Here are capsule reviews for you to peruse. Artistic Director of the festival, Mimi Plauché, told us that they screened more than 6,000 films, including first-rate features, documentaries, foreign films, after dark thrillers, and shorts to scale down to the number of films being presented during the 10-day festival. (*signifies films we have already screened.) For more information on how you can see these films, go to chicagofilmfestival.com
Motherless Brooklyn* – Opening Night. Edward Norton wrote/directed and stars as a detective with Tourette Syndrome in this raw film about thugs, drugs and corruption in New York City. Also starring Alec Baldwin, Willem Dafoe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Bobby Cannavale, Leslie Mann, Fisher Stevens. Review and Interview with Producer Gigi Pritzker (China Syndrome) about working with Edward Norton. Set design for the period as well as the jazz is right on.
Knives Out* – The Whodunnit of the year! Writer Director Rian Johnson assembled a stellar cast led by Daniel Craig as the Inspector with a Southern drawl to help crack the case. Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Tony Colette, are all suspects when the famous, rich mystery writer played by Christopher Plummer is found dead. But what about his adorable nurse who was the last one with him. This will keep you on the edge of your seat with fun and surprises till the very end. See our interview with Rian Johnson who talks about what it was like to have the whole cast in the basement of the mansion telling stories.
Harriet* – Recommend this drama for historical purposes directed by Kasi Lemmons. Excellent cast. Cynthia Erivo in her first leading role plays Harriet. Jonelle Monáe is a standout as the woman who helped support Harriet Tubman who was so driven to be free she brought 10’s of Black slaves to freedom from the South. Tough to watch but enlightening regarding Tubman and her journey. The cinematography is impressive.
The Aeronauts* – Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne together again in very physical roles this time, especially for Jones. Redmayne and director Tom Harper tell us about the challenges they faced shooting this film based on a true event. It was originally an experiment carried out by 2 men and there is some poetic license taken, but the cinematography is breathtaking of the balloon floating upward against the clouds thousands of feet high above the Earth for a first in 1862. Redmayne told us that this was an experiment that became groundbreaking proving that the layers of atmosphere above the Earth affect weather. the scene climbing on the balloon are literally chilling. Wear a coat or bring a blanket when you see it.
Marriage Story* – Recommended for the dramatic performances of Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver sparring as a married couple trying to maintain civility vying coast to coast for custody for their son during a painful divorce. Noah Baumback directs Johansson in a strong dramatic turn and Driver will surprise you. Alan Alda is excellent as a lawyer in a pivotal role. Laura Dern is over-the-top as the chic LA divorce lawyer whose been there herself. Sensitive performances in a film about a difficult subject. What happens when people who love each other can’t be together?
Jojo Rabbit – This satire presents controversial subject matter set in the WW II Nazi era. Scarlett Johansson plays, in an unusual role, as the mother trying to survive with her son, even though she is hiding a Jewish girl, (Thomasin Mackenzie) in their attic. Taika Waititi directs the film and takes the role of the playfully fun imaginary Adolf Hitler who is the hero and guide to Jojo, the delightfully animated young actor, Roman Griffin Davis. When Jojo finds and befriends the girl, everything changes. Much anticipated Peoples Choice award winner at The Toronto International Film Festival.
Ford v Ferrari – Hold on to your seats! Directed by James Mangold, Matt Damon and Christian Bale give great performances based on the racing team of American car designer Carroll Shelby and quirky driver, Ken Miles. It’s a white-knuckler from start to finish to prove that an American car has the power plus a smart, skilled driver Miles at the wheel to beat the Italian’s racing machine and win the Le Mans in France. You’ll be breathless by the end, but there is much more about respect and friendship. It’s a winner.
Waves – A powerful film about a Black family trying to survive when their son loses his way. Sterling K. Brown and Kelvin Harrison, Jr. and Taylor Russell give exceptional performances in Writer/Director Trey Edward Shults’ semi-autobiographical film. Lucas Hedges also stars. See our Red Carpet interview where he and his cast told us what they did to prep for the film and how it was shot. An emotional story that shows what a family goes through trying to come together after tragedy.
