I got the chance to attend a sneak peek of director, Mike Mills', latest movie last night at one of the Reel Affirmations movie festival's every month screenings. I like Mills' films. they have got a having mood swings, tortured to do with the look, and this one is no different.
The story is mainly about the relationship between a man, Oliver (Ewan McGregor), and his father's Hal (Christopher Plummer). When Hal dies, Oliver is left to contemplate his life, their relationship, and all the poor choices each of them had made up until this point. We see the world through Oliver's eyes, and so the whole movie is suffused with an overall tone of deep sadness.
This is a wonderful film. It really captures the deep emotions people feel for each other, and even lets the audience feel some of them for themselves. There were definitely moments during the screening that had people surreptitiously wiping tears from the corners of their eyes.
But, it is also sexually attractive and humorous too. We get to enjoy Oliver and Anna's uncertain flirtation. And, we also get to taste Hal's after the event (but not too late!) blossoming. he is as nauseous and nervous as a school-girl at her first dance, but he at the very end takes to his new life like a fish to water, even as late to the game as he is. This movie is a real crowd pleasure, and it is one that just about everyone will enjoy. The pacing is intentional and solemn, but the story sucks you in enough that you only just notice. You can even bring a date to this one. It's not one to miss.
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