Greetings again from the darkness. Mother-Daughter relationships have been the theme for many fine movies throughout various genres over the years. Some of the best that come to mind include: LADY BIRD (2017), THE FLORIDA PROJECT (2017), MAMMA MIA! (2008), LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2006), THE JOY LUCK CLUB (1993), TERMS OF ENDEARMENT (1983), MOMMIE DEAREST (1981), CARRIE (1976), and going back many years, the classic MILDRED PIERCE (1945). The common thread here is the complicated, yet unbreakable bond between mother and daughter. Writer-director Annie Baker, who won a 2014 Pulitzer Prize for her play “The Flick”, has managed to create a film with a mother-daughter relationship that fits right into the above list, while also bringing a unique perspective.
Eleven-year-old Lacy sneaks out of her summer camp cabin, and through the darkness makes her way to the office payphone. The first line of dialogue we hear is Lacy (Zoe Ziegler) saying, “I’m going to kill myself if you don’t come get me.” The next morning, mother Janet (Julianne Nicholson) arrives and a packed up Lacy discovers she actually had made a friend, but since it’s too late to remain at camp, she questions why mom had to bring boyfriend Wayne (Will Patton) along. “Wayne” is the first chapter of the story, but as we learn, single mom Janet has had a revolving door of lovers and friends. It’s 1991, the summer between fifth and sixth grade for Lacy, and as an outcast in her age group, she desperately wants to be close to her mom.
Their rural home is surrounded by nature, and Janet runs her acupuncture business while Lacy hikes to piano lessons … when she’s not asking if she can sleep in mom’s bed. Wayne doesn’t last long, and Chapter 2 “Regina” bounds in next, thanks to a local art colony performance that allows old friends to reconnect. Regina (Sophie Okonedo) appreciates the free room and has some nice moments with Lacy – except for the shampoo and long stints in the shared bathroom. When Regina moves on, Chapter 3’s “Avi” (Elias Koteas) begins getting close to Janet. By now we understand that everyone loves Janet, and that’s an emotional hurdle for young Lacy.
The adults are a bit tiresome, and Janet even confesses that she worries about her parenting approach. Yet, those concerns don’t impact her free-wheeling ways, and we see she’s as lonely and broken as her daughter. Lacy says, “I don’t have any friends”, and we don’t doubt it. As an outsider she’s very observant, if not a bit depressed. Julianne Nicholson is exceptional as always, and first-timer Zoe Ziegler is a rare find. We can only hope she finds her way into a Wes Anderson movie before she grows out of this stage. Cinematographer Maria von Hausswolff has a style that perfectly complements director Baker’s slow pacing and the unusual setting. As the summer turns to “The Fall”, a local square dance provides the perfect ending … and reinforces all that we’ve learned about mother and daughter. Another little gem from A24.
In select theaters on June 21, 2024 and nationwide on June 28, 2024
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness. I thought the same thing. How can a movie featuring a giant talking macaw make any dramatic sense, or deliver a message that’s worth hearing? Well, the first feature film from writer-director Daina Oniunas-Pusic does just that. We know the best fantasy stories and fables are based on harsh realities, and there is no reality more harsh than the fact that death comes for all of us. Now, whether death comes by the Grim Reaper, an Angel of Death, or a talking, size-shifting red macaw may be up for debate, but filmmaker Pusic and the cast deliver an immensely creative and thought-provoking look at death and all stages of grief.
Greetings again from the darkness. Historically, we’ve been treated to Western movies that were heavy on tense gunfights and macho morality … white hats vs black hats. However, if you’ve been paying attention these past few years, you’ve likely noticed a shift in tone. Westerns have become more attuned to the sensibilities of real people, and less enamored with quick-draws. This may be the directorial debut of writer-director Jake Allyn, but it’s not his first rodeo (couldn’t resist). Allyn wrote the screenplay and starred in NO MAN’S LAND (2020), which was directed by his brother Conor. For this film, he co-wrote the screenplay with Josh Plasse, his co-star in “The Baxters”. Both men also play brothers here.
Greetings again from the darkness. I am always in awe of filmmakers who find a way to connect with viewers through short films. And this latest animated film from director Jumai Yusuf is exceptionally short at just 7 minutes (including credits). Now you may be one of those who swears it takes longer than that for a story to affect you, and if so, this one provides a nice litmus test.
Greetings again from the darkness. It’s fairly common for a film to open with a dramatic scene and then take us back for a period of time to show how the story arrived at this point. Of course, the other logical option would be to have that scene serve as the beginning of the story. What happens with this film is rare: The storytelling goes backwards AND forwards. We learn how the characters got to this point and we learn what happens after this moment. The person to thank for this is writer-director Viggo Mortensen. Highly regarded as an actor for years, Mortensen had one previous filmmaking project, FALLING (2020), which made the festival rounds.
Greetings again from the darkness. No dialogue is spoken for the first two minutes, which is significant when you note this is a 16-minute Short Film. That first couple of minutes features Mrs. Kelly (Brid Ni Neachtain, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, 2022) diligently going about her business as housekeeper and assistant for a rural Irish priest. As she polishes shoes, vacuums the church, and scrubs the tub, it’s clear Mrs. Kelly is a woman of faith and structure.
Greetings again from the darkness. Director Luca Guadagnino continues to prove that he excels at making gorgeous-looking movies featuring gorgeous-looking actors. Previous proof includes SUSPIRIA (2018), CALL ME BY YOUR NAME (2017), A BIGGER SPLASH (2015), and now this latest, with a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes. If you are looking for a film that oozes flashy style and sex appeal, you’ve chosen the right movie. You can even pretend it’s a tennis movie, though you’re not likely to fool anyone.
Greetings again from the darkness. When Greg Townsend states, ‘hard work overcomes hard luck’, it’s as much a reminder to himself as it is a motivation for the boys he’s dealing with. The film from writer-director RJ Daniel Hanna (MISS VIRGINIA, 2019) and co-writer Christian Sander is inspired by a true story, and comfortably fits into the ‘inspirational sports story’ category, perhaps most similar to MCFARLAND USA (2015) starring Kevin Costner.
Greetings again from the darkness. This is based on the true story of Irena Gut Opdyke who, during WWII, vowed “If I could save a life, I would.” Directed by Louise Archambault, it has been adapted for the screen by Dan Gordon, who was the playwright for the hit Broadway play. Cinema has been utilized many times over the years to shine a light on so many who acted altruistically in protecting Jews from the Nazis. Some of these heroes saved one life, while others saved hundreds. The courage of these folks deserves to be remembered.
Greetings again from the darkness. “It’s us or them.” That’s a line spoken by one of the ICE officers after a particularly physical and dangerous altercation with an illegal immigrant. In this particular instance, the words ring true. However, writer-director Marco Perego and co-writer Rick Rapoza show both sides of this coin that has generated so much passionate debate among politicians and the citizenry. The film strives to show the humanity of all involved, and how a lack of humanity can cause more problems than it solves.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 