52 Films By Women Highlights: Maggie's Plan, 35 Shots of Rum, By The Sea

So Oscar season kinda knocked me off the horse in terms of my #52FilmsByWomen review series so I thought I would make up for lost time by highlight three very different films from female directors.

Maggie's Plan

At this point Greta Gerwig has a very reliable routine. Once a year she'll play a precocious live-wire in a well reviewed indie movie in New York. Last year was no exception. In this adult screwball comedy Gerwig plays the titular Maggie, a woman looking for a sperm donor that's also convinced she'll never be able to maintain a long term relationship. That is until she meets the married but dissatisfied John (Ethan Hawke). What follows is an odd comedy of errors and rom com that seems to play in reverse. Saying much more would give away the game but Gerwig and a strong supporting cast including a sensational Julianne Moore and SNL alums Bill Hader and Maya Rudolph pays off in hilarious ways.

35 Shots of Rum

The defining quality of this movie is its subdued approach, which works perfectly in its intimate story. In it, an immigrant father decides that his graduate student daughter must seek a life outside of their home, despite a very loving and agreeable existence. Like most of director Claire Denis' work the film is defined by its well-rounded characters, slice of life approach to storytelling, and small moments that speak louder in the context of the narrative. Not for everyone, but fans of Denis' view will love it.

By The Sea

I want to highlight this movie because I think it had the potential to be great but really....isn't. The basic premise is something you've seen before, a couple in a failing marriage (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie...no it's not a documentary) head to paradise in order to rekindle their marriage and the husband's writing career. All of the pieces are in place for a sleazy more risque take on Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf but the script simply doesn't have enough surprises, melodrama, or guts to truly make an impact. I'm sure this movie will hold a place in movie history as a Richard Burton/Elizabeth Taylor look at this real life couple on the big screen together moment, but aside from a cultural artifact this one isn't worth your time.