her career. Being the homebody, for Jack, means her needs need to be equally as important. Pinto is charming and absolutely lovely in this role and I’m so pleased to see her again on the screen. Edwards as Marcus knows of his mother’s career, now it is time to actually understand it, but not before having wedding cake. McGuire as Jeremy has problems of his own to deal with but is more interested in what he wants than what his family wants. Fleet as Geoff clearly is in love with Diana and even though the women can get a little testy at times when they are together, he is supportive and so darn charming.

Other cast include Mark Stanley as Charlie, Jamie Schneider as Tom, Josephine Jones as Daisey, Ziggy Gardner as Skylar, Lydia Jones as Clara, Samson Kayo as Steve and Michael Spicer as Ted.

Vertical Entertainment is a global independent distributor that offers a unique wealth of experience minus the studio costs. They have won a Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress for Molly Shannon’s role in OTHER PEOPLE and the film won a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film Limited Release, Best International Film for Babak Anvari’s UNDER THE SHADOW, a BAFTA and three Independent British Independent Film Awards as well.

Director Thomas says of her film, “At its heart, MY MOTHER’S WEDDING is about allowing characters to breathe-to be imperfect, humorous, and heartbreakingly genuine. As an actress, I’ve forever sought roles that empower and celebrate the complexities of female characters. In MY MOTHER’S WEDDING, I endeavor to do just that. I hope my film leaves audiences debating the complexities in a family, marriage, motherhood and fate.”

Adding thoughts is producer Finola Dwyer, “Three sisters come back to the family home for their mother’s third wedding. You can tell from the start that it’s a fractious relationship. So, you’re going to be in for fireworks! The house is full of memories and the three of them have never really come to terms with the deaths of their fathers.”

Anyone who has been to a wedding knows that although it is a time for celebrations, it is also a time for dysfunction in the families to eek out. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a wedding where I learned something about the inner workings of unresolved tensions. Here are three sisters who have three very different memories of growing up but need to learn that everyone sees things differently, especially children. Where these three have gone wrong is acknowledging that they love one another despite seeing things differently.

The whole story is engaging and it feels like family while we, the viewers, are sort of eavesdropping on their conversations and memories. The twists and turns provide us with nods of “yep, I get it”, “are you kidding me?” and finally, “I need to call me sister!”. I was pulled in immediately and went for the ride that Thomas, Johannson, Beechum and Miller took me on without hesitation. The next family wedding is in two weeks, I’m ready!

In the end – celebrate love all over again!

Voices Ring Out from MILITARY WIVES

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and other VOD platforms for Memorial Day weekend from director Peter Cattaneo and Bleecker Street comes the story of friendship and song with the MILITARY WIVES.

It is not easy as British military wives watch their husbands from Flitcroft base pack up for their assignment to Afghanistan in 2009. Kate (Kristin Scott Thomas) and Lisa (Sharon Horgan) make it a point to find something constructive for the wives to do in their Social Committee. After many suggestions, a choir seemed to be the ideal choice since knitting doesn’t go over very well.

Kate is a strong presence and very opinionated about how things should go, and Lisa tries to find a way around it. Having some musical ability, Lisa attempts to guide the women into singing songs that they can have fun with as Kate is more serious in her choices.

Both women have their own family issues as Lisa tries to maintain a strained relationship with daughter Frankie (India Amarteifio) and Kate continues to hide the mourning of her son from everyone.

But the women learn to work together and have a few missteps until they learn that they have been invited to sing at The Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. Tensions rise and so do tempers as the performance day nears and the women must come together, or it will all fall apart.

Thomas as Kate is a woman trying to keep up an emotional front and not let anyone see her pain. Seeing her husband off almost seems a relief so that she can be alone. Thomas puts up a hard front until it begins to crack brought on by the choir and her constant head butting with Lisa.

Horgan as Lisa is a woman who is also keeping up an emotional front of being unphased by her husband’s recent deployment. Her detachment affects the relationship with daughter Frankie and instead of dealing with that, she throws herself music first into the choir.

