Displaying items by tag: Eve Hewson

DISCLOSURE DAY

US, 2026, 145 minutes, Colour.

Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, Wyatt Russell, Elizabeth Marvel.

Directed by Stephen Spielberg.

The title, Disclosure Day, has the touch of the apocalyptic about it. And, when the focus is on alien visitors to earth, will it be a genial close encounter or will it be a continuation of the war of the worlds. Even, a variation on ET? So, a reminder that for almost 50 years, Steven Spielberg has been fascinated with the alien encounters. (And, a lot of the promotion of the film raises the issue of whether Spielberg actually believes in aliens and their visits.)

Most audiences will enjoy this film, especially the Spielberg fans over the decades, not only his encounters movies but also his action shows and the heritage of Indiana Jones. And, the screenplay here dwells a lot on mental communication which may remind audiences of Minority Report.

And, we remember the visiting alien theories, Roswell 1947, conspiracy theories… Enough ingredients here to foster all of this and the question as to whether the world is able to accept the aliens.

The two central characters, a science mathematical cyber-whizz played by Josh O’Connor and weather television personality in Kansas City played by Emily Blunt, seem to have special powers, and, her being pursued by governmental but sinister powers, led by Colin Firth, forgetting all his charming roles of the past and his proving an intense sinister presence. On the other hand, Colman Domingo, more genial, is leading forces to save those pursued and belief that there should be a disclosure day to the world.

The two leads give very strong performances, often bewildered by what has happened to them, the intensity of Colin Firth’s ability to bilocate and interrogate and threaten, continually on the move and, Spielberg reminds us that he can direct action sequences as well as anyone else. There are plenty of chases, especially cars, but there is a sequence at a railway crossing, the passing train, a car pushed into the path of the train a leap on to carriage rungs… a highlight of the film.

So, while there is a great deal of action, there is also a great deal to think about, whether we the audience believe that there are aliens, that they have visited earth, whatever their intentions, or whether this is all imagined and that there is no evidence. (There are some Catholic themes in the film, especially with a sympathetic nun, who when Genesis 1 is quoted points out that God created us to be masters on earth – no reference to space are other planets!)

The film goes for 2 ½ hours so plenty of entertainment, strong characters, strong interactions, intensity and suspense, action, and, testing our response when Disclosure Day eventually happens.

1. Steven Spielberg, close encounters, ET, War of the Worlds, telepathy and Minority Report? Almost 50 years? Conspiracies about aliens, government cover-ups, Spielberg’s own beliefs? Audience belief in aliens, encounters, government deception? The impact if the world knew about aliens? The importance of Disclosure Day?
2. The plausibility of the situation, the state of the world, the brink of World War III? The government and the Department, Wardex, Daniel, the extraterrestrial device and its power, the files and films, his intentions, expose, contact with Hugo? Daniel and his background, science and maths, cyber skills, time in jail, release, no escape and Scanlon’s over him? His escape?
3. Daniel, personality, past experience with the aliens, his skills, on the run, contact with Hugo, Noah pursuing him, Noah and his squads?
4. The character of Jane, her time in the convent, flashbacks with the nuns, and about the monsignor and their lives, her leaving, her faith, relationship with Daniel, pressing him, for him to reveal what was happening? Her returning to the convent, the nun, protective, the discussions, Catholic rituals, the book of Genesis, humans as lord of the earth, emphasis on earth rather than planets in space? Scanlon, his hold over Jane, entering into her personality, her erratic behaviour with Daniel? Her going back to the convent?
5. Margaret, television personality, the weather, relationship with Jackson? Ambitions, at the studio, the personnel, uses, director, hosts, make up…? Situation at home, her uncertainties, the effect of the past experience and her blocking it out? At home, Jackson’s reactions, late, speeding in the car, held up by the police, her knowledge of the policeman’s life, at the station, the hurry, the strange sounds in her delivery?
6. Noah Scanlon, age and experience, government, the cover up, the personalities of his staff? Tracking Daniel and wanting him back, the files? Tracking Margaret? His skills, undergoing the treatment, able to bilocate, present to Jane, the interviews with her, appearing and disappearing, the threats? His presence to Daniel? Margaret and the effect on him, the reappearance of his wife?
7. Margaret, personality, travelling with Jackson, evading him, her travels, a sense of where she should go? Jackson not believing her? The encounter with Daniel, the house, the car, the crash into the house, their fleeing, pursued, the train episode, on the rails, the leap onto the carriage?
8. Margaret and Daniel, Noah and his tracking them down, Margaret and her abilities to know people from the inside, using it, the rescue by Hugo and the whistleblower team, going back to Kansas City, the television station, a preparation for Disclosure Day?
9. Hugo and his relationship with Scanlon, the past, Hugo wanting disclosure, Scanlon wanting cover, fear of mass hysteria with the disclosure? And the work of engineering with the aliens, the films of the aliens, bodies, skeletons – showing them to Jane and her reaction? The audience sharing this? Issues of the device, its power, Casper holding it in the reaction, its being covered, the three devices?
10. Daniel and Margaret, going back into their past, Margaret and her experiences, as a child, the red birds, the influence, the transformation by the aliens, absorbing their powers?
11. The buildup to the confrontation, the buses, the trucks, the personnel, chases, pursuits, diversions? Shutting down power? The device restoring power?
12. The studio, the fights, the defeat of Scanlon’s troops, their withdrawal, Scanlon remaining to be present for the disclosure?
13. Disclosure Day, the host on the radio, the explanations, the visuals, Daniel uploading all the films? The huge bank of screens, the communication with various networks, the buildup to the whole world tapping into the information, every language, nation, the TV executives and their decisions?
14. Scandal watching, Hugo vindicated, Daniel and Margaret – and the final revelation of the alien, the appearance, head and make-up, kindly, communication – and the possibility of harmony between humans and the aliens?

