Elle (2016) / Welcome To Marwen (2018) / Hungry Hill (1947) / Tater Tot & Patton (2017) / Fallen Stars (2017) / Miss Stevens (2016) / Wildlike (2014) ///
Elle (2016) Centered on a blazing, unrepentant Isabelle Huppert, Paul Verhoeven's tale is full of dangerous impulses and dark humour. Always surprising, the loose structure sees an independent woman assaulted in her home and gradually peels away past ghosts and present frustrations.
Welcome To Marwen (2018) From a technical view, a polished blend of live action and VFX as Steve Carell loses himself in a fantasy world to cope with a barbaric beating. In terms of narrative and character, mystifyingly misguided, an expensive curiosity that never connects on any emotional level.
Hungry Hill (1947) Lavish production values, sumptuous score by John Greenwood and captivating set pieces (in particular a dazzling dance sequence that transforms from sedate waltz to exuberant jig) can't glue together the fragmentary narrative. Interesting rather than involving.
Tater Tot & Patton (2017) A conflicted teen and her equally broken uncle learn to heal each other amid flat, endless South Dakota landscapes. Visual style accentuates the intimate, while Jessica Rothe and Bates Wilder convincingly open up the wounded souls. The emotion is true.
Fallen Stars (2017) Full of silences and empty spaces, Michelle Ang and Ryan O'Nan are alienated strangers, lonely even when together, as they walk bleached LA streets. The sedate pace and sparse dialog gradually works its spell and a sure directorial touch delivers a moving conclusion.
Miss Stevens (2016) A dedicated yet emotionally frayed Lily Rabe is the teacher taking three students to a weekend drama competition. The fluid narrative beats are unsurprising, the humor light, the drama perceptive. Timothée Chalamet and Lili Reinhart are among the persuasive, amiable cast.
Wildlike (2014) Using the metaphorical as well as rugged physicality of an Alaskan hike, abused runaway Ella Purnell needs to find home and grieving Bruce Greenwood a resolution. Deliberately paced, quietly reflective and redemptive, uneasy subjects tackled with compassion.
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