With another year of Sundance Film Festival at home in the books, here is the third part in our annual recap of capsule reviews of all the films that we took in from the comfort of our home.
We already shared Part 1 & Part 2 now find the second part of all the films that we saw during the festival.
Fancy Dance (director Erica Tremblay)
Fancy Dance, the latest from director Erica Tremblay, looks at the toll a tragedy has on a family based in the Seneca-Cayuga Reservation in Oklahoma. Lily Gladstone quite literally carries the film as she struggles to deal with the disappearance of her sister and having the tend for her niece (Isabel Deroy-Olson), Part family drama, part mystery thriller. Something is missing to bridge it all together, but there is enough there to make it a compassionate viewing that comes close to fulfilling its promise.
Rating: 7.0/10
Eileen (director William Oldroyd)
With Eileen, director William Oldroyd adapts Ottessa Moshfegh’s novel of the same name (with a screenplay from Luke Goebel) that sees a relationship brew between co-workers at a prison in 1960s Boston between Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie) and Rebecca (Anne Hathaway). There are elements of Carol at the onset with what seems like an innocuous dramatic indie takes a turn that pulls the rug from under you – although whether it’s earned is another conversation entirely. Anne Hathaway is terrific and the cinematography is just lovely, but its finale is a bit too off the deep end that I imagine readers of the novel will connect with more.
Rating: 6.3/10
Theater Camp (directors Molly Gordon + Nick Lieberman)
You’ve heard about the cult-like ins and outs of being a theater kid and get to experience it in full display in Theater Camp, the feature debut of Molly Gordon + Nick Lieberman. There is a Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping element in the film which sees how the staff and kids who comprise the upstate New York theater camp coexist. While not a mockumentary, there are plenty of winks and nods that make it plenty amusing and funny from start to finish. It’s a bit repetitive, and dramatic elements aren’t at as strong of a tempo, but it’s hard not to have fun with this cast at the helm.
Rating: 7.4/10
The Starling Girl (director Laurel Parmet)
Laurel Parmet makes an impression with The Starling Girl, her impressive feature film debut. A coming of age tale that paints the realities of being raised in a fundamentalist Christian community in rural Kentucky. Things get complicated when Jem Starling (Eliza Scanlen) and is drawn to her youth paster (Lewis Pullman). Both actors are strong in this intimate film that showcases plenty of restraint and an impressively patient approach. Features a lovely score from Lord Huron’s Ben Schneider and while it is not full of many surprises it is still plenty effective nonetheless.
Rating: 7.8/10
Bad Behaviour (director Alice Englert)
Bad Behaviour is the directorial debut of actress Alice Englert, daughter of Jane Campion. Jennifer Connelly stars as a former child actress who heads out for a silent retreat where things don’t go quite according to plan. Englert also co-stars as her daughter, in a film that is confounding and unpleasant, seemingly trying to be a clever black comedy about mother/daughter relationships. But it’s just a dreadful experience that is tonally all over the place and aside from one great scene, a total misfire.
Rating: 3.0/10
Talk To Me (directors Danny and Michael Philippou)
A24 may have the next surprise horror hit – and possible future franchise – with Talk To Me, the lively feature debut from Filmmaking duo (and twin brothers) Danny and Michael Philippou of RackaRacka YouTube channel fame.
A horror film that takes the basis of conjuring an awakening from spirits at Australian house parties that takes a wild turn for the worst. It’s the whiplash from the frantic and stylized direction from the duo that is impressive here. They grab ahold of your attention from the get-go and never let go. Sam Raimi connections are well deserved and deliver a fun time that I can’t wait to see again in theaters with a proper audience.
Rating: 7.8/10
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt (director Raven Jackson)
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt is the directorial debut of Raven Jackson, more of a visual poem about the passing of time and relationships. There are fragments of memory and defining moments in life and the way they combine into something that makes a person who they are.
It’s just that the editing and delivery of this message become muddled and disjointed which prevents it from gaining any narrative momentum or focus. A bed of lovely images that I felt completely disconnected from. Too many of the bad tendencies of Malick and a slog to pierce through. While not all there, it’s clear that Jackson is a director to keep a firm eye on.
Rating: 6.0/10
You Hurt My Feelings (director Nicole Holofcener)
When New York novelist Beth (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) finds out that her supportive husband Don (Tobias Menzies) doesn’t actually like the book she has been trying to finish, the entire dynamic and foundation of their marriage come into question.
This is the plot of You Hurt My Feelings, the latest from writer and director Nicole Holofcener, who cleverly analyzes everyday truths and the perks and perils of honesty. Is it better to give it to someone you care about straight to spare their feelings? Or risk insulting them to benefit them in the long run. It results in a charming little comedy that still has plenty insightful moments between the levity. Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Tobias Menzies are a marvelous team.
Rating: 7.3/10
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