Capsule reviews for May 4

Bad Samaritan

You might think twice about home security or your use of parking valets if you stumble into this lurid and incoherent thriller from director Dean Devlin (Geostorm) that struggles to generate a rooting interest in its characters. Perhaps that’s because the hero is an unscrupulous valet (Robert Sheehan) who plans to rob a Maserati owner (David Tennant), except that after he breaks into the home, he discovers that a woman (Kerry Condon) is being held hostage, leading to a cat-and-mouse showdown. The screenplay unravels due to an abundance of ridiculous twists and contrived cheap thrills, but at least Tennant’s unhinged portrayal of a sociopath enlivens things. (Rated R, 110 minutes).

The Guardians

A war movie taking place away from the front lines, this deliberately paced French drama rewards patience with a powerful story of resilience in the face of traditional gender barriers. It takes place during World War I, when a housewife (Nathalie Baye) is forced to run the rural family farm with the help of a farmhand (Iris Bry) while her husband and sons are away in combat. While they try to maintain normalcy amid the uncertainty, the women deal with other issues that shape their futures. This stylish effort from director Xavier Beauvois (Of Gods and Men) is perceptive and quietly absorbing, bolstered by strong performances. (Rated R, 134 minutes).

Racer and the Jailbird

Ambitious yet emotionally hollow, this mix of romance and crime thriller chronicles the whirlwind love affair between Brussels bank robber Gino (Matthias Schoenarts) and female racecar phenom Benedicte (Adele Exarchopoulos). By the time Gino reveals his secret and is apprehended, the couple has become too close, torn apart by tragedy and a prison sentence, leaving only desperate hopes of reuniting. As directed by Michael Roskam (The Drop), the nonlinear narrative is divided into chapters, with the first half far more intriguing than the second. As the film funnels into more conventional territory, you wonder why these two lost souls should be together in the first place. (Rated R, 130 minutes).

RBG

Regardless of your political persuasion, this documentary about firebrand Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 85, offers an insightful peek into the life and work of someone who has dedicated her service to advocating for equal rights for women and minorities. The film takes a straightforward approach, hitting the highlights of her legal career, providing revelations into her private life and marriage, delving into her reputation as a dissenting voice on the bench, and celebrating her longevity and influence. The film preaches to the liberal choir for the most part, although open-minded moviegoers will appreciate her feisty inspiration and steadfast commitment to underdog causes. (Rated PG, 97 minutes).

The 12th Man

A harrowing true-life survival story is compromised by heavy-handed contrivances in this uneven World War II thriller from director Harald Zwart (The Karate Kid). It’s set against the backdrop of Nazi aggression into Norway, and specifically the capture of a fishing vessel on which 11 passengers were killed. With a ruthless Gestapo officer (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) in pursuit, the lone survivor (Thomas Gullestad) must evade capture and the harsh Scandinavian winter in a desperate attempt to reach the border with neutral Sweden. Unfortunately, the film lacks conviction and doesn’t convey sufficient urgency considering the subject matter and the stakes involved. It’s more tedious than suspenseful. (Not rated, 131 minutes).