May Movies Part 2: Girls State, I Saw the TV Glow, Furiosa, Babes

I spent a lot of time catching up on returning TV shows in May (yes, I am all caught up on Bridgerton, thank you very much), so my movie watching was very erratic. So settle in, I've got a real hodgepodge of reviews for you today!

Girls State: Dust off your Apple TV+ subscription because this documentary is absolutely worth it. I watched its predecessor, Boys State, in 2020, and re-reading my review of it, I'm struck by how one of my criticisms involved the boys talking about abortion rights in purely political terms. Well now, we have this movie, where the Girls get a chance to take part in this week-long immersive program to learn how the different branches of government operate. And given that the program kicks off in 2022 right when the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade was leaked, it is thrilling to see how these young women react and discuss this seismic policy shift that will have very real implications for their bodily autonomy.

This movie follows the 2022 Girls State program in Missouri, and interestingly, the decision was made to run the Boys and Girls program during the same week, which has never happened before. The two are still separated, but a big part of the narrative of this movie involves the girls seeing how differently the boys program is run, with the boys spending a lot more time on policy-making, while the girls seem to be saddled with cupcake parties and more frivolous discussions, while also being tyrannically forced to abide by dress codes and curfews. We follow a diverse (both ethnically and politically) group of young women who are passionate about their interests, but also navigating the awkwardness of teenage social etiquette, and over the course of the week, it is so heartening to watch them gain more confidence, speak up for their beliefs, and make deep connections with other young girls. And more importantly, point out the inequities in Boys State vs Girls State. 

This is a moving, thrilling, fundamentally wonderful documentary that should remind us all that the kids are all right. Yes, they all have varying beliefs and some of their political ideology can be ridiculous, but the respect and kindness they show one another is something we can only hope continues into adulthood. It should serve as a template for us all on how to behave in our current fractured political climate.

I Saw the TV Glow: OK, I did not really get this movie. My fiance assures me that it is wonderful, and deep, and very meaningful, so if you are super into vibes and the narrative of "escaping your smalltown America existence" this movie might be the best thing you watch all year. But if you're like me and prefer movies that have more straightforward plot and dialogue, you might leave the theater more perplexed than when you walked in. 

Written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun, this is a movie about young Owen (played by Ian Foreman as a seventh grader, but then Justice Smith from high school into adulthood), a loner kid who runs into Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine), a slightly older ninth grader, who is a lesbian and is very into a TV show called The Pink Opaque. Owen is not allowed to stay up that late in his own home to watch this show (his father also derides it as being a "show for girls"), but he manages to visit Maddy to watch an episode. This TV show forms the basis of their connection for the next few years of school. Then, the two of them have to deal with their individual realities, and their paths diverge.

The production design and aesthetic of this movie are truly excellent - the episodes of The Pink Opaque that we get to see are so ridiculous and perfectly capture the terrible special effects, silly dialogue, and earnestness of teenage fantasy dramas of the 90s. This is a film that manages to capture what nostalgia feels like and the intenseness of loving something passionately when you're a teenager because it feels like the only exciting thing you have going on in your life. But subsequently, the movie takes a turn, and the second half felt a bit more jumbled up and incoherent to me. If you're queer, this film might resonate a lot more with you, as the vibes are probably dialed in perfectly to your frequency. It's a trippy, weird, movie, and while it wasn't for me, it certainly is an ambitious film that could be perfect for a lot of other viewers. 

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga: I can't believe I reviewed Mad Max: Fury Road back in 2015 - oh how time flies. At the time, I waxed lyrical about how this movie was truly all about Charlize Theron's character, Imperator Furiosa. Well now, writer-director George Miller (with co-writer Nico Lathouris) is back and giving the people what they want - a prequel that gives us Furiosa's origin story. 

Anya Taylor-Joy plays the older Furiosa, but the first half of the movie mostly stars Alyla Browne as her younger self. She has grown up in the Green Place, one of the few areas that still has water and agriculture after the rest of the world has turned into a radioactive wasteland following global catastrophe. However, she is abducted by raiders, and becomes the prisoner of a warlord named Dementus (played with evil glee by Chris Hemsworth, who presumably was very excited that he could use his Australian accent on film again). What follows is two and a half hours of action, car chases, and mayhem. 

As with Fury Road, the production design is simply epic, and watching this movie on a big screen is a real treat. We get more lore of this world, where the tyrannical Immortan Joe controls food and water supplies, but also trades with other "fortresses" like Gastown and the Bullet Farm (because fuel and ammunition are the only other major necessities in an apocalyptic wasteland). The actors are great, but the focus is not on dialogue - we're here to watch things blow up and people get killed in increasingly unhinged ways. I would say I was captivated by this film for most of its runtime but it started wearing on me towards the end. It could stand to be an hour shorter, but I would then probably miss out some wildly inventive stunts and action sequences, so it's hard to know what to edit out. This is a movie that delivers exactly what you expect, so why not head back to this apocalyptic hellscape? You'll never be more grateful for the air conditioning in the theatre than when you're watching all these people trying to survive in the brutal heat and dust of the wasteland. 

