STATE CINEMA
Amazing Grace (G) The perfection has long been there for all to hear. Now, with the belated release of Amazing Grace, all can finally see it too. This magically uplifting documentary leads you to a room where one of the greatest musical performances of the past century took place. The year was 1972, and singer Aretha Franklin, already renowned as “The Queen of Soul”, took the radical step of recording a live album of the gospel music that forged her golden gifts at a young age. The album, titled Amazing Grace, went on to sell in the millions around the world. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (MA 15+) Attention fans of the incomparable Quentin Tarantino, the maverick filmmaker’s latest is one of his greatest. The trippily captivating Once
Upon a Time in Hollywood unfolds at the close of the 1960s. Hollywood’s bright, sunshiny golden age is coming to an end. Dark clouds of change loom. Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) used to be one of the busier stars in town. But now the work is drying up. Nervy, needy and a bit too fond of the booze, Rick leans hard and often on the wise counsel of his longtime right-hand man, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Enough said.
Fleabag: National Theatre Live (M) In August, multi-gifted writer and actor Phoebe Waller-Bridge completed a final theatrical run of
Fleabag, the one-woman stage show from 2013 which forged her now-impeccable reputation. The production swiftly became the hottest ticket of the year on the London theatre scene, and not just because of its collector’s item status, nor the global popularity of the hit TV series of the same name. In this live recording of the production, Waller-Bridge’s vocal delivery of this spoken-word masterpiece is nothing short of breathtaking. Screening this Saturday only.
The Farewell (PG) An utterly beautiful movie, the embodiment of a small gem to be always treasured. Walking the thinnest imaginable tightrope between heart-lifting humour and heart-sinking poignancy, the movie tells a true story of an extended ChineseAmerican family who conspire not to tell their beloved matriarch that she is soon to die from a terminal disease. This exquisite experience is not depressing in the slightest. Conversely, you will leave in a state of hope and happiness.
Ad Astra (M) We are presented with a serenely captivating work of science fiction, albeit one where the fiction heavily outweighs the science. Keeping this disparity in relative balance is yet another economical and deftly convincing lead performance from Brad Pitt. He plays Major Roy McBride, a veteran astronaut facing the most dangerous mission of his career. The movie takes place in a future where space travel to the Moon has been commercialised, and the rest of the solar system could follow.
Downton Abbey (PG) The consensus was, after weaving a slow passage through the history books of the early 20th century, the Downton Abbey phenomenon had run its race. While there is not a lot riding on this featurelength movie reactivation of the smash-hit TV series, it is a pleasure that it is just as much of a class act on the big screen as it was on the box.
Judy (M) A compelling portrait of showbiz legend Judy Garland in the twilight of a onceglittering career, Judy certainly has consistency problems when it comes to consistency. However, the same cannot be said of a stunning portrayal of the erratic entertainer by a revived and relentless Renee Zellweger. Judy only works in parts. But Zellweger’s immaculate work saves the day repeatedly.
Strange But True (M) This is (un)easily one of the weirder films to happen along in 2019. Heavily pregnant Melissa arrives at the front door of her boyfriend Ronnie’s family home, claming he is the dad — despite the fact Ronnie has been dead for five years. A solid cast does well in often trying circumstances here, thickening up watery plotting as required.