Capsule reviews for May 27

A Chiara

Whether or not you’re familiar with its predecessors, this conclusion to a loosely connected trilogy from Italian filmmaker Jonas Carpignano (A Ciambra) is another richly textured if deliberately paced coming-of-age story about fractured families and social change. He returns to the southern Italian region of Calabria, where Chiara (Swamy Rotolo) is a teenage girl who must navigate an uncertain future following the sudden disappearance of her beloved father, and possible secrets about his past involvement with a local crime syndicate. Newcomer Rotolo’s expressive portrayal provides an emotional anchor as the gritty and visually striking film gains momentum while its twists yield an evocative poignancy. (Not rated, 121 minutes).

Dinner in America

He’s irredeemably abrasive and she’s hopelessly pitiful. They might be perfect for one another, yet moviegoers are more likely to root against the lovers in this aggressively caustic romantic comedy that tries to transfer the anarchic vibe of Sid and Nancy to decaying 1990s Midwestern suburbia. It follows an ex-con punk-rocker (Kyle Gallner) and a socially awkward fan (Emily Skeggs) who connect while embarking on a nihilistic spree of violent outbursts and creative inspiration. Straining to be edgy and provocative, the film manages some scattered offbeat laughs amid its cliches. However, between the muddled satirical jabs and the unsympathetic characters, it leaves a sour taste. (Not rated, 108 minutes).

Look at Me: XXXTentacion

Sidestepping the usual pitfalls of fan hagiography, this fascinating documentary provides an even-handed glimpse into the titular Miami rapper whose outrageous antics led to viral fame before his tragic death at age 20. The film traces Jahseh Onfroy’s difficult childhood in which his articulate intelligence is undercut by mental illness and uncontrolled rebellion. After finding a creative outlet through his confrontational music and stage persona, legal issues — stemming from accusations of domestic violence — and his own demons hold him back. Blending archival footage with new interviews, director Sabaah Folayan (Whose Streets) offers an incisive examination of hip-hop misogyny, celebrity enabling, and the perils of social-media fame. (Not rated, 108 minutes).

A Taste of Whale

Within the rugged beauty of the Faroe Islands, a Danish archipelago in the northern Atlantic Ocean, lies an ugly battle between cultural tradition and animal rights. Although it becomes repetitive, this documentary takes an even-handed glimpse into the lives of local fishermen who kill pilot whales each year for consumption as a delicacy, and whose livelihood is threatened by outside activists and conservationists who intervene. The conflict is contentious and multifaceted, about ethics and health and personal choices, and more, with some lessons in marine biology along the way. Without more compelling central characters, the urgency wanes and you must cut through too much blubber. (Not rated, 85 minutes).

There Are No Saints

Genre cliches overwhelm the more thoughtful character-driven components of this ultraviolent thriller of redemption and revenge, which was written by Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver) and filmed a decade ago. Neto (Jose Maria Yazpik) is a gangster nicknamed “The Jesuit” who is released from a Texas prison. However, his good-faith attempt to reconnect with family results in a crime boss (Neal McDonough) kidnapping his young son, leaving Neto and a stripper (Shannyn Sossamon) to journey through the criminal underworld along the southern border. Yazpik (Mr. Pig) garners sympathy as the brooding antihero unable to escape his dark past, although the film lacks consistent suspense and surprise. (Rated R, 99 minutes).

We Feed People

More fulfilling for the heart than the stomach, this powerful documentary from director Ron Howard goes behind the scenes of World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit launched by Spanish chef Jose Andres to provide meals in the wake of natural disasters and humanitarian crises around the world. The philanthropic efforts are mixed with a portrait of the gregarious Andres himself, including his rise to culinary fame and the inspirations behind his social conscience. The straightforward yet timely film salutes the effectiveness of the program and its ambitious goals without settling for hero worship, likewise serving to inspire moviegoers with a generous helping of empathy and humanity. (Not rated, 89 minutes).