Tom Hanks is doggedly heroic in ‘News of the World’
In “News of the World,” Tom Hanks plays Capt. Jefferson Kyle Kidd, whose quiet life is interrupted by a girl.
Set in 1870, Kidd is scarred by the Civil War and becomes a newsreader, reading headlines to townspeople. He comes across an orphan (Helena Zengel), who speaks no English. The broken souls embark on an odyssey.
This is an ugly-beautiful film. Its big weakness is suggesting that Kidd is riddled with guilt for what he did as a soldier, but Hanks is too pure.
Zengel is a marvel, speaking volumes even without dialogue.
Three stars out of four.
* * *
Review: Carey Mulligan mesmerizes in ‘Promising Young Woman’
In “Promising Young Woman,” Cassie (Carey Mulligan) is first seen blind drunk.
As she murmurs, “What are you doing?” a man starts to undress and caress her. She asks again — sober. It’s all an act.
This is how Cassie teaches a lesson about consent and sexual misconduct. It’s payback for what happened to her friend Nina.
Nina’s main perpetrator comes back, which propels Cassie into dangerous encounters.
The tone shifts radically — with humor, mayhem, pain, even violence.
It has an unexpected ending but it was the truest way. Mulligan’s performance is sensational.
Three and a half stars out of four.
* * *
Review: An old-fashioned romance in ‘Sylvie’s Love’
Set in 1957 Harlem, “Sylvie’s Love,” follows Sylvie (Tessa Thompson) working at her father’s record store. Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha) is a struggling saxophonist who spots her.
Sylvie is engaged to a wealthy businessman. The two still bond over music and different passions until they have an affair.
The film has many charms. It is an ode to classic melodramas, with gorgeous sets, costumes, and music. Thompson is wonderful, and Asomugha has great screen presence.
The pace moves slowly. Thompson and Asomugha have undeniable chemistry, but there’s too much going on around them.
Two and a half stars out of four.