By Roger Costa
NOCTURAMA
A group of youngsters watch the consequences of their terrorist attacks around Paris, displayed on the news, showing no remorse while more interested in exploring other personal desires, such as trying on the new technology devices found inside the shopping mall they just broke into. This shocking and revolting scene reveals the character of disgraced individuals involved in such practices, a sadly growing number of mad people dominated by evil political intentions. French Director Bertrand Bonello’s outrageous, explosively controversial portrait of society’s most fearing enemy, addresses its polemic current issues with devastating immediacy, creating a truly raw showcase of the so-frequently absurd violence that has been threatening our lives and the next generation’s as well as their lethal influence. As harsh to watch as it is an important alert, Bonello crafted an utterly satisfying, high-quality thriller with brilliant techniques, such as the fast-paced narrative, the blend of techno and classical on the aggressive soundtrack, the elaborated editing, and the mastery of building and maintaining an unknown anxiety throughout the entire film. An acclaimed selection at many Festivals and critics polls around the globe, it feels like a modern version of “A Clockwork Orange” but much more frightening, as it depicts a present nightmare. (A Grasshopper Film Release. Opens Friday, August 11th at Film Society of Lincoln Center.)
AFTER LOVE
Belgium director Joachim Lafosse continues to improve and exercise his perspectives on a broken marriage and the disturbing effects it causes over the innocents involved. A Selection at Cannes Film Festival, Lafosse scoops out the financial conflicts of a couple preparing to split up, while contemplating the depths of their silent emotions, in a constant attempt to reverse the situation. Marie moves around the house anxiously uncomfortable with her ex-husband’s presence, getting the girls ready for bath and dinner, while arguing with the inconvenient “visitor”. Boris tries his last charm to convince her of a deal, while negotiating with people he owes money to, and facing the fact he’s financially ruined. Lafosse examines these two displaced souls with intense and absorbing sensibility, extracting impeccable performances from Bérénice Bejo and Cédric Kahn, as the confronting couple. After settling down, Marie sits for an instance while watching the girls’ dance; Boris approaches and takes her along, following the little one’s moves. Heartbreaking and powerfully accurate, it’s among the many revealing moments in this profound study of a home falling apart with a separation and the inescapable financial dispute. (A Distrib Films Release. Now Playing at Quad Cinema.)
THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK
Here’s a cool director: Marc Webb has been exploring manhood with accurate modern observations and incredible authenticity. He did that on his debut, “500 Days of Summer”, on the two “Amazing Spider-Man”, and on this year’s small indie hit “Gifted”. Our hero now is Thomas Webb, a young wealthy man who’s traversing a personal crisis when his girlfriend announces she’s living the country. Confused and hopelessly, he finds guidance with a drunk neighbor who knows exactly the aspects of a broken heart. When he learns his father is having an affair with a gorgeous British woman he becomes obsessed with her, stalking and defying her, afraid his mother wouldn’t endure the affair. Feeding his masculinity and the inevitable attraction for the opposite gender, he eventually engages on a risky and sexually-charged connection that could destroy his family, and the chance to keep his girlfriend. Webb scores one more goal in his career with this brilliant, sexy, and smartly funny male-character study, a rich exploration on the heartaches and desires of its young leading man. The screenplay written by Allan Loeb (his best so far) also satirizes the differences found among rich and poor, reflected with insights on the Upper West and Lower East sides of the city- “Did New York lose its soul?”, one asks, “The coolest neighborhood in the city is Philadelphia!”, while a stellar cast delivers stupendous performances: Callum Turner, as the troubled in-love young man; Kate Beckinsale as the incendiary object of desire; Jeff Bridges as the mysterious alcoholic writer, and an Oscar-worthy supporting role by Cynthia Nixon as the fragile mother and cheated wife. A sophisticated production with vibrant soundtrack and beautiful provocations, it’s a savvy canvas of the most modern city in the planet and its troubles of love. (An Amazon Studios Release. Opens Friday, August 11th at AMC Lincoln Square and Angelika Film Center.)
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