Alex Garland with his new film “Civil War” describes images of Apocalypse from the very near future of the USA.
Civil war (**1/2)
2024 US-UK co-production adventure (109)
Directed by: Alex Garland Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Kaylee Spaney, Nick Offerman, Jesse Plemons
In the near future and in an America ravaged by civil war, a group of photojournalists and journalists try to get to Washington to interview the US president.
In his fourth directorial effort, long-time “Beach” writer Alex Garland sketches a dystopian sci-fi adventure that has the elements of a suspenseful and occasionally thrilling road movie, centering on America’s troubled next-day. Garland describes a state in decline and with serious democratic issues. Without documenting the causes of the civil war between West and East, he is content to depict a country on the boil.
In the eschatological setting, Garland looks for hope in the mission of journalism, casting Kirsten Dunst as the protagonist who, as a war photojournalist, records the events as objectively as possible. The crude depiction of reality is part of the above framework and is perhaps, according to the scenario, the only way for journalism to regain its lost credibility. Of course, for this to happen, some things will be rendered exactly as they are: clear but also terrifying. More terrifying perhaps than the violent episodes unfolding on the urban battlefields.
The wandering of the heroes in the “idyllic” hinterland is revealing of the face of today’s America. Mass gun ownership, blind religious sentiment (“God bless America”), indifference that turns into analgesia, lack of education and the class gap, racism and xenophobia (the episode with Jesse Plemons is excellent) and above all the ideological polarization, are some of the sharp vignettes Garland uses in his political-social commentary. A comment that concludes, however, clumsily with the sketchy finale.
The Rapture (Le Ravissement) (**1/2)
French drama 2023 (97)
Directed by: Iris Kaltenbach Starring: Hafsia Herzi, Alexis Manedi, Nina Meris
Lydia breaks up with her boyfriend when she learns of his infidelity. That same night she meets Milos and sleeps with him. A year later and while Lydia-Milos have disappeared, the girl appears in front of him with a baby.
Kaltenbach’s directorial debut (screenplay prize at Cannes Critics’ Week and best film at the recent Francophone Festival of Greece) is a dark social thriller about the lack of communication that leads to despair. Although the story does not help her character to always be convincing in what she does, Hafsia Herzi as Lydia steals the show by masterfully portraying the fragile psychological profile of a woman in permanent confusion.
Abigail (**)
Irish-American co-production horror 2024 (90)
Directed by: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett Starring: Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Alyssa Weir, Giancarlo Esposito
A handful of would-be criminals kidnap the twelve-year-old daughter of a mobster, demanding a $50 million ransom. But they do not realize how fatally wrong they have been.
The directing duo of the recent “Scream VI” and “Are you ready?” constructs a highly entertaining swashbuckler that deftly balances morbid spectacle (the bloodbath scenes are incredible) and dark humor. Mainly the film deserves our attention not only for the clever use-deconstruction of the clichés of the vampire myth but also for the way the music of “Swan Lake” signals the arrival of Evil!
Spark in the Sea (Zeevonk) (**)
Dutch-Belgian co-production drama 2023 (98)
Directed by: Domin Hague Starring: Saar Rosiers, Hilde de Beerdemaker, Valentin Denens
A Danish fisherman drowns under unclear circumstances in a shipwreck in the North Sea. His teenage daughter, who adored him, cannot accept his loss.
Tender directorial debut that even won an award at last year’s Berlin festival, around the loss-adulthood dichotomy, as it emerges through the angry gaze of the amazing protagonist. The screenplay avoids melodramatic scopes (the heroine’s innocence and stubbornness emerge without difficulty) but not the predictable one-point plot, which veers somewhat awkwardly into the realm of allegory and fairy tale in order to formulate a different look at management of mourning by the young girl.
Last summer (L’été dernier) (**1/2)
Franco-Berwegian co-production drama 2023 (104)
Directed by: Catherine Bregia Starring: Lea Drucker, Samuel Kircher, Olivier Rambourdin
A successful barrister who mainly handles cases of sexual abuse of minors makes up with her husband’s teenage son from his first marriage.
The five-year-old Danish love drama “Queen of Hearts” is adapted by Katrin Breja (“The Mistress”) with an emphasis on the psychological characteristics of a passionate love story, but it lacks neither the directorial perfection nor the clear politics of the original film. However, this did not prevent the voters of the César Awards from recommending the film for 4 awards: adapted screenplay, director, debut actor for the young Kirsher and of course A female role for the flawless Drucker who lost the award to Sandra Uhler of “Anatomy of a Fall” ».
#Movies #American #Civil #War #Future
