SENIOR YEAR
When watching this airheaded comedy about finding out who you really are and happily accepting it, you could very well find yourself with a splitting headache. Rebel Wilson stars as Ruby, a high school cheerleader who winds up in a coma after a stunt gone wrong – waking up 20 years later to finish high school and be crowned prom queen. Of course, things have certainly changed from 2002 to 2022. The laughs are suppose to come from her navigating through a whole new woke world while being in her 30’s but still a teen at heart. However, those laughs never come. It’s lazy on too many levels, and no matter how sweet the message may be…you would have to care about the characters and what they’re doing in order for it to be even halfway impactful. But caring is impossible for a movie like this. The terrific Sam Richardson should’ve stayed far away!
OPERATION MINCEMEAT
Lead by two stellar lead performances from Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen, this is a well-done WWII espionage drama about the power of deception and how it saved thousands of lives. In an extraordinary true story, two Brit intelligence officers rustle up a scheme that consists of a corpse, fake papers, and the Nazis reading those papers to turn German forces toward Greece and away from Sicily – where the real attack is going down. This isn’t an action-packed war film with gunplay and explosions. Instead, director John Madden dives in to the details of how this crazy plan was pulled off.
When the story wanders from the main task at hand, it becomes much less interesting. There’s this trust factor between Firth and Macfadyen’s characters that’s constantly at play; yet, it doesn’t come across as a top priority since the film practically sweeps over what is uncovered. Additionally, too much time is wasted on their love triangle with Jean Leslie (Kelly Macdonald), a new recruit to the operation. It certainly seems like an unnecessary subplot that drags down the overall tension when seeing spies hard at work. Even so, the high-risks involved are felt as the ending gets closer and closer. It’s a captivating telling of a part of history that most have never even heard of until now. Madden, along with a great ensemble cast, spotlights those who are winning battles in the background.
OUR FATHER
Infertility alone is a very difficult thing to endure. But for many, artificial insemination is a blessing that can turn individuals into parents. Considering how intimate this procedure is, the trust in the doctor is so significant. All of the patients of Dr. Donald Cline, a distinguished Indianapolis fertility specialist, had that with him. And in return, he deceived them in the most shocking and sickening way imaginable. In the ‘80s, he was using his own semen to impregnate them with absolute no consent whatsoever.
From producer Jason Blum and director Lucie Jourdan, this upsetting documentary exposes Cline and his lies, peeling away this facade of presenting himself as a great doctor, a good man, a nice Christian. Though what Jourdan cares most about is the excruciating effect on his vulnerable victims. It all started with Jacoba Ballard (Sibling #1) taking a DNA test in hopes of finding a couple of half-siblings, getting more than she bargained for. A lot more. Through her tireless efforts in bringing Cline to justice, we meet mothers, fathers, sons and daughters whose lives are forever changed. Furthermore, we once again hear about the aggravatingly inadequate legal system that doesn’t provide the protection when needed the most.
Believe it or not, this isn’t the first documentary about this horrifying subject. And many may already know this story as it’s ripped from the headlines and was even on a Dr. Phil episode. In the end, while Jourdan’s presentation is a familiar one when it comes to these type of docs – she thoughtfully humanizes those whose lives were ruined by Cline and that’s Our Father’s greatest power.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association and the Southeastern 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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