Capsule reviews for Oct. 17

Dear White People

This acerbic satire of contemporary racial politics from rookie director Justin Simien manages to be provocative and articulate without turning strident. It follows four black students who navigate life on a fictional Ivy League campus, including a timid journalist (Tyler James Williams), a sardonic radio host (Tessa Thompson), a smooth-talking political hopeful (Brandon Bell) and an aspiring reality TV star (Teyonah Parris). Although Simien’s screenplay struggles to tie its plot threads together, the characters feel more authentic than stereotypical, and the film finds some humor and sympathy amid its cultural critiques. Even if its points are exaggerated for effect, there’s some truth beneath the surface. (Rated R, 106 minutes).

Listen Up Philip

This relentlessly cynical low-budget satire of pretentious creative types in 1970s Brooklyn literary culture presents a protagonist who’s impossible to admire, a misanthropic and narcissistic novelist (Jason Schwartzman) loosely based on Philip Roth. Bored and neurotic, he tries to escape the city and his photographer girlfriend (Elisabeth Moss) by retreating to a summer home owned by his mentor (Jonathan Pryce). The throwback visual style of director Alex Ross Perry (The Color Wheel) is a treat. Yet despite some scattered big laughs from this collection of insufferable characters, we too often laugh at them rather than with them, and the tedious film ultimately suffocates from its quirks. (Not rated, 108 minutes).

Rudderless

William H. Macy makes a promising directorial debut with this character-driven drama of redemption that follows Sam (Billy Crudup), a financial executive whose son is involved in a random shooting at his college. After his guilt causes a downward spiral, he manages to reconnect with his son via some songs he finds. But when Sam agrees to play the songs in public on a guitar, it becomes harder for him to keep his secrets. Even though the screenplay strains credibility at times, and the music really isn’t that great, the thoughtful premise is handled with sensitivity instead of crassness. Crudup leads a terrific ensemble cast. (Rated R, 105 minutes).

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Legendary Japanese animator Isao Takahata (Pom Poko) — a longtime colleague of Hazao Miyazaki — returns with this visually striking period piece about  a young princess born from bamboo (voiced by Chloe Grace Moretz in the dubbed version) who grows up into a strong-willed woman caught between the allure of wealth and beauty that causes conflicted emotions and potentially dire consequences. Takahata’s meticulous hand-drawn animation showcases a beautiful texture that perfectly complements the themes of the whimsical story, which is based on an old folk tale. The deliberately paced result is both amusing and touching, although the downbeat climax proves it’s not just for kids. (Rated PG, 137 minutes).

Young Ones

Both muddled and heavy-handed, this science-fiction drama from director Jake Paltrow (The Good Night) takes place on a dystopian frontier where water is scarce and valuable. Among those struggling to survive are Ernest (Michael Shannon) and his resourceful son (Kodi Smit-McPhee), who are skeptical of the intentions of the boyfriend (Nicholas Hoult) of Ernest’s daughter (Elle Fanning) with regard to the family’s precious land. There are some intriguing concepts at play here, and a striking visual style amid the harsh arid landscapes, yet the slow-burning story boils down to simplistic elements of revenge that feel familiar. The result is more pretentious than provocative. (Rated R, 100 minutes).