Everything Everywhere All at Once

 

Every so often, there comes along a movie that is so boldly and uniquely original. A film that has such a unique style and perspective to it that feels like a breath of fresh air. From the makers of the equally unique and original Swiss Army Man comes the Multi-Verse Sci-Fi comedy-drama Everything Everywhere All at Once and it is a potent mix of gonzo comedy and heartfelt drama that works incredibly well. 

Evelyn Wang (played by Michelle Yeoh) runs a struggling laundromat with her husband Waymond (played by Ke Huy Quan). Tensions are high in the family due to the laundromat being audited by the IRS, Evelyn's daughter Joy (played by Stephanie Hsu) trying to get her mom to accept her girlfriend Becky (played by Tallie Medel), and Evelyn's father, Gong-Gong (played by James Hong) arriving from China. While on their way to meet with their auditor, Dierdre (played by Jamie Lee Curtis), Waymond is taken over by a Waymond from a parallel universe known as the Alpha Universe. Alpha Waymond explains that the Evelyn from his universe developed technology that allows people to traverse that vast multiverse and tap into their selves from other universes, utilizing their skills, memories and body of their other selves. He also tells her that the Alpha Universe Joy had her mind fractured by being pushed further and further by Alpha Evelyn to go further with her universe jumping, ultimately becoming Jobu Topaki, who is able to access all the universes at once and manipulate matter at will. Alpha Waymond believes that Jobu Topaki will target Evelyn as she has the most unrealized potential and therefore her untapped potential could help her defeat Jobu Topaki before she destroys the entire multiverse.      

The film was written and directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (credited as Daniels). The two have crafted a magnificent film that manages to blend sci-fi, wild and crazy images, impressive action and genuine, heartfelt character moments in a rich and very satisfying movie where all of these elements frequently converge together at once. They have a great deal of fun crafting their universe, or in this case multi-verse, with countless possible realities that at times get really out there. For example, there is a universe where everyone has hot dog like fingers with no bones in them that are effectively useless or one where the conditions on Earth never developed to support life so in that universe Evelyn is actually a rock. Yet, all the crazy visuals and gags do serve a narrative purpose throughout the film as they explore familial and relatable human connections. Relationships, love and understanding are explored throughout the film, even in a universe where people have hot dogs for fingers. It's quite something when a film can make me laugh and get choked up almost simultaneously. There is so much creativity throughout this moment and yet it all works beautifully. I am only describing the tip of all that is going on in this movie as I want to preserve as many of the delightful surprises as possible. 

The film has a magnificent cast led by Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn. Throughout the film, she is able to play multiple versions of her character and excels at all of them. She does a great job especially with the Evelyn we meet at the beginning of the film, beyond stressed and just trying to get through the day, facing a tax audit, countless customers and both her husband and daughter who try their best to help but never quite able to. The last thing she needs is to be drawn into a battle for the fate of the multiverse, but in a strange way it is exactly what she needs. As she goes along through her adventure through the multi-verse, Yeoh does a magnificent job conveying Evelyn's growth and her growing understanding of those around her. Ke Huy Quan is equally fantastic in this film as Waymond. It is just thrilling to see him in movies again after such a long absence after memorably starring in movies such as Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies as a kid. He gives the character so much heart and a unique sense of whimsy. Early in the movie, Evelyn is trying to find a laundry order and Waymond remarks that he moved some of the orders upstairs because he thought they would be "happier there." Much like Michelle Yeoh, he also has to play versions of his character from other universes, including the far more serious and driven Alpha Waymond as well as a Waymond in a universe where he and Evelyn never married and reconnect late in life. Quan nails each of these roles beautifully filling his character with so much heart and humanity. Jamie Lee Curtis clearly had fun with her role as Dierdre, who starts out the film as simply Evelyn's IRS auditor but at various points is taken over by Alpha Diedre, a minion of Jobu Topaki and is trying to stop Evelyn. There are other variations of Diedre seen throughout the film as well, including one in the Hot Dog Fingers universe with it's own surprises and giving Curtis plenty to play with in terms of character. Stephanie Hsu has a tricky role, playing not only Joy, but also the Alpha universe version of Joy, the far more nihilistic Jobu Topaki. The two characters are quite far from one another and yet Hsu moves effortlessly from one to the other. James Hong is one of the great character actors who I always enjoy seeing turn up in movies and he gets his fair share of memorable moments throughout the film.

