An acting masterclass from Alfred Molina and John Lithgow make Love is Strange our pick of the films out this week.
But there are plenty of fine performances to be seen on screen, from humans and animals alike, in all the films opening today, including: Quvenzhané Wallis‘ take on the Disney classic Annie, Isabelle Huppert showing us romantic comedy should be done, Paddington Bear bringing the laughs, and an adorable pet monkey making a brave fist of it in the Amazon.
Which performance are you most looking forward to?
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Opening today:
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LOVE IS STRANGE……FILM OF THE WEEK
USA, France | 95 minutes | Drama, Romance
Director: Ira Sachs (Keep the Lights On, Married Life, Forty Shades of Blue)
Cast: Alfred Molina, John Lithgow, Marisa Tomei, Cheyenne Jackson, Charlie Tahan, Christian Coulson
After 39 years together, Ben and George finally get to tie the knot. But when Ben is fired from his job, and with little savings between them, the newlyweds must face the challenges of living apart after so many years.
Was gutted to miss this at NZIFF, but stoked I get the chance to now.
Distributor: Rialto Distribution
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AMAZONIA
France, Brazil | 83 minutes | Adventure, Family
Director: Thierry Ragobert (The White Planet)
After a plane crash, a capuchin monkey born and raised in captivity finds himself alone and lost in the wilderness of the Amazon jungle.
Kids will love this. And for parents, not a Ninja Turtle or Transformer in sight.
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ANNIE
USA | 118 minutes | Comedy, Drama, Family, Musical
Director: Will Gluck (Friends with Benefits, Easy A)
Cast: Quvenzhané Wallis, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Rose Byrne, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Bobby Cannavale, David Zayas, Tracie Thoms
In this reboot of the 80s classic, a foster child is taken in by a business tycoon and New York mayoral candidate as part of his Public Relation strategy.
Hopefully not another case of messing with a classic to make a buck. Love Quvenzhané Wallis so will probably see it for her.
Distributor: Roadshow
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FOLIES BERGERE
France | 98 minutes | Comedy, Romance
Director: Marc Fitoussi (Pauline détective, Copacabana)
Cast: Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Michael Nyqvist, Pio Marmaï, Audrey Dana, Anaïs Demoustier
A farmer’s wife takes off to Paris as a distraction from her ordinary life. There she meets a Danish business who flatters her with attention. Will she stray or can her husband win her back?
Worth popping down at your local arthouse cinema for.
Distributor: Palace Films
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OBVIOUS CHILD
USA | 83 minutes | Comedy, Romance
Director: Gillian Robespierre (debut feature)
Cast: Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffmann, Gabe Liedman, David Cross, Richard Kind, Polly Draper
A Brooklyn comedian who gets heartlessly dumped by her boyfriend finds her life tipped upside down after a drunken one-night stand.
Some laughs to be had with this indie Knocked Up.
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PADDINGTON
UK | 95 mintues | Comedy, Family
Director: Paul King (TV’s ‘The Mighty Boosh’,’Bunny & The Bull’)
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Ben Whishaw, Peter Capaldi
The childrens books come to life, as everyone’s favourite Peruvian bear heads to London to start a new life and indulge in all this British – especially Marmalade.
The trailers didn’t do much for me but the good reviews coming out have changed my mind.
Distributor: StudioCanal
