Movie Review - All is True

All is True follows the final years of William Shakespeares’ life. Shortly after his theater burns down in London, Shakespeare (Kenneth Branagh) returns to his family life in Stratford-Upon-Avon, where he reignites his relationship with his wife, Anne (Judi Dench) and advises the relationships of his two adult daughters. Moving back home brings back old demons, such as the guilt that he feels over the death of his young son, which occurred many years ago, while Shakespeare was away from his family.

All is True is a fascinating, affecting, and surprising story about the most famous writer in history. The surprising aspect comes from how the film focuses on ordinary life. Shakespeare was very famous in his day, but when he returns to his hometown, people do not treat him as a celebrity. If anything, he gets a standoffish vibe from those who do not understand how he could leave his family or those who might think that the theatre is an unfit profession. He is not valued by many of the townsfolk, who tend to be very religious and work in trade. Shakespeare doesn’t flaunt his fame, as he has returned home to focus on his family. He even takes on the task of creating a garden. He returns to a rather mundane and ordinary life.

Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet died at age eleven, while Shakespeare was working in London. Shakespeare never got over the death of his beloved son and felt a tremendous amount of not only grief, but guilt at having missed the funeral. Shakespeare was told that Hamnet died from the plague, but when he returns home, the truth of Hamnet’s death is finally revealed. I don’t want to spoil it in this review., but I felt it was the heart of the story. The reason for the death and the trauma that reverberates throughout the entire Shakespeare family is the central drama of All is True. It deals with themes beyond grief, also speaking to the idea of talent, sexism, and favoritism.

Shakespeare’s talent and words have stood the test of time, yet it is revealed that he was not a scholar. He did not come from an educated background and was not wealthy. He was very much a self-made man. His wife is also uneducated and could not even sign her name on their marriage certificate. A sweet moment comes when Anne learns to write her name and as a surprise for her husband, she replaces the penmark on their marriage certificate with her signature.

The film makes clear that Shakespeare felt a tremendous purpose in his calling to work in the theatre, yet he was conflicted, because it meant that he could not be present as a husband and father. All is True shows him desperate to make sure that his family is set up for the future, including worrying about inheritances for his daughters. His daughter Susanna (Lydia Wilson) is married to a local minister, who has a very rigid morality code. His daughter Judith (Kathryn Wilder) has resisted marriage, until finally becoming romantically involved with a scandalous man who has impregnated another woman in town. The two daughters could not be living different lives. Shakespeare is concerned that his daughters are both happy and that their financial futures are secure, an idea of great importance, as women of the era were exempt from inheritances and Shakespeare did not have any male heirs.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the outstanding performances from this renowned cast. Branagh was unrecognizable as Shakespeare, as he completely melted into the role. The real standout with a truly meaty role goes to Wilder, as daughter Judith. Judith is a woman in immense pain and she suffers from both the decisions of her past and the uncertainty of her future. She’s also a bit of a rebel and the most engaging character.

All is True is a beautiful and emotional film. Well worth seeing!

Movie Review- The Souvenir

In The Souvenir, film student Julie (Honor Swinton Byrne), becomes romantically involved with a deeply troubled man. Julie loves Anthony (Tom Burkes), even though he has a serious drug problem, leading to disturbing and erratic behavior.

I watched The Souvenir this afternoon and I was left with a very mixed impression of the film. It’s beautifully shot, artsy, and very slice-of-life. This is a quiet movie and never strays from feeling realistic, both with plot and tone. I went to the screening knowing nothing about the film, but have since read that it is heavily based on the real life experiences of director/writer Joanna Hogg.

Anthony is a heroin addict, something that is not confirmed until nearly half-way through the film. When this detail is revealed, it gives clarity to his previous bizarre behavior, primarily his sleepy, half-aware manner of being. Julie does not use drugs and she is just about as clean, sweet, and naive as a character can get. Early in the story, we learn than she is a people pleaser and someone who is easily taken advantage of. Anthony seems to have quickly weasled his way into her world and soon, she is racking up debt with her well-to-do parents and loaning the money to her boyfriend.

The reveal about Anthony’s heroin addiction is made when Anthony’s friend mentions it to Julie while over for dinner. The friend doesn’t understand why someone like Julie is dating someone like Anthony. It is unclear as to whether or not Julie actually knew of his addiction, or if this is shocking news to her in the moment. It seems unlikely that she was clueless as to Anthony’s drug addiction, however, in that moment, she does appear to have no idea.

I thought this was odd, but it brings up my biggest issue with the film: much like Anthony’s friend, I don’t understand how Julie and Anthony fell in love. It doesn’t add up. The first time the characters interact is over a very strained, business like lunch in a hotel. I’m not even sure how they met, yet their relationship goes from zero to sixty. I found there to be very little chemistry between the two characters throughout the film. It was more that they were in an odd, co-dependent relationship, than actually in love. Anthony needs Julie to give him money and to make him feel somewhat normal. Julie needs to care for Anthony and to please him. The needs were present, but the love was absent. Unfortunately, there are real world situations like this, but in a film, it makes for a long two hours.

Despite not caring for the characters, I did enjoy the performances of the lead actors, especially Byrne, who is the daughter of actress Tilda Swinton, who play’s Julies mother in the film. Byrne was fantastic. She is a newcomer, but truly someone with star potential.

