Capsule reviews for June 20

Bride Hard

A misbegotten hybrid of Bridesmaids and Die Hard — as the title awkwardly suggests — lacks the laughs of the former and the excitement of the latter. Sam (Rebel Wilson) is a secret agent whose latest mission is as the maid of honor for the wedding of her best friend (Anna Camp) at a lavish island retreat. However, when the festivities are interrupted by armed mercenaries, Sam recruits the wedding party to help save the day. As directed by Simon West (Con Air), the resulting action-comedy is tedious and lumbering and squanders some talented performers who should have sent their regrets rather than passing them along to moviegoers. (Rated R, 105 minutes).

Familiar Touch

Finding a powerful balance between heartbreak and healing, this intimate drama explores aging, mortality, memories, and intergenerational dynamics with tenderness and authenticity. Ruth (Kathleen Chalfant) is a former cook showing signs of dementia, prompting her adult son (Jon Benjamin) to relocate her into assisted living. Gradually slipping away, she tries to find happiness in the present amid her fading connections to the past. Rookie director Sarah Friedland, whose background is in dance, accentuates subtle body movements to flesh out the characters, while her script provides a fresh examination of familiar themes without wallowing in pity or sentimentality. Chalfant (“The Affair”) shapes Ruth beyond her affliction. (Not rated, 91 minutes).

Inside

Despite some mild contrivances, this bleak Australian prison drama resonates with gritty thoughtfulness as it examines redemption, regret, and recidivism with heartfelt conviction. Mel (Vincent Miller) is a teenage newcomer at a maximum-security facility struggling to cope with his guilt and find a path forward. He’s drawn to a troubled inmate (Cosmo Jarvis) who fancies himself a religious leader, and a wise soon-to-be parolee (Guy Pearce) who takes a more pragmatic outlook. The deeply felt performances smooth out the rough patches in the screenplay by rookie director Charles Williams, which doesn’t provide an easy path to catharsis yet yields a glimmer of hope amid the heartbreak. (Not rated, 104 minutes).

Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore

Both enlightening and inspiring, this documentary about the groundbreaking, Oscar-winning deaf actress enables her to share her resilient life story in her own voice. The film recaps her career highlights, from breaking barriers with Children of a Lesser God in 1986 to taking the Oscar stage again with Coda in 2022. Yet it also confronts personal obstacles including abusive relationships, substance addiction, and struggles for acceptance both professionally and even among her parents. Although somewhat dry and straightforward in its approach, the directorial debut of hearing-impaired actress Shoshannah Stern spotlights Matlin’s talent, longevity, and tireless advocacy while yielding persuasive insight to shift broader perceptions. (Not rated, 97 minutes).

Mr. Blake at Your Service

John Malkovich showcases his versatility playing against time in the charming title role of this heartwarming crowd-pleaser that succeeds on its own modest terms. He plays a widowed British businessman who honors his late wife’s heritage by unexpectedly becoming a butler at a French country manor owned by Nathalie (Fanny Ardant) and populated by her eccentric staff. Gradually, Blake finds healing and purpose in starting over, even under such unusual circumstances. The handsomely mounted if uneven film’s underlying silliness is both a benefit and a drawback, yet rookie filmmaker Gilles Legardinier — adapting his own novel — infuses the feel-good nostalgia with relatable grief and catharsis. (Not rated, 110 minutes).

The Queen of My Dreams

While vibrantly saluting its nostalgic influences, this Canadian drama struggles to distinguish itself as a culturally specific drama about strained intergenerational dynamics. Azra (Amrit Kaur) lives with her girlfriend in Canada, far away from her estranged Pakistani mother (Ninra Bucha), who disapproves of Azra’s lifestyle. Their only happy shared memory comes from the colorful fantasties of cheesy Bollywood films, which is what prompts flashbacks when Azra revisits her homeland to seek catharsis following a family tragedy. The heartfelt screenplay by rookie director Fawzia Mirza, expanding her short film, covers familiar themes beneath its visually striking surface, with its charms overshadowed by a thin and gimmicky narrative. (Not rated, 96 minutes).