I went to see this Chilean import after it won the best foreign film Oscar. It is sincere but unexceptional (with one standout, however). Apparently the social stigma against homosexuality and the transgendered is strong in Chile; an open wound, in fact. Director Sebastian Lelio (who co-wrote with Gonzalo Meza) presented this subject with sympathy, […]
Once this gorgeous, heartfelt homage to movie musicals settles into the deep feelings of its two lead characters, it started to involve me more. I admit that movie musicals are not usually among my favorites. I like films with strong stories, and, frankly, musicals rarely emphasize the story. And the musicals with some of the […]
This new film, the Weinstein Company’s Oscar hopeful, is in a genre that I call “Life Affirmance”. Such films are usually based on the compelling experiences of real people, and are designed to connect to audiences on a deeply personal level. They nearly always end on an upbeat note, where some kind of triumph […]
