Movie #23 Easy A

In my opinion the teen sex comedy in recent years has really gone down hill . There are a few exceptions to that rule of course.  "Juno", while not exactly fitting into this sub genre, was a tremendous achievement.  It managed to reinforce that today's youth (in all their self imposed existential angst) really isn't that different from the generation that bore them.  It also was refreshing to see a bright, confident all be it snarky teen female lead in a movie.  Compared to cookie cutter stereotypes that are repetitively trotted out in film after film.  You know what I am talking about.  "The Cheerleader", "the book nerd", "the rebel", "the best friend".  The documentary "American Teen" embraced these pigeon-holed conventions and exploited their high school experiance for all to see.
I am glad to say that Easy A continues more along the path that Juno blazed.  The story is loosely a modern retelling of The Scarlet Letter.  Emma Stone gives a electric performance as Olive.  The whip smart high school student who becomes the subject of all the school gossip.  The word 'round the campfire is that she s sleeping with everyone and even doing so for money.  A rumor that she inadvertently starts and at first thrives on the recognition she receives.  Once she becomes aware of the negative impact these fabrications are having on her life and the lives of those she cares about, she attempts to set the record straight.

At first I had my concerns for this film.  Much like Juno, it open with some dialogue that fall totally flat (honest to blog).  Fortunately it rights the ship and delivers a wonderful story with some rapid paced, intellectual/witty banter.  Which Emma Stone and the majority of her co-stars handle wonderfully.  Stanley Tucci and Patriaia Clarkson play Emma's parents and they are among my leaders for supporting performances for the year.  The family dynamic in this film is so captivating and real.  This has been a good year for non-traditional families representing new family values.  Both this film and the wonderful The Kids are Alright are front runners in this movement. Other notable performances come from Thomas Haden Church and Alyson Michalka as a favorite teacher and best friend respectively.

This movie is not without its faults.  It does get a little to "cutesie" and to steal a line from the movie "It's not as smart as it thinks it is".  It is sharp, but occasionally it crosses the line.  I felt a little patronized watching a few scenes.

I would be remiss if I didn't further comment on Mrs Emma Stone.  She lights up the screen.  She is by no means the typical Hollywood beauty.  With her blazon red hair, petite stature and informed smile but she commands the screen with every word, glance and movement.  Her self awareness and self assurance projects itself.  I couldn't help but to be lured in.  I first noticed her in last years Zombieland.  I noticed both her beauty and acting chops.  I am glad she has found a role that better allows her to stretch her wings.

This is a sex comedy, a genus as old as ancient roman times.  And this movie pulls off something that most sex comedies don't.  There isn't any sex.  not even any nudity.  At a few points in the movie, Olive comments on how she wishes her life were like a John Huges film.  I don't know if "Easy A" will be remembered with the passion that the Huges fans have for his films, but it is a movie I won't soon forget.  I give "Easy A" a 3.5/5 stars.  For more information check out the link below for the trailer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNbPnqyvItk

Day #7 - Prodigal Sons

I have made it one week!  Seven days of watching at least one film a day and then blogging about it.  Tonight's film was the first documentary of my 365 Degrees of Film project.  It's title is Prodigal Sons.  I first heard about this film while listening to one of my favorite podcasts, the IFC Podcast.  They were doing a review of movies released in theaters in 2010 that were already available on DVD.  I will attach a link to the IFC Podcast site.  http://www.ifc.com/news/podcast/

This doc is directed by and centered around a trans-gender female.  She returns to the Montana city where she was born to attend her high school reunion.  The high school where while attending she (then he, Paul McKerrow) was the starting quarterback of the football team, a straight "A" student and voted most likely to succeed.

This portion of the film was a bit trite for my taste.  It really seemed to me to be a bit of a cry for attention and a flimsy premise to focus a documentary on .  However, the uniqueness of such a situation, along with a well crafted production would almost guarantee the film at least a small theatrical release.  But man did this doc have more in store for me!

Allow me to set up the situation this now woman walked into.  Her parents originally couldn't conceive a child so they adopted a baby boy, Mark .  Almost 9 months after that they did conceive a child, Paul.  A year or so later they brought another miracle baby into their lives, Glenn.

I should start by saying that I don't want to spoil anything about the movie, but there are plot twists that can not be left out of a review of this movie.  After all, the tag line for this movie is "A brotherly rivalry between a man and a women . . . and Orson Welles".

Glenn, the youngest brother, is now happily living in California.  He is openly gay.  He doesn't have much of a role in the film, and apparently doesn't communicate a lot with his siblings.  Not out of any animosity.  He seems to have just moved on and put Montana well behind him.

Kim, the middle son, had always felt that she was living a lie.  Her partner, Claire (yes a woman) is with her at the reunion and often during the movie.

Mark, the oldest brother, was in a tragic car accident in his early 20's.  The accident caused him to undergo surgery where parts of his brain were removed.  This created extreme mood swings, loss of short term memory, and fits of rage and violence.  For the past 15 years or so he has relied on a plethora of medication to help keep him under control.  And did I mention that while researching his biological parents he finds out that his grandparents on his mothers side are Orson Wells and Rita Hayworth!

Apparently they had a daughter together who ended up pregnant and gave the newborn up for adoption.  He finds all this out and makes plans to see his birth mother when he gets word that she has passed away.  The first time he sees his biological mother is when she is lying in her casket.

The film goes on to deal with Kim's struggle to accept her past, Mark's struggle with his mood swings and violent out bursts.   There is also a pilgrimage to Croatia for a meet and great with the late Orson Wells' muse  and long time lover Oja Kodar.

I felt that the movie succeeded most when it focused on the struggle Mark has always had living in Paul/Kim's shadow.  First in high school as Paul was a jock with a brain.  Now with Kim, his trans-gender sibling, Mark seems to want to make nice.   But it appears as if he overwhelmed and not totally able to process everything that has occurred in the past 20 years.  He clings to the past with a white knuckle kung fu grip.

As a whole I found Prodigal Sons to be a story that if it were fictional it would struggle to get people invested because the plot would be too complex.  As a documentary the story is the main reason to watch.  I found it to be a little more amateurish than most of the documentaries that I watch.  But for a first film I think it was a success.  And I found myself  genuinely hoping that all the parties involved find peace and harmony in their lives.  Mr Wells would be proud.  I would give this film 3/5 stars.  For more information check out the link below for the trailer.  Also I will attach a link to the films official website.  Support independent film!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oz2BHFH4fc&feature=fvw
http://www.prodigalsonsfilm.com/drupal/home