(From the June 16, 2017 edition of Fete Lifestyle Magazine)

Obviously, every film has a location, but some films not only explore a story, they also take you on a scenic adventure into the land or setting.  “Maudie” is one of those films that creates a meaningful story based on the folk artist Maud Lewis while tempting you to visit the coastal fishing town of Nova Scotia, Canada.

Nova Scotia is located in the Canadian Maritimes, the French calling it Acadia, was first settled by the Paleo Indians more than 11,000 years ago.  The Brits called it New Scotland with the Scotts immigrating there in 1745.  Rum-runners, rogues, and rebels reportedly called it home, but then in the 1900’s, it became more of a fishing and maritime community.  In fact, the area recognized Bessie Hall as the most notable female mariner of the century.  The area appeared to be ahead of its time as it lead the way for  equality in race and gender—from 1894-1918, the Local Council of Women of Halifax worked to gain the right to vote;  and in 1945, Minister William Pearly Oliver founded the Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

The art world was also well-represented as it is home to Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis.  She was no ordinary artist.  Born in the early 1900’s with degenerative rheumatoid arthritis, Maud spent much of her life being overlooked due to her outward differences.  “Maudie” written by Sherry White and directed by Aisling Walsh, stars Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke, tells Maud’s incredible lifetime story of pain, alienation, but most importantly love.  “Maudie” is in one of the most vivid and beautiful love stories of all time.

Go to Fete Lifestyle Magazine to read the article in its entirety

BEATRIZ AT DINNER

Written by Mike White

Directed by Miguel Arteta

Starring Salma Hayek, John Lithgow, and Connie Britton

Mike White’s (“Enlightened”) eloquence and intelligence shines like a beacon in his newest film “Beatriz At Dinner” starring Salma Hayek, John Lithgow, and Connie Britton.  It’s a complicated feature delving

into class distinction, “the 1%,” and the environment.  Beatriz (Hayek) is a holistic massage therapist, helping cancer victims with alternative treatments.  Her sense and intuition create powerful insight with everyone she meets.  After her car breaks down, she is stranded at a wealthy client’s home and she is reluctantly invited to stay for a high-powered and intimate dinner party.  The disparity between she and this group keeps you on edge as the evening devolves into a moralistic and ethical battleground.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

Beatriz is more than compassionate and kind, she understands the very nature of the balance of our world.  She is connected to the soul of the Earth, animals, and people, but when she encounters Doug Strutt (Lithgow), it takes everything in her to not speak her mind.  A few glasses of wine, however, releases the edit mode button and she begins to cross the border of being a gracious guest and attempting to enlighten one of the most disgustingly self-centered, greedy, and judgmental corporate leaders.

The film creates such stress and tension as we watch the story unfold.  Her relationship with Cathy (Connie Britton) is  a delicate balancing act as there is a feeling of gratitude and indebtedness from Cathy.  It boils down to employee, employer versus friendship—these are the lines that are balancing like spinning plates.  With the unknown variables of people’s responses, especially after drinking, the plates inevitable tumble.  The mess that is left is quite unexpected.

The characters in this film are wonderfully complex and layered.  The emotional performances tease out the subtle as well as the blatant differences among the guests with absolute precision.  Britton’s portrayal of Cathy as the conflicted yet  gracious hostess who has a  moral obligation to Beatriz, is exceptional.  She is pulled in two different directions—she is the middle ground upon which the remaining characters find their sides.  The gluttonous characterizations of those that have so much is beautifully and realistically rendered in “Beatriz At Dinner.”  The marginalization of our world and the effects of mankind upon it from this group’s perspective is at once revolting and enlightening.  But it is the complexity of the situation that drives this film forward.  Beatriz isa guest in someone else’s home, but she cannot allow Strutt to get away with such narrow-mindedness and selfishness.  It’s an intrinsically high-paced dinner with high stakes.

Lithgow has a performance to remember as Strutt.  He is the epitome of an egomaniacal power-monger.  He elicits a burning resentment and anger as he utters his self-aggrandizing viewpoints.  While Lithgow could have easily taken this role to the extreme, it is his skillful performance that gives Strutt a realistic persona.  We know this individual exists and his pride in killing big game is reminiscent of a dentist not too long ago.  His condescension paired with the remaining guests feelings of entitlement and total disregard for humanity is deplorable…but real.

Interspersed within the dialogue that is succinct and revealing is Beatriz’ spiritual connection as we are privy to her mindful images.  The symbolism portrayed is poetic as we see the world, her past, and her future through her eyes.  Hayek’s performance is magnificent.  Her gentle nature comes through to her character as she carries a very heavy burden.  The weight of the world rests on her shoulders and we feel her struggle to forge ahead, making this world a better place.