Overall, I'm not going to say that Everything Everywhere All at Once is the best movie of the year since it's it's still only April, but it's going to be the one to beat for sure. The one which by all subsequent films this year will be measured. There have been other films that have explored the idea of the multiverse, but not one that has done it this well, with a real sense of creativity, skill, intelligence and heart. I could tell from the trailer alone that this one was going to be something special and I was so happy to see after seeing the complete film that it certainly is. 

Uncharted

 

I've always had a lot of love for a good treasure hunting adventure movie, whether it was the Indiana Jones films, The Goonies, The Adventures of Tintin, the National Treasure films, or yes, even the Lara Croft movies I just love watching these movies. Intrepid adventurers following the clues, solving the puzzles, and avoiding booby traps while traveling across the world to find their prize. Uncharted fits very comfortably within this very specific genre.  

Nathan Drake (played by Tom Holland) is trying to make a living in New York City, working as a bartender while also engaging in a little light theft from the occasional customer. He is approached one night by Victor "Sully" Sullivan (played by Mark Wahlberg) who needs his help. He was working with Nathan's older brother Sam (played by Rudy Pankow) to find treasure hidden by Magellan's crew. He was lost track of Sam after he helped Sully steal the diary of Juan Sebastian Elcano's diary. He needs Nathan's help to try and find Sam and recover the treasure. Also seeking the treasure is Santiago Moncado (played by Antonio Banderas) and his associate, Jo Braddock (played by Tati Gabrielle). Santiago is a descendant of the family who originally funded Magellan's expedition. First task is to retrieve a golden cross linked to Magellan's crew from an Auction House while dodging Moncado and his men. From there, it's off to Barcelona to meet up with another of Sully's associates, Chloe (played by Sophia Ali), who has another cross that pairs with the one Nathan and Sully got, which turn out to be literal keys to begin the journey to finding the treasure, all the while trying to keep one step ahead of Moncado as well and determining if they can even trust one another. 

The film was directed by Rueben Fleischer from a script written by Rafe Lee Judkins, Art Marcum, and Matt Rosenberg and is based on the popular series of Playstation games. The filmmakers do a good job translating the game to the big screen, with the film remaining accessible to filmgoers who are unfamiliar with the games while also working in little nods to the game. The film does have it's share of memorable set pieces, including one involving Tom Holland clinging on for dear life dangling out the back of a large cargo plane while fighting off assorted goons that is easily one of the highlights of the movie. Another sequence I really enjoyed had Nathan, Chloe and Sully working their way around Barcelona trying to find a spot they need to unlock with their respective crosses (which are also secretly keys) only for each to encounter a unique obstacle: the keyholes are in a very busy underground nightclub and a busy Papa Johns, respectively. It made for an entertaining problem for them to solve in a way that acknowledges how cities like Barcelona that have a deep history have grown and evolved over the years in a really amusing way. Still, the film does hit the familiar beats of previous movies in this genre. Personally, I enjoyed this but it may feel a little too familiar for some filmgoers. 

Tom Holland does well as Nathan Drake, applying the same sort of charm that he has found great success with in the Spider-Man movies, but Nathan Drake is also a little bit more morally flexible than Peter Parker. He also proves to be up to the more physical side of the role as Drake finds himself going through some pretty serious scrapes throughout the film. Mark Wahlberg proves to be a good treasure hunting partner as Sully, playing off Holland well as the two swap quick witted one-liners. He also strikes the right balance with his character where you're not quite sure you can trust him or not. Sophia Ali completes their trio and likewise is another person we're not quite sure if they can trust or not. She had a decent chemistry with Tom Holland as well as a potential love interest. Antonio Banderas does the best he can as Moncado, but he never quite proves to be the intimidating threat the film needs him to be. Still, he does ground the role a bit and make him less of a one dimensional, mustache twirling villain. Curiously, those aspects more come through the character played by Tati Gabrielle, whose Jo Braddock proves to be far more ruthless in her desire to find the treasure and is willing to do anything to get it. It is refreshing to see this sort of role filled by a female character, which we still don't see enough. 

Overall, Uncharted may feel a little too familiar at times but in this case that's not a bad thing. It fits very comfortably within the treasure hunting adventure genre with a good sense of humor and all those well worn tropes re-invigorated with a certain amount of charm from the cast to carry us through. It's nothing more than a fun popcorn movie and, refreshingly, it never pretends to be more than that either. Maybe I was just in the mood for this kind of movie, but I sure did have a good time watching it.

