Film Friday - Week 1 MOVIE RECOMMENDATION 

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20th Century Woman 

 

Crew: Director- Mike Mills, Screenplay- Mike Mills, Cinematography- Sean Porter

Cast: Lucas Jade Zumann, Anette Bening, Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup

Genre: Drama, Comedy, Coming of Age 

Letterboxd Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 

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Synopsis:

During the summer of 1979, a Santa Barbara single mom and boarding house landlord (Annette Bening) decides the best way she can parent her teenage son (Lucas Jade Zumann) is to enlist her young tenants - a quirky punk photographer (Greta Gerwig), a mellow handyman (Billy Crudup) and her son's shrewd best friend (Elle Fanning) - to serve as role models in a changing world. -Rotten Tomatoes 

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Review:

I went into this film with no expectations at all however, I quickly realized this was going to be a favorite of mine. The very first thing that caught my attention was the beautiful cinematography. The aesthetic of the film was a rainbow of pastel colors with a faded/vintage image. It made the entire film feel comforting and warm. There is a sense of safety that translates through the screen. My favorite part of the film however is the characters. Each character is complex and compelling. They make it difficult not to love them. They are all so real and it's not like they are side characters even, it feels like they could all have a movie dedicated to them. In the film Jaime spends time with each character telling him their story and through the stories of the woman that surround him, Jaime learns to be a man. He learns about their lives and that he wants to be good to them. The story unfolds as a documentary of sorts. It's the compiled truths and stories of 20th century women in the form of a narrative. This story is full of humor, heart, warmth, and it makes you feel like everything will be okay. I feel that the more time that goes by the more important the film will be. I think this film can be just as powerful for anyone who watches it. Whether you are a boy, girl, neither, old, young, sad, or happy, this film has something for everyone. It understands what it's like to be human and have fear as well as be human and have regret or joy. It is truly a uniquely beautiful coming of age story. 

 

Peer Review:

“god I love this film. it feels like a best friend, like it genuinely knows and understands me. there's so many aspects in it that remind me of my own life, maybe more so than any other film. it's not perfect but that's what's so wonderful about it: it feels like a collection of genuine human moments, just trying to express how life feels as authentically as possible, not caring if it's awkward or messy in places. the very last minute of the film is always what breaks me for some reason; it just feels like a much-needed hug. anyway, if anyone needs me I'll be in my room listening to talking heads and crying for the next few hours.” - @alex (letterboxd)

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~Paloma Ixta