Thursday Movie Picks: May-December Romances
1) Notes on a Scandal
A teacher hooking up with her teenage student? Then another teacher obsessing and black mailing her over it? Great movie, beautifully acted, relationship is gross.
2) L.I.E
Troubled teen starts robbing houses and subsquently hooks up with an older man whom he tried to rob? Paul Dano is amazing, lots of depth for a small film, relationship is gross.
3) Down in the Valley
Rebellious teen hooks up with a man who thinks he's a cowboy? Great acting, (Yaaasss Evan Rachel Wood) very accurate portrayal of teen rebellion, relationship is gross.
I haven't seen any of these but I'll give L.I.E. a try
ReplyDeleteL.I.E is a really difficult film to watch, but Paul Dano shows so much promise at such a young age.
DeleteDown in the Valley is such a great little film.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's Dano? I still haven't seen L.I.E. but I'm always hearing about how it's a really disturbing yet well made little film. It's on my watch list.
It is Dano! He's like 14 in this film. It's a hard watch, but a good one. I hope you get a chance to see it.
DeleteLove the way you wrapped up each entry. They are gross relationships. Makes me think of a movie I didn't pick, but thought about: Birth. It stars Nicole Kidman as a widower trying, often in vain, to fend off a 10 year old boy who says he's the reincarnation of her deceased husband. Very uncomfortable watch.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen any of these, but I have hears good things about all of them, especially Down in the Valley.
Oh, I remember that film. That's also a rough pick. Down in the Valley is great, and you've got to admire Ed Norton's character's delusional balls. Would you be fucking around with David Morse's teenager daughter? Hellll no. lol
DeleteL.I.E.! Can't believe I didn't think of that one. LOVE Notes on a Scandal but of course the REAL May/December in that one is Blanchett/Dench. UGH they are both so GOOD in that. And really, can you blame Blanchett for sexing that hottie student?
ReplyDeletelol omg the only thing hot about him was his accent and she could've found an older one of those. I love when other people have seen L.I.E, it's such a small film.
DeleteWow. You did a whole post on May December Romances without one Woody Allen movie mentioned. Impressive. had no idea that was Dano in L.I.E. been a long time since I saw that
ReplyDeleteI hate Woody Allen movies, so that wasn't too hard. lol
DeleteA theme within the theme!! Love that, even if this one turns its eye on the unseemly.
ReplyDeleteAll three are good movies after a fashion but you cut right to the quick of why they aren't ones that I could fully embrace. The central relationship is gross. I do have to say that Brian Cox is brilliant in L.I.E.
My bonus fixes it's eye on a similar relationship but with a very different vibe, my main three through focus on more appropriate pairings.
Murphy’s Romance (1985)-In her early thirties divorcee Emma (Sally Field) and her young son are new in town where she is trying to make a go of a horse farm. Middle aged druggist Murphy (James Garner) takes a shine to her and tries to send business her way while slowly romancing her. Things are progressing nicely until Emma’s irresponsible but charming ex-husband turns up and tries to win her back. Complications ensue. Amiable, ambling comedy netted Garner a best actor Oscar nomination.
Forty Carats (1973)-Fortyish Ann Stanley (Liv Ullman) has a brief fling with 20 something Peter Latham (Edward Albert) while on vacation in Greece. Returning to her New York home she runs into Peter again at a party and he wishes to pick up where they left off. Ann mindful of their age difference is leery. Peter however will not be put off. Somewhat stagy (it’s based on a play) but it’s nice to see Ullman loosen up and character actress Binnie Barnes is a hoot as her irrepressible Mom.
Autumn Leaves (1956)-Lonely 50ish spinster Millie (Joan Crawford) meets equally lonely 30ish Army vet Burt (Cliff Robertson). Despite her initial reluctance they marry after a whirlwind courtship. One day Burt’s ex-wife and father show up telling Millie Burt is mentally ill and their presence does seem to spark a great deal of agitation in him. Millie, sensing there is more than meets the eye, attempts to help Burt and get to the bottom of the situation. With the high priestess of 50’s anguish in the lead you just know that will include much melodrama but the film does try and provide some insights into mental health issues. The title song is sung over the credits by Nat King Cole.
Honorable mention-Leon: The Professional (1994)-When her entire family is murdered by an out of control DEA agent 12 year old Mathilda (Natalie Portman) is reluctantly taken in by professional assassin Leon (Jean Reno). Hunted and sworn to vengeance they form an intense connection during which he teaches her his trade. Not so much a May/December romance as a tale of extreme emotions under extraordinary circumstances. Both leads give wonderfully nuanced performances.
I haven't seen your picks, but I have seen your bonus and I really enjoy that movie. Portman and Reno are so good. The part where Mathilda asks if life is always this bad or is it just when you're a kid and he says "Always like this." makes me so sad.
DeleteI haven't seen any of these films but I love how you ended it with "relationship is gross." It made me think of Tony Randall's marriage to that 25 yrs old and then having kids-ick!
ReplyDeletelol yeah, I had to point that out in each film.
DeleteHowever you did this - I just put all of your movies on my To Watch list.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like them! (Great blog, btw. I need to practice my German. lol)
DeleteGood work! "Gross" stuff. I haven't seen any of these, but I remember Notes on a Scandal getting some interesting talk. I also remember wanting to see Down in the Valley, but I just never got to it.
ReplyDeleteThey're all very good films, just with gross relationships lol. Notes is probably the best out of all of them.
DeleteI love your list Brittani! I haven't seen 'Notes on a Scandal' on anyone's list yet. Most of the films I've seen on everyone's list have been younger women/older men. Glad to see one with an older woman/younger man...but yeah great movie...gross relationship.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I tried to pick a role reversal for each one. Older man, older woman, and older man with younger man.
DeleteMMmmm.... Evan and Edward Norton.
ReplyDeleteYes..not together in that film, but everything else. lol
DeleteI've only seen Notes on a Scandal and quite liked the film, Blanchett and Judi Dench were great in it.
ReplyDeleteThat's my favorite film from both those actresses. They were wonderful.
DeleteThe only I haven't seen is LIE, haven't heard of it before today.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very small film. I only stumbled upon it looking at Paul Dano's filmography a few years ago.
DeleteOh, great picks. I still need to check out Down in the Valley, though.
ReplyDeleteGet on it. lol
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