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.)
Labels: 20th Century Women, Annette Bening, Billy Crudup, Elle Fanning, film poem, Greta Gerwig, movie review