JAY KELLY

US, 2025, 132 minutes, Colour.

George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Billy Crudup, Laura Dern, Patrick Wilson, Riley Keogh, Jim Broadbent, Stacey Keach, Josh Hamilton, Isla Fisher, Louis Partridge, Eve Hewson, Emily Mortimer, Greta Gerwig.

Directed by Noah Baumbach.

A Behind the Scenes story. Or, better, a Behind the Facades story.

Late in this portrait of a very successful film star, someone comments that he is a very good film star – but, as we have seen, there is an implication: is he a good father? Is he a good person?

George Clooney himself is a significant film star. Which means that many audiences will be wondering how his portrayal of Jay Kelly is close to the reality of George Clooney himself. Because Clooney has proven himself quite a genial screen presence over the decades, they will be comfortable enough in looking at Clooney playing a very self-focused, self-satisfied star, inadequate father, quite an unpleasant person in so many ways. (Some bloggers who don’t take to Clooney have considered this film a vanity project – but, it was written and directed by Noah Baumbach, not by Clooney himself.)

One of the successful ways in communicating how Jay Kelly ticks and how his being challenged is in the portrayal of his agent, adviser, friend, continual refuge, Ron. Over the years Adam Sandler has had extraordinary success in very broad comedies. But, now and again, he takes on a serious role. And this is one of his best. He is a wheeler dealer as an agent, very successful. But, he does have a personal life, past regrets, now happy marriage and children. He has sacrificed so much of his life for Jay Kelly and we, and he, wonder how long this can go on.

The film opens with the final sequence of the making of a film, showing Kelly in action, expertly, and all the hustle and bustle of production. Then the news of the death of an old friend who gave him a start, played by Jim Broadbent, but soon indications of a self-focus rather than generosity of spirit. Then he encounters an old friend from acting school. They go for a drink – and a wonderful scene with Billy Crudup dramatising an emotional reading of the menu! But again, unpleasant revelations about Jay Kelly and his career.

Kelly has two daughters – the younger on a trip in France to Italy and Kelly deciding that he will follow his daughter on the train and go to a tribute to himself in Tuscany. At the end of the film, there is a perceptive sequence, an emotional conversation between himself and his older daughter, Riley Keogh.

This is a rather long film and there is all kinds of interesting detail for those caught up in Kelly’s life and career and this challenge to him. Suddenly Stacey Keach turns up as his curmudgeon father, no paternal feelings whatsoever. Patrick Wilson appears as a film star who employs Ron and is firing him… Plenty of episodes to keep the interest.

A highlight with Jay Kelly on the train and his communicating enjoyably with the passengers is a snatch and grab of her purse from an old lady by a German cyclist, his getting off the train and Jay Kelly in pursuit – and, of course, instantly on the Internet. There are the hosts of the festival in Tuscany and their Italian enthusiasm.

