Some interesting films this time around.
“The New Girlfriend” (François Ozon/France)
What Is It? A man deals with his wife’s death by bonding with her best friend
and cross-dressing.
How Is It? You get the sense watching some of Ozon’s other work that these
are the films of a playful, vaguely evil auteur in complete control of his
craft. Unfortunately, “The New Girlfriend” appears to have been made by a
completely different, utterly toothless director. It’s cheap and sleazy,
mistaking melodrama for insight and histrionics for catharsis. A crushing
disappointment. [C]
“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” (Alfonso Gomez-Rejon/USA)
What Is It? An awkward teenager befriends a girl with terminal cancer.
How Is It? Gomez-Rejon’s last feature (also his first), the spectacular,
woefully underseen horror film “The Town that Dreaded Sundown”,
introduced a director full of promise, and ‘Earl’ at least partially makes good
on that. Thankfully avoiding the twee affectations of most teen movies, it’s a
simultaneously funny and melancholic film about self-loathing and
coming-of-age. In short, it genuinely has the potential to become a cultural
icon. [B+]
“Behavior” (Ernesto Daranas/Cuba)
What Is It? A young boy must navigate the difficulties of growing up poor in
Havana.
How Is It? If you’ve seen one neo-realist film, you’ve seen them all. Daranas
takes many, many cues from the great Roberto Rossellini and his “Germany
Year Zero” in particular; while there is nothing overtly bad about “Behavior”,
there is similarly nothing to recommend it. [B-]
“Strangerland” (Kim Farrant/Australia)
What Is It? After their two children are kidnapped, a couple’s dark past is
slowly revealed. Features Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving, and Joseph Fiennes.
How Is It? Dust and dysfunction reign in this sturdy little Aussie thriller.
Kidman and Fiennes deliver compelling performances, and while the film has its
moments (a dust storm sequence is a particular standout), its shortcomings lie
in the fact that both main characters are essentially enigmas. Kidman’s
character in particular seems have been created by some Mad Libs screenwriting
exercise since her character literally changes personalities from scene to
scene. Still worth a watch for the camerawork if nothing else. [B]
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