Capsule reviews for May 20

Almost Holy

Simple acts of kindness evolve into a crusade to save a country in this documentary about Gennadiy Mokhnenko, a charismatic Ukrainian pastor trying to curb the country’s epidemic of drug abuse among street kids. But as his methods resemble those of a vigilante – his well-intentioned approach basically consists of kidnapping wayward children and forcibly placing them in his shelter – his cynicism builds over political unrest that threatens any meaningful socioeconomic progress. Even if the approach of director Steve Hoover (Blood Brother) occasionally lacks focus and perspective, the film offers a powerful examination of one man’s courage to inspire change in the face of culturally entrenched obstacles. (Rated R, 96 minutes).

Hard Sell

This derivative coming-of-age comedy might have been a better fit about a generation ago, alongside many of the raunchy teen flicks to which it pays homage. It tells the awkward story of a prep-school student (Skyler Gisondo) struggling to cope with an emotionally troubled mother (Kristin Chenoweth) and a host of other personal issues. So he crafts a get-rich-quick scheme by matching up his unlikely friendship with a homeless stripper (Katrina Bowden) with the deep pockets of his horny classmates. Despite some scattered laughs, the script by rookie director Sean Nalaboff strains to be edgy while failing to reconcile its broad comedy with the earnest drama. (Not rated, 96 minutes).

Maggie’s Plan

Beneath the screwball surface, there are some sharp observations about contemporary family dynamics in this mostly agreeable romantic comedy about a Manhattan educator (Greta Gerwig), whose idea to raise a baby as a single mom gets derailed when her affair with a married professor (Ethan Hawke) disrupts his troubled marriage to an author (Julianne Moore). From there, the screenplay by director Rebecca Miller feels both familiar and fresh — poking fun at modern academia in the style of vintage Woody Allen — as it takes a sympathetic view of characters in a way that feels progressive rather than obligatory. The well-acted result is consistently insightful and amusing. (Rated R, 98 minutes).

Manhattan Night

There’s not much substance beneath the stylish surface of this slick noir thriller, which follows a morally conflicted crime columnist (Adrien Brody) for a New York newspaper – “which makes me an endangered species,” he laments – who becomes caught up in an affair with an alluring younger woman (Yvonne Strahovski) while investigating the death of her filmmaker husband (Campbell Scott). The ensuing twists involving femme fatales and corrupt businessmen endanger both his job and his family. There’s atmosphere to spare, and the screenplay by rookie director Brian DeCubellis generates some mild suspense, but ultimately it’s too convoluted and far-fetched to allow for any investment in the payoff. (Rated R, 113 minutes).

Weiner

The media loves a good political scandal, and nobody serves them up better than Anthony Weiner, the disgraced former New York congressman with the unfortunate name whose infamous sexting escapades ruined his career. This sympathetic documentary follows his ill-fated attempt to rebuild his reputation during a mayoral run in 2013, when his past indiscretions again threatened his marriage to a Hillary Clinton aide and dominated the headlines for the wrong reasons. The film digs behind the headlines with remarkable access to Weiner and his team, offering an amusing and topical cautionary tale about how quickly campaign issues can become derailed by a tabloid sideshow. (Rated R, 96 minutes).