The Myth of Fingerprints 1997 Written and directed by Bart Freundlich (Moore’s long time partner). Though yet another dysfunctional family reuniting for a holiday, writing and acting here are a cut above. Oddly, only Moore’s bad tempered character Mia remains an enigma. Parents Lena (Blythe Danner, always a pleasure) and obstreperous, egotistical Hal (Roy Schneider) once again welcome their kids (and significant others) home for Thanksgiving. Warren (Noah Wyle) hasn’t been home in three years because of something that occurred with former girlfriend Daphne (Arija Bareikis), who’s come home to her folks.
Mia brings Elliot (Brian Kerwin) whom she inexplicably mistreats throughout. Younger sister Leigh (Laurel Holloman) is much nicer to Mia’s beau. (We fruitlessly root for her.) Brother Jake (Michael Vartan) brings loosey goosey Margaret (Hope Davis), to whom he has a roaring sexual relationship and to whom he has trouble committing. Also peripherally influential is Jerry (Chris Bauer), an old classmate of Mia’s. A realistic glimpse, but just a glimpse. Free with Amazon Prime.
End of the Affair 1999 Based on the novel by Graham Green, then made into a 1955 film with Deborah Kerr. Directed by Neil Jordan. “A diary of hate” told in flashback. One evening out walking, Maurice Bendrix (Ralph Feinnes) encounters former acquaintance Henry Miles (Stephen Rea). Henry is the husband of Sarah (Julianne Moore), with whom Maurice had an aborted love affair two years prior. Sarah was his soulmate. He still doesn’t know why she ended things.
Henry’s in distress. He’s found Sarah’s diaries. She’s ill. He asks Maurice back to the house…Deeply romantic, then steeped in the quandary of religion. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Far From Heaven 2002 Written and directed by Todd Haynes. In 1950s suburban Connecticut, Cathy Whitaker’s (Julianne Moore) seemingly perfect life falls apart when her husband Frank (Dennis Quaid) is picked up for gay soliciting. Though he agrees to conversion therapy (remember that abomination?), he turns to alcohol in tandem.
When Cathy meets Raymond Deagan son of her late gardener (Dennis Haysburt- splendid), she finds a gentle sympathetic soul to whom she can relate. Raymond is black. Keeping public company is an issue. They attempt to get to know one another better but there are repercussions and an eventual impasse. Deftly handled. Far from Heaven is made in the style of 1950s films, notably those of Douglas Sirk: Haynes created color palettes for every scene. Also with Patricia Clarkson, Viola Davis, James Rebhorn. Rent on Amazon Prime.
The Kids Are All Right 2010 Directed by Lisa Cholodenko, written by Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg. Nic (Annette Bening), an obstetrician, and Jules (Julianne Moore), a housewife, starting a landscaping business, are a same sex couple living in Los Angeles. Both have given birth to children using the same sperm donor. The kids, Laser (Josh Hucherson) and Joni (Mia Wasikowska) find and meet their biological dad, a restaurant owner named Paul (Mark Ruffalo). Fearful the mothers will be upset, they initially keep this secret. When revealed, Nic and Jules invite him to dinner.
Paul hires Jules to recreate his back garden. The two have an affair. She and the kids spend an increasing amount of time at his place. Eventually Nic finds out. Paul wants their/his family. Allegiances must be clarified, decisions made. Really well done. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Still Alice 2014 Based on the novel by neuroscientist Lisa Genova who was inspired by watching her grandmother. Directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland. Columbia University linguistics professor Alice Howland (Julianne Moore) develops early onset (before age 65) familial Alzheimer’s disease. Her children are upset and sympathetic. Ill equipped to cope, husband, John (Alec Baldwin), accepts a job in Minnesota.
Alice finds ways to remain functional as long as she can, including bravely delivering a speech about what’s happening to her. We watch her regress. A daughter moves east to be with her. Painful and sensitively executed. Moore researched Alzheimer’s disease for four months to prepare for the role. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Bel Canto 2018 Based on an excellent novel by Ann Patchett. Directed by Paul Weitz. Famous opera soprano Roxane Coss (Julianne Moore dubbed by Renee Fleming) breaks her own rules to appear at a private South American dinner given by rich Japanese industrialist and avid fan Katsumi Hosokawa (Ken Watanabe). Vice-President Ruben Ochoa’s mansion is filled with visiting dignitaries including French Ambassador Thibault and his wife (Christopher Lambert and Elsa Zilberstein), Hosokawa’s translator Gen Watanbe (Ryo Kase), and Russian trade delegate, Fyodorov (Olek Krupa.)
Guerrillas, led by Comandante Benjamin (Tenoch Huerta), take over the house demanding release of comrades. Over the course of a month, Red Cross negotiator Joachim Messner (Sebastian Koch) is the only person in or out. A story of unexpected sympathies, liaisons, and the Stockholm Syndrome (transference between captors and captives). Tense and fascinating. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Gloria Bell 2018 Directed by Sebastian Lelio. Stick to the original foreign language version, Gloria, made by the same director. This is watered down and lacks fire.
Top photo: Bigstock
