I understand why millions of people go gaga over the new Twilight movie or Toy Story 3, but some of the best and brightest filmmaking doesn’t come from the mainstream–and sad to say, most Americans ignore outstanding independent and foreign films right under their noses. Even smart people I know have gotten lazy about seeing these films when they open in theaters, waiting for them to turn up on cable, pay-per-view, or DVD. I get that, too: no matter how good an indie movie may be, it’s usually not the prime topic of Monday morning water-cooler conversation. As a result, there is no imperative to rush out and see Please Give or The Secret in Their Eyes. But if we don’t support these fine films they’re going to disappear from the landscape altogether.Here are five films still playing in theaters across the country that represent the cream of the current crop, with links to the reviews I posted on my site at www.leonardmaltin.com, including segments from my weekly show on ReelzChannel, Secret’s Out.
Please Give — Writer-director Nicole Holofcener’s best film to date (following Walking and Talking, Lovely and Amazing, and Friends With Money) perceptively explores middle-class angst with a light touch and a perfect cast: Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt, Amanda Peet, Rebecca Hall, Sarah Steele, and Ann Guilbert as a hilariously sour old woman.
City Island — The year’s most durable sleeper, this word-of-mouth success has lasted in theaters since early spring–no small feat at a time when movies’ expiration dates come faster than ever. (Rodrigo Garcia’s lovely Mother and Child came and went in the blink of an eye.) Raymond De Felitta’s smart, funny film about a dysfunctional family is a genuine original, and showcases Andy Garcia in a surprising and wonderful comedic performance.
Cyrus — Usually, brothers Jay and Mark Duplass make so-called mumblecore films for a minuscule budget, act in them and take turns holding the microphone boom. This time they’ve applied their offbeat sensibilities and improv style to a darkly amusing story with A-list actors: John C. Reilly, Catherine Keener, Jonah Hill, and Marisa Tomei, all of whom hit just the right notes.
Solitary Man — Michael Douglas gives one of his richest performances as a complete and utter louse–yet there’s something magnetic and appealing about the guy. He’s surrounded by a first-rate cast (including Susan Sarandon, Jesse Eisenberg, Jenna Fischer, Mary-Louise Parker, and Danny DeVito) in this sardonic social comedy from Brian Koppelman and David Levien. This is another “little movie that could,” lingering in theaters as word gets around as to how good it is.
The Secret In Their Eyes — The winner of this year’s Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, this Argentinian import layers a story of repressed love and a flashback framework onto a compelling murder mystery. Director and co-screenwriter Juan Jose Campanella has worked in American television, so there’s no navel-gazing here–just good, solid storytelling.
Clik here to view.