“Beatriz At Dinner” is one of the most eloquent and articulate films depicting our social issues and the consequences of greed.  The internal and external turmoil represented reflects our current political and environmental standing, poured out for all to see.  We get a real glimpse into the mindset of power, money, and the delineation of class.  It’s a tension-filled, gripping and magnificent story with exceptional performances that will impact you long after the credits roll.  Watch this and your next holiday family dinner will seem like a piece of cake.

THE HERO

Written by Brett Haley and Marc Basch

Directed By Brett Haley

Starring:  Sam Elliott, Nick Offerman, and Laura Prepon

Brett Haley, the daring and brilliant man behind the curtain of “I’ll See You in My Dreams” is back in action with “The Hero,” starring the renowned actor Sam Elliott.  The film is a character study of Lee Hayden (Elliott), a man waning in his career as he ages and is diagnosed with cancer.  Lee  wrestles with the legacy he will leave behind and attempts to reconcile broken relationships.  It’s a self-reflective, heartfelt, and often-times humorous film showing us how we are connected as we witness Lee looking out over the horizon of life.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

Haley and Offerman spoke with me at the SXSW Film Festival a few months ago.  The inspiration for the  film is all Sam Elliott, Haley gushed.   After working with him  in “I’ll See You in My Dreams” he said, “I’m inspired by him not only as an actor, but as a human being.  He deserved his own movie where he was in every scene and it was about him and he got to show off what an amazing actor he really is.”  He and co-writer Marc Basch came up with Elliott’s character as something “…he could sink his teeth into…and a non-Western where he’s not on a horse.”

Elliott’s character of Lee is incredibly real with the most raw and believable emotions that are true to life.  “The Hero” reminds us that time zips past us as we have neglected aspects of life that are most dear.   Haley identified with “Lee” even though he admits he’s still quite young.  “We are always looking back on our lives and what it means to make a mark.  He ends up really thinking about his personal relationships which, at the end of the day, are what really matters.”

“The Hero” allows us to see the world from Lee’s perspective—his hopes, his dreams and his failures—but most importantly it takes us inside his heart.  We feel the regret and the pain it has caused, but we also see the glimmer of love and life, never wanting to be extinguished, no matter how old the candles on the cake say we are.

Meeting and falling in love with a much younger woman, Charlotte (Laura Prepon), takes Lee on a fast-paced ride that he wasn’t quite prepared for.  Their relationship is simply beautiful as they both allow each other to see things differently.  Relationships are at the heart of this film and none is more painful than that of Lee and his adult daughter Lucy (Krysten Ritter).  As they bare their souls, the open wounds have obviously not healed, the resentment and remorse heartbreakingly shine through.  However, as in life, there is also humor in “The Hero.”  It’s more situational humor thanks to social media and Offerman’s character.  Haley added,  “He’s way more than Ron Swanson.  I wanted to give him something that he could do that was way outside of that box.  I didn’t have him do any woodworking or steak eating.  He plays a pot dealer and a very unique one!” Offerman and Elliott, on screen, are as comfortable with one another as two brothers as they live, reminisce, and support one another.

Elliott is simply extraordinary.  His small, yet vital roles in “Grandma,” and “I’ll See You In My Dreams” tipped us off as to this man’s true skills, but never have I seen such a passionate and powerful performance—certainly Oscar-worthy.  Offerman confided, “The ‘business’ would say to you, ‘Why don’t you have some younger, better looking people?’  And I would say to them, ‘There’s no one better looking than Sam Elliott.  People over 45 also have lives that we are interested in.”   Haley’s instinct to cast him as the lead truly allows this remarkable actor to show his depth of skill.  Elliott brings you directly to him, looking you in the eye, making you a part of the scene.  His emotions are palpable as you are connected with him and his situation.  We all have regrets in life, crossroads where we perhaps took a left turn instead of the right one and Elliott conveys this understanding with expert skill.

Offerman creates a  “unique” character with skill and charm.  There is no doubt that his character and Lee are long-time friends.  While he adds the comedic lift to the film, Offerman shows us he has the depth and understanding to give us this meaningful performance.  Prepon’s portrayal of “Charlotte” is equally as layered and complex, one that you don’t typically see for women her age.  Yes, she’s beautiful, but her character is also smart, well-read, creative, and wise beyond her years.  Seeing Katharine Ross, Elliott’s real-life wife, in this film as well as Ritter with her small but sublime performance as a dejected and hardened daughter gives “The Hero” the golden touch.

“The Hero” is a beautiful and sincere look at life, regrets, and the spark that flickers from within, wanting to continue to shine.  Haley has done it again.  He has created a film with heart about a character that is real and, get ready for this, is over 40.  In fact, he’s over 70.  My sincere gratitude goes to daring filmmakers like Haley who write films for older actors and then remind us of what’s truly important in life—our relationships.

To watch the interview at SXSW with Offerman and Haley check out YOUTUBE INTERVIEW

4/4 Stars