Capsule reviews for Dec. 23

Broker

Skillfully navigating the moral space between legality and decency, this compassionate drama from acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda (Shopfliters) finds a persuasive empathy for characters operating outside the law. Set in South Korea, it follows two hustlers (Song Kang-ho and Gang Dong-won) trying to score cash by finding suitable homes for babies anonymously placed in a box outside a church. But when one young mother (Lee Ji-eun) returns with second thoughts, she winds up helping the perpetrators elude authorities while ensuring her child has a stable future. This offbeat story of fractured families and surrogate parenting is uneven in tone but emotionally rich without turning heavy-handed. (Rated R, 129 minutes).

Corsage

A powerfully understated portrayal by Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread) drives this handsomely mounted period piece satirizing patriarchal 19th century royal customs. Krieps plays a fictionalized version of 1870s Austrian empress Elisabeth, rebelling against stuffy aristocratic traditions and public scrutiny as she turns 40. Headstrong and free-spirited, her erratic behavior spirals into depression, further straining her relationship to the emperor (Florian Teichtmeister) and their family against a backdrop of sociopolitical turmoil. The richly textured screenplay by director Marie Kreutzer seamlessly mixes anachronistic mischief with subtly relevant social commentary while generating hard-earned sympathy for a protagonist whose titular undergarment conceals a ferocious desire for independence and equality. (Not rated, 113 minutes).

Joyride

Olivia Colman shines as a troubled single mother in this otherwise forgettable Irish road-trip saga about fractured families and maternal instincts. Colman plays Joy, who falls asleep in the back of a taxi stolen by a wayward teenager (circumstances newcomer Charlie Reid) seeking a quick getaway after some petty thievery. Reeling from tragic, Joy reveals plans to give up the baby to her sister, while the kid has just lost his mother. So they reluctantly agree on an odd-couple partnership. Awkwardly blending broad comedy with introspective drama, the film offers both characters a chance at redemption, but strains to be life-affirming and profound along the way. (Not rated, 94 minutes).

Ludi

Rough around the edges yet resonating with gritty authenticity, this character-driven drama offers an immersive glimpse into Miami’s blue-collar Little Haiti neighborhood. That’s where Ludi (Shein Mompremier) is struggling in pursuit of the American Dream. She works overtime as a caretaker at a nursing home, trying to make ends meet herself while also providing for her family. As she tries to remain optimistic, desperation prompts her to reassess her circumstances and her future. Balancing cultural specifics with universal themes, rookie director Edson Jean crafts an evocative look at how one woman’s story encapsulates a community. Bolstered by Mompremier’s sensitive performance, it’s slight but charming. (Not rated, 79 minutes).

No Bears

The real-life judicial travails of imprisoned Iranian director Jafar Panahi (The White Balloon) lend greater urgency to his latest provocative drama, filmed in secret and laced with pointed social commentary about artistic freedom in the face of political oppression. On the surface, it’s much simpler, unspooling parallel romances spanning urban and rural landscapes, and passed-down traditions clashing with modern technology. It takes on a documentary feel given the on-screen involvement of Panahi himself, although such self-reflexive storytelling feels relevant as the provocative undercurrents sidestep heavy-handed tendencies. The result is a journey of self-discovery with a powerful ending that reinforces the acclaimed filmmaker’s refusal to be silenced. (Not rated, 106 minutes).

Wildcat

Combining messages of wildlife conservation and PTSD-related mental health, this heartfelt documentary discovers a powerful story of companionship and healing at a remote outpost in the Amazon rainforest. That’s where Harry, a British ex-soldier struggling with severe depression after serving in Afghanistan, travels to volunteer for an American scientist’s upstart animal rehabilitation and preservation operation in Peru. Harry hopes his fragile connection with an endangered ocelot, amid persistent danger from poachers, will provide the purpose he needs to stabilize his mercurial behavior. While capturing some scenic jungle imagery, the film uses the bond between man and cat to transcend its issues and find genuine poignancy. (Rated R, 105 minutes).