Honey Boy* – Shia Labeouf wrote this revealing, frank and very personal depiction of his life as a childhood star in the care, or lack of it, by his father. Alma Har’el directs Shia as he takes on the difficult role playing his own father. He was was a rodeo clown who suffered from PTSD, was an alcoholic and a drug addict. Colorful film that makes you wonder how Shia survived and how they could now have a good relationship.
The Kingmaker* – Lauren Greernfield directs this fascinating documentary about Imelda Marcos revealing how she became the First Lady of the Philippines, and the power and wealth she took for herself and her husband. She explains in our interview what it took to get Imelda’s trust that let the director follow the former First Lady around as she tries to help her son get into power again. A story about political corruption, including how elections were run and the horrible conditions the people of the country had to live under then and now, at the expense of their selfish leaders. Relevant to what’s going on in other countries today.
Clemency*- Directed by Chinonye Chukwu, Alfre Woodard as the prison warden in charge of executions finds the task overbearing as it affects her psyche and her marriage. Aldis Hodge is on Death Row for a robbery that resulted in a police officer being shot and killed. Despite pleas of innocence and protests by those who agree, it is tense waiting for a possible stay of execution. The cinematography of the scenes inside prison is deafeningly silent adding to the seriousness of the situation. The performances of Woodard, Hodge and Richard Schiff as his lawyer are so compelling, showing a much different view of justice and the penal system.
By the Grace of God*– French with subtitles. Highly recommended, based on true events, this is a multi-layered dramatic presentation following several men and their families affected by sexual abuse as children by priests. Director François Ozon shows, in detail, the relationships of these victims with their wives and their discussions with fellow victims as an investigation is mounted to expose the perpetrators who allowed it to happen and to continue.
The Truth* – French and English. Excellent. Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche spar as a diva actress mother and a screenwriter daughter with a resent filled relationship. Ethan Hawke is playful as screenwriter’s husband post rehab who is starting to make his way as a successful TV actor. Deneuve is stunning and biting, but the scenes of her acting in a sci fi movie that includes a mother/daughter relationship reveal more than she realizes about her own life.
Jump Shot* – Recommended. Directors Jacob Hamilton and Russell Groves told us in an interview earlier this year why they decided to make a feature which finally pays tribute to the first player who leaped off the floor to score a hoop in 1934. Find out why Kenny Sailors invented the controversial shot that changed the game. Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzky talk about it’s significance to basketball today. Was Sailors ever properly recognized? The filmmakers let Sailors tell all in his own words.
The Torch – Buddy Guy is a legend and the owner of Buddy Guy’s Legends Jazz Club in Chicago. Director Jim Ferrell shows why Guy is known for showcasing and supporting new talent. Guy will be giving a live performance when the film is screened closing night at the festival. Don’t miss it!
Hala – Written and directed by Minhal Baig, this semi-autobiographical film stars Blockers’Geraldine Viswanathan as a High-school senior who struggles to balance being a suburban teenager with her traditional Muslim upbringing. Coming of age, Hala has to suddenly grapple with a secret that affects her and her family. This female drama was Executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith and won awards at Sundance and at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The New Bauhaus*- Directed by Sundance alumna Alysa Nahmias who chronicles the history of the Bauhaus movement through the life and work of co-founder László Moholy-Nagy, who brought his work to Chicago in 1937. It features interviews with Moholy-Nagy’s daughter and Chicago artists, including Jan Tichy and Patrick Whitney giving a portrait of the artist and teacher whose visions were far ahead of his time. The artwork and interviews with his fans and students reveal an artist with personality who encouraged experimentation.
Cunningham* – Interesting film if you are into dance and the arts. Merce Cunningham was considered a master choreographer. The film, directed by Alla Kovgan, is beautifully shot showing dancers performing Cunningham’s works in unusual settings: for example, on rooftops shot from above, and in historic European courtyards in front of small audiences. It particularly documents the master’s muses for music and sets that Cunningham used and revered. They include Andy Warhol and John Gage who was considered his favorite composer.
Films we look forward to seeing and telling you more about:
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
The Two Popes
The Apollo
A Girl Missing
La Llorona
The Painted Bird
