Capsule reviews for March 1

Before I Change My Mind

Capturing the look and vibe of 1980s nostalgia in all its cheesy glory, this Canadian coming-of-age drama also finds a fresh perspective to explore adolescent angst and teen sexuality. It centers on Robin (Vaughan Murrae), a non-binary student who naturally feels like an outsider as the newcomer among small-town classmates. A shy musician, Robin manages to bond with both an aspiring theater actress (Lacey Oake) and the school bully (Dominic Lippa) while discovering their own identity. The film indulges in some of the same tropes it seeks to subvert, yet balances its surface charms with simmering unease as the teen misadventures escalate beyond innocent mischief. (Not rated, 89 minutes).

Outlaw Posse

Combining elements of an anachronistic genre lampoon, a frontier revenge saga, and a heavy-handed melodrama about post-Civil War racial turmoil, this Western from director Mario Van Peebles (Posse) never musters enough laughs or thrills. Van Peebles plays an exiled gunslinger chasing hidden gold in early 20th century Montana, where he clashes with a ruthless marauder (William Mapother) and his gang who violently stake their own claim. Despite some stylish visuals and an earnest salute to overlooked true-life Old West figures, the screenplay tends to indulge in tropes and stereotypes rather than subverting them. The ensemble cast includes Edward James Olmos, Cedric the Entertainer, and Whoopi Goldberg. (Rated R, 108 minutes).

Shayda

The true-life protagonist no doubt represents countless silent victims of abuse and persecution, as depicted in this empowering yet heartbreaking drama about escaping the oppression of patriarchal ideologies. After fleeing an abusive marriage in her native Iran, Shayda (Zar Amir Ebrahimi) finds refuge in an Australian women’s shelter, where she cautiously tries to start over with her 6-year-old daughter (Selina Zahednia). Caught between cultural expectations and an uncertain future, Shayda’s independence is tested when her bitter husband (Osamah Sami) launches a custody battle. The nuanced screenplay by rookie director Noora Niasari combines with the deeply felt performances to convey broad emotional depth without turning heavy-handed. (Rated PG-13, 117 minutes).