New drama explores if it’s possible to not be defined by past mistakes
While the cult following of the “Star Wars” franchise will more than likely make their way to theaters to make “Solo: A Star Wars Story” this weekend’s number one movie, don’t discount the drama, “Who We Are Now.”
Recently released from prison, Beth (Julianne Nicholson, “I, Tonya” and “The Love Letter”) is working with her public defender Carl (Jimmy Smits, “Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith” and “NYPD Blue”) to get her son back from her sister, who was awarded legal custody while Beth was incarcerated for ten years.
Soon after, Beth forms an unlikely alliance with Jess (Emma Roberts, “Nerve” and “The Art of Getting By”), an idealistic young protege of the public defense team, who decides to take on Beth’s cause whether she likes it or not.
Other characters include: Peter (Zachary Quinto, “Star Trek” and “Heroes”), Vince (Jason Biggs, “American Pie” and “Amateur Night”), Felicity (Carly Brooke, (“Younger” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”) and Gabby (Jess Weixler, “Teeth” and “The Big Bad Swim”).
Directed by Matthew Newton, this film scores high on both rotten tomatoe’s the tomatometer as well as with those who want to see it.
Top Critic Leslie Felperin with the Hollywood Reporter said, “Newton’s storytelling is skittish and a bit too on the nose at times, but his palpable generosity toward his cast is rewarded with committed, passionate turns from the ensemble.”
Tomas Trussow with Film Inquiry said, “Newton carved out a raw and unsentimental journey for his protagonists that neither completely absolves them of their mistakes, nor robs them of the agency to make them.”
Top Critic Brian Tallerico with rogerebert.com saw things a little differently, giving the film a “splat” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
“‘Who We Are Now’ just ticks too many cliched boxes, particularly in the dialogue department,” he said.
This film is not rated.
Other movies to hit theaters this weekend include:
n “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” starring Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Thandie Newton, Woody Harrelson and Donald Glover, and directed by Ron Howard, takes us on a journey aboard the Millennium Falcon to a galaxy far, far away. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Salo meets his mighty future co-pilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.
This film is rated PG-13.
n “How to Talk to Girls at Parties,” starring Elle Fanning, Alex Sharp, Nicole Kidman and Ruth Wilson, and directed by John Cameron Mitchell, this pop extravaganza film follows Enn, a shy suburban London teenager in 1977, sneaking out with his best friends to after hours punk parties. One night they stumble upon a bizarre gathering of sexy teenagers who seem like they are from another planet. In fact, they are from another planet, visiting earth to complete a mysterious rite of passage.
This film is rated R.
n “The Gospel According to Andre,” is a documentary about fashion fixture Andre Leon Talley, directed by Kate Novack. This intimate portrait takes viewers on an emotional journey from Andre’s roots growing up in the segregated Jim Crow South to become one of the most influential tastemakers and fashion curators of our time.
This film is rated PG-13.