Battle of the Sexes

A rebel and a rogue, in a different kind of star war. Given the tide of history, we all know going in not only who won the match, but whom we are supposed to root for. And, by just about any measure, that notion is correct on its face. But watching this movie, one must recognize--assuming an honest and intelligent assessment--that the victory won and the progress made necessitated both players; there could not have been the rebel without the rogue. That's something interesting to ponder. So too is the notion that this film actually seems to undermine its own point, in a way; maybe he lost simply because he didn't take it seriously enough. All in all, it's a good sign that such a movie makes you think that much about its premise and conclusions, and it definitely helps that it's wildly entertaining and expertly performed. A victory for sure.

The Anniversary Party

This one would get a plus for no other reason than the (now rare) chance to see Phoebe Cates. (Yes, she's still adorable.) But it has merits beyond that--the humor is as dry as the Sahara, and the story is insightful and incisive. The only down side: when it turns from comedy to drama, the drama is a little too heavy. But mostly, it's a lot of fun.