Capsule reviews for Feb. 2

Bosco

The title character generates hard-earned sympathy in this earnest prison drama, but his true-life saga of resilience and redemption is handcuffed by shallow characters and genre tropes. Bosco (Aubrey Joseph) was a precocious kid from Compton drawn into a cycle of drugs and violence by his father (Tyrese Gibson). Eager to clear his name during a lengthy prison sentence, he battles a sadistic warden (Thomas Jane) while a lonely woman (Nikki Blonsky) might hold the key to his freedom. Joseph (“Cloak and Dagger”) offers a committed portrayal, although the heavy-handed screenplay by rookie director Nicholas Manuel Pino fails to provide sufficient thematic depth or moral complexity. (Rated R, 104 minutes).

Fitting In

Melodramatic contrivances overshadow the heartfelt message in this earnest Canadian coming-of-age saga about the romantic travails of a teenage girl who first needs to learn to love herself. Lindy (Maddie Ziegler) is a 16-year-old navigating the social circles of high school when she is diagnosed with a rare reproductive condition that won’t allow her to have conventional sex. That strains her relationship with her boyfriend (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai) and her cancer-surviving mother (Emily Hampshire). Balancing laughs and pathos, the semiautobiographical screenplay by director Molly McGlynn taps into female adolescence while promoting compassion and acceptance, although its conventional approach inhibits a deeper and more specific emotional impact. (Rated R, 105 minutes).

How to Have Sex

Finding nuance and emotional depth in the unlikeliest of places — a spring break beach trip — this British drama evolves into a quietly powerful exploration of teenage sexual politics and consent. Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce) and her two best friends (Lara Peake and Enva Lewis) travel to Greece for a week of sun-drenched drinking, clubbing, and casual hookups. Their bond creates a safe zone amid the chaos, but after the reluctant Tara disappears alone with a guy, she returns fragile and withdrawn. McKenna-Bruce speaks volumes through Tara’s silence, and the sharply observed screenplay by rookie director Molly Manning Walker probes familiar territory through a fresh and topical lens. (Not rated, 91 minutes).

Perfect Days

Leisurely paced and quietly profound, this contemplative character-driven drama from venerable director Wim Wenders (Wings of Desire) finds subtle pleasures in life’s routines and details over material wealth. It’s a rumination on aging and mortality from the perspective of a Tokyo janitor (Koji Yakusho) who takes pride in his work, enjoys listening to classic rock on cassette tapes, and photographs trees. He’s the type of character who ordinarily fades into the background but finds value in solitude, and appreciates beauty around him. It’s a thin concept fleshed out by an expressive portrayal by Yakusho (Shall We Dance) and by a compassion that resonates across cultural boundaries. (Rated PG, 123 minutes).

The Promised Land

A captivating performance by Mads Mikkelsen (Another Round) anchors this sweeping Danish period drama from director Nikolaj Arcel (A Royal Affair), layering emotional depth into a sturdy saga of violence and revenge. Based on a true story, it’s set in the 18th century, when a soldier (Mikkelsen) ambitiously tries to cultivate a barren plot for the king, thereby earning fame and fortune. But he becomes embroiled in a feud with a neighboring landowner (Simon Bennebjerg) who claims the land as his own, leading to a showdown with a ragtag collection of underdog allies. The uneven script generates some melodramatic heft to complement Arcel’s visually striking landscapes. (Rated R, 127 minutes).

Scrambled

A familiar setup yields a fresh perspective on reproductive choices in this rowdy comedy about a woman who finds empowerment through vulnerability. In her mid-30s, Nellie (Leah McKendrick) feels her biological clock ticking, both from a constant string of weddings and baby showers, and from her overbearing parents. But she hasn’t found the right guy yet, so after dating series of rejects, she opts for treatment to have her eggs frozen until she meets the ideal father. Rookie director McKendrick balances an acerbic edge with sympathetic charm during Nellie’s journey to self-discovery amid outside expectations. Meanwhile, her screenplay strikes a winning balance of laughs and sentiment. (Rated R, 100 minutes).

Skin Deep

Emphasizing subtle relationship nuances over profound statements on fidelity and commitment, this offbeat German drama indeed digs beneath the surface of its characters. Open-minded Leyla (Mala Emde) and timid Tristan (Jonas Dassler) try to reinvigorate their marriage with retreat on a secluded island, where they are matched with another couple (Dimitrij Schaad and Maryam Zaree) for a weekend of swapping — not just partners, but also identities. Along the way, they reveal insecurities and desires that reveal more about themselves than each other. Despite a contrived premise, the film sidesteps emotional calculations while exploring sexual fluidity and gender politics from a fresh and ambitious perspective. (Not rated, 103 minutes).

Somewhere Quiet

Picking up where many horror movies leave off, this tightly wound psychological thriller is a powerfully unsettling glimpse into trauma and paranoia. Meg (Jennifer Kim) is trying to heal her emotional wounds after a recent kidnapping when she retreats to an isolated compound on Cape Cod with her husband (Kentucker Audley). When his cousin (Marin Ireland) arrives to interrupt their visit, Meg’s nightmares intensify. But are they caused by lingering pain from her past or danger in her future? Despite some muddled late twists, the screenplay by rookie director Olivia West Lloyd doesn’t offer easy answers as it gradually builds suspense without relying on genre tropes. (Not rated, 98 minutes).

The Tiger’s Apprentice

An esteemed voice cast enhances this otherwise predictable animated fantasy adventure in which cultural relevance is overwhelmed by narrative cliches. Tom (voiced by Brandon Soo Hoo) is a Chinese-American teenager in San Francisco, where he learns his grandmother is a guardian for an ancient phoenix talisman. When it’s stolen by a villainous intruder (Michelle Yeoh), Tom joins forces with Mr. Hu (Henry Golding), whose true identity is a tiger and leader of a group of heroic warrior animals looking to avenge the crime. Children might connect with the youngster and appreciate the shapeshifting antics. But outside of some colorful animation, it’s more silly than substantial. (Rated PG, 84 minutes).