Thomas and Horgan carry the film and give the viewer a glimpse inside the lives of this group of women as they sing their way into a better place in their lives. The women of the choir cast gave me many reasons to smile and a few moments of laughter. Seeing their two leaders have a go at one another doesn’t sway them from their purpose of song.

Other cast include: Robert Whitelock as Malc, Stephen Thompson as Stuart, Robbie Gee as Red, Roxy Faridany as Dawn, Greg Wise as Richard, Laura Checkley as Maz, Laura Elphinstone as Helen, Amy Kelly as Sarah, Emma Lowndes as Annie, Lara Rossi as Ruby and Gaby French as Jess.

Bleeker Street is a New York City film company that has brought outstanding films to the public. Their library includes TRUMBO, DENIAL, THE LOST CITY OF Z, BEIRUT, HOTEL MUMBAI, ORDINARY LOVE and THE ROADS NOT TAKEN. For more information on the titles from Bleeker Street please visit www.bleeckerstreetmedia.com.

MILITARY WIVES is the story of more than just one group of women as the Military Wives Choirs have over 75 groups on military bases across the UK. They have performed in such places as the Royal Albert Hall and for Queen Elizabeth. Their performances have brought about donations to the Royal British Legion and the SSAFA Forces charity.

What is truly enjoyable about the film is that for a moment in time, these women come together to find a way to deal with their struggles. Of course, it is about their husbands going so far from home and in a dangerous situation but, it is also about their feelings, at home raising kids, and finding something greater than themselves.

There are intense emotions to be sure, but there is also a bit of fun and lots of music. The film has a cast that effortlessly portray people we all could know, are related to and love. That is important when reaching an audience who already live in a world full of uncertainty.

In the end – united they sing!

TOMB RAIDER - Spoiler Alert and Rant Ahead!!

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this Friday from director Roar Uthaug and Warner Bros. Pictures is the beginning adventure of Lara Croft becoming the Tomb Raider.

Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander) is a young woman trying to find her place by making it on her own. She really doesn't need to since her father Lord Richard Croft (Dominic West), who has been missing for seven years, left his daughter an inheritance. When family friend Ana Miller (Kristin Scott Thomas) bails Lara out of a problem, she is told it is time to sign the papers legally declaring her father dead.

Agreeing to finally do so, family lawyer Mr. Yaffe (Derek Jacobi) is presented with a puzzle and in it is something that sets Lara off on a quest for answers. Finding clues to the last place her father went, she discovers a diary and maps along with a cryptex with a story about a Japanese Queen and a power that has the capability of world destruction.

Lara makes her way to the Far East in search of a man named Lu Ren, instead she finds the son, also Lu Ren (Daniel Wu) who is shocked to learn that they have something in common. Explaining that they both need answers about their fathers, Lu and Lara head off to a dangerous island that shows them no mercy.

So much so that the ship is grounded and Lara is washed ashore only to be taken by Mathias Vogel (Walton Coggins). He is thrilled at the new island arrival because she holds the answers he has spent seven years looking for. Lara has no plan on letting Vogel get away with what he is doing and manages to escape. In an adventure within an adventure, she is surprised to find someone else on the island she hasn't expected to see.

Vogel finds the tomb and along with his well weaponized mercenaries forces Lara to go in first and lead them to the final resting place of the Queen of Death. The horror that awaits them is nothing they are prepared for but that isn't going to stop Lara from doing the right thing and save the world!

Vikander as Lara shows the beginnings of Lara Croft and how hard headed and yet still an adrenaline junkie she is. Wanting to avoid signing the papers declaring her father dead, she is told by Ana that if it doesn’t happen, Lara will lose everything that her father built. Vikander literally jumps into action and I can clearly see why she was chosen to be a younger Lara Croft.

Coggins as Vogel has made being a bad guy so deliciously easy. All balled up with anger at being forced to live in a dangerous place for seven years, he isn’t very forgiving. Looking for the one thing that can bring him home means nothing or no one, not even Lara Croft, is going to get in his way. Coggins is an actor who can play a good guy (or gal), a mediocre guy and a bad guy – all with such skill. Can you tell I’m a fan?

