Miss Sloane

Watching this movie can easily make one wonder: with all the paranoia about a terrorist group taking out an American city, if that city were Washington...would we really be losing so much? Perhaps this portrait of official and unofficial amorality in the nation's capital is a little too cynical, and thus should not inspire such a question. What is unquestionable is that here we have yet another film that celebrates excessive cleverness, both its own and that of its characters, including the titular anti-heroine played by Jessica Chastain. She does her usual great job--Chastain is neck-and-neck with Amy Adams in the race for "current best American actress"--in a movie that she owns from start to finish. Whether you will enjoy this work depends mostly upon your tolerance for this sort of paean to cleverness; in this viewer's case, I found its excesses forgivable, given its solid performances, good pacing, and at least somewhat interesting political viewpoint. It gets my vote.

Crimes and Misdemeanors

Woody Allen's well-crafted story comes with a light touch, but ultimately hits like a haymaker. The subtle descent of Martin Landau's compromised ophthalmologist into further and further depths makes for riveting viewing, and while the secondary storyline--Allen and Alan Alda vie for the same woman--is less compelling, each tale reaches the same ending in a fascinating climax. Brief philosophical discussions, both bloodless and vibrant, and some crafty symbolism tie the whole thing together in a resolution that is surprising and provocative (and sadly, probably true). The film's impact comes not just in that resolution, but even past that ending, when you're thinking about it a day or two later. A powerful film.

Le Divorce

Whatever the story, however it is presented, set it in Paris and you have magic. Just the look of a film shot in Paris is entertaining, especially in the hands of a pair of old pros like Merchant and Ivory. Ah, but what about that story? The complicated lives of two American sisters (Naomi Watts and Kate Hudson) living among the Frogs hold the interest for the whole running time, and the cast is strong from top to bottom (especially the two leads). Still, the denouement is a bit unseemly, and the viewer is left feeling not quite sure what to make of all this. Overall, a quintessential MEOW review.