TOGETHER TOGETHER
This warm and winning dramedy presents a refreshing perspective of platonic love between an unorthodox coupling of a father-to-be and his surrogate. From writer-director Nikole Beckwith, two lonely souls go from being complete strangers to forming an awkward but hopeful connection that blossoms into a beautiful friendship. From the opening scene, it’s easy to see the cracking chemistry between Ed Helms and Patti Harrison. Their likability is off the charts. Everything they say or do looks and feels natural, and the humor they share only compliments their delightful dynamic. In what could’ve easily played out as a cheesy rom-com, Beckwith and her two splendid stars go in a wonderfully unexpected direction to tell a smart, sweet surrogacy story with honesty and heart.
THE LETTER
Directors Chris King and Maia Lekow present a fascinating portrait of Kenya’s culture, religion, and tradition through Karisa who returns to get to the bottom of his grandmother’s accusal of being a witch. This has been a part of their history forever. We hear throughout of heartbreaking stories of the elderly accused of witchcraft being brutally attacked – leaving behind their families and land in the process. It’s terrifying and tragic.
The accusations are dangerous and the threats are very real. However, Karisa’s grandmother’s faith and grit is built on a solid foundation and ain’t going anywhere. It’s clear from the moment she’s on screen that she’s the heart and soul of this spellbinding documentary. In no time at all, our eyes are significantly opened to a way of life that most will never know otherwise. It’s a citable viewing compiled of church and curses, fear and tenacity, letters and love.
WE’RE ALL GOING TO THE WORLD’S FAIR
This is one crazy coming-of-age film in which the darkest and most disturbing corner of teenage isolation is put on display with mixed results through a fucked up internet challenge. There are scenes in writer-director Jane Schoenbrun’s feature debut that are mysterious and haunting. Additionally, newcomer Anna Cobb’s luring portrayal as Casey takes vulnerability and twists it into something frightening. Yet the horror/drama blend isn’t as effective as Schoenbrun had hoped. It feels as though it’s continuously interrupting our investment in what’s truly transpiring in front of us. Along with that, too much is either ambiguous or unaddressed. We recognize the fragile, emotional state of Casey but getting to the point of genuinely caring is challenging when what we’re watching, while assuredly ambitious, feels relatively incomplete.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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