At the Movies: I’m Your Woman, Let Them All Talk, The Prom, Safety, Wolfwalkers

BY SCOTTIE KNOLLIN

I’m Your Woman

Rachel Brosnahan stars as Jean, a woman forced to go on the run after her husband betrays his business partner, in this neo-noir crime drama from director Julia Hart.

Hart, known for directing “Fast Color”, collaborated on the script with her husband, “La La Land” producer Jordan Horowitz.

The film was first announced in April 2019, with Brosnahan attached to star. Filming took place the following October.

“I’m Your Woman” celebrated its premiere virtually as part of the 2020 AFI Fest, followed by a limited theatrical release this month. Critics have been mostly positive towards the film, especially with regards to Brosnahan’s performance. The actress is currently listed on many Oscar predictor’s lists as a possible Best Actress nominee.

Now streaming on Prime Video.

Let Them All Talk

For his latest film, Steven Soderbergh assembled an impressive cast of award-winning actors and took them on a cruise ship to film a mostly-improvised tale of an author (Meryl Streep) coming to terms with her past.

Along with Streep, the film features Lucas Hedges, Candice Bergen, Dianne Wiest, and Gemma Chan.

HBO Max acquired the rights to the film shortly after it was announced in April 2019. Filming began in August 2019 in New York City before moving on board the RMS Queen Mary 2 as it crossed the Atlantic. Soderbergh chose to shoot with only natural light and little equipment. For the screenplay, he used a story outline written by Deborah Eisenberg and allowed the actors to improvise much of the actual dialogue. In addition to directing, Soderbergh also served as the film’s editor and cinematographer.

Critics have offered the film nearly universal acclaim. Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson included the film among his ten favorite films of the year.

Now streaming on HBO Max.

The Prom

Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, “The Prom” is directed by Ryan Murphy and is included as part of his Half Initiative, a program set up to create equal representation for women and minorities behind the camera.

In June 2019, it was announced that Meryl Streep, James Corden, Andrew Rannels, and Nicole Kidman were cast as the four leads. Keegan-Michael Key and Kerry Washington were later announced in supporting roles. For the lead role, newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman was cast after a nationwide search.

The film is the first under Murphy’s $300 million development deal with Netflix.

Filming began in December 2019 and was interrupted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Principal photography with the main cast had already wrapped prior to the production’s shutdown. Second unit filming resumed in July 2020.

After its limited release in early December, critics were mixed on the film. The celebrated stage show was thought to be a surefire project to be adapted, but Murphy’s direction and some of the choices, like Corden’s casting and performance, have been taken into question. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 64% rating.

Now streaming on Netflix.

Safety

Reginald Hudlin directs “Safety”, a biographical drama about Clemson Tigers’ Ray McElrathbey. The football player battled family adversary to become a football star.

Filming took place in September and October 2019 in South Carolina and Georgia. The cast features Jay Reeves as McElrathbey with Corinne Foxx, Matthew Glave, and Amanda Warren in supporting roles.

The film marks the 12th original film in the Disney+ list of programming.

Now streaming on Disney+.

Wolfwalkers

Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon has become known for its award-winning original animations, often based on Irish folk tales. With “Wolfwalkers”, directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, the studio is receiving some of its best reviews yet.

The film was acquired by Apple in September 2018 as one of the tech company’s first “original” productions as it moved into original content and streaming. The animation features a unique 2D style rotating between a woodblock aesthetic and expressive line work.

“Wolfwalkers” premiered at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, where it was met with rave reviews. It then screened at AFI Fest, where it earned the festival’s best film recognition.

Now streaming on Apple TV+.