Death on the Nile (2022)

 

Kenneth Branagh returns to the role of Hercule Poirot in his handsomely mounted, star-studded follow-up to Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile. Much like the previous film, this one adapts one of Agatha Christie's most popular mysteries honoring the original text while also mixing things around just enough to keep Christie fans on their toes. 

Hercule Poirot (played by Kenneth Branagh) has recently returned to London and preparing to enjoy a night out at the local club to experience the music of famed Jazz singer Salome Otterbourne (played by Sophie Okonedo). There, he witnesses Jackie de Bellefort (played by Emma Mackey) introduce her fiancé Simon Doyle (played by Armie Hammer) to her childhood friend, Linnet Ridgeway (played by Gal Gadot). Jackie is hoping to get Simon a job with Linnet as her estate manager and encourages the two to take a spin on the dance floor to get to know one another. The plan works a little too well. Six Weeks Later, Poirot is vacationing in Cairo when he runs into his old friend Bouc (played by Tom Bateman) who is similarly on vacation with his mother, Euphemia (played by Annette Bening). Overjoyed to see his friend, Bouc invites Poirot to join the wedding party they are traveling with. No surprise, the happy couple are Linnet Ridgeway and Simon Doyle. Also traveling with the happy couple are Salome and her niece and manager, Rosalie (played by Letitia Wright), Linnet's godmother Marie van Schuyler (played by Jennifer Saunders) and her nurse and companion Mrs. Bowers (played by Dawn French), Linnet's cousin Andrew Katchadourian (played by Ali Fazal) her also handles her business affairs, Linnet's personal maid Louise Bourget (played by Rose Leslie), and Dr. Linus Windlesham (played by Russell Brand), who is also Linnet's former fiancé. Linnet takes Poirot aside asks for his help as Jackie has been stalking her and Simon across Egypt and needs his help. Deciding to try and avoid Jackie, Linnet and Simon book a cruise on the SS Karnak for themselves and their guests. However, they do not appear to be out of danger as during an excursion to Abu Simbel, Simon and Linnet narrowly miss a falling boulder that could have killed them. When they return to the Karnak, they discover that Jackie has boarded while they were away. Enraged, Linnet insists that she be thrown off the boat, but since she has a ticket she cannot. That night, Simon and Jackie get into a drunken argument ending with Jackie shooting Simon in the leg with a small pistol her keeps in her purse. Bouc grabs Dr. Windlesham and Mrs. Bowers. Dr. Windlesham tends to Simon's gunshot wound while Mrs. Bowers sedates the hysterical Jackie. The following morning, Louise discovers Linnet dead in her bed from a single small caliber bullet to the temple. Poirot suddenly finds himself with a new mystery at hand, all the more difficult because the two prime suspects both have air tight alibis for the time of death. 

The film was directed by Kenneth Branagh from a script by Michael Green based on the classic novel by Agatha Christie. Even more so that the previous film, this outing takes some liberties with the source material, including opening with a brand new scene that takes place during World War I that explains the origins of Poirot's distinctive and unique mustache (which has thankfully been reigned in a little bit this time around). They also bring back Bouc from the previous film and include his mother, neither of whom were in the original novel, with Bouc taking the place of Colonel Race from the novel and original film. Aside from those changes and a couple others I won't divulge because they would be spoilers, the film is largely a faithful adaptation of the novel. This one is a bit of a challenge to adapt as it has a lot more backstory to cover before we get into the main action. Still, Branagh and company manage to cover that quite well to keep the story compelling until we finally get to the actual mystery. The production design of the film is fantastic, especially the paddle steamer the bulk of the movie takes place on. It is suitably luxurious to befit someone as wealthy as Linnet yet close quarters and isolated enough to make for a compelling and at times tense mystery. While the vistas and sights of Egypt are a beautiful, some of the green screen work and CGI created sights of 1930s Egypt is unfortunately not as convincing as they would like at times and could be a bit distracting.  

