Quick Reviews #22: Oscars 2019

With the Oscars tonight, I thought I would share my thoughts on the films nominated that I've seen (and haven't already reviewed on here). So read on and enjoy my reviews of Shoplifters, The Favourite, BlackKklansman and If Beale Street Could Talk.

Shoplifters

The film's vagueness takes a moment to get used to but once you're invested you won't want to leave the beautifully layered characters portrayed on screen. This family of misfits are flawed, they make mistakes, they are human and you are completely suckered in by them. It's a slice of life film unlike any I've seen before and although it may not be action-packed, the emotions run high and really stay with you, this is also helped by an amazing final shot that still lingers in my mind.

4/5

The Favourite

It’s no doubt a Yorgos Lanthimos film with its weird offbeat tone, jarring visuals and witty comedic writing. However, this does feel a little safer than the director’s previous works, still not conventional but definitely less out there. It’s a solid film, the story works, the jokes hit and the performances are amazing but it just lacked that extra something that I was looking for from the director to make it a true masterpiece. 

4/5

BlackKklansman

One of the only things (if any!) to look forward to from the Trump presidency was the art that would be made in response to it. This is one of those stories that really needs telling right now and it really hits a nerve that I don’t think could have been hit at any other time. The film isn’t subtle about its approach but for the most part it works, it tells a very interesting story, suckers you in and then knocks you out with its ending, which is one of the best of the year for me. Great performances, cool music, a resonant story and a good balance of humour and emotion, this film is very well rounded and it’s a hell of a ride.

4/5

If Beale Street Could Talk

The film is just a mix of so many wondrous elements. I’m a romantic at heart and I absolutely loved the flashback sequences, they’re overly sentimental and gorgeously shot, fully capturing the relationship on an emotional level before pulling back the curtain to the tragic present of the story. The supporting cast truly supports the film, the characters feel real and you want to see as much of them as you do the leads, it’s a marvel on both a writing and a performance level. There’s so much great in this film it can barely contain itself, not to mention the score which is absolutely beautiful and has not left my head since the film finished. I think I actually preferred this to Moonlight, so it’s crazy to wonder how this wasn’t nominated for more Oscars.

4.5/5

What did you think of these films? Good, bad, okay, let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading!