Capsule reviews for July 31

Mustache

Sharply observed and charmingly nostalgic, this tender and heartfelt comedy tackles familiar themes of self-acceptance and teenage angst through a fresh cultural lens. In the 1990s, Ilyas (Atharv Verma) is a suburban high school freshman whose anxiety after transferring from private to public school is exacerbated by his prematurely hairy upper lip. Burdened with sometimes unreasonable expectations of family and faith, Ilyas hatches a scheme to return to his comfort zone, which backfires in unexpected ways. Verma’s understated portrayal conveys sincerity and compassion for the scrappy outsider. Despite some coming-of-age cliches and forced quirks, the film smartly balances exaggerated social absurdities with grounded underlying insecurities. (Not rated, 83 minutes).

The Samurai and the Prisoner

Deliberately paced yet exquisitely crafted, this evocative Japanese period drama from director Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Cloud) is an alternately thoughtful and thrilling feudal mystery beneath its handsomely mounted surface. Set in the 16th century, it unspools a story of sacrifice, loyalty, and political maneuvering centered on the lord (Masahiro Motoki) of a castle accused of an elaborate series of crimes, prompting a reluctant alliance with a former adversary (Masaki Suda) to learn the truth and clear his name. Weaving familiar cat-and-mouse whodunit elements into a fresh narrative package, this literary adaptation is an intricate saga of deceit and revenge that rewards patience with layered historical intrigue. (Not rated, 147 minutes).

The Wave

Ambition surpasses execution in this uneven attempt to merge a feminist political drama with a full-scale musical from Chilean director Sebastian Lelio (A Fantastic Woman). Julia (Daniela Lopez) is a music student who becomes swept up in an on-campus movement to protest abuse and harassment against women. Opening up and sharing her own story of resilience, however, comes with attention she’s reluctant to embrace. Despite some lively choreography and stylish visuals, the film’s characters aren’t fully defined beyond their representation of stances and causes. While the production numbers spark to life, the heavy-handed script compromises any underlying effort to spotlight the power of social activism. (Not rated, 129 minutes).