Amanda's Picks

Civil War 

Civil War (R)

 

Civil War (Rated R for very strong and disturbing violence) is set in the not-at-all-distant future. California and Texas have formed the Western Forces to wage war on a third-term president (Nick Offerman) and his war machine. Now, you might be thinking “California and Texas! How did those two wacky states get together?” Well, that’s one of MANY questions that are never answered in Civil War. 

Photojournalist Lee (Kirsten Dunst) and Joel (Wagner Moura ) decide to take a dangerous road trip from New York City to more dangerous Washington, DC hoping to land an interview with the President before the Western Forces get to him. Hitching a ride with them are New York Times veteran reporter and voice of reason, Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson) and plucky, newbie photographer Jessie (Cailee Spaeny). Lee, who has excellent instincts, feels that taking on these two for the risky road trip, might not be a great idea.

What follows is a series of extremely tense scenes that make you feel like you are in a war zone and will make you wonder why anyone would sign up as a wartime photojournalist. At every stop, no matter how perilous, Lee and Jessie take photos to document the atrocities of war. Joel does nothing. He doesn’t interview anyone, take notes, record his thoughts or write stories. What’s this guy’s story? Another unanswered question.

The cast is strong, including brief turns by Nelson Lee and Jesse Plemons at his absolute creepiest. Kirsten Dunst has never been better. With so little backstory, except that we know she’s seen A LOT, Dunst conveys everything with her expressions and body language. McKinley Henderson is terrific as the world-weary journalism revered by Lee. Spaeny tries hard, but her character is underwritten
and her risky behavior leads to a variety of disasters. 

Civil War is a well-made film with several extraordinary and unforgettable images, skilled use of sound and shrewd editing. But by focusing on building tension and shocking the audience with scenes of devastating and realistic violence, writer/director Alex Garland has skimped on story. How long has this fight been going on? What are they fighting for? Just how bad is the President? How did they get the money to launch such an expensive military assault? How does Jessie go from a plucky newbie to a hard-edged, war correspondent in two days? Why does Lee worship Sammy? And seriously, how did California and Texas get together? If Garland had spent just a little bit more time on narrative and a little bit less time trying to shock us, Civil War could be an almost-great movie. 

Civil War: 3.5 out of 5

The Miracle Club

The Miracle Club (PG-13)

 

The day after we saw Civil War, we needed a little break and opted for The Miracle Club (2023) on Netflix. Set in 1967 in a small Irish town, the film follows a group of women who for their own reasons, are determined to the Sanctuary of our Lady of Lourdes, France. 

Dolly (Agnes O’Casey) has a son who cannot (or will not) speak. Eileen (Kathy Bates) just found a lump on her breast and Lily (Maggie Smith) is nearly 90 but relatively healthy, and is just along for the ride. Joining them is Chrissie (Laura Linney), who has returned to Ireland for the first time in 40 years, after the death of her mother. Everyone seems to have loved her mom and they resent Chrissie. All the women have secrets and most of them have husbands who take them for granted. 

I wish I could say I really enjoyed The Miracle Club. Unfortunately, while the performances are strong, the story is weak and never really goes anywhere. Laura Linney, per usual, rises above the material, delivering a sensitive and smart performance and a very strong monologue toward the end of the movie. Kathy Bates, adopting a decent Irish accent, delivers as Eileen. But she is just too old to be the mother of children under the age of 14. Maggie Smith doesn’t get to show off her trademark snarkiness, but shines in a couple of scenes. I did enjoy learning about the history of Lourdes. Maybe if the characters’ “miracles” were a bit more urgent and the conflict a bit more compelling, I would have been more invested in The Miracle Club. 

The Miracle Club: 2.5 out of 5