The film boasts an impressive cast starting off with Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot. He gives a very nuanced performance as Poirot reveals a bit more of his past as well as his personal anguish and regrets in a touching scene between him and Bouc. We see some new sides to Poirot in this one, especially as the stakes in solving the mystery rise, and Branagh plays it wonderfully. Gal Gadot does well as Linnet Ridgeway, managing to walk the tightrope with her character and making her character likable even though she stole her best friend's fiancé. A lot has been made online about her line about the ship having "enough Champagne to fill the Nile" as being a bit of bad acting but overall, I think she actually did well in the role. Sophie Okonedo is fantastic as Salome Otterbourne and impressed me from her first scene in the Jazz club, rocking a guitar no less (I checked, they actually did exist and were invented in 1932!). She is clearly having a lot of fun with her character and is one of the highlights of the movie. Letitia Wright has a few moments to shine as well as Rosalie, who is sharp as a tack when it comes to business and turns out to be an important resource not just for her aunt, but Linnet as well. Ali Fazal does well with his role as Andrew Katchadourian making the most of a tricky role. It's a joy to see Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French reunited and do quite well playing the far more serious roles of Marie Van Schuyler and Mrs. Bowers as opposed to their usual comedic shenanigans. The same can be said for Russell Brand, playing it straight as Dr. Windlesham and a far cry from his wilder, more goofball roles he's known for but he pulls it off quite well. Rose Leslie does her best with the rather underwritten role of Louise, Linnet's personal maid.

Overall, Death on the Nile is a solid follow-up to Murder on the Orient Express. Branagh expands on the character of Poirot in some very interesting ways without getting in the way of the narrative as a whole and even integrating it into the overall story to pay off quite well by the time we get to the end. It is a lavish production with a stellar cast that shines and manages to pack in a few surprises for such a famous and well known mystery. It may not quite have "enough champagne to fill the Nile," but I had a good time with it and I imagine anyone who enjoyed the previous film will as well. 

Death on the Nile (1978)

 

Coming four years after the star-studded 1974 film, Murder on the Orient Express, comes the equally star-studded Death on the Nile. It arrives with a change in actor for main character Hercule Poirot after Albert Finney, who already found the prosthetic makeup he wore in the previous film unbearable, imagined undergoing a similar process this time in the Egyptian desert would be even worse and politely declined the opportunity to return. Aside from that, this follow up follows a similar set-up with a group of colorful characters in an isolated location, swapping a train for a boat, and a murder to solve where everyone is a suspect. 

When Jackie de Bellefort (played by Mia Farrow) introduced her fiance Simon (played by Simon MacCorkindale) to her best friend Linnet (played by Lois Chiles), the last thing she expected was for the two of them to fall in love and get married soon after. They decide to honeymoon in Egypt after the wedding and are shocked to discover that jilted Jackie is following them and determined to disrupt their holiday. In an attempt to ditch her, Linnet and Simon board the paddle steamer SS Karnak that will be traveling along the Nile river. On board is an assortment of characters who also happen to have a connection to Linnet and Simon. There is Linnet's trustee, Andrew Pennington (played by George Kennedy), who needs Linnet to sign several documents he put together to try and cover up money he embezzled from her. There is renowned author Salome Otterbourne (played by Angela Lansbury), who is being sued by Linnet and traveling with her daughter Rosalie (played by Olivia Hussey), Elderly American socialite Mrs. van Schuyler (played by Bette Davis) and her companion Miss Bowers (played by Maggie Smith), who blames Linnet's father for financially ruining her own father. James Ferguson (played by Jim Finch) is an outspoken Communist who resents Linnet's wealth. Dr. Ludwig Bessner (played by Jack Warden) faces exposure from Linnet for his unorthodox practices with some of Linnet's friends who were patients. Also among them is acclaimed detective Hercule Poirot (played by Peter Ustinov), who is traveling with his friend Colonel Race (played by David Niven). When Linnet turns up dead with a single gunshot to the head, it falls to Poirot and Race to figure out who killed her, which proves to be a challenge when everyone else on board has a good motive.   

The film was directed by John Guillermin from a script by Anthony Shaffer from the classic Agatha Christie novel. This film, unlike it's predecessor, takes it's time setting up not only the main conflict between Jackie, Linnet, and Simon but also the other passengers as the narrative gets them all to Egypt and onto the river cruise. To their credit, they do manage to make the events compelling enough to hold the viewers attention until we finally get to the central mystery. Once we get into the central mystery, the film does throw in several twists to keep the audience guessing as well. The location shoots in Egypt are captured quite well with some fantastic cinematography from Jack Cardiff as they characters at various points visit the pyramids or other, similar locations as the threat to Linnet rises. The costume design throughout the film is also worth noting as it actually won an Academy Award for designer Anthony Powell, with outfits worn at various points by both Bette Davis and Angela Lansbury being distinct standouts. 

