Movie reviews

ETE 85 (SUMMER OF 85)

Recommended. Just about every time director François Ozon shoots, he scores. After being bang on target with ":'Amant Double" ("The Double Lover"), the man with the golden touch continues his run of success with "Été 85" ("Summer of 85"). Set in Normandy, which provides the scenic backdrop of cliffs, and reflecting the 80s to the point where even the film is grainy and as if aged, apart from obligatory clothes, hairstyles, boys wearing jewellery, music of the time. What's more, one of the lead characters is named Alexis, the name he prefers to shorten to Alex, anyway one most associated with a character from "Dynasty" - a long running TV series aired from 1981. The makers play with details. The movie's based on a novel and a protagonist writes one. In Alex's room you notice a poster of "The Awakening" which reads: "They thought they buried her forever". In the dance scene, his moves initially resemble David's and, even more remarkably, the song lyrics go: "Can you hear me?" "I am fighting to be free" "I am dying. I am crying." The film starts with a hot boy's intro which immediately throws a mystery into the puzzle. Soon another hottie turns up. In the middle, the announced death happens. The second half is grieving. The ending ties up loose ends. Nothing is left to chance.

SNIEGU JUZ NIGDY NIE BEDZIE (NEVER GONNA SNOW AGAIN)

Watchable. Another movie by Szumowska, known for "Body/Ciało" - which I walked out from and "Twarz" ("Mug") - which I loved. There's a line between original and weird. The new production is on the weird side. And it vastly consists of erotic dances and voyeurism - like in "Twarz" ("Mug") - has Małgorzata Szumowska run out of ideas? Snow and nuclear fallout in Chernobyl look the same so you can interpret the title optimistically that there won't be any disaster like that again or pessimistically that the climate change will render snow a thing of the past. Still, the topic is: spoilt rich housewives. A number of famous actors, e.g. Agata Kulesza, Maja Ostaszewska, Katarzyna Figura, Weronika Rosati and others are barely recognizable due to effective disguises. Wooden lead (Alec Utgoff) detracts from their efforts.

THE LITTLE THINGS. 

Watchable. Consulted by retired Sgt. Stanley White, it may well be grounded in reality. Star cast: Denzel Washington, Remi Malek, Jared Leto - all ensure a quality thriller. Remi Malek transforms his character from exuding confidence to a sheepish look when he's sitting at the pool in the ending. Jared Leto is convincing both as a weirdo and as an ambiguous personality. The beginning of the movie is a little confusing, hard to make out how many crimes they're solving and how many suspects they have. Soon, however, suspense comes in and quiet tension lasts till the very ending. The finale brings a mixture of satisfaction and frustration - is this the ending I wanted? Mixed-period interior designs, cars, town areas render the story timeless.

THIS IS SHORT

NEW POINT OF VIEW

MY LITTLE BLACK GIRL

Watchable. A smart film on being black. The guy tells seemingly his daughter but, through the position of the camera, the viewer, how to be a decent person. I agree with most of the rules. He sees faults on both sides: black and white. But first he tells his daughter not to support all the things that black people do and later, in the end credits, he dedicates the film to criminal George Floyd - doesn't he know who the guy was? On the other hand, "If you're in trouble, call the cops. That was a good one. But that's true! I mean, who are you supposed to call? Batman?" - that's truly a good one. Scary how it works. They can clearly only rely on each other.