Displaying items by tag: Laura Dern

IS THIS THING ON?

US, 2025, 121 minutes, Colour.

Will Arnett, Laura Dern, Andra Day, Bradley Cooper, Sean Hayes, Ciaran Hinds, Christine Ebersole, Amy Sedaris, Peyton Manning.

Directed by Bradley Cooper.

That’s the usual, sometimes desperate, call from a stand-up comedian who feels that there is no response from the audience – microphones fault!

One commentator describe this film as A Comedy of Remarriage. Which is a tantalising thought. But, at the opening of this film, the long marriage between Alex and Tess has come to an end, divorce, not quite as amicable as hoped for, and two boys depending on their parents affection.

Alex is played by comedian Will Arnett, no stranger to stand-up comedy. Tess is played by Laura Dern, no stranger to marriage dramas, with an Oscar for her role as the counsellor in Marriage Story.

Alex, feeling down and out, wanders the streets, goes into a comedy Café, is told that he has to pay and his name go on the list for performance. He does – and, though some of the audience and management of the criticism, he does come across with his story of a broken marriage. And he goes back. Each time he gains more confidence in talking about the marriage, the difficulties, the break. Then, one night, Tess and a friend turn up, he is a routine, Tess somewhat overwhelmed, confronting Alex.

In fact, Tess hearing Alex analyse their marriage and relationship, happiness, difficulties, Break, is quite moved in her way, seeing Alex in another light – and, the potential for what might be called remarriage.

The film was cowritten and directed by Bradley Cooper and he appears in an oddball role as an eccentric friend of the couple, having his own marriage difficulties with his partner, Christine, Andra Day.

The film gets more interesting as it goes along, Tess with the possibility of resuming her career as a potential volleyball player in the past, now with coaching. Alex trying to connect with her and posting up a photo of her from her successful past. And the boys are performing in a play at school.

No final answers, unexpected new bonding between Alex and Tess – but where will it go in the future?

1. The title, speakers at microphones and asking the question? Especially when little response is heard?
2. The description, A Comedy of Remarriage?
3. The American city setting, homes, workplaces, comedy venues, volleyball courts…? The musical score?
4. The situation, the long marriage, failing, divorce, relationships between husband and wife, relationship to the boys? Friendship with Balls and Christine?
5. Alex as the central character, Will Arnett and his screen presence, in himself, age, the experience of marriage, the relationship with tests, the diminishing of the marriage, his relationship with his sons? Wandering, at the cafe, paying, on the list, call to perform, his capacity for performing, the response of the audience, the continued stand-up comedy routines, telling his life in story, the reaction of the crowd, responses? The staff, the management? The stand-up comedy community?
6. Tess, her story, in herself, her reactions to Alex, her relationship with her sons? Her friends? The past, the situation of the volleyball, her talent, prospects, giving it up? Her further career, opportunity to coach, decisions?
7. Laird, friendship, careers, Tess meeting with him, going to the stand-up comedy, his reactions?
8. Tess and the effect of the routine, watching, listening, confronting Alex, talking, going out, the continued discussions, the attraction, the sexual encounter?
9. Balls and Christine, the characters, comedy support, doubts about their marriage, Christine blaming Alex? Balls and his eccentricities?
10. Tess, the coaching job, Alex and the photo, the boys helping, Tess and reaction against the photo, her image from the past, rather than the present? The blame?
11. Alex’s parents, their personalities, the quiet father, the intervening mother?
12. Alex and his desperate performance, his rant about the marriage, his father present, his father’s response and advice?
13. Balls and Christine, reuniting?
14. Alex and Tess, covering up, the deeper relationship, the finale, the school, the musical, their sons, the response to the performance? The future?

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?

LONELY PLANET

US, 2024, 94 minutes, Colour.

Laura Dern, Liam Hemsworth, Diana Silvers.

Directed by Susannah Grant.

The title, Lonely Planet, will remind many audiences of the popular travel guides. And, the title is not entirely misleading – the action takes place ( until the end) in Morocco, offering something of a travelogue of Morocco itself, the mountains, lush areas, the deserts, the Mediterranean, Marrakesh… Audiences will feel as if they have been there (or will want to go there).

The occasion is a writer’s retreat, rather an extravagant occasion, world authors being invited by rich hosts to a luxury resort in the desert, there mainly being there to enjoy themselves, some mutual admiration, some harsh criticisms, and, it would seem now and again, some actual talk about writing and literature.

Popular American author, Katherine, has been invited by the host for some privacy for her own writing and some observing of the gathering. She is played by Laura Dern, successful, breaking from her partner, trying to finish a commission. By contrast, one of the guests is a young woman, Lily (Diana Silvers), her first success, swept up by the invitation, the glamour of the occasion, indulging in the enjoyment. Her partner has accompanied her, Owen (Liam Hemsworth), a businessman, more interested in sport than in literature, always on the phone, doing deals, and some shady implications about finance and environment.

The film is billed as something of a love story, older woman, younger man – and there have been a number of these films in recent years, May-December, A Perfect Couple, The Idea of You. But, this is not an immediate attraction and falling in love story. Rather, it is a story of meeting, some conversations, some sharing of stories, visits to Marrakesh. It is a friendship story, moving at a friendship pace, moving towards love.

But, neither is there any easy ending. There is a disaster for Katherine as her laptop is snatched by a passing thief, emotional crisis, taking it out on Owen.

Those who have become involved with the central characters will wonder as time passes. There have been developments in their lives…

1. The title? The books on travel? This film as a travelogue, the beauties of Morocco? But individuals travelling on the lonely planet?
2. The location photography, the variety of landscapes of Morocco, the mountains, the desert, the coast, Marrakesh, the towns? Atmosphere? The musical score?
3. The situation, the retreat for writers, pampered writers, the location, the luxury, the rooms, meals, the excursions? The writers, their selection? Reputations? Discussions?
4. Katherine’s story? Laura Dern’s presence? Age? Reputation as a writer? Her life’s devotion? The breakup of her partnership? Moving out, real estate agents and advertising? The invitation to come to Morocco, to observe the gathering, to do her own writing? Arriving, the welcome, the host, Hamid and his attentions? Keeping her privacy, the writing? The encounter with the writer from the past, his attention to her? Her avoiding it? The plan to go into the city, to write? Owen travelling with her?
5. Owen and Lily, Lily and her first success, flattered to be invited, her response, with all the guests, Owen, supporting her, but feeling on the outside? The charade a game and his failure and humiliation? Going out on his own? His business interests, the continual phone calls, his frustration and going onto the roof, Katherine looking for the door? Situation, the deal, environmental issues, getting to his conscience, the phone calls, the owner, breaking the deal, resigning?
6. The relationship between Katherine and Owen, the screenplay, not an immediate love story, rather a friendship story, discussions, shared interests, experiences in the town? The effect on Katherine, feeling supported, the conversations? The effect on own, the encounters with Lily, her being drunk, the breakup? The times with Katherine and the travels together?
7. The growing intimacy, the effect on each of them, age, experience, literary background, sports background? Sitting on the wall, the sea, the snatching of the computer, no backup, Katherine and her desperation? Taking it out on Owen? Disappearance?
8. Time passing, her new novel, the title from Owen’s description of the pass in football? The acclamation? The chance encounter, the conversation, parting – and returning? The value of the relationship, from friendship, to love and intimacy? The future?