Capsule reviews for Nov. 15

Get Fast

Instead of leaning into its potential as an over-the-top action saga driven by testosterone and adrenaline, this low-budget thriller tries to develop characters who aren’t worth the trouble. The thin story centers on a low-level thief (James Clayton) whose partner is kidnapped during a heist gone bad, which entangles him with a drug lord and a ruthless hitman (Lou Diamond Phillips) amid shifting loyalties and cloudy motives, leading to a string of chases, shootouts, and explosions. Clayton, who also directed, stages the bookend set pieces with visual flair while otherwise relying on a derivative screenplay that lacks any meaningful emotional depth or moral complexity. (Rated R, 88 minutes).

The Uninvited

Its generic title might suggest a fright flick, but this ensemble comedy instead probes the horrors of aging and misogyny in Hollywood with biting humor and intriguing character dynamics. A middle-aged actress (Elizabeth Reaser) and her agent husband (Walton Goggins) are hosting a garden party at their upscale home. While he flirts with a young starlet (Eva De Dominici) and schmoozes a client (Rufus Sewell), she reunites with a former co-star (Pedro Pascal) and tends to a confused elderly woman (Lois Smith) who shows up unexpectedly. Despite some heavy-handed tendencies, the screenplay by rookie director Nadia Conners shrewdly scrutinizes how women are perceived in show business. (Not rated, 97 minutes).

The World According to Allee Willis

You could probably make two films about the late creative force at the center of this compelling documentary, which melds the various facets of Willis’ life and career into a breezy yet insightful package. She’s perhaps best known as a prolific songwriter of timeless hits like “September” and the “Friends” theme song. But behind the scenes, despite being a social butterfly known for wild parties and crazy fashion, she struggled with self-acceptance and acknowledging her sexuality. Willis unintentionally gave director Alexis Spraic a head start by creating an extensive archive of behind-the-scenes video footage, enabling the film to be told from her own point of view. (Not rated, 97 minutes).