Capsule reviews for July 7
Julie Delpy and Daryl McCormack star in THE LESSON. (Photo: Bleecker Street)
Amanda
Delightfully quirky and surprisingly heartfelt, this deadpan Italian comedy probes friendship and loneliness with a beguiling sense of absurdist whimsy. As bad as she wants a best friend, you can see why 24-year-old Amanda (Benedetta Porcaroli) has never had one. Hailing from a family of opulent weirdos, she’s both abrasive and apathetic, and desperate enough to concoct a scheme in which she tries to convince a former childhood friend (Galatea Bellugi) — confined to her bedroom — of a bond that never really existed. The uneven yet sharp-tongued screenplay by rookie director Carolina Cavalli is galvanized by Porcaroli’s ferocious performance that resonates beyond the title character’s eccentricities. (Not rated, 93 minutes).
Biosphere
Despite a pair of fully committed portrayals, this offbeat science-fiction two-hander becomes more muddled than provocative in addressing some of life’s existential questions in a post-apocalyptic setting. In the near-future, a scientist (Sterling K. Brown) and a neurotic politician (Mark Duplass) are apparently the only humans remaining on Earth, confined to a domed enclosure where their resources are dwindling, and humanity could die with them. But then an opportunity presents itself. The talky if amusing screenplay by Duplass and rookie director Mel Eslyn keeps the mood light, and the actors generate a winning chemistry. Yet the slight concept never amounts to much beyond its goofy conceit. (Rated R, 106 minutes).
Earth Mama
A compassionate glimpse into single motherhood on the socioeconomic margins, this cautionary tale resonates with raw authenticity and hard-earned sympathy. It explores how a generational cycle of incarceration, income inequality, and irresponsible parenting burdens innocent children, especially in the Black community. Gia (Tia Nomore) is pregnant with her third child, with no mention of any fathers, and considering adoption. But she’s also trying to overcome her oppressive circumstances to reclaim custody of her first two kids from the state. Nomore’s deeply felt performance and a sharply observed screenplay by rookie director Savanah Leaf prevent the film from wallowing in bleakness or settling for heavy-handed sentimentality. (Rated R, 97 minutes).
The League
You don’t need to be a baseball fan to appreciate this valuable history lesson about the Negro Leagues and their enduring legacy. Combining abundant archival footage and interviews, this in-depth documentary from director Sam Pollard (MLK/FBI) offers a worthwhile tribute to early 20th century superstars such as Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and Rube Foster, who were denied their opportunity to compete in the major leagues while the sport was segregated. While saluting those early pioneers — including household names Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron — the film also examines baseball’s role in the social fabric of Black communities during the era. The result is straightforward yet insightful. (Rated PG, 103 minutes).
The Lesson
Richly textured performances enhance this modest character-driven thriller about artistic egos and literary fame, in which tension simmers beneath the rather mundane surface. Liam (Daryl McCormack) is an ambitious writer who eagerly accepts a summer job tutoring the troubled son of a famed British author (Richard E. Grant). However, Liam’s arrival at the estate coincides with dark secrets and lingering hostilities bubbling to the surface between the writer and his wife (Julie Delpy), which turns into a story of its own. The resulting power struggle evolves into a twisty and compelling slow-burn examining the convergence of betrayal, revenge, passion, grief, regret, and the creative process. (Rated R, 102 minutes).
The Portable Door
Beneath the visual spectacle of its elaborate funhouse of secrets and sorcery, this fantasy adventure yields only surface-level thrills. Cash-strapped Paul (Patrick Gibson) lands an internship at a mysterious London firm run by an idiosyncratic executive (Christoph Waltz) and his overbearing assistant (Sam Neill). When an assignment leads him to discover a magical door, it provides a window for Paul and a co-worker (Sophie Wilde) to uncover the sinister intentions of their employer — and learn why they’re forbidden from working after hours. The pace remains lively, although in balancing the human drama with the effects-driven eccentricities, the film lacks the intended sense of discovery and wonder. (Not rated, 116 minutes).