Hi friends! I have quick thoughts on 2 new releases to share.
PARTHENOPE
First up is an Italian film called Parthenope that is actually being distributed by A24 so it may get a pretty decent release schedule. It is from director Paolo Sorrentino who directed The Hand of God a few years ago. He knows how to make a pretty movie and capture the beauty of Italy. Unfortunately I wish his storytelling was as strong as the images he puts on screen.
The main problem with Parthenope is it feels so derivative of countless other coming of age movies in a similar style and feel. One can’t help but think of Call Me By Your Name or Cinema Paradiso, The 500 Blows or even The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. All of these do what Parthenope is trying to do but do it better with more interesting characters, better dialogue and less self-indulgent moments from the director.
Parthenope can be a very sexy movie but since I wasn’t attached to the characters it wasn’t escapist or enjoyable. Just honestly quite dull and plodding. I am sure some will like this movie more than I did for the visuals but it just isn’t for me.
Frown Worthy
THE UNBREAKABLE BOY
It’s always frustrating when it seems like the marketing for a film isn’t really selling what the actual experience watching it is. Such is the case with The Unbreakable Boy. The trailer makes it look like a cloying story of a precocious and plucky boy it’s actually a lot better than that.
The strongest part of The Unbreakable Boy is not on the boy (who is perfectly adorable played by Jacob Laval) but the portrait of the marriage between Zachary Levi and Meghann Fahy’s character. This is a realistic, raw marriage with highs, lows and the blessings and challenges of having a special needs child. The focus on the marriage gives the film a grounding that anyone will be able to relate with.
I had the chance to interview Kevin Downes producer on the film and the CEO of Kingdom Story Company after I had seen and enjoyed the film. We had a great conversation about faith-based films, the making of The Unbreakable Boy and what makes it a special movie.
I’m not going to say this film is Oscar-level or anything like that but it’s a sweet, inspiring portrait of a family and a marriage that was a lot better than I expected it to be.
Smile worthy