The filmmakers managed to assemble a great cast to bring their assortment of colorful characters to life. Peter Ustinov does great as Poirot, giving his character more warmth as he interacts with the other characters. Bette Davis is a natural fit for her role as the feisty Mrs. Van Schuyler who frequently trades barbs with her companion, Maggie Smith, making the two of them a joy to watch throughout the movie as they bicker like an old married couple. Angela Lansbury is likewise having a very good time playing the eccentric Salome Otterbourne. Jack Warden similarly lays it on thick as the controversial Dr. Ludwig Bessner with a thick accent and similarly amusing colorful flourishes. David Niven does well as Colonel Race and plays off Ustinov well as the two try to solve the mystery. Lois Chiles manages to keep Linnet sympathetic despite the fact that it would be easy for her character to be incredibly unlikable considering she steals her best friend's fiancé. Mia Farrow likewise is a good fit for the enraged Jackie, who is determined to ruin Simon and Linnet's honeymoon. Simon MacCorkindale lays on the charm as the attractive Simon and it is easy to see why Linnet would fall for him too.

Overall, Death on the Nile is a solid follow-up to Murder on the Orient Express. The opening of the film may drag for some but it manages to remain entertaining as it goes about setting up it's intricate backstory that leads to the central mystery. It's populated with a great cast that are clearly having a fun time playing their characters. The locations in Egypt are photographed wonderfully and captured with great 1930's style, matching the time period of the film. The primary setting on the paddle steamer is captured well and the filmmakers allow it to feel appropriately claustrophobic and isolated. This one is definitely well worth checking out, especially if you are a Poirot fan.            

Licorice Pizza

There is something inherently charming about Paul Thomas Anderson's Licorice Pizza, with it's intriguing characters, period setting and relaxed narrative. At it's heart, it's a unlikely romance but it's also about it's characters as they inhabit a very specific place and time, in this case 1973 in the San Fernando Valley. It's quirky and different in a way that only a Paul Thomas Anderson film can be and I couldn't help but fall in love with it. 

Gary Valentine (played by Cooper Hoffman) is a somewhat successful child actor who has appeared in a few movies and T.V shows by his age of 15. On school picture day, he crosses paths with Alana Kane (played by Alana Haim), who is significantly older at the age of 25 and works for the company doing the school photos. Smitten, Gary strikes up a conversation and although she rebuffs his advances ultimately accepts to meet him for dinner and a friendship develops. When he needs a chaperone for a press appearance in New York, he recruits Alana to accompany him when his mom Anita (played by Mary Elizabeth Ellis) is unable to go. When roles begin to dry up, Gary begins a Waterbed company with his friends and Alana. When Alana decides she wants to try acting, Gary introduces her to his agent, leading to a very successful audition with actor Jack Holden (played by Sean Penn). She goes out to dinner with him that night, she gets roped into participating in a motorcycle stunt with Jack on a golf course cooked up by a very inebriated film director, Rex Blau (played by Tom Waits) and Jack. Meanwhile, their Waterbed company takes off, leading them on such assorted misadventures as a extended encounter with notorious hairdresser turned Hollywood producer Jon Peters (played by Bradley Cooper). 

The film was written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and is in a way a return to form of his earlier films which centered on unique characters populating the San Fernando Valley in films such as Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and perhaps most directly to this one, Punch Drunk Love. Much like the latter film, this one is a very unconventional romance. Much of it is one sided, with Gary very much infatuated with Alana, but Alana understandably rebuffing his advances. Still, there is something that keeps her coming back to him and soon a friendship and partnership develops between the two. It is not like anything I really have seen in a film before. The closest I can think of is the unrequited love William has for Penny in Almost Famous (which, curiously, also takes place in 1973). The film itself takes on an almost episodic nature as it traverses Gary and Alana's various adventures together, whether it is on a press appearance for a film Gary was in (leading to an amusing run in with the film's star, Lucille Ball expy Lucy Doolittle (played by Christine Ebersole) or setting up their waterbed company and everything beyond that. Anderson drew inspiration for the character of Gary from the early life of former child star and current Hollywood Producer Gary Goetzman, based on stories Gary had told him. He then peppered the story with assorted oddball characters that occupied Hollywood at the same time that Gary and Alana would have run into, some fictionalized, some not so much.  Anderson, who shot the film with Michael Bauman, did a fantastic job not just capturing the time period, but also the look and feel of 1970's films. It probably helps that they used older film lenses and shot on 35mm film.     

