Tag: A24

Sorry, Baby

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Written and directed by Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby is the story of Agnes (also Eva Victor), a New England student who lives with her best friend Lydie (Naomi Ackie) in a house in the middle of nowhere. When something bad happens to Agnes, her life is forever changed. The years that follow show how she tries to move past this horrible event.

After winning big at Sundance and hearing all the rave reviews the film has been garnering, I knew I had to check it out for myself. I went in with as little knowledge as possible and I think that only made the experience better. At the forefront it doesn’t seem like much is happening, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

While the story revolves around this traumatic experience, I appreciated the way in which it was dealt with. Agnes is assaulted by her PHD instructor Preston Decker (Louis Cancelmi). Victor could have chosen to show it, but instead she focused on a single shot of the house and measured the amount of time that passed through day and night. This still had a harrowing effect because you just know what is going on in that house. It’s a tough pill to swallow.

Agnes has a great support system of people around her who help her move forward. Lydie is the first point of contact after the event happens. Even when she eventually moves away, falls in love and has a baby, she still makes sure to check in on Agnes. Gavin (Lucas Hedges) is Agnes’s neighbor. The two strike up an unlikely friendship. He genuinely likes her and while their courtship starts off awkwardly, it is nice to see that she can open herself up to the potential of romance. Pete (John Carroll Lynch) is a kind stranger that just so happens to be in the right place at the right time. And I can’t forget Olga (Noochie), the cat that Agnes happens upon by chance and takes home. With each interaction, Agnes takes a few steps forward and then a couple back. There are many lows and a couple of highs and it’s quite impressive that Victor can mesh comedy and drama so well together, sometimes even in the very same scene.

Overall, Sorry, Baby is a triumph for Eva Victor. What she has created is a poignant and beautiful portrayal of something awful and how it’s important to keep living in spite of it all. This will surely hit close to home for anybody who has been in a similar situation. I hope that this film lets them know that they aren’t alone.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Priscilla

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Elvis Presley has been the topic of many films and TV shows over the year, but the same cannot be said about his wife Priscilla. From director Sofia Coppola comes a tale based on Priscilla’s 1985 memoir Elvis and Me. When she was just a teen, Priscilla (Cailee Spaeny) meets an already famous Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi) at a party. The two form an unlikely bond despite their rather large age gap – from the German army base to Graceland, Vegas and beyond, we are brought into their world and all the ups and downs that surround it.

It wasn’t too long ago that Baz Luhrmann’s version of Elvis swept the nation. Still fresh in my mind, I wasn’t sure the world needed more. Luckily for us, this was very much Priscilla’s story and that in itself was a huge improvement. During their relationship, many rumors emerged and while this is just one interpretation of the events that unfolded, it was a welcome one. In Coppola’s signature style, we had a refreshing take that perfectly captured the times.

Spaeny, who is moderately new on the scene, shines bright as the titular character. Her evolution throughout the film was wonderful to watch as she slowly, but surely, learned her worth. In addition to this, she looked exactly like Priscilla. On the other hand, Elordi did a fine job as Elvis. I liked that he wasn’t too much in the forefront though still present when needed. Though I wasn’t completely sold on his accent, I have to say that he has been having quite the moment lately and I am here for it.

In spite of its almost two hour run time, I was completely swept away in this story from start to finish. Told through the eyes of a girl who transformed into a woman before our very eyes, there was never a dull moment for me. Combined with the colorful sets and catchy soundtrack, I am so pleased that Priscilla was my first film of 2024!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Past Lives

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Spanning over twenty years, Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) are childhood friends who lost touch when Nora’s family immigrated from South Korea to Canada. He eventually finds her on social media, though their reunion is short lived. Fast forward through time yet again and Hae Sung finally makes his way to New York City, where Nora is working as a playwright and married to her American husband Arthur (John Magaro). One week together is all it takes for them to be reminded of those feelings they’d long since buried.

Ever since its premiere at Sundance earlier this year, Past Lives has been getting all sorts of buzz. With talk of Celine Song absolutely acing her directorial debut and the phenomenal performances of our leads, I knew this was a title I had to add to my list.

This movie absolutely ruined me. It was so simple yet it spoke volumes. Experiencing Nora and Hae Sung’s relationship as it evolved was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I’m sure we’ve all had that one friend who moved away when we were younger. How we thought about them when they were gone and what could have been if they were still around. And while this film is helmed as a love story, it is also so much more than that.

While the actors do what they need to do, they do it so perfectly, conveying each emotion and sense of longing for what could have been. The chemistry between them is palpable and while you want them to be together, you also know that it’s impossible. I have to also give a special mention to Arthur. The way in which his character was written was superb. Instead of being jealous of his wife’s connection with another man, he’s there for her and lets her cry on his shoulder. My heart swelled with the way in which he dealt with the entire situation.

Past Lives is about the people we meet throughout our time on this earth. The people who leave an impact, no matter how long they may stay for. Embodying the themes of lost love, closure and found purpose, I was sat in tears during that final scene. This film is not to be missed!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️