20th Century Women

A single parent raising a family faces many challenges. After my grandfather died in a horrible industrial accident, my grandmother was left with two sons and two daughters to bring up on her own. I continue to admire how she managed to do this. And that probably has a lot to do with my strong feelings about 20th Century Women. This movie takes place in Southern California during the late 1970s. It focuses on a single mom who asks for help from two other women because she worries about her own communication with her teenage son. Besides dealing with the mother/son relationship, the film also shows these very different women exploring issues of love and freedom.   

The movie is a wonderful character-driven offering with first-rate acting by a very strong cast. Annette Bening brings her drama/comedy “A game” to the lead role, and she’s ably supported by Lucas Jade Zumann, Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig, and Billy Crudup.

Written and directed by Mike Mills, this motion picture demonstrates how skillful writing and outstanding performances can transform a simple bittersweet story into something very special indeed.           

A single mom and her young son

are very close. But he’s not done

with growing up, so here’s mom’s plan.

She will get some help, if she can.

A father figure might be great.

Still, that thought seems way, way too late.

Two younger gals try in their style –

spending time with the son a while.

But will this work and help the boy?

Could they share too much or be coy?

Annette Bening is at her best

as mother hen in this snug nest.

The younger women are portrayed

by actresses who don’t evade

reaching down deep to make us feel

their characters are really real.

Elle Fanning and Greta Gerwig

earn kudos for doing this gig.

Lucas Jade Zumann as the son

gets a cheer for acting he’s done.

And Billy Crudup steals his scenes --

a handyman for stairs and things.

Helping out is an easy plot.

I like this movie quite a lot!

Men are what their mothers made them. --- Ralph Waldo Emerson

It’s not our job to toughen our children up to face the world. It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless. --- K.R. Knost

Happy is the son whose faith in his mother remains unchallenged. --- Louisa May Alcott

(Released by A24 and rated “R” for sexual material, some nudity and brief drug use.)

   

Billy Crudup and Me

I am very happy to see the talented Billy Crudup in two films this month (Jackie and 20th Century Women). My contact with Crudup took place at the first Telluride Film Festival my husband and I attended. Unlike other film festivals, the program is a closely guarded secret until opening day. And we knew nothing about the tradition of standing in line, sometimes for over an hour, to get a good seat for the movies and events we wanted to see. Showing up early for one of those lines turned out to be a stroke of luck for me. On Labor Day morning, Billy Crudup appeared in a special Conversation Session at the Telluride Court House. Because I wanted to interview this rising star after seeing his amazing performance in Jesus’ Son, I researched his background on the Internet. Hoping to catch Crudup before the program, Larry and I arrived shortly after 8:30 a.m. and were the first ones in line for the 10 a.m. session.

After a few minutes, a petite brunette showed up and began asking the program coordinator questions about Crudup. Davia Nelson, from PBS (Lost and Found Sounds), had been recruited to moderate the session at the last minute. Eavesdropping on them, I interrupted and recited everything I knew about Crudup’s films, awards and so on. “Would you introduce him for me?” Nelson pleaded.

Without pausing for even a second, I agreed. Crudup sought me out after the program and thanked me personally. However, I almost spoiled this memorable experience with a flippant response. While I was talking with Crudup, a member of the audience came up to speak with the star. He wanted Crudup’s opinion concerning who was a better actor, Skeet Ulrich or Billy Crudup. Crudup answered with a smile, “Skeet Ulrich, of course.”

I added that Ulrich was “the poor man’s Johnny Depp” – to which the man replied, “Really? I’ll tell him that. I’m his father.”

Mortified, I apologized, calling my husband over to bail me out. “I’m just kidding, sir. I’ve always admired your son’s acting; haven’t I, Larry?” I begged. My helpful spouse came through for me again. “Right. She even gave Skeet Ulrich high marks for his work in Chill Factor,” he declared.

Wonder why I haven’t heard from Crudup since our meeting in Telluride?