Luce

Octavia Spencer, Naomi Watts,

Tim Roth, Kelvin Harrison Jr.

"The truth Has many Faces"

The stellar cast attracted me to watch this heavy drama that tackled race, adoption, political violence. Luce Edgar (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) is an ace student - good debater, athlete, charismatic, well loved by his peers and the community. Born in Eritrea, adopted at 7 years old by married couple Amy (Naomi Watts) and Peter Edgar (Tim Roth), they couldn't pronounce his real name so they called him Luce which means Light. Probably because he was the light of their eyes. 

For 10 years, Luce went through a tough time, reeling and shaken by a traumatic childhood in war torn Eritrea. But in high school, he is an all star student. An essay he wrote for his history class alarms his teacher Harriet Wilson (Octavia Spencer) who informs his parents about her concerns. She is worried there might be a violent streak in him, perhaps stemming from his troubled past. She also found a paper bag of illegal fireworks in his locker adding to her fears. But his parents, and specifically his mother, Amy is doubtful. They have been through too much with him so she believes Luce is a good person not capable of harming anyone. Or is he?

There are more incidents involving Luce in school and off campus. The premise focuses on two main trains of thought. Is Luce indeed capable of harm and is just maintaining a facade? Or is Luce a good person, and being falsely accused by a teacher who always gives him a hard time? Is he a sociopath? Or a saint? 

The plot falters as often as Luce comes up with an alibi. Sudden jarring music which comes out of nowhere was irritating. I expected a more steady course in the middle part, and a more polished ending could have given more closure, both for Luce's parents as well as the confused viewers. I'd say, Octavia Spencer and Naomi Watts' outstanding acting would be the only saving graces of this drama with racial undertones which frankly is a very difficult and sensitive story to tackle.

The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)

Dustin Hoffman, Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller,

Elizabeth Marvel, Grace Van Patten,

Emma Thompson, Judd Hirsch, Candice Bergen

NETFLIX

These days, I believe it is a good investment to have a Netflix account. Some good movies are now produced and released by this media streaming provider. All you need is a good internet connection and voila you can watch in the comfort of your home. Just need to find a good time to sit through a movie which normally lasts more or less 2 hours or so. I tend to be picky when it comes to choosing which ones to watch.

The name "Noah Baumbach" usually attracts me right away. A director noted for dramatic comedies with well developed characters and he has an impressive repertoire such as "The Squid & The Whale", "Greenberg" and "Frances Ha" to mention a few, all of which I have absorbed with enthusiasm!

In 2017, he released "The Meyerowitz Stories" on Netflix but it is only now that I managed to see it. The Meyerowitzs are a typical family whose members are estranged from each other, some have valid reasons, while some are just silly, petty reasons. 

The patriarch Harold (Dustin Hoffman) is a 4 times married sculptor and former arts professor. Stuffy and so full of himself, he is now with an alcoholic yet stable influence in his life Maureen (Emma Thompson). Danny (Adam Sandler), his once "musician" son from a previous marriage is in town to get his budding filmmaker daughter Eliza (Grace Van Patten) settled in Bard College, the same institution where Harold taught for 33 years.  Danny's plain sister Jean (Elizabeth Marvel) is also in town for support. Their half and more successful accountant brother Matthew (Ben Stiller) shows up to help in the sale of Harold's house and all its contents even some of his precious art works. 

Harold is aging and stubborn but determined to get a retrospective of his works exhibited in Bard College. Unfortunately, he suffers a mild stroke and is comatose before his main event. This leaves the siblings to interact with each other to assure the legacy of their father is preserved through the exhibit. This short period makes Matthew, Danny and Jean closer to each other. Their past and hidden grievances are aired, put out to dry and get resolved either amicably or through a long overdue fist fight. Self discovery as well as revelations surface, making them appreciate each other more.

These multi-dimensional characters are well acted by a good ensemble cast, headed by Dustin Hoffman, Adam Sandler (a serious non comedic role) and Ben Stiller. The narration unfolds like a dialogue driven play and/or a TV sitcom but never veering away from its main theme - a dysfunctional family who despite their flaws are solidly united by a bloodline. Yes, it is a common story in most movies but this Noah Baumbach managed mature family drama deserves our full attention, mostly for the brilliant performances of its excellent cast.