J Hanner

This film is so beautifully made. The story line is sad on a multitude of layers, but what comes through in each relationship is the value of love, be it intimate or friendship, most especially friendship. Each character has their own journey to navigate and as they do with all the pain that weaves itself through them they circle back to love and kindness toward each other. It’s a sophisticated story, beautifully written, gracefully acted and passionate direction. Bravo to Levy for this tender, lovely film in a world awash with so much flash and bang.

This movie carried me through every emotion imaginable. It celebrates the struggles creative minds face when dedicated to their art while trying to navigate the world around them. I felt the joy, the pain, the loss, the unrelenting drive of Larson. His spirit was embodied in Garfield’s jaw dropping performance. Lin Manuel Miranda channeled in his direction the struggle all serious artists go through to create their work. Excellent film.

Beautifully crafted film cinematically. Stewart’s performance was stellar, however, the Princess was depicted as tragically weak, self absorbed, selfish and somewhat petty, constantly making everyone wait for her. The pace was dreadfully slow and overall it didn’t come together in a way that would garner a great deal of compassion from the audience. If we didn’t know Diana’s full story this movie didn’t show any of her strength. She seemed like a spoiled child who could not hold her head up to her station, or be strong for her sons as they emotionally struggled with her sad emotions on constant display. The real princess was stronger than this.

We are asked to suspend our distain for the scandal that Allen has been embroiled in with Farrow in order to still call ourselves Woody Allen fans. The art and the artist are not one and the same. We can enjoy his genius while we question, or are even repulsed by the accusations made against him. Rainy Day in New York was a joy to watch, with his usual love letter to NYC cinematography and the depth of the actors performances. It was classic Allen, witty and intellectual. One would be hard pressed to believe that these young people would be so fluid in references to music, culture and literature that were made decades before their birth (the jazz references where fine, any young musician knows the jazz greats), but it didn't matter. The film took us on a typical Allen ride through Manhattan, through relationships (yes tilted again toward a younger woman and older men, but she was of age at 21) and the angst of a young lost soul trying to find his authentic way in life. I found it to be very entertaining and charming.