Tiny Reviews: "Materialists", "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy", "The Ugly Stepsister" and "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning"
MATERIALISTS
It's not what it was marketed: Materialists sure have some funny moments, but it's a poignant meditation about how transactional dating someone has become. Yes, it has some laughs and it's core is truly romantic, but Celine Song's latest is a study about modern-day relationships, expectations and love vs functionality. The first act shows promise, the second act is a step down, but the third one is exquisite as it exposes some topics with honesty and sentimental value. Dakota Johnson proves she's a true leading lady as she commands the screen with her very singular charm, while Chris Evans gets (finally) an opportunity to shine with a beautiful monologue. Not everything worked, but I felt truly connected. It's a movie I am sure will age beautifully in my mind. Beautiful cinematography (Shabier Kirchner sure is a promising name). Another big win for Song with a totally different film from Past Lives.
Rating: 8,5/10
Rating: 8,5/10
BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY
Rating: 4,5/10
THE UGLY STEPSISTER
This black comedy goes grothesque in this re-telling of Cinderella's story from the perspective of one of her stepsisters (Elvira, brilliantly portrayed by a magnificent Lea Myren, a revelation). It not only deals with beauty standards and the horrific actions and sacrifices women take in order to please men (and society in general), but it also touches the objectification of women and the economic need for a woman to marry well at the time. Visually, the costume design and production design works are a feast for the eyes of those who love a period piece... But it is also brilliant gore body horror that will delight the genre's fans. I found it brilliant, despite an unsatisfying ending in terms of narrative.
Rating: 9/10
MAGAZINE DREAMS
It plays like a Black Swan meets Taxi Driver in a gutsy and unconfortable study about obesession, mental health and lack of social skills. It features a towering performance from Jonathan Majors, who perfectly swings from sensitive and hopeless man who just wants to be someone, to be seen, to be loved to a feral testosterone-fueled beast. Amazing cinematography work and I also loved the score, which elevate the artistic dimension of the narrative by making it beautiful to looks and unnerving to hear. It's a tale about a cry for help, about a monster in the making right in front of everyone's eyes that everyone decided to ignore day by day. It's also about self-destruction in the name of craft! Brilliant.
Rating: 9/10
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING
Tom Cruise is back for another thrilling ride as Ethan Hunt in what might be the less inspired Mission Impossible installment since the third film. The narrative feels rushed and there is no time for character development moments, but it doesn't mean audience have a bad time at the movies. In fact, The Final Reckoning might well be one of the most "popcorn" movies of the series - simpler narrative, action driven, enough emotional core and incredible scenes make it well-worth the admission money. Despite being far from the title of "my personal favorite Mission: Impossible film", I have to single out the submarine scene as one of the most well executed (and tense) scenes in the franchise and the plane fight as one of the most eye-popping ones. Great stunts and pratical visual effects also contribute to elevate this installment well above the regular action films you can see in a theatre these days. Good, but it could have been amazing!
Rating: 6/10
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