Tag: ShirleyHenderson

I Swear

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

John Davidson (Scott Ellis Watson and Robert Aramayo) was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome when he was just thirteen years old. Back in the eighties, not many people knew about this condition and as a result, John was alienated from his family and friends for being different. As he grew older and learned more about himself, he was able to educate those around him.

I had a feeling that this film would tug at my heartstrings and I was not wrong. Everything about it from the casting, to the story, to the message was perfect. Every once in a while a film comes around that could change somebody’s life. I truly think that this is that film.

Both Ellis Watson and Aramayo were phenomenal as John Davidson. From seeing how it all started right up to present day was an emotional rollercoaster. Ellis Watson was nothing short of heartbreaking as a young boy unsure of what was happening in his body and feeling like a complete outcast at school. Aramayo only further showed how Tourette’s affected his adult life. He struggled to find a job and a romantic partner amongst many other standard human things.

The supporting cast were just as brilliant. Maxine Peake starred as Dottie Achenbach, the mother of one of John’s friends who ends up taking John in. She acts as his main support system. Their friendship was beautiful. For the first time in his life, John had somebody who believed in him. Peter Mullen was Tommy Trotter, a friend of the Achenbach family and the man who gives John his first job at the community centre. He gave John a chance and also served as a mentor to him. Lastly, there was Shirley Henderson who played Helen Davidson, John’s mother. She had the tough task of a mother who was scared of what her son was going through and as a result did not give him that acceptance that he desperately needed.

While many moments had me laughing out loud, there were just has many that utterly destroyed me. John Davidson went through so much and at times I found the film hard to watch. All he ever wanted was to be accepted, not only by those around him, but he needed to accept himself too. Seeing him come into his own was incredibly inspiring and it was so validating for him to have a happy ending.

I Swear is one of the best films I have seen this year. All John Davidson wanted was to be normal. He was ridiculed for his condition and because others around him simply didn’t understand. I have dealt with anxiety and depression my whole life and as a result I never really felt like I fit in either. This movie made me feel seen and I am sure that it will help others too. Having it come out on World Mental Health Day (this should really be every day, but I digress) was well planned too. I am so glad that it exists!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Elio

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

Pixar’s latest offering follows Elio (Yonas Kibreab), a space fanatic whose life has been upended after the death of his parents. He moves in with his aunt Olga (Zoe Saldana), but the two don’t exactly see eye to eye. Elio can’t help but feel like he doesn’t belong and when he’s beamed up to a planet in the sky he’s hopeful that he’s finally found his place.

I’ll admit that I wasn’t overly excited for this film. Maybe that’s because there was little to no marketing for it. This was a pity because it had a lot of things going for it. It may not be one of the best Pixar films ever, but it was still solid.

Let’s start with the voice talents. While I was unfamiliar with Kibreab before, I felt like he perfectly encapsulated the titular character. Elio is someone you want to root for. He feels misunderstood and like he hasn’t found his purpose which is just so relatable. Saldana is similarly just as relatable as aunt Olga; nothing could have prepared her to look after her brother’s son and the fact that she gives up her dreams of becoming an astronaut to do so shows that she cares. In the Communiverse we meet an array of unique characters voiced by the likes of Brad Garrett, Jameela Jamil, Matthias Schweighöfer and Shirley Henderson, all of who gave their best to the performances.

The film is filled with some beautiful animation. It’s bursting with rich colors and zany designs. From there it almost seemed like an entirely different story which isn’t necessarily a bad thing – if anything it helped set aside the difference from Earth.

Perfectly blending humor, emotion and action, Elio was an enjoyable enough film for the whole family. Dealing with themes of loss, grief and the desire to belong, it’s unfortunate that not a lot of people seem to know about it. I’m sure the delayed release didn’t do the film any favors and I definitely think it’s still worth checking out.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

Our beloved heroine is back for one last hurrah. After the loss of Mark (Colin Firth), Bridget (Renée Zellweger) finds herself navigating life as a widow and single mom. With the help of her friends and family, Bridget slowly starts to get back out there. She returns to work and even signs up for a dating site with some surprising results.

It has been nine years since we last saw these characters on screen. Everyone was back on board and I loved being able to dip back into Bridget’s world. Zellweger eased back into the titular role effortlessly. I’m glad that Firth was back, even if it was in a smaller scale. Hugh Grant stole the show as former flame Daniel Cleaver; he’s so cheeky, yet you can’t help but love him. Bridget’s friends played by Sally Phillips, Mark Lingwood and Shirley Henderson were along for the ride as well and just as supportive as ever.

Of course there were some newcomers too. Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mr. Wallaker starred as a teacher at the school Bridget’s children attend and Leo Woodall portrayed Roxster, a young man who happens upon Bridget and instantly becomes enamoured with her. The romance was A+ and at times I simply did not know who I wanted Bridget to end up with. One moment I was swooning over a shirtless Roxster and the next I wanted to geek out on science and play the piano with Mr. Wallaker.

What I loved the most about Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, however, was that it was the perfect send off for these characters that we have grown to love over the past twenty years. In some ways, I feel like I grew up with Bridget and I’m sad to be saying goodbye. There were so many brilliant callbacks to the original (like the reindeer jumper and the scene in the snow) which were genius. I loved how I went from laughing out loud during one scene and then crying my eyes out in the next. I will miss this universe so much, but I am so glad that we had the chance to revisit it one last time.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5