[Film Review] Misericordia

A small village of peculiar people. A lush forest of lies. A dead body. Where does it all end? That’s the essence of Alain Guiraudie’s Misericordia, a low-key yet fruitful suspense tale that has life, death, religion, and desire on its mind. 

We follow a man named Jérémie (Félix Kysyl) as he returns to his hometown in rural France to attend the funeral of his former boss and provide comfort for the widow (Catherine Frot). But things go awry when a childhood friend named Vincent (Jean-Basptiste Durand) is convinced that Jérémie has bad intentions. Their ongoing beef leads to a fatal incident that turns the town upside down. 

What unfolds isn’t a whodunnit or even a mystery. The question is, how long will it take before the rest of the village finds out what we as an audience already know, and what will happen when they do? It’s a deliberate and well-executed technique that is reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock’s work, as well as David Lynch when in “Twin Peaks” mode.

The well-shot film welcomes us in and casts us as a fly on the wall, or in some cases - a fly on a tree. The settings are picturesque, but they also play a pivotal role in the thick atmosphere of the story. We witness a fascinating juxtaposition—the surrounding forest feels so alive and ripe with vegetation and foliage, while the rustic town’s architecture and its niche industries are stuck in a state of long, slow decay.

A scent of suspicion brews throughout the air like a morning cup of coffee, and unfulfilled desires sprout like mushrooms on a humid day. Even though the film flirts with darker edges, it’s also very funny. It leans into a wry, midnight-shade brand of comedy that can’t help but be amused by the oddness of the situation. There’s a hardened shell of awkwardness that even the heaviest stone couldn’t crush. 

The impressive cast bolsters a sneaky good screenplay. There’s a pair of standout scenes between Jérémie and a local priest (Jacques Develay), where philosophical and thought-provoking dialogue ping-pongs, expounding upon human nature while wrestling with the meaning of life itself. It’s dialogue that’s so good you might find yourself wanting to rewind it. 

And this brings me to my first question. Where does it all end? The answer is that… it doesn’t. 

* 8.5/10 *

[Film Review] Superman

Writer/director James Gunn has a pretty stellar track record when it comes to the realm of spunky, comical, and heartfelt superhero films. In this latest incarnation of Superman, Gunn continues to prove he’s got the magic touch. Not only is this film thoroughly enjoyable, but it’s also a rousing portrayal of Superman at his most human.

When we catch up with Superman (David Corenswet), he’s really going through it. He’s just lost his first battle, the public is casting him as a pariah, and he’s even having relationship problems with his girlfriend, Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). To make matters worse, the notorious Lex Luther (Nicholas Hoult) — in full-on evil tech bro mode — is concocting plans to eliminate Superman once and for all. 

Even with the cape on, Superman’s characterization here is vulnerable, emotional, sensitive, and empathetic. He also takes a lot of hits along the way, both physically and mentally. In fact, he gets the crap kicked out of him multiple times during this film. There’s also a global smear campaign against him that would send even the most experienced crisis management team running for the hills. Adding some comic relief is his foster dog named Krypto. This canine companion gives the film some extra cuteness while also bringing out the caretaker in Superman. 

Gunn opts for a decidedly lighter and kookier tone. It’s even cheesy at times. And you know what? It works! After all, Superman is a guy who goes around wearing his underwear over his pants. It’d be foolish to take him too seriously. That’s the fatal mistake that plagued Zack Snyder’s cold and brooding Man of Steel era. This film is much warmer -- all the way down to its colors.  

But what’s most surprising about the story is how daringly political it is. When watching the events unfold, you can’t help but think of real-world headlines. There are threats of authoritarianism, there's discrimination against immigrants, there's the abuse of artificial intelligence, there are media waves of disinformation and propaganda, and there are corrupt and unjust foreign wars. The film is all the better for diving head-first into these topics. 

Lois Lane plays a significant role along the way, going beyond just being a journalist who looks up to the sky, and it’s refreshing to see. And like Gunn did with Guardians, he gathers a quirky group of supporting characters in Green Lantern, Mister Terrific, and Hawkgirl. I must say, Mister Terrific wins the title of being the coolest character in the film. As for Lex Luthor, he's as ruthless and diabolical as he is pathetic and small - a dangerous combination. 

The proceedings deliver the spectacular action you’d come to expect. The action scenes hit with force and gravity, and it's a blast to watch. And by placing Superman in such desperate situations, he becomes quite an underdog, and it's easy to root for him. He's not only saving the world; he's also saving himself. When he says the line, "I put one foot in front of the other and I try to make the best choices I can," it feels sincere. The core of this film is really all about human kindness. Isn’t that a sentiment that everyone should get down with? 

* 8.5/10 *