Babes: After I watched this movie, I texted my best friend Laura and said, "apart from the baby part, this movie totally reminded me of us." To which she replied, "isn't this movie just all about the baby part?" And yes, that is true, but to me, a fervently child-free woman, I still thought this was a brilliantly funny and incisive movie about female friendship in New York City. That is also concerned with pregnancy and babies, but in a way that is very real and accurate, as opposed to portraying motherhood as some sort of idyllic dream. 

Directed by Pamela Adlon and written by Josh Rabinowitz and Ilana Glazer, the movie follows Eden (Glazer) and Dawn (Michelle Buteau), childhood best friends who are still integral parts of each other's lives even as Dawn has gotten married and is now pregnant with her second child. The movie opens with Dawn giving birth to Baby #2, and the movie perfectly captures the disgusting nature of labor - there are many fluids, and sometimes solids, involved as you are pushing that baby out of your uterus. Subsequently, Eden becomes pregnant after a one-night stand and decides that she wants to keep this baby and embrace single motherhood. What follows is a story of her pregnancy, her reliance on Dawn as the most stable person in her life, and Dawn's struggle with being a wife and mother to two children while also trying to be a supportive best friend. 

This movie is a hilarious, touching, and very R-rated portrayal of what it can be like when two best friends are in very different stages of their lives but desperately trying to make time for each other. It also captures the bodily hell that is pregnancy and labor - there are many times when Eden exclaims "this is not what it's like in the movies!" and girl, preach. As someone who had to deal with loads of pregnant and laboring women during an OB-Gyn rotation in medical school, I have never found that whole phase of a woman's life to be anything but horrifying. It isn't some magical and wonderful time when you are brimming with the miracle of creating another human - it is gross and your body is breaking down at every turn, with fluids constantly leaking out of you. Obviously, this movie is still pro-having children, but it at least offers a realistic depiction of the toll that having a child takes on a person. This is an activity that you cannot do alone - you need people and resources, and it will suck up your life. And remember boys and girls, you can still get pregnant if you have sex on your period!

A Slew of Binges: The Gentlemen, Shogun, Ripley, Baby Reindeer, Fallout

A number of epic shows have been released on various platforms recently, and I have been diligently watching them all. Now, it’s your turn.

The Gentlemen: Spun off from Guy Ritchie’s movie of the same name, this is a series about what happens when Eddie (Theo James), the second son of a Duke, returns home when his father dies and discovers he has inherited the entire estate instead of his older brother, Freddy (Daniel Ings). That would be enough drama to be getting on with but turns out his father had partnered with a drug crime family to grow marijuana on the estate, so Eddie has also unwittingly inherited a drug empire. For various reasons, he has to team up with Susie (Kaya Scodelario), the woman who manages these illegal operations, and what follows are eight episodes that always end on a cliffhanger and are just straight up bonkers from start to finish. This show is funny, violent, and constantly surprising, and the lead performances are a delight. Give it a shot!

Shogun: Created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks and based on the novel by James Clavell, this is a sumptuous and dramatic show set in 16th century Japan. Cosmo Jarvis plays John Blackthorne, an Englishman who arrives in Japan to establish a trade route, but unwittingly finds himself becoming an ally of Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada). A bunch of warring factions are fighting for the title of Shogun, aka ruler of Japan, and over the course of ten episodes you will be treated to a lush, detailed, and vivid depiction of this period of Japanese history, featuring incredible performances and awe-inspiring production design. The show is almost entirely in Japanese, so be prepared to read those subtitles, but it's well worth the effort. It's also only a limited series that completely wraps up its storyline in this one season, so if you're looking for something that packs a lot of prestige but won't require a prolonged time commitment, this should definitely be your next binge.

Ripley: Based on Patricia Highsmith's novel, this limited series, created by Steven Zaillian, is gorgeous and riveting. Shot completely in black and white, and starring Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley, a conman who takes everything a step too far when he ends up murdering a wealthy American in Italy and taking over his identity, this is a delicious cat-and-mouse game that tells this story in a fresh and exciting way. Johnny Flynn is great as the clueless Dickie Greenleaf, while Dakota Fanning is wonderful as Marge, Dickie's girlfriend who is always suspicious of Tom but can never quite catch him in an outright lie. But most importantly, Andrew Scott is simply impeccable, somehow managing to make this man seem timid and insecure and then morphing into a homicidal maniac who will do anything to keep his newfound extravagant lifestyle going. The cinematography by Robert Elswit is insanely lavish and as you take a tour of 1950s Italy, you might never want to return to real life. In fact, book a trip to Italy right now - you'll be glad you did once you finish watching this show.

