Capsule reviews for Sept. 15

Canary

Lonnie Thompson’s work isn’t the most exciting to watch, but this deliberately paced documentary makes a persuasive argument about climate change to anyone who still needs convincing. The film traces the career of Thompson, a renowned paleoclimatologist who for decades has led expeditions to remote mountains — often risking his own health — to conduct ice-core drilling programs in glaciers, with the goal of discovering historical clues that could spearhead future conservation efforts. Thompson isn’t as politically outspoken as the film itself, which is best when it dials back the rhetoric and focuses on its fascinating subject and his important work on behalf of the planet. (Not rated, 104 minutes).

Cassandro

Pro wrestling might be fake, but this biopic about queer identity and acceptance in the world of Mexican “lucha libre” spotlights some real-life struggles inside and outside the ring with warmth and compassion. Saul (Gael Garcia Bernal) is a gay luchador from El Paso who reinvents himself as the titular “exotico” — cross-dressing competitors who are typically mocked and pummeled. However, he wants to spark change with a tough character who commands respect from traditionally intolerant fans. Bernal’s fully committed performance pins down some hard-earned sympathy, even if the feature narrative debut of director Roger Ross Williams (Life, Animated) occasionally struggles to balance silliness with sincerity. (Rated R, 106 minutes).

The Inventor

A history lesson told with tongue-in-cheek wit, this animated tribute to Leonardo da Vinci is as peculiar as it is delightful. Set in the 16th century, it follows da Vinci (voiced by Stephen Fry) as he experiments with contraptions and ponders the meaning of life, eventually relocating from Italy to France. That’s where a princess (Daisy Ridley) becomes his muse as da Vinci imagines a futuristic city. The directorial debut of screenwriter Jim Capobianco (Ratatouille) is a visual treat that combines stop-motion animation with painterly flourishes. While the result might be too esoteric for small children, its playful charms more than compensate for any revisionist embellishments. (Rated PG, 92 minutes).

Invisible Beauty

Bethann Hardison has been a force of nature in the modeling industry for decades, and this affectionate documentary shines a deserving spotlight on her career and legacy as a pioneer and disruptor. Hardison co-directed with Frederic Tcheng (Dior and I), giving this revealing self-portrait a hint of vanity without going overboard. Instead, her level of involvement adds a layer of insightful reflection on a career as a model who formed her own agency and later became a vital advocate for Black representation and empowerment. Her influence can be felt in the impressive roster of luminary interviewees saluting a maverick who helped redefine traditional notions of beauty. (Not rated, 115 minutes).

Lift

Following a familiar crowd-pleasing template, this documentary about a ballet program for at-risk children finds its stride due to its charismatic subjects. It follows Steven Melendez, a retired dancer now in charge of a New York Theatre Ballet scholarship initiative that gives kids in underserved communities a creative outlet through ballet. When Steven visits the Bronx shelter where he spent part of his own childhood, it sparks a traumatic reminder and provides inspiration for a piece about resilience and hope. Along the way, we’re introduced to three youngsters whose stories generate a rooting interest while also yielding a universal glimpse into the power of artistic expression. (Rated PG-13, 87 minutes).

A Million Miles Away

While not as ambitious as its true-life protagonist, this crowd-pleasing biopic of pioneering astronaut Jose Hernandez highlights a step forward for representation both in the cosmos and here on Earth. Jose (Michael Pena) grew up in a family of migrant farm workers in 1970s California who dreamed big, eventually becoming an engineer and starting a family with his restaurateur wife (Rosa Salazar). Despite being repeatedly rejected by NASA, he remains persistent in hopes of making history. The film keeps the mood light and tends to gloss over the deeper issues of perception and opportunity at its core, yet Pena’s charming performance provides an easy rooting interest. (Rated PG, 121 minutes).

Radical Wolfe

While this documentary offers a competent retrospective of the career of acclaimed writer Tom Wolfe, its straightforward approach doesn’t sufficiently capture his iconoclastic spirit or audacity. It uses interviews with fellow scribes and scholars to guide a glimpse into his early journalism days, his evolution into a famous author, essayist, and pop-culture figure during the 1970s, and his transition into a novelist. Although thin on personal details, the film incorporates archival footage to explore Wolfe’s creative process and attitude toward satire and irregular technique. At least it spotlights his wit and wisdom, along with his work, even if it can’t match his mastery of prose. (Not rated, 76 minutes).

The Retirement Plan

Nicolas Cage’s charisma can’t save this otherwise formulaic crime thriller that’s also a predictable story of reconciliation and fractured family dynamics. Cage plays an ex-assassin and Cayman Islands beach bum whose preteen granddaughter (Thalia Campbell) shows up unannounced. It turns out her mother (Ashley Greene) has become tangled up with a gangster (Jackie Earle Haley) over a stolen hard drive, and a henchman (Ron Perlman) tasked with retrieving it. As the family reunion unfolds while in survival mode, the mildly amusing yet contrived screenplay by director Tim Brown (Buckley’s Chance) recycles familiar characters and genre tropes. But at least it doesn’t take itself too seriously. (Rated R, 103 minutes).

Rotting in the Sun

Beneath the surface shock value, this loopy meta comedy from Chilean director Sebastian Silva (The Maid) is a sharply observed satire of influencer culture and socioeconomic class. Silva plays a fictionalized version of himself, as a suicidal artist and ketamine addict who retreats to a gay nude beach, where he encounters a social-media provocateur (Jordan Firstman) who pesters Silva about directing his vanity project. Before that materializes, however, the filmmaker mysteriously disappears. A major twist prompts a transition from raunchy and explicit sex farce to low-key thriller. And although the film meanders in the second half, its gritty audacity and offbeat absurdity keep it compelling. (Not rated, 109 minutes).

The Saint of Second Chances

You don’t need to be a baseball fan to appreciate the redemption story of Mike Veeck, a larger-than-life character who made his mark on the sport through showmanship more than slugging. This crowd-pleasing documentary traces his career as the son of Bill Veeck, the 1970s owner of the Chicago White Sox known for luring large crowds through crazy stadium promotions. Mike’s ill-fated “disco demolition” night became infamous, prompting a downward spiral until he took over the fun-loving, minor-league St. Paul Saints. Through re-enactments (with Charlie Day as Veeck), interviews and archival footage, the film conveys his infectious love for the game, and especially for the fans. (Not rated, 93 minutes).