Reliving Trauma in MAY DECEMBER

 

A well-acted drama inspired by actual events, May December is a somber exploration into human behavior and uncovering the past.  Directed with sensitivity by Todd Haynes (Carol, Far From Heaven), it is a fascinating ‘story behind the story’ kind of film.

At a home in Georgia, a mom and dad interact with their teen kids. Into this setting comes an actress, Elizabeth (Natalie Portman), who is preparing to star in a movie about their illicit, now infamous affair between a then 36 year old married woman, Gracie (Julianne Moore), and a 13 year old student, Joe (Charles Melton is impressive as adult Joe).  As she gathers fragments of information and recollections, her journey into their lives is an attempt to understand and reconstruct what happened and how this has affected them in the present.  While Gracie and Joe prepare for their children’s graduation, Elizabeth gets to the heart of the matter which reopens a painful past and creates emotional upheaval.

 By peering beyond superficial appearances, the film explores how these principals originally connected and how people’s lives were affected and even traumatized.  Upon deeper inspection, there is a level of tension that builds slowly and some dark secrets slowly emerge.  The dynamic between Gracie and an adult Joe is a complicated relationship; these are deeply troubled individuals.  Were they naïve or deliberately intent on their relationship, and what is truth and fiction? 

Some may find the film’s deliberate pacing slow and tedious, but Haynes is carefully painting a realistic, methodical narrative.  Getting to the essence of the real story is its overriding theme, and while the film ultimately opens old wounds and shakes up perceived, normal lives in favor of a sobering reality, it is a rich, character study. 

**** of ***** stars    on Netflix

Terp Coaching Legend

 

Coach Charles "Lefty" Driesell has passed at 92. This legend of college basketball never won the NCAA Championship, but he won on every other level with NIT and ACC Championships and countless NCAA tournament appearances resulting in numerous Coach of the Year honors. 

With a lifetime record of 786 wins and 394 losses, he won more than 100 games at four different NCAA division 1 schools earning a reputation as "the greatest program builder in the history of basketball". He spent the most time at University of Maryland at College Park, my alma mater, (even visiting for a sit down chat with our dormitory when I was a student) where he achieved greatness and could beat the best teams in the country. Those were glorious times.

A Super Super Bowl

 

They say this season was a setup. It sure seemed to play out as if destined, but give Kansas City props for defying the odds. I only feel badly for Shanahan and SF who could have easily won. With a young QB in Brock Purdy who acquitted himself quite well, they will compete for years to come.  As Usher put on a star studded halftime show, it one heck of a Super Bowl with Overtime too!

Apollo Creed Evermore

 

Actor Carl Weathers has passed at 76. A former football star in college and the pros, he appeared in numerous films and TV shows including In the Heat of the Night, The Shield, Arrested Development, and The Mandalorian. He is primarily known for his roles in films like Happy Gilmore, Force 10 from Navarone, and Predator. He will be fondly remembered as boxer Apollo Creed, his signature role, in four Rocky films.

ARGYLLE and Its Twists and Turns

 

With a visual style akin to his Kingsman films, Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake) directs this entertaining take on the spy genre that brings together a stellar cast and an imaginative plot.

‘A man meets a woman at a club, and it turns into a deadly face off.’ Such is the opening scene in a spy novel by Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard), a celebrated author who lives alone with her cat Alfie. On a train to see her doting mom (Catherine O’Hara in fine form), she is confronted by assassins including a fan/undercover agent, Aiden (Sam Rockwell).  It turns out that Elly’s novels are too close to the truth in the spy world, and only she can provide the next chapter to her story.   She is living a real life adventure where she alone holds the key, but who can she trust?  As she crisscrosses the globe, her reality comes into sharper focus, and some secrets emerge that will greatly change her life if she survives.

The film is constructed as an elaborate ruse with a diabolical plot that borders on parody alongside flashy set pieces and a sense of humor.  It also functions as a mystery that leads to some interesting misdirects and genuine surprises to keep things fresh.  Elly must cope with her fears and mental block as memories and truths from the past are gradually revealed. (Some plot points recall The Bourne Identity and The Long Kiss Goodnight.) 

There is plenty of action in this well-paced film, and Rockwell is quite appealing as is the supporting cast (including Henry Cavill, Samuel L. Jackson, Bryan Cranston).  Despite an outrageous, over-the-top finish, it is a pleasant diversion (with a mid-credit scene).  Just don’t take it too seriously.

***1/2 of ***** (for Rockwell and cat fans)