Joy Bennett, writer

Review of Navalny Film

1/28/2022

Alexei Navalny, photo courtesy cnn.com.

Yesterday I had the chance to watch Navalny, directed by Daniel Roher. A terrific, straight-forward telling of the scandalous poisoning of Alexei Navalny. He is the Russian opposition leader poisoned with Novichok in 2020. It's an amazing story. If it weren't for the cell phone cameras and hard work of the individuals desperately trying to help him after the attack, it's likely he wouldn't have survived. It's particularly timely in light of the aggressive stance Putin is taking in the Ukraine. A simply incredible story, not to be missed.

Navalny was presented at the Sundance Film Festival, which wraps up this Sunday, 1/30/22. More information is available at sundance.org.

Am I OK? Film Review

1/26/2022

Screenshot from the online Q and A for the Am I OK? film. Ohoto by Joy Bennett.

Sorry to say this movie didn't do much for me. As much as I admire the star, Dakota Johnson; and the comedienne Tig Notaro, who directed and produced the film, along with her partner Stephanie Allynne, it seems they were more or less just dialing this one in. I watched Am I OK? this afternoon through the Sundance Film Festival website. It just seemed like a fairly mundane story of a thirty-something woman discovering she is gay. The film is just OK, and while it was enjoyable at times, I don't believe this film lived up to its potential, given the talents and appeal of the folks involved.

There was one scene that was very funny though, with Tig Notaro playing a New Age type guru character. I wish there would have been more scenes that were as funny and insightful as that one.

The film had a tepid quality almost throughout, and not much of the heightened reality and sensitivity true art displays. Not to say it's not a fairly light, diverting gay romantic comedy. It is, and I'm sure folks will enjoy it. But I know these talented individuals could have done much better if they had dug just a bit deeper.

The film was screened as part of the Sundance Film Festival, which runs online through 1/30/22. Tickets and more information about the festival are available at sundance.org.

Sharp Stick Film Review

1/25/2022

Sharp Stick film, photo courtesy Sundance Institute.

Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of watching Lena Dunham return to her first love, filmmaking as writer, director, producer, and actor in Sharp Stick. She is a prodigious talent and demonstrated remarkable courage and sensitivity in making this film. Sharp Stick premiered at Sundance last Saturday, and I was very interested to see Ms. Dunham’s new work.

It’s the story of Sarah Jo, a young, sexually immature woman who had a hysterectomy at a very young age, who slowly discovers her sexuality and herself along the way.

Brilliantly acted by Jennifer Jason Leigh (who plays Sarah Jo’s mother), and indeed the entire cast, the story is told with wit, sensitivity, and cleverness. It handles the most personal and intimate of subjects with a great deal of honesty and humor. The film is not to be missed.

Ms. Dunham said this film was her “most personal yet.” It has been 11 years since her last feature film. Sharp Stick was also shot during the pandemic, so in addition to all the usual challenges of filmmaking at this high level, they also had to contend with on-set safety and covid protocols.

The film was written with many of the main character’s actors in mind, including the incandescent Jennifer Jason Leigh. Ms. Leigh was asked in the Q and A following the screening how did it feel to hear that Ms. Dunham had written a part especially for her. She said, “it feels pretty darn good.” Ms. Leigh absolutely nails the part of the mother, and without exception, Ms. Dunham pulls extraordinary performances out of every one of her actors.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the contrasts to Ms. Dunham’s previously New York City-based work like Girls and the film Tiny Furniture. This is film feels much different. It’s suffused with the soft Los Angeles light, full of folks trying to fit in in the shadow of the Hollywood sign. Hangers on, dreamers, influencers, everyone looking for connection and validation. Whereas the New York work was grittier, more aggressive, more sure of itself perhaps, but not without a certain desperate edge. Things move a bit faster in New York City. You get the sense of people and places being nearly on top of each other. Whereas in Sharp Stick, they can breathe, if only the haze and smoke-filled Los Angeles air.

A note about the music in the film. Many of the songs were composed and performed by an excellent band called Attawalpa, which has a fascinating, somewhat dark sound. It fits the film just beautifully.

Sundance continues through 1/30/22, and since it’s all virtual, anyone can attend. All you need is a computer and Internet access. Tickets and more information are available here: sundance.org.