The film has a fantastic cast, starting with the two leads. Cooper Hoffman is great as Gary. He really captures Gary's drive and maturity well beyond his years. He's a fascinating character in that he's only a teenager, but can keep pivoting from one thing to another when something doesn't work out, always able to pounce on the next opportunity. It's these qualities that keep drawing Alana back to Gary. Alana Haim is equally fantastic in the role of Alana, a role Paul Thomas Anderson wrote specifically for her. She wonderfully captures how lost Alana feels as she tries to figure out what she wants her future to be. She tries several things throughout the movie and yet keeps getting drawn back to Gary who comparatively seems to have it all figured out. The film is also populated with a number of actors in smaller parts that nonetheless leave memorable impressions in the film. Sean Penn has an interesting turn as Jack Holden, clearly based on Hollywood actor William Holden. Alana meets him when she is auditioning for a film and he initially seems like a potential romantic prospect, despite being significantly older. Of course, he turns out to not quite be the person he appears during the audition later on when Alana joins him for drinks in an amusing turnabout that Penn handles quite well. Christine Ebersole has an amusing bit as Lucy Doolittle, clearly based on Lucille Ball, during a press promotion appearance with Gary and assorted other cast members for the film "Under One Roof" (clearly Yours, Mine and Ours). But easily the most memorable one for me was Bradley Cooper as the eccentric and wild Jon Peters. He shows up late in the movie but just steals every scene he is in and is hilarious in the role. What should be a simple waterbed delivery for Gary, Alana and his friends turn into a pretty crazy adventure they probably could not have predicted. 

Overall, Licorice Pizza is one of my favorite movies of 2021. It has a fun, unique plot led by two fantastic actors playing unique and interesting characters. It is a Paul Thomas Anderson film through and through, with it's episodic and sprawling storyline that I was never quite sure where it was going. I was absolutely enchanted with this film from beginning to end. Based on some of the reactions I've read to this film, it is certainly one where one's mileage may vary. But, if what you've read so far sounds appealing, chances are you will enjoy it too.     

West Side Story (2021)

 

When I first heard that Steven Spielberg was going to remake West Side Story, my first instinct was, Why? But the more I thought about it, the more I thought maybe that was one that could use a fresh look. As much as the 1961 movie is a classic, some aspects to it have really not aged well. Also, I was just excited at the thought of Spielberg doing a musical. He had flirted with the genre several times throughout his films, with big musical numbers in both 1941 and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. But he had yet to make a full blown musical until now. Now having seen it, I can say he absolutely crushed it. 

By now, most people probably know the plot of the film. Set in the West Side of Manhattan which is quickly being demolished to make way for the likes of Lincoln Center and newer and more expensive high-rises, two rival street gangs are fighting for the territory that remains. One gang is the Jets, led by Riff (played by Mike Faist) and the other is the Sharks, led by Bernardo (played by David Alvarez). After their latest scuffle is broken up by Officer Krupke (played by Brian d'Arcy James) and Lieutenant Schrank (played by Corey Stoll), Riff feels it's time the two gangs had a rumble and goes to recruit the newly paroled Tony (played by Ansel Elgort) to join them. Tony refuses, wishing to go straight after his recent stint in prison. Still, he shows up at the neighborhood dance where he encounters Maria (played by Rachel Zegler). Maria came to the dance with Chino (played by Jose Andres Rivera) at the insistence of her brother, Bernardo. It's love at first sight for the two, which angers Bernardo, who is less than thrilled with the match. In the heat of the moment, Bernardo agrees to Riff's call for a rumble so long as Tony attends. Maria and Tony meet again later that night on the fire escape outside her apartment and make plans to meet up for a real date the next day. Meanwhile, tensions continue to grow between the Jets and the Sharks, setting the stage for an ultimate showdown between the two gangs for control of their neighborhoods. 

