Category Archives: Independent Drama

2012 Films, Black & White, Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama, New York City

Frances Ha-2012

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Frances Ha-2012

Director Noah Baumbach

Starring Greta Gerwig

Scott’s Review #44

Reviewed June 18, 2014

Grade: B+

Frances Ha (2012) is an intelligent, quirky comedy-drama made ever so appealing by its star, Greta Gerwig, an up-and-coming indie star (Greenberg-2010, The House of the Devil-2009).

She later achieved massive success directing Barbie (2023).

Gerwig is the heart of this film and has an intense rooting value. You want to be her friend.

Made in black and white, which is unique and highly effective in an indie way, it tells the tale of a moderately talented dancer struggling to make it in New York City.

“Frances”, along with her best friend, hops from situation to situation in an attempt to establish normalcy.

Gerwig shines with the perfect blend of awkwardness, sarcasm, and wit she gives the character, and the viewer falls in love with her as she endures trials and tribulations.

It’s a year-in-the-life type of film.

Frances Ha (2012) is reminiscent of a Woody Allen film, with many neurotic yet lovable characters.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Feature, Best Editing

2013 Films, Comedy, Coming-of-Age, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama, Summer

The Way, Way Back-2013

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The Way, Way Back-2013

Directors Nat Faxon, Jim Rash

Starring Liam James

Scott’s Review #40

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Reviewed June 18, 2014

Grade: B-

The Way, Way Back (2013) is a cute, summery, “coming of age” story about a teen misfit struggling to fit in.

It has the basic stereotypical characters (boozy neighbor, overbearing stepfather type), but kudos to great performances by Allison Janney and Steve Carell, who make the film much more than it otherwise would be.

The film feels like something done many times before, but it has a charming, feel-good quality.

Still, I would have enjoyed it more if the film had taken more risks and the characters had delved deeper.

The Way Way Back (2013) is a one-dimensional film that ultimately disappoints.

2013 Films, Comedy, Dark Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama, New York City

Inside Llewyn Davis-2013

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Inside Llewyn Davis-2013

Directors Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Starring Oscar Isaac

Scott’s Review #35

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

Being a tremendous fan of the Coen brothers (Fargo-1996, No Country for Old Men-2007), I was eager to see their latest offering, Inside Llewyn Davis (2013).

The Coens have such a sense of quirkiness in their characters, and while this film isn’t on the level of their other gems, it’s still a good piece.

I love the cold, winter Greenwich Village setting as struggling folk singer Llewyn Davis (expertly played by Oscar Isaac) struggles over two weeks to land gigs or breaks, encountering many people who either thwart or help his chances of success.

Sadly, the film was ignored by the Oscar brethren, but it tells a slice-of-life story of a 1960s artist.

As with most Coen Brothers films, it is cast with unique, interesting character actors in a bit but nuanced parts.

Oscar Nominations: Best Sound Mixing, Best Cinematography

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Feature, Best Male Lead-Oscar Isaac, Best Cinematography

2013 Films, Black & White, Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama

Nebraska-2013

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Nebraska-2013

Director Alexander Payne

Starring Bruce Dern

Scott’s Review #31

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

Deservedly earning a handful of Oscar nominations, Nebraska (2013) tells the story of a senior citizen who mistakenly believes he has won a million dollars.

He is determined to travel from Montana to Nebraska to collect the coveted prize.

On the surface, this film sounds like a downer, and the black-and-white cinematography does wonders to set an atmosphere of coldness and bleakness in the wintry Midwest.

There are moments of humor, and little-known June Squibb is a delight as the saucy wife of lead actor Bruce Dern, also wonderful as boozy, curmudgeonly Woody Grant.

A few unnecessary Midwestern stereotypes, commonplace in director Alexander Payne’s films, make this a heartbreaking, comical experience worth watching.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director-Alexander Payne, Best Actor-Bruce Dern, Best Supporting Actress-June Squibb, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best Feature, Best Director-Alexander Payne, Best Male Lead-Bruce Dern, Best Supporting Male-Will Forte, Best Supporting Female-June Squibb, Best First Screenplay (won)

2012 Films, Danish, Drama, Independent, Independent Drama, International, International Drama, Psychological Drama

The Hunt-2012

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The Hunt-2012

Director Thomas Vinterberg

Starring Mads Mikkelsen

Scott’s Review #29

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: A-

Nominated for the 2013 Best Foreign Language Oscar, this controversial Danish film, The Hunt (2012), centers on pedophilia and is powerful and gripping.

Mads Mikkelsen stars as a kindergarten teacher falsely accused of inappropriate behavior with a five-year-old female student.

This sets off a small-town witch hunt that stirred up emotions in me, mostly disdain for the fellow teachers and principal who so easily “gang up” on the teacher, seemingly unable to believe he may be innocent.

The principal blurts out “children never lie”.

Um, yes they do!

I love how the film goes deeper than the obvious content. The accused son is featured. The student is the accused best friend’s daughter.

When one supporter of the accused rips into the five-year-old, it is intense to watch.

The Hunt (2012) is a layered, multi-faceted film worth seeing.

The ending is great, but the alternate ending is even better, and I wish the director, Thomas Vinterberg, had used that instead; overall, it’s an exceptional film.