Lucy and Desi Film Review

1/23/2022

Lucy and Desi film. Photo courtesy Sundance Institute.

This morning I watched through Sundance Film Festival’s website the documentary Lucy and Desi directed by Amy Poehler. It was outstanding. The producers had great access to the families and also previously undiscovered tapes in Lucy’s voice where she talks about her life and work. Lucy and Desi through their TV shows, movies, and Desilu Studios had an enormous influence on early television, right on through the later years. This documentary is a well-presented, thoughtful, and wonderfully straightforward approach to this fascinating couple, and especially Lucy throughout her eventful and influential life and career.

Both Lucy and Desi started with nothing, and through hard work, discipline, the ability to take chances, smarts, and sheer elbow grease, became the icons we know them to be. Lucy also later in life helped numerous women comics such as Carol Burnett, Bette Midler, Joan Rivers, and many others become the talents we know and love today.

Lucy’s influence on modern comedy and show business cannot be overestimated. Fortunately for us, Ms. Poehler said in the Q and A afterwards that she enjoys directing documentaries and had a wonderful time working with Imagine Entertainment (Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s production company). We are likely in for more gems from Ms. Poehler, which would be great. Even Lucie Arnaz, Lucy and Desi’s daughter who worked intimately with the filmmakers on this documentary said at the end of the Q and A, “You did a great job, Ms. Poehler!”

Sundance Film Festival runs online this year through Sunday, 1/30/22. Visit sundance.org for more information and tickets.

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande Film Review

1/22/2022

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande photo courtesy Sundance Institute

This afternoon I had the pleasure of watching the endearing, intimate and ultimately courageous film, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande. It just premiered at Sundance Film Festival, where I am covering this virtual film festival. Sundance runs this year from 1/20/22 to 1/30/22 and there are still plenty of tickets left. You can stay in your jammies while virtually attending one of the most culturally important film festivals on the planet.

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande stars Emma Thompson (it was written by Katy Brand with Emma in mind) and Daryl McCormack. Emma plays Nancy, a retired schoolteacher: British, prim, sexually uptight, and quite proper. Daryl plays Leo, a beautiful, free-spirited young sex worker. Nancy, Emma’s character, hires him after a lifetime of dismal sex. They both embark on a journey of eroticism, discovery, and revelation, ultimately discovering more about themselves than they could have ever imagined at the onset.

This delicate, funny, and sensitive film handles the complex, powerful, and often contradictory ways sex and intimacy are treated in our Western culture. Our sexual selves and identities are often wrapped up together in ways we can hardly articulate. Yet we almost never speak frankly of sex, even among our closest friends.

The film just had its premiere at Sundance this afternoon and is looking for US Distribution now. I would imagine it would be coming to a screen or streaming device soon. Keep an eye out for it, it’s terrific.

One interesting tidbit Emma discussed in the virtual Q and A session held just after the movie screened. She said when she had to stand in front of a mirror naked toward the end of the film, it was “the hardest thing I’ve ever had to act.” She said just as to look at herself, without making any judgments or adjustments like pulling in her stomach, etc. like we all do was extremely difficult. The two characters (and there are only three characters total in this film, which was shot in the pandemic at a hotel outside of London) both evolve and come to understand more about themselves and their equally befuddled fellow humans. It is an important, delicate film, not to be missed.

I was able to virtually watch the film; then afterwards listen in on a fascinating Q and A session with the actors, director, and writer of the film, hosted by Tabitha Jackson, Director of Sundance Film Festival. Then I was able to vote on the film; then attend the film’s party in virtual reality. Sundance is really on the cutting edge here. They have a set up where you can put your VR headset on (or just use your computer if you don’t have one) and enter a chat room/lounge area where film lovers can virtually chat and mingle with others. We even had Bryan Mason at the party, the film’s cinematographer and editor. I was able to tell him directly how much I enjoyed the project.

Sundance runs through next Sunday, 1/30/22. If you have some time, it is really wonderful. So many films, events, talks and different adventures to explore. And if you haven’t dabbled in virtual reality, give it a go! It is beyond fun.

Visit sundance.org for all the information and tickets. There are also plenty of completely free events online should you be watching your budget.

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Review of Navalny Film

Am I OK? Film Review

Sharp Stick Film Review

Lucy and Desi Film Review

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande Film Review

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