When something tragic like the Paris attacks and 9/11 happen, the aftermath can bring out the best in humanity. Unfortunately,as I have seen in the last couple weeks, it also does the opposite for some people.
Coincidentally the last two weekends I saw two films that were for good or bad truly unique American stories.
Spotlight directed by Thomas McCarthy is about one of America's (and ultimately the world's) most tragic stories. It is about the cover up that happened to protect priests in Boston (and ultimately the rest of the country and the world) who were sexually abusing children.
The story is interestingly told from the media's point of view which was an interesting choice when you think about how much news media is disliked in modern American society. What I hoped would not happen is that the media would be seen as the perfect savior of these victims. Thankfully this is not that kind of story. The movie doesn't point fingers in one place, but points it's fingers in multiple places and shows there is enough blame to go around even among the films protagonists, the Boston Globe news organization. Ultimately, the movie is brave enough to finally tell the story that desperately needs to be told.
This is a peak in Thomas McCarthy's sparse yet interesting directing career. He has dealt with tough issues in a more folksy way before as he dealt with illegal immigration in the great film The Visitor. This is his first film to take an unflinching look at a tough topic, and he gets away from a few of his indie film quirks. Hopefully what he does here in Spotlight is only the beginning for him.
As for the acting, this is truly an ensemble film and for the most part all of his main characters are able to show something interesting because of the capable actors playing them. Liev Schreiber plays against type in perhaps his quietest least showy role ever. Rachel McAdams is forgiven for the romance/romantic comedy hell she put many through. Her role isnt so much a standout as it shows that she's been capable of so much more than what she was previously given. Hopefully, she will be given that chance. Michael Keaton plays Michael Keaton well here and coming on the heels of losing the Oscar in Birdman, he may get some recognition for this. However, the actor who does the most with his role is not surprisingly Mark Ruffalo who is always great at making roles that are not always written as the most interesting and Making them into something that steals the show.
Spotlight isn't an easy film, but it is a must see. It is one of those films that shows a dark side of our country and hopes that by being reminded of our dark moments in history, we will never let them happen again.
Much less dark is Brooklyn. It's the American immigrant story that we have seen in film many times before . Especially now I can see that it might get criticized for glamorizing and white washing the immigration experience. That would beside the point though as Brooklyn tells the ultimate American Dream folktale through the eyes of an Irish woman played by Saoirse Ronan who played the young manipulating child in the otherwise awful adaptation of Atonement.
The film is an important reminder especially now that America is a nation of immigrants and how dare we build walls and shield ourselves from others who may want their chance to partake in this land of opportunity. It is ultimately not a heavy movie and doesn't need to be to get its message through.
Visually the movie is a beautiful painting. Backdrops, costumes and even eyes are colored with soft yet lush pastel colors. The.performances are also great. There are some nice supporting roles here for Jim Broadbent and especially Julie Walters. Emory Cohen as Tony is likely to breakout big after this very charming role. But it is young Saoirse Ronan who steers the film sometimes with only a
facial expression who deserves the most recognition. She has the potential to have the career of the Meryl Streeps and the Glenn Closes of the world.
Brooklyn is a charming film and it is the kind of film that Hollywood used to make and rarely does anymore. It is the kind of film that makes the viewer want to soar.
Spotlight 9 out of 10
Brooklyn 9 out of 10
Other great films that show the dark side of religious power: The Magdalene Sisters, Doubt, The Boys of St. Vincent, Priest, and Deliver Us from Evil
Other great film about the American immigration experience: The Visitor, A Better Life, In America, House of Sand and Fog, and The Namesake.
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