Thursday 18 May 2023

Critical Week: Say your prayers

After having virtually no spring at all, the weather in London has finally warmed up, just in time for the Cannes Film Festival in the South of France. I'm avoiding that crowded, chaotic festival as usual, and hoping for a couple of quieter weeks at home, and nicer weather will be a bonus. But the movies keep coming, and there were two films this week that take on religion: the drama Are You There God? It's Me Margaret adapts the classic 1970 novel into a nuanced coming-of-age drama starring Abby Ryder Fortson (above). Less textured is Jesus Revolution, which stars Kelsey Grammer as real-life pastor Chuck Smith, who brought hippies into his Southern California church in the late-1960s. It's preachy but watchable.

BEST OUT THIS WEEK:
Butterfly Vision
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
ALL REVIEWS >
And then there's the blockbuster of the week: Fast X is the latest romp for Vin Diesel's car-crashing crew, which fans will love even though it's both ridiculous and predictable. The doc Being Mary Tyler Moore recounts the inspiring story of the iconic actress who had a major impact on culture. I also attended two theatre shows: Skid / Saaba at Sadler's Wells are two superbly physical pieces by a gifted Swedish company, and Once on This Island at Regent's Park Open-Air Theatre is an involving musical set in the Caribbean.

This next week I'll be watching Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, Ben Affleck in Hypnotic, the animated adventure Boonie Bears: Guardian Code, the British whodunit Medusa Deluxe and the documentary My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock. I'll also attend the press nights for The Misandrist at the Arcola and Corps Extremes at Sadler's Wells (reviews here soon).

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