Noah Baumbach has worked many years in the film industry. And he is married to Greta Gerwig (who appears briefly as Ron’s wife), working with her in her very successful movie venture, Barbie. Which means that he has a great deal to draw on in taking us behind the scenes, behind the facades.

1. The title, the entire focus on Jay Kelly, has film star, as actor, his real personality?
2. The choice of George Clooney for the role, George Clooney’s reputation, impact as film star, an Oscar, critical applause, his public persona? Audience response to George Clooney, favourable, accepting in this role, some reflection of his own life and career?
3. The film taking us behind the scenes, filmmaking and the opening sequence and his performing the death scene, with the dog, wanting more takes, the response of the director? The detail of the film on set, the various people present, cast, director, producer, writer, their interventions?
4. The film taking us behind the facade of Jay Kelly? The public response, star, fans, people approaching him, on the train and his entertaining the passengers, the tribute in Tuscany, his visit, the hosts, the celebration?
5. His dependence on Ron, Adam Sandler’s performance? Ron, the manager, the agent, promoter, his skills, being busy, his clientele, the time given to Jay Kelly? And the percentage fee? Friendship and support? How deep the friendship? On the part of each?
6. Ron, the plan for the next film, the Lewis brothers, Ron and his hopes, Liz as longtime publicist, her assistant, interventions?
7. The background of Peter, his death, Jay’s memories, Tim and the audition, Peter giving him the chance, promoting him, financial difficulties, asking his help, the meal together, Jay’s refusal, not seeing Peter? The impact of his death? Going to the funeral? His son’s speech?
8. The meeting with Tim, not seeing each other for years, Tim and his work with children, meeting Jay, the cup of coffee, Jay deciding to go, their talk, the memories, the audition? Jay asking Tim to read the menu, the tour-de-force rendition of the menu by Tim, his talent? Tim declaring his hatred, the fight? Jay and his black eye? Tim and his injuries, hospital, the possibilities for suing?
9. The visualising of the audition episode, the friendship, Jay reading for Tim, Tim’s poor audition, Jay asking to read, Peter’s agreement, his getting the part, his career?
10. Jay and his marriages, his daughters, Jessica and her living in San Diego, distance from her father? Daisy, meeting with her, her boyfriend, going to Paris, the jazz festival, not wanting to spend time with her father?
11. Jay, the aftermath of the interlude with Tim, consulting with Ron, Ron, his wife and family, playing tennis, the importance, the match, the phone call, Jay and his demands on Ron, Ron going?
12. The issue of the tribute in Tuscany, the initial refusal, change of mind, Ron and the deals, his other client getting a tribute? Getting on the train, the difficulties, the hassles? Jay being recognised, the reactions, the range of passengers, the old lady being charmed, the two priests and their continual reappearing? The episode with the German cyclist, snatching the bag, jumping off the train, Jay’s pursuit, the hard run, the fight, Jay retrieving the bag? The passengers or following, a claim, and on social media?
13. And the contrast with social media, Tim and his injuries, Jay and violence? Possibilities for suing? Ron, contacts, friends, interventions, settling the case?
14. Liz, on the train, memories of the past with Ron, the separation, Liz and exasperation, getting off the train?
15. Daisy on the train, the encounter with Jay, his tracking her through phones, her boyfriend and his reaction, making films? The other friends? Her not wanting to go to the tribute?
16. Italy, the hosts, the Festival, the cheery driver and her response to Jay? Ben Alcock present, his career, his family present, the large family? His having a drink with Ron, talking about his career, firing Ron? The repercussions for Ron?
17. Jay’s relationship with his father, neglect, inviting his father to the tribute, his arrival, taking over, his personality, jokes and talk, his turn, and his decision not to stay, Jay following him…?
18. Jay, the dinner, the hosts? Ron and his phone calls to his wife? Sitting with Jay, the retrospective (and the use of George Clooney’s films)? The effect on Jay? Ron? The audience and applause?
19. The effect of the awards, then, the family, his wife?
20. Jake, running after the car, Ron and his leaving? Persuading him to come back?
21. Jay, in the woods, the phone call to his daughter, the device of having her present, the conversation, truth being told, his absence in her life, the flashbacks to the two daughters playing, the glimpses of him watching his children? The reality of his career and neglect?
22. Jay Kelly’s journey into self-knowledge, the glamour of his career and fame, the realities of his personality, family life and relationships, relationship with Ron? The future?