Foreign

Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay give subtle,  profound performances as a retired couple on the verge of their forty-fifth wedding anniversary. Directed by Andrew Haigh, based on a 10-page story by David Constantine, this quietly brilliant psychological scenario will haunt one long after its initial viewing. After two screenings I am still unsettled, pondering, contemplating the conclusion. “Geoff” (Courtenay) receives …

“Youth”. Director Paolo Sorrentino’s  (“The Great Beauty”, 2014, Academy Award for Best Foreign Film) stunning, poignant film is enhanced by the sterling talents of Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Paul Dano. Tackling life’s waning issues on a myriad of levels. A dazzling Swiss landscape and sublime music adds insouciant charm and “beauty” to “Youth”. “Macbeth”. A mesmerizing portrayal of the tortured, …

“Girls Lost” (Sweden) was a jewel in the crown of the 51st Chicago International Film Festival; focusing on three pubescent girls in yxtreme emotional havoc, warring with their obvious facades and internal identities; unfathomable, unimaginable pain for those unfortunate to be imprisoned in a limbo of sexual ambiguity. Eddie Redmayne soars in the role of transgender “Lily Elbe” (1882-1931)/ landscape …

Tom Hardy is the Sir Lawrence Olivier of the twenty-first century; he is a masterful chameleon, from super hero (“Mad Max: Fury Road”), villain (“The Dark Knight Rises”) to the common man (“Locke”) he stuns with his inimitable ability to methodically transform himself into a myriad of diverse characters. His remarkable reserves expand exponentially as he sinks his flawless aptitudes …

Daniel Craig, in his fourth attempt, has sensationally nailed the role of “James Bond”; not the lothario like Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan or even David Niven; directed by Sam Mendes, Craig’s Bond is toughness packaged in a GQ facade, nary a wrinkle appears in his Armani suit after explosives, disintegrating buildings, helicopter headaches test the mettle of the …

Selected by a distinguished international jury, “A Childhood” resonates with greatness on a myriad of levels;  the travails of thirteen-year-old “Jimmy”, whose home- life stagnates in punitive purgatory, a drug-addicted mother and her malicious, miserly, moral-less mate; he cooks, cleans and takes immaculate care of his younger brother; ashamed of his daily existence and its detriments, he refuses to sink …

As an exhaustive euphoria informs the concluding days of the festival, contemplating the vastness of the visual, emotional indulgences, one must recognize and applaud those who selected the filmic fare: Michael Kutza, President and Founder; Mimi Plauche, Programming Director; Anthony Kaufman, Programmer; Camille Lugan, Programmer; Sam Flancher, Programmer. Countless viewing hours, resulted in a festival worthy of a disparate, multi-faceted …

“Motley’s Law” (Denmark). Kimberly Motley is a contemporary, tough, captivating symbol of a woman who earns her badge of courage every waking moment, as the solitary American permitted to practice law in Afghanistan. Director Nicole Horanyi follows Kimberly through her courageous, terrifying days, gifting audiences a penetrating, inspirational portrait of an individual whose mission knows no fears, no bounds. “Tag” …

“Sparrows” (Iceland, Denmark). Beautiful portrait of a young, gifted teenager, ripped from his comfort zone, adjusting to a life with his alcoholic father; poignant, gritty and provocative. “Tikkun” (Israel). At this point in the festival, “Tikkun” is the most problematic, traumatic; filmed sensationally in black and white, focusing on a Yeshiva boy, saved from death’s clutches by his stringent, intransigent …

Seeing three or four films a day, bouncing from one country to another is thrilling, entertaining and challenging; after four days here is a “taste” of the places I’ve savored so far: “Mia Madre” (Italy, France); Nanni Moretti (director/actor) semi- autobiographical scenario revolving around the  vicissitudes of balancing one’s daily life/profession while dealing with the imminent passing of a beloved …