Baby Reindeer: Created by and starring Richard Gadd, this is a true story based on his own experiences. In the show, his character goes by the name of Donny Dunn, and he is an aspiring stand-up comedian who works as a bartender. A customer named Martha (Jessica Gunning) takes a shine to him, and what begins harmlessly enough suddenly devolves into a dangerous and frightening situation as this woman begins to obsessively stalk him and harass him day and night. But if you thought that was the extent of this man's troubles, wait till you get to Episode 4, when we get a flashback to an incident in Donny's past. I won't spoil what happens, but it is raw, visceral, and the most harrowing 45 minutes of television I've seen all year. It made my skin crawl and I felt so much awe for Gadd's bravery in taking this horrific incident and sharing it with the world. The show is twisty, disturbing, and remarkable, and there's a reason everyone's talking about it. It's challenging to watch, but it's well worth the effort.

Fallout: Created by Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet and based on the popular video game franchise, this show is set in a post-apocalyptic future (natch) after the Cold War devolved and nuclear bombs were dropped in the Great War of 2077. The action picks up 200-odd years later and we follow three separate characters who have all led very different lives in this but will now find their paths intersecting. Lucy (Ella Purnell) grew up underground in a Vault, an underground bunker designed to protect people from surface radiation. However, when her father is kidnapped by surface dwellers, she ventures out into the unforgiving wasteland, where she will encounter Maximus (Aaron Moten), a squire for the Brotherhood of Steel, an organization that dons militaristic armor and purports to defend the populace, but obviously has their own nefarious schemes. She will also meet The Ghoul (Walton Goggins), a man with a complicated past from the beforetimes who has now become a mutant (kudos to the hair and makeup department) and is out for vengeance and answers regarding what happened to his family. The plot is complicated and engaging, and the production design is simply unparalleled. There's a great deal of violence and but plenty of humor - it would certainly be a vibrant and unique addition to your watchlist.

May Movies Part 1: The Idea of You & The Fall Guy

Spring has sprung and it's the perfect time to indulge in some romcoms. Depending on whether you are leaning more towards something steamy and romantic or something action-filled and comical, I've got you covered.

The Idea of You: Based on a novel by Robinne Lee, director Michael Showalter (who co-wrote the screenplay with Jennifer Westfeldt) gives us this delicious little movie about what happens when Solene (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old single mother of a 16-year-old, enters into a relationship with Hayes (Nicholas Galitzine), a famous boy band singer who is 24. 

Is anything about this movie going to surprise you? Absolutely not (although I will say I was a little surprised and then charmed by the ending). But are these two great actors doing some great work? Absolutely. Add to that the whole boy band angle, with some very silly but perfect pop songs made for this film that perfectly capture the aesthetic, and a lot of gorgeous travel around Europe with some eye-catching locales to make this a visual feast. And not for nothing, but this show involves the Graham Norton Show, instead of featuring a standard American late-night host, and that was quite delightful. The costumes are lovely, the production design is always on point, and (spoiler alert!) when our characters get together, I immediately went "oh my god, give that intimacy coordinator a bonus!" 

This film is exactly the direction I want the romcom genre to go. A friend of mine had heard other people talking about this film and saying, "this is beneath Anne Hathaway." To which I responded, "No, she is bringing back prestige to an oft-maligned genre!" You need actresses of this caliber delivering their best performances to remind us of the beauty and charm that can be contained in a romcom. Hathaway delivers in spades and elevates this fluffy material into a cozy confection that is perfect when you need a pick-me-up.

The Fall Guy: Written by Drew Pearce (loosely based on a 1980s TV series created by Glen A. Larson) and directed by former stuntman David Leitch, this is an action romcom about what happens when Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling), a veteran stuntman, is drawn into some shenanigans involving the actor he usually body doubles for and gets caught up in some dangerous mayhem. In the meantime, he is trying to appease the film's director, Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), who he had a fling with a few years ago that came to an abrupt end after some failures to communicate. 

Settle in for some impeccable action and stunt work. The focus here is really on the action, so don't expect a great deal of character development, but it's very fun to watch things blow up for two hours, and watch some exquisitely choreographed stunt sequences that are sometimes very meta as they might be taking place on a fictional film set within the movie, but still serve to advance the overall plot of the film. More importantly, you will spend two hours staring at Ryan Gosling, and that is certainly no hardship.

Yes, this film is more action-heavy, but it still takes the time to throw in some delightful Gosling-Blunt banter, even involving a sequence with them debating the merits of Notting Hill and Love Actually. I would love to see these two in a more traditional romcom as they just ooze so much charisma, but I'm glad we at least have this movie to be getting on with. It's a fun thrill ride, with a great soundtrack - spoiler alert, but Ryan Gosling has never been hotter than when crying in his car to Taylor Swift's All Too Well.