Capsule reviews for Dec. 25

Burn Country

Some intriguing ideas are stranded by an overarching concept that severely strains credibility in this low-budget drama that takes place in a small town in northern California, where an exiled Afghan journalist (Dominic Rains) gets a job as a freelance crime reporter and settles with a local police officer (Melissa Leo) — the mother of a friend — allowing him to experience firsthand the town’s surprisingly extensive web of corruption and violence. Rains (Jinn) brings a genuine fish-out-of-water credibility to his role, yet despite some atmospheric touches, the screenplay doesn’t offer much meaningful insight into the struggle of a man trying desperately to assimilate into a new culture. (Not rated, 102 minutes).

Paterson

The titular working-class New Jersey suburb is the main character in this meandering yet captivating drama from director Jim Jarmusch (Only Lovers Left Alive). It follows a bus driver and aspiring poet, also named Paterson (Adam Driver), who is locked into a comfortable routine with his job, his loyal wife (Golshifteh Farahani), a mischievous bulldog and his regular bar. As Paterson navigates a week’s worth of quirky happenings, he becomes uncomfortable with the subtle shifts in the world around him. The deliberately paced film rewards patience in its quiet observances of daily life and an almost poetic celebration of mundane details that shape our daily lives. (Rated R, 118 minutes).

Toni Erdmann

Outrageously funny yet firmly grounded in reality, this observant comedy from German director Maren Ade (Everyone Else) explores fractured family bonds through the story of a workaholic corporate strategist (Sandra Huller) who doesn’t have the time to deal with her goofy father (Peter Simonischek), who only wants the two of them to be closer. So he hatches a desperate scheme involving an alter-ego to get her attention. While the length is daunting, the film never feels rambling or indulgent, offering rich characters, terrific performances and a visual texture that yield sympathy for both sides. It’s frequently hilarious but also tender and poignant without resorting to clichés. (Rated R, 162 minutes).