#Middlebury #CouchTheater
“The Rider” (R) – Chinese-American director Chloe Zhao helms this sweetly heartbreaking story of a young rodeo up-and-comer who struggles to find meaning after an injury leaves him unable to participate in the sport that had come to define his confidence. Brady (Brady Jandreau) is left with seizures after being thrown from a bull, and is informed that with repeated riding, they will only get worse. What is more meaningful: a longer life drained of purpose, or a short but full existence doing what you love? Interestingly, the story is inspired by the lead actor’s real life, although fictionalized, and the film is populated with people, not actors: Jandreau’s father plays his father, and sister plays his sister. Set in the hauntingly beautiful and bereft Badlands of South Dakota, it works, as do its players.
“Life of the Party” (PG-13) – In an attempt to prove that it’s never too late to get that college degree – and a truckload of revenge – Melissa McCarthy stars as Deanna, a 40-something mom who gets blindsided by her jerk husband after they deliver their daughter (Mollie Gordon) to Decatur University: He’s divorcing her, and he’s got all the money since she quit college to take care of the kids. But the joke’s on him, because she signs up to finish her final year alongside her daughter – and gets busy living that co-ed life. Another McCarthy/Ben Falcone production, it’s funny, but not over-the-top funny. Maya Rudolph stars as Deanna’s loud and lovely best friend Christine, and Debby Reynolds has a cute drop-in as the resident mean girl.
“Breaking In” (PG-13) – Shaun (Gabrielle Union) is on a weekend trip to her recently deceased father’s remote estate to close up shop and list it for sale. She is accompanied by her teen daughter and school-age son. Dad’s place is seriously swanky with serious security. As it turns out, a gaggle of burglar bad guys (headed by Billy Bragg) are on the premises to find a hidden boatload of cash. When they kidnap the kids but don’t manage to snag Shaun, she must fight for her family using brains, brawn and her maternal instincts. I have been a huge fan of Gabrielle Union ever since “Bring It On” and she definitely has the chops for both action and to carry a movie. But not this one. Let’s just say it’s not her best showcase and leave it at that.
Billy Howle, Saoirse Ronan in “On Chesil Beach” (Bleecker Street photo)
“On Chesil Beach” (R) – Saoirse Ronan and Billy Howle play Florence and Edward, a pair of newlywed virgins who approach their awkward first night as man and wife from vastly different positions, each colored by personal experiences and the communication constraints of traditionalist, upper-crust 1962 England. The story is told interspersed with flashbacks of their sublime courtship and other pertinent memories. It is based on the Booker Prize-winning novella by Ian McEwan, who also adapted the story.
New TV Releases
“Get Shorty” Season 1
“The Good Doctor”
“Riverdale” Season 2
“Six” Season 2
(c) 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.
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