The film is directed by Steven Spielberg from a script by Tony Kushner and the two throw themselves into the material with a sort of energy and fearlessness that is infectious. This new version of the classic musical has the right amount of reverence for the original stage show and movie, while also carefully fleshing out the story and characters in meaningful ways. The changes they make are small in the grand scheme, yet meaningful. In this version, Doc is replaced with his widow Valentina (played by Rita Moreno), who is a bit of a surrogate parent for Tony. I also appreciated that they made wannabe Jet member Anybodys (played by Iris Menas) canonically transgender in this film, whereas previously he was portrayed as a tomboy girl. They also move around a few of the musical numbers, with "Maria" and "Tonight" once again being back to back with "America" moved to the following morning. Still, the songs remain the same iconic songs Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim originally wrote, so much so that I found myself singing along a couple times without even entirely being aware of it. The musical numbers are wonderfully realized by Spielberg and choreographer Justin Peck, utilizing a bit of Jerome Robbins original choreography from the 1961 film in certain points, but largely breaking free and creating their own for much of the film. There is so much energy and fire behind these numbers it took my breath away to watch. The actors perform it flawlessly as Spielberg captures it all with the help of cinematographer Janusz Kaminski as the camera moves around and throughout it all. I was continuously blown away at the way Kamin shot this movie, the way he and Spielberg use light throughout the movie, with the scope frame and the lens flares. Early in the film, when Tony and Maria first meet under the bleachers at the dance, with the light pouring in between the wooden slats, adding a dream like feel to the sequence. Of course, all this changes once they're discovered and reality intrudes. Kamiński's photography in the film is lush and gorgeous in a way that had me enraptured to the screen. The film clocks in at a whopping 156 minutes, but moves with such passion and the speed of a freight train that I hardly felt it at all.  

The cast of the film is top notch. Rachel Zegler blew me away as Maria, both in her singing and acting. She really captures Maria's aching desire to find her own independence and not rely on Bernardo and Anita. Maria grows a lot over a remarkably short time period the film takes place in and Zegler captures it all perfectly. Ansel Elgort has been getting a fair amount of criticism in his performance as Tony, but I thought he did well in the roll personally. He handled the singing and dancing quite well, to my surprise, and also captured the struggle of Tony quite well, who wants to go legit and break free from the Jets, but still finds himself getting pulled back in. Mike Faist gives us a very different Riff than I was familiar with from Russ Tamblyn's iconic portrayal in the original film and this film is all the better for it. Don't get me wrong, I love Tamblyn's Riff, he was my favorite character in the original film. But Faist breaks free from that and gives us a Riff that feels a bit more on the edge and a bit more dangerous. There is a devil may care attitude and nihilism to Faist's Riff that I find very compelling. Ariana DeBose is great in the role of Anita, who is both Maria's best friend and her brother Bernardo's girlfriend. She is a fantastic singer and dancer as well as handling the more emotional aspects of the role with great care and sincerity. David Alvarez does well with the role of Bernardo, grounding it nicely and capturing that Bernardo is only doing what he thinks is best in the way he looks after Maria and pushing her to date Chino. And of course we have the amazing Rita Moreno as Valentina. It's a supporting role in the film, but a meaningful one. I loved her scenes in the film with Ansel Elgort and the way they played off one another in a surrogate parent-child relationship that worked perfectly. She also gets to perform "Somewhere" this time around, recorded live on set and absolutely crushes it. 

I had been looking forward to this film with anticipation ever since I saw the first trailer for it and I have to say it managed to exceed even my high expectations. Everyone in this film is firing on all cylinders with fire and energy to spare. There is a reverence to the original stage show and 1961 film while also breaking free from it, while also grounding the material with a bit more grittiness. It's smartly updated without removing anything we loved from before. The same themes of racism, gentrification and immigration are all here just as they were in the original. It's every bit as good as the original film if not, dare I say it, maybe even a little better. But then again, why bother remaking something if you're not going to do it as well or even better than before? Either way, Steven Spielberg and his cast and crew definitely understood the assignment. 

Single All the Way

I should preface this review by stating that I am a sucker for Romantic Comedies, especially ones set around the holidays. So naturally, I was excited for Single All the Way, which stacked it's deck in my favor in so many ways that is was practically guaranteed that I would love it and, no surprise, I did. 

