Coffee for a Nickel
Hello, this is Thelma & Alice, the newsletter for people who want to watch more movies written & directed by women. In terms of new movies, we’re in a bit of a doldrums. But looking ahead to October and November, there’s some excitement afoot. Both Sofia Coppola and Emerald Fennell have new movies coming out; there’s a biopic about Diana Nyad coming to Netflix, and a new comedy starring Awkwafina and Sandra Oh on Hulu. And of course, there is the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert film. We’ve already bought our tickets for that, and my children are planning their outfits.
Keep an eye out for an extra post later this month, to make up for my summer silence. Until then, here are some titles to consider. . .
Parisian Slice-of-Life
Other People’s Children (2023)
Written & directed by Rebecca Zlotowski
1 hour 45 minutes; VOD $3.99
If you’ve been reading this newsletter for a while, you may have noticed that I’m partial to French slice-of-life films. This one follows a 40-something woman, Rachel, who falls in love with a divorced dad and his little daughter, Leila. As Rachel grows more attached to Leila, she wrestles with the question of whether it’s too late to have a child of her own. Meanwhile, her life is full to the brim with work, family, and friendship. She’s a happy woman, but she also has moments of sadness and regret. There’s an ambivalence of feeling that you rarely see in American films. The passage of time is what shapes the narrative; there are no hidden secrets revealed, no surprise twists. If you liked One Fine Morning or Both Sides of the Blade (which I recommended in previous newsletters), you’ll love this. IMDB * REVIEW * TRAILER
NYC Nostalgia Trip
The Automat (2022)
Directed by Lisa Hurwitz
Written by Michael Levine
1 hour 19 minutes; Streaming on Max
This nostalgic documentary looks at the rise and fall of Horn & Hardart, a thriving automat franchise in New York City and Philadelphia. At their peak, Horn & Hardart were feeding 10% of Philadelphia and had over 40 locations in NYC. They were beloved for their delicious pies and five-cent coffee, as well as their ornate cafeteria spaces, which were frequented by people of all ages and classes. Director Lisa Hurwitz interviews descendants of the original founders as well as historians and a random assortment of celebrities, including the always delightful Mel Brooks, who serves as a kind of emcee. Although light in tone, it’s an interesting business story that shows how larger historical forces interact with management decisions and company culture. By the end, my son and I both wished we’d had a chance to eat at an automat. IMDB * TRAILER * REVIEW
If You Can’t Get Enough of Florence Pugh
The Wonder (2022)
Directed by Sebastián Lelio
Written by Emma Donohue, Sebastián Lelio, and Alice Birch
1 hour 48 minutes; Streaming on Netflix
Florence Pugh anchors this adaptation of Emma Donohue’s historical novel, set in Ireland in 1862. Pugh is mesmerizing as Lib, a widowed young nurse who travels to a remote village to observe a young girl who refuses to eat. Supposedly, the child has not taken food in four months and her survival is regarded as a religious miracle by her community. Lib’s task is to uncover the truth, and when she does, she finds herself in an ethical quandary. I loved the moody cinematography, as well as the framing of the story, which draws attention to its literary origins. But the main reason to watch this film is Florence Pugh. IMDB * TRAILER * REVIEW
Kanopy Pick
The Farewell (2019)
Written and Directed by Lulu Wang
1 hour 40 minutes; Streaming on Kanopy
I remembered this melancholy comedy after reading that director Lulu Wang has a new limited series, Expats, coming to Amazon Prime this winter. The Farewell is Wang’s second feature, a family drama about a young Chinese-American woman, Billie, who feels conflicted about her family’s decision to lie to her beloved grandmother, Nai Nai, about the severity of her cancer diagnosis. Nai Nai’s case is terminal, but her children tell her she will have a full recovery. Meanwhile, the family contrives a family wedding in order to have an excuse to bring everyone together to see Nai Nai one last time. This makes for a very awkward family reunion. IMDB * TRAILER * REVIEW
Weeknight Rewatch
It’s Complicated (2009)
Written & Directed by Nancy Meyers
2 hours; Streaming on Netflix
I’m still annoyed with Netflix for breaking up with Nancy Meyers earlier this year, and after rewatching this rom-com, with a perfectly cast Alec Baldwin, I am even more irritated. This movie is so much fun, and all the actors seem like they are having a blast–especially Meryl Streep, who seems almost giddy at times. Streep and Baldwin star as Jane and Jake, a divorced couple who rekindle their relationship a decade after their split. But then Jane’s kitchen renovation brings an eligible bachelor into her life. Never mind that Jane’s kitchen doesn’t need renovating. And never mind that her floors and countertops are spotless even though she’s always cooking three-course meals. We don’t watch a Nancy Meyers movie for domestic realism! Apparently, Netflix dropped her upcoming film when Meyers asked for 20 million more in her budget. I say, if Ms. Meyers asks for a bigger budget, you give it to her, because you know she’s going to put that money up on the screen in the form of beautiful interiors and locations. IMDB * TRAILER * REVIEW