The Souvenir is set in England in the 90’s, but its theme of heroin addiction is unfortunately current to the terrible opioid crisis afflicting the United States. Most striking is a scene where Julie’s mother (Tilda Swinton) breaks down in tears while sharing a bed with her daughter. Her heart is breaking for her daughter. I’m not sure at what point Julie’s parents realize that their daughter is in love with a drug addict, but they make the choice to support both her and him. There is never a point where they confront her or force her to make a choice. They must notice the dysfunction, but they stay quiet and supportive. In one scene, they come over to Julie’s house to celebrate Julie’s birthday and they sit at a table, where there is an newly broken mirror on the wall. The problems are obvious, even if they go unspoken. I found this aspect of the film to be the most realistic and the most crushing. I’m positive that this mirrors the reality that many loved ones have with the addicts in their lives, both an enabling and helpless scenario.

Ultimately, the story never allowed me to care for Anthony. I had a degree of empathy for his addiction, but I never connected with him, which in turn, made it impossible to care for his relationship with Julie. I just wanted her to get away from him as fast as possible. Their relationship was destroying her life, including her dreams of becoming a filmmaker.

From a visual standpoint, there was one scene that made a huge impression on me. Julie and Anthony are having a difficult moment in a hotel room, but the audience experiences the scene through a mirror reflection, rather than a direct shot. It was jarring and took me out of the film, reminding me that I’m an audience member, a witness or voyeur to Julie and Anthony’s tumultuous relationship. The Souvenir has many scenes, where Julie and Anthony are partially blocked or not even shown. In the hotel scene, where we are first introduced to Anthony, we only see him from a side angle and the scene is shot at a distance, as if we are sitting at another table and eavesdropping on this couple. Placing the audience member at a distance is a bold and distinctive choice, that gave me the impression of experiencing a visual arts exhibition and less like I was swept away by a story. I’m not sure if it was effectual, but it definitely was a deliberate choice.

The Souvenir is slow paced, but it has stellar performances. The story is uneven, yet tackles heavy issues with a strong dose of compassion. I found it worth seeing, yet I’m not sure that I’d recommend it. Usually writing down my thoughts gives me clarity, but I’m still not sure how I felt about The Souvenir. I did read that a sequel is in the works and I cannot imagine where the sequel will go or whether it is necessary.

Movie Review- Peter Rabbit

PLOT- Peter Rabbit ( James Corden) and the other local wildlife are thrilled when old Mr. McGregor (Sam Neill) suddenly passes away. They now have safe access to gorge themselves in McGregor's garden and they quickly take over his former home. The party is short lived, when the new owner of the home, Mr. Thomas McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson), the senior McGregor's nephew, takes up residence in his uncle's home. Like his uncle, the new Mr. McGregor will pull out all of the stops to keep critters from entering his garden.

McGregor's becomes smitten with his next door neighbor, Bea (Rose Byrne) who has a soft spot for wildlife, especially the rabbits. Peter, who has lost his parents, views Bea as a mother figure and he rallies the other animals to start a war against McGregor in the name of saving both their garden and their beloved Bea. 

LIKE- Dan and I had seen the Peter Rabbit trailer for months and every single time, we laughed. We had planned to see it on Valentine's Day, but couldn't make it happen. Luckily, we were able to catch it during our March trip to Washington. I'm happy to report that the trailer did not give away all of the best parts and we were laughing from start to finish. I'm fairly certain that we enjoyed it more than the kids in the audience, although this is certainly a great pick for a family film.

Normally, I don't like slap-stick and Peter Rabbit is filled with slap-stick. However, there is something about slap-stick with woodland creatures that's hilarious. It works because the writing is sharp and none of the action is gratuitous. Corden makes me laugh and he is perfect as Peter. I didn't realize until I saw the credits, but several other stars lend their voices, including Margot Robbie, Sia, and Daisy Ridley. 

I like how they've turned Peter Rabbit author/illustrator Beatrix Potter, into a character. In the film, Bea is a painter and her main subjects are the rabbits. A wonderful and sentimental nod to Peter Rabbit's creator. Bea's paintings are in the same style as Potter's original illustrations and may even be the originals. The film does a great job at blending classic and modern elements. 

The antagonist, the young McGregor, has a sympathetic side. Prior to learning that he has inherited his uncle's home, he learns that he was passed over for a much deserved promotion at Harrod's, where he works in the toy department. Devastated, he has a mental breakdown, quits his job, and moves into the country home that he has inherited. McGregor is the opposite of Peter. Where Peter likes to take risks and live for the moment, McGregor is a planner, he plays it safe. Quitting his job was probably the biggest risk that he has ever taken and clearly out of character. Peter likes to get rewards through risks, while McGregor sees rewards coming from hard work. Rabbit and human aside, these are two very different men. McGregor is certainly the antagonist, but he's also a likable character. The ending comes with both Peter and McGregor coming to terms with their own flaws and working together for the greater good that is the love of Bea.

As a bonus, it's primarily set in England's Lake District, which is a beautiful part of the country. It's a visually pretty film.

DISLIKE- Nothing. I throughly enjoyed Peter Rabbit, it far exceeded my expectations, which were already somewhat high.

RECOMMEND- YES!!! Dan and I have already decided to buy a digital copy of Peter Rabbit when it is released. It will be watched many times in our household. I also recommended it to a friend who has a nine year old daughter. Peter Rabbit is a great family film, one that is enjoyable for both adults and children.