Peter (played by Michael Urie) has a successful life living in Los Angeles as a photographer and shares and apartment with his best friend Nick (played by Philemon Chambers) and Nick's dog Emmett. When he breaks up with his boyfriend and finds himself faced with another Christmas home for the holidays as the single guncle, Peter suggests Nick accompany him home and pose as his boyfriend. His family already knows and loves Nick and it would help deflect all the prying from his well meaning family. Nick hesitantly agrees and they're off to Nick's family home in New Hampshire, where they are greeted by his mother, Carole (played by Kathy Najimy) and father, Harold (played by Barry Bostwick). To his surprise, he discovers his mother has set him up on a blind date for the holidays with someone she met at her gym, James (played by Luke Macfarlane). Peter begrudgingly agrees to go through with it and to his surprise, the two hit it off well enough and agree to a second date. On the other hand, Harold always felt Peter was a better match with Nick and admits as much to Nick. Likewise, seeing Peter hit it off with someone has Nick re-evaluating his feelings for Peter. Deciding to do some meddling of their own, Harold, Nick's sister Lisa (played by Jennifer Robertson) and Peter's nieces Sofia and Daniella (played by Alexandra Beaton and Madison Brydges) conspire to get Peter and Nick to spend as much time together, volunteering them both to help with the local Christmas pageant that is put on every year by their eccentric Aunt Sandy (played by Jennifer Coolidge).   

The film was directed by Michael Mayer from a script by Chad Hodge. Like most romantic comedies, the outcome is pretty much a foregone conclusion, so the thrill is in getting to that ending and in that regard, Mayer and Hodge have created a warm and delightful holiday Rom-Com that manages to feel fresh even while operating within a familiar setup. It helps that the film is refreshingly free of any sort of homophobia or angst that usually accompany gay-centric films. Instead, the film focuses on the developing love triangle between Peter, Nick and James as well as Peter finding himself with having to make a decision about his future: does he want to keep working in L.A when the warm embrace of home is suddenly feeling so enticing? And who can blame him when home is such a loving place full of delightfully colorful characters? Still, the film does have an undercurrent the subtly illustrates the complexities of gay life that adds some substance to the film beyond the frothy holiday cheer, perfectly exemplified when early in the film Peter is chewing out his latest boyfriend on the phone after discovering he's married - to a woman - and pausing to say "I won't judge whatever journey you're on, but just hope you don't do this to someone else!" acknowledging that not everyone feels they can be out of the closet. The film also touches on small town gay life versus big city as Peter and James discuss it over their first date.    

The film has an impressive cast led by Michael Urie as Peter. There is something so relatable and endearing about the way Michael Urie portrays Peter as he tries to navigate everything he's feeling and tries to decide what he wants to do. Philemon Chambers is equally charming as Nick, a children's book author who supplements his income working as a handyman. Chambers have a nice, easy-going chemistry that makes sense for two guys who have been friends for a long time. It also fits for two characters that may have deeper feelings for one another that they may not have initially realized. Luke Macfarlane strikes the right note as James. It would be so easy to fall into that common Rom-Com trap where the other potential love interest is so obviously a wrong match but in this case James is a wonderful and charming guy that under any other circumstances might be a great pairing for Peter. Of course, this plays perfectly into the plot of the rest of the movie as this new potential love for Peter finally forces Nick to realize his true feelings. Kathy Najimy is fun as Peter's well meaning mother, who can't help but meddle but always comes from a place of love and support. Likewise, Jennifer Robertson is a delight as Peter's sister Lisa, but then again I may be biased because I love her from her role as Jocelyn on Schitt's Creek. Likewise, gay fave Jennifer Coolidge manages to steal every scene she's in as Peter's crazy Aunt Sandy, who apparently has a similar gay following or so she attests. I also enjoyed Alexandra Beaton and Madison Brydges as Peter's nieces who are clearly Team Nick and actively join the shenanigans to make sure these two end up together.  

Much like last year's delightful The Christmas Setup, Single all the Way is a sweet and charming gay Holiday Rom-Com that is endearing without being cloying and while being a bit predictable finds ways to freshen things up a bit along the way. With a stacked cast of wonderful actors keeping things fun and entertaining and able direction from Michael Mayer and a script from Chad Hodge that knows how to play with genre conventions made this a fun and easy-going Holiday treat. When it comes to Christmas Rom-Coms, I couldn't ask for anything more. Movies like this are cinematic comfort food, best enjoyed cozied up with a mug of hot chocolate.