Wu as the younger Lu Ren is a boat owner who doesn't want to get involved with Lara's mystery. Talking him into it isn't hard and after being thrown on the island with Lara, he jumps into the action when seeing how wrong everything around him is. Of course I am a serious fan of Wu and if you've seen the AMC series Into the Badlands where he plays Sunny, you'd be hooked on him too.

West as Lord Richard Croft raises his young daughter but leads a very secretive life. As Lara gets older she accepts her father's 'business' trips with ease knowing that her father loves her. West takes the role of Richard and gives the audience a little more back story and experience the father-daughter relationship.

Thomas as Ana has been keeping Croft Holdings up and running for Lara but knows its time for decisions to be made so she doesn't lose what her father has left behind. I have to say I love seeing Thomas taken on a shady character.

Other cast includes: Alexandre Willaume, Tamer Burjaq, Adrian Collins, Keenan Arrison, Andrian Mazive, Milton Schorr and a cameo by Nick Frost.

Okay, time to get real and announce this is where there may be a few spoilers because there is no way to talk about the film without letting things slip here and there. So if you don't want to know - check out right here - still here? Then prepare for a rant.

I want to be taken away and go on an adventure when I'm watching a movie that is suppose to be, well, an adventure. Then a scene takes me completely out of it and I'm spending the rest of the time seeing nothing but what's wrong. Let’s begin being hit by a car, I realize she is Lara Croft but, um, yea, a car usually puts people out of commission for a day at least. Then again I guess that’s what one does when dealing with daddy issues.

Then there is a camera left behind seven years after Richard Croft's disappearance. Lara finds it and - low and behold - it works. Really? REALLY? My cell phone can't hold a charge for more than a day and this frikken camera is still working after seven years?

Also, knowing a thing or two about keeping a house - is it me or shouldn’t there be more dust and cobwebs in an office that has been left untouched for seven years. I mean not a single cobweb?

Onward trying not to shake my head, the next jaw dropper - I could be wrong but when a tree stabs you in the side and you get sewn up, do you (less than 8 hours later) run top speed through the jungle like Katniss Everdeen hunting President Snow? It could be she is a descendant of Legolas from Lord of the Rings with the ability to run and shoot rapid arrows at close range. Maybe it’s Indian Jones figuring out the traps so that she can get her hands on the Grail? That can’t be possible since Dan Brown has taken care of that faux cup right? Professor Jones must feel sheepish.

I mean seriously we have had the Grail, Priory, Illuminati which, by the way, the original Lara Croft’s father was a part of. Since that’s been covered, it’s on to the new secret sect of crazies called the Trinity. My head is spinning.

Yes, I am completely over it which once again proves to my stubborn self that there is no reason to redo films that are perfectly okay as they are. The thought process should have been this; how about saving millions of dollars and have a Lara Croft: Tomb Raider marathon of the original films and pocket money without out really spending millions. Oh I know, I'm going to get garbage about how old the other film is or how a "new generation" needs a revamp of the story. I'm calling b.s. on that Hollywood.

And as far as the theme song does it really have to be 'Survivor'? This song has been played into the dirt and this is the best you could come up with? What's with calling the film TOMB RAIDER as if Lara Croft is an after thought. Did you think that leaving it off would mean people wouldn't IMDB it to see that this is a remake, rethink, reimaging or anything else re?

So here is the deal - is the film heinous? No, it's just annoying and I hate being annoyed. Is it a good cast? Yes, and in lies another dilemma for me. I don't have issue with the cast at all, I am a Vikander, West and Wu fan and am completely in love with anything Walton Coggins does. I mean really, any guy who can pull off the ever so lovely Venus Van Damn with a heart of gold to sway Tig from Sons of Anarchy fame works for me completely. That’s where my thumbs up ends.

Come on studios! Are you going to rely on Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Alfonso Cuaron and Spike Jonze to do all the original film heavy lifting forever?

In the end – her legend begins.