Mothering Sunday, Ghostbusters: Afterlife and House of Gucci

 

It was only later that I realised that the film was such a faithful adaptation of Graham Swift's wonderful novella Mothering Sunday.  Unlike some critics, I found the slowish pace perfect for the story. The screenplay by Alice Birch and the direction of Eva Husson are first rate and the latter secures fabulous performances from the cast, particularly Oliva Colman and Colin Firth are still devastated from the loss of sons in the first world war and face their grief in different ways.. Odessa Young and Josh O'Connor are fine as the young lovers, realistically portrayed by the director. The film looked good, the costumes outstanding and the music just right. I loved it.

What a surprise. This was a very intelligent reboot of the Ghostbusters franchise. There are even subtle hints of what has happened in the intervening years throughout the first part of the movie. Not something you usually expect from a blockbuster. Someone had a great idea how to present a dead  grandfathers' mission  and his family's  discovery. Carrie Coon and Paul Rudd are just about OK as the adults, but it is the children who, again, unexpectedly shine. Particularly Mckenna Grace as the daughter Phoebe. Jason Reitman does a fine job as director, even if the second half succumbs to predictable action sequences and excessive CGI at the end. Two great songs early on, The Clapping Song and Baby It's You, but that was it. And don't you just love the marshmallow babies.

"Smile for the camera". These Gucci's are something else. I'm glad that I didn't know the story, it was quite dramatic at the end. Was I the only one disappointed by the performances, all except the reliable Jeremy Irons. Perhaps it was the casting or the characters? Lady Gaga just seems one dimensional as Patrizia Reggiani  is never convincing. She just seems as if she is acting the part rather than being the character. Same for Adam Driver. I thought that director Ridley Scott just about kept us interested despite the overlong screen time. Everything looked great, the period setting, top production values, wonderful colour, costumes, music and photography, all Oscar worthy? Much more of a soap opera than I thought it would be, what a family!