Oscar Nominations: Best Foreign Language Film

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best International Film

2013 Films, Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama, Independent Romantic Comedy, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Drama

Don Jon-2013

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Don Jon-2013

Director Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore

Scott’s Review #27

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

 I did not expect Don Jon (2013) to be as good as it is.

Frankly, I was expecting a by-the-numbers romantic comedy.

Written, directed by, and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, it tells the story of a twenty-something New Jersey bartender who is addicted to porn despite receiving all the female attention he can imagine.

Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore play two completely different women in his life.

The film contains stereotypical, though hilarious and spot-on, New Jersey trademarks. Tony Danza is effective as the brash father.

In the last thirty minutes, the film turns into a wonderful, yet hardly sappy or traditional, love story that makes Don Jon (2013) a positive experience.

Gordon-Levitt is a breath of fresh air and a young Hollywood talent getting the recognition he deserves.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best First Screenplay

1998 Films, Drama, Favorite Film of the Year, Independent, Independent Drama, LGBTQ+ Drama, LGBTQ+ Films, LGBTQ+ Romance, New York City

High Art-1998

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High Art-1998

Director Lisa Cholodenko

Starring Ally Sheedy, Radha Mitchell

Scott’s Review #21

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: A

Superlative indie drama by acclaimed director Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All Right, 2008) and an incredible performance by Ally Sheedy, who makes viewers forget all her past, forgettable “80’s roles”.

She portrays a lonely, drug-abusing, star photographer, enamored with a new neighbor in her New York City apartment building.

Her life is spiraling out of control, and she is inspired by her new friend, who is on an upward career path.

The film is a dark love story with a raw, moody quality. It’s a raw, emotional, mesmerizing film.

Patricia Clarkson is her usual awesome self as Sheedy’s even more drugged-out, unhappy partner.

The love triangle is interesting and painful.

The three leads (Sheedy, Clarkson, and Radha Mitchell) all give knockout performances, but the film belongs solely to Ally Sheedy, who is spectacular.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best Female Lead-Ally Sheedy (won), Best Supporting Female-Patricia Clarkson, Best First Screenplay, Best First Feature, Best Cinematography

2012 Films, Independent, Independent Drama, LGBTQ+ Drama, LGBTQ+ Films, Romantic Drama

Four-2012

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Four-2012

Director Joshua Sanchez

Starring Wendell Pierce

Scott’s Review #20

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: A

Oh, how I wish more films like Four (2012) got mainstream support.

Movies like this are why I love and support independent films. Much better than much of the drivel at the local multiplex.

Four is a purely character-driven movie, not plot-driven, with silly special effects or CGI.

It centers around four people on the 4th of July evening.

The movie has two separate stories, and its heart is the characters’ loneliness, isolation, and need to reach out for human connection.

The stories interrelate at times throughout the film.

Exceptional acting is involved.

Four (2012) is an excellent little film.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Male Lead-Wendell Pierce

2013 Films, Art, Best International Film Oscar Winners, Drama, Independent, Independent Drama, International, International Drama, Italian

The Great Beauty-2013

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The Great Beauty-2013

Director Paolo Sorrentino

Starring Toni Servillo

Scott’s Review #16

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: A

The Great Beauty is an Italian film and winner of the 2013 Best Foreign Language Oscar and, in my opinion, well deserved.

The film is hardly conventional- it is thoughtful, character-driven, and quite Fellini-influenced.

It takes some time to get into- the first thirty minutes are mostly people dancing and partying wildly.

Set in present-day Rome, it follows a successful sixty-five-year-old journalist as he reflects on his life, past and present.

The film explores themes of loss and loneliness, and while cynical, it is not a downer.

Quite the contrary, one party after another is thrown, and the nightlife and excesses of Rome are the centerpieces.

A main aspect of The Great Beauty is that all the money and success in the world do not measure happiness, something that many people forget.

The main character loses people close to him, and many of his wealthy friends are bored and alone. This film is about life and its complexities.

It left me thinking long after the credits rolled and is a huge testament to its power. Rarely, a film like this comes along any longer.

I felt like I was watching a masterpiece.

Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Foreign Language Film (won)

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best International Film

2013 Films, Adventure, Drama, Independent, Independent Adventure, Independent Drama

All is Lost-2013

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All is Lost-2013

Director J.C. Chandor

Starring Robert Redford

Scott’s Review #4

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Reviewed June 16, 2014

Grade: D

The accolades heaped on All Is Lost from 2013 escape me.

Some felt that this was Robert Redford’s late-in-life masterpiece.

I’ve never found him a great actor, and while he’s not horrible in this film, it is not the Oscar-worthy performance being bandied about.

Many actors would play this role better- Tom Hanks and Sean Penn come to mind.

Beyond the performance, the film leaves facets unexplained. How did he become shipwrecked? Why did ships pass by not noticing him? Who is he?

Much of the movie drags, and a feeling of having seen this film many times before kept gnawing at me. I do give the film credit for containing only one cast member.

But castaway and shipwreck movies have been around since the beginning. They all have the standard plot developments- broken equipment, sharks, and storms- which makes it quite contrived.

Fail.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Feature, Best Director-J.C. Chandor, Best Male Lead-Robert Redford, Best Cinematography