The Guard

“The Guard” is an interesting comedy-drama starring Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle. Written and directed by John Michael McDonagh (“In Bruges”), he attains a level of subtlety in the humor that pervades the film and especially in the chemistry and communications between Messrs. Gleeson and Cheadle. Located and filmed in the County of Galway in Ireland, this film will make you laugh since the characters and story do not take themselves too seriously. Nevertheless you are able to view a thriller with as much action as you might find in any non-comedic movie but with the added attraction of these two male stars who draw you into their escapades with vigor and interest. I give the film an 80 rating and applaud the efforts of all involved. I had a good time watching it.

The Help

“The Help” is a 137 minute film version of the best selling novel by Kathryn Stockett who, with Tate Taylor, gets the screen credit. Directed by Mr. Taylor, this is the story of the Black housekeepers/maids/nannies who raised the white children of their employers set in the mid l960’s at the apex of the civil rights movement in the Southl Filled with many stereotypes, the movie nevertheless gives the viewer an insight into the lives, aspirations and sadness of these true ladies of the South as they leave each day to become the chattels of their white property owners. Prior to seeing the film I had watched and read a few interviews with young and scholarly black journalists who felt the film did an injustice to the true plight of these domestic workers and the entire Black experience during that time. I was surprised to find that the film did more than just whitewash the era (no pun intended) but, instead, gave those in the audience an awareness of what life was like for these people and the indignities and injustices they were forced to suffer and endure. Emma Stone gives a better than average acting performance but enough cannot be said for the efforts of both Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer who, as Aibileen Clark and Minny Jackson, respectively, make the movie their own as they dominate every scene and fill the screen with dignity and meaning. Watch for Oscar nominations for these two when voting time comes around. I give the film 3 and 1/2 stars and recommend it highly. It’s a pleasure to see this kind of quality film released in the summer when the demographics of the “home from school” audience might have dictated otherwise.

Bride's Flight

“Bride’s Flight” is the story of 3 Dutch war brides taking a KLM flight in 1953 to New Zealand in order to meet their new husbands and escape from war torn Holland. Filmed in Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand, the picture was directed by Ben Sombogaart and written by Marieke van der Pol. Not exactly household names. The three women are played by Anna Dryver, Elise Schaap and Karina Smuldlers who will likewise be unfamiliar to American audiences but nevertheless quite captivating in their performances. This is a well written, well edited and equally well directed film as the paths of those on the plane cross at various times in their respective lives and impact upon them and those in their families. I give this film 3 stars and suggest that you try to see it asap since it has been around for some time and is slowly (or not so slowly) being phased out of most of the small theaters where it opened originally.