Sundance 2019: Best of Fest
Another Sundance Film Festival is in the books! Twenty-five consecutive years attending for yours truly, and after the dust had settled, I took in just over 30 movies. Fortunately, Mother Nature showed a little mercy on us this year. It was cold, and there was plenty of snow on the ground. But for the most part, the sun was out, and there was virtually zero snowfall. This made getting from one screening room to the next a lot quicker, which is always a good thing because it allows for more screenings.
Before getting to the highlights, special thanks are in order to John Pugh at cinemast.net and Beau Stucki at deepfocusreview.com for the wonderfully insightful film conversations and for making the Sundance experience run a whole lot smoother.
Now, without further ado, here’s a look at a handful of noteworthy highlights from the 2019 Sundance Film Festival:
“The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind”
Grade: A-
This directorial debut from the accomplished and brilliant actor Chiwetel Ejiofor is in the grand tradition of great feel-good movies. Taking place in an impoverished Malawi village, “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” tells the story of William Kamkwamba, a young boy who comes up with an invention that could potentially save his dying village through natural smarts and a brief stint at a school for which his loving but conflicted father couldn’t even afford tuition. This movie isn’t without moments of bleak desperation and dire situations, but “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” is also filled with the kind of inspiration, hope, joy, and positivity we could all use a little more of right now. It’s a wonderful true story about hard work, hope, family, tradition, perseverance, following your dreams, and throwing caution to the wind, literally. Having an opportunity to attend an inspirational Q & A with Kamkwamba and shake hands with Ejiofor following the screening was certainly an added bonus!
For the full “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” review, click here.
“State of the Union”
Grade: A-
Chris O’Dowd and Rosamund Pike are positively sublime in “State of the Union,” an upcoming Sundance Channel original series that revolves around a slightly estranged married couple who engage in witty Nick Hornby-penned banter before heading off to marriage counseling. “State of the Union” consists of 10 wonderful episodes, 10 minutes each, all directed by the legendary Stephen Frears. O’Dowd and Pike make Hornby’s colorful words sing, and while both of these characters aren’t without their flaws, it should also be noted that they are extremely likable in equal measure. And in a move that is as clever as it is genius, all the rapid-fire banter this couple engage in takes place in a bar right across the street from the marriage counselor’s office. For all the entertainment value and charm this show has to offer, perhaps the most winning aspect of this delightful conversational piece is the very idea that these affable individuals are actually working out a handful of very delicate issues on their own. This trait only adds in making “State of the Union” an absolute joy.
“Honey Boy”
Grade: B+
Art imitates life. This statement couldn’t be any more prophetic where the new film “Honey Boy” is concerned. Written by and co-starring Shia LaBeouf, this raw and heartfelt nonlinear story is autobiographical in nature and features the “Transformers” star playing the role of his own father, a jealous addict who despite his love for his successful young son wasn’t always the best of dads. Director Alma Har’el (“Bombay Beach”) lends an intimate touch to a sincere, poignant, and rough-around-the edges film that essentially serves as a form of therapy for its well known writer and co-star. Noah Jupe and Lucas Hedges are outstanding as the younger and older versions of Otis Lort, a character based on LaBeouf himself. This is a strong movie with a warts-and-all father/son story at its center, and while “Honey Boy” certainly benefits from powerhouse performances, it’s that father/son dynamic, incredibly played by LaBeouf and Jupe, that I won’t soon forget.
“Love, Antosha”
Grade: B+
This stunning and thorough coming-of-age documentary traces the life of Anton Yelchin, a wonderful young talent whose life was tragically cut short. But this isn’t a movie about death. It’s a celebration of life and an intimate look at a driven individual who was not only an admirer and student of film — he had nearly 70 film and TV projects to his credit — but a photographer and musician as well. More importantly, though, Yelchin was a gentle soul who had real love, affection, and respect for his co-collaborators and people in general. Given the number of folks interviewed for “Love, Antosha,” it’s pretty evident how many lives he touched. From his cinematic interests to his ambitious nature to his battle with a disease he refused to let get the better of him to his undeniable love for his parents and friends, “Love, Antosha” is a heartfelt, joyful, and heartbreaking look into the life of a talented and compassionate storyteller who clearly loved and was loved. Even if you’re not all that familiar with the man’s work, you’re likely to be moved by this beautifully crafted tribute.
“Little Monsters”
Grade: B+
This immensely entertaining and sometimes crude Aussie import from director Abe Forsythe is a wonderful homage to zombie films. But as was the case with Edgar Wright’s cheeky and brilliant “Shaun of the Dead,” zombies are almost secondary to the characters in the piece. At the heart of the movie is obnoxious manchild Dave (Alexander England). After a turbulent relationship with his girlfriend comes to a screeching halt, this selfish musician becomes smitten with his little nephew’s kindergarten teacher, Miss Caroline, a loving, charming, fiercely protective ray of sunshine played by the supremely talented Lupita Nyong’o. While on a field trip in the countryside, a sudden zombie outbreak and a run-in with a repulsive children’s show host (played by a deliciously disgusting Josh Gad) forces Dave to reevaluate himself as a human being but through the aid of his cute little nephew (Diesel La Torraca) and Miss Caroline. It becomes clear that there may be hope for Dave yet. This is one of the most adorable zombie movies you’re ever likely to see, and while “Little Monsters” does feature kids, it should be noted that this is not a movie for children. That said, “Little Monsters” has a lot of heart and charm to go along with the prerequisite gore, irreverent humor, and naughty language. Best of all, though, this is a wonderful tribute to all those kindergarten teachers out there who really do have our kids’ best interests at heart.
Honorable mention
“The Report”
Grade: B+
This is an intense procedural about a man’s obsession at bringing the CIA to justice following its use of questionable post-911 torture techniques. Adam Driver is terrific in a well written drama that recalls the likes of “All the President’s Men.”
“Clemency”
Grade: B+
“Clemency” is a powerful character piece that delves into death row from the perspective of the warden and guards tasked with one tough job. The performances are outstanding, most notably a stellar Alfre Woodard and an Oscar-worthy Aldis Hodge. It’s sure to polarize some viewers but powerful, nonetheless.
Untitled Amazing Jonathan Documentary
Grade: B+
Expert magician the Amazing Jonathan was a staple back in the day, changing our perception of what an illusionist could be in very much the same way Penn and Teller did. Of course, Jonathan’s career came to a shocking end when news broke that due to a health issue he only had one year left to live. Against all odds, though, the Amazing Jonathan manged to stay alive well past that deadline. This creative and surprisingly poignant documentary from director Benjamin Berman delves into the Amazing Jonathan’s final tour, and as expected, it blurs the lines between reality and illusion. There’s no telling how much of this stuff is real and how much is the ultimate performance art act, but no matter. This is a wonderfully creative film that takes documentary filmmaking in a positively bonkers but immensely entertaining direction.
“Share”
Grade: B
In this well acted high school drama, a teen basketball player finds her life turned upside down after a video of her in a compromising position surfaces on social media. It’s a tough, anger-inducing look at assault and high school life.
“Blinded by the Light”
Grade: B
In this coming-of-age music-tinged gem, a Pakistani teen living just outside of London has an awakening in 1987 after hearing Bruce Springsteen for the first time. An absolute charmer from the director of “Bend it Like Beckham.”
For more on the Sundance Film Festival including a list of this year’s award-winning films, click here.
Articles related to “2019 Sundance Film Festival: Best of Fest”
Sundance 2019: “Velvet Buzzsaw” is art world satire meets slasher film
Sundance 2019: “Memory: Origins of Alien” is worth a look for hardcore “Alien” fans
