shark-43

I have really enjoyed Annie Baker's plays & was looking forward to seeing her feature film debut with JANET PLANET. And while I always admire Julianne Nicholson's work (she is incredible in everything from I, TONYA to MARE OF EASTTOWN) this film & Baker's script just moves along with no structure or no drive. I have no problem with films that take their time, or move slowly as long as there is some kind of emotional or cerebral pay off but sadly, I did not think this film had one. There are small nice, very real moments between some of the characters and I liked Sophie Okenedo's scenes but overall the story is not compelling and yes, the character's keep others at arms length but the viewer wishes they could get a bit closer to the characters and their thoughts and emotions. Overall, a rather lackluster summer coming of "age" from a very talented playwright.

It was a nice surprise to stumble upon AMBASSADORS because I am such a fan of Mitchell & Webb - their sketch show and then PEEP SHOW are both terrific. What was refreshing was that the tone and pace and humor in AMBASSADORS is very different from their previous stuff. This show is like a mix of Yes, Minister, Veep and In The Loop. What is also impressive is the superb supporting cast - Keely Hawes, Matthew MacFayden, Tom Hollander, Amara Karan, Susan Lynch and Shivani Ghai. Don't expect the raunchy, will comedy of their sketch show/Peep Show. This is engaging, smart, measured and there are certainly laughs.

I am a big fan of this filmmaker Jeff Nichols. Love his very first first SHOTGUN STORIES along with MUD and MIDNIGHT SPECIAL. But I have to say I was underwhelmed with this biker film. Love Tom Hardy's work (if you haven't seen LOCKE or BRONSON, seek them out - Hardy is brilliant in both). But Hardy's character seemed underwritten as did most of the biker characters. I realize it is a large ensemble but still so many characters just came along, popped in and left as one note tropes. Obviously, the main character was Kathy and I feel this is the first time I was disappointed with a Jodie Comer performance. She is stunning in KILLING EVE. But here I felt she was SO focused on nailing the midwest Illinois accent that there was nothing left. All accent, all 70's hair and cigarettes but the vessel was empty. I just never believed her - it was ALL performance, ALL acting, nothing seemed natural. And I felt the same with Mr. Butler, all superficial but nothing beneath the surface. It's a shame because the 1960's & 1970's are fascinating decades, these bike clubs/gangs are also a very interesting part of American culture but it all just seemed rather empty. All flash, no substance.