`Happening' a dark glimpse at post-Roe v. Wade world
Also worth seeing: `Lincoln Lawyer,' `Time Traveler's Wife'
A topical movie depicting a young woman's struggle to get an outlawed abortion in '60s France and two streaming series that improve on their previous movie outings headline this week's roundup of new movies and series you should know about.
“HAPPENING” >> Audrey Diwan's gripping adaptation of French writer Annie Ernaux's 2001 autobiographical novel has turned into one of the most important films of 2022. It has certainly gained relevance given that states are restricting abortions — or planning to — as the Supreme Court is apparently ready to overturn Roe v. Wade.
While “Happening” is set in a different era and in another country, it couldn't be more prescient for today's changing America.
Beyond that, however, “Happening” succeeds because it's an exceptionally well-crafted and -acted feature. What makes it so is Diwan and co-screenwriter Marcia Romano's unwavering strategy to chronicle every facet of what it's like to be a person with an unplanned pregnancy at a time when getting an abortion could land you in jail or kill you.
“Happening” relates the ordeal of independent-minded Anne (Anamaria Vartolomei, in a career-making performance), a bright and vibrant '60sera literature student who one day misses her period and receives the unwelcome news that she's pregnant. Initially Anne tells no one, but as she confides in others — including her two besties (Louise Orry-Diquéro and Luàna Bajrami) and the rich guy she hooked up with — their reactions hardly provide solace.
Vartolomei is amazingly effective as the crumbling Anne. She makes us feel her every hobbling emotion: isolation, desperation, depression. Diwan and Vartolomei don't soft-pedal any of this: Diwan won't let the camera shy away at pivotal junctures and Vartolomei crawls into very dark emotional places and spaces. Yet “Happening” isn't just abject hopelessness and despair. But it does serve up an alarming slap to the face of what America's future might look like for countless others facing similar situations.
DETAILS >> ★★★★ out of 4; opens Friday in Bay Area theaters.
“THE LINCOLN LAWYER” >> Fans of award-winning crime novelist Michael Connelly will instantly realize that this 10-part Netflix series from David E. Kelley isn't based on the first of the Mickey Haller six-book (so far) series; it's the second. But even if you haven't seen the 2011 theatrical movie with Matthew McConaughey bringing his patented sexy swagger to the part of sly L.A. lawyer Haller, a recovering alcoholic-addict and defense attorney, you'll be able to keep up with this smart mystery filled with three-dimensional characters and a twister of a case.
The titular role here goes to Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, who's more aligned to Connelly's vision of the character. It helps that Garcia-Ruflo is Mexican American, just as Connelly intended. Garcia-Rulfo's Haller is also more of a brooder who's looking for redemption, a guy bouncing back after a surfing accident that led to his getting hooked on pain pills. Haller has cycled through two marriages already but both exes — his brainy legal-minded assistant (Becki Newton, a jolt of lightning here) and a principled attorney (Neve Campbell) who's the mother of their daughter — remain prominent presences in his life. One still owns his heart.
The series opens with Haller's attorney pal getting murdered with Haller inheriting the dead man's big caseload. His juiciest case is representing a cocky, seemingly guilty video game entrepreneur (Christopher Gorham) who stands accused of killing his wife and her yoga instructor-lover.
Kelley blankets it all in a refreshingly old-school TV series motif, never getting overly elaborate and more intent on whipping up comfort-food entertainment, something to sustain, satisfy and keep us coming back for more.
DETAILS >> ★★★ ; available Friday on Netflix.
“THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE” >>
It shouldn't work but somehow HBO's sweet, unabashedly sentimental six-episode adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger's 2003 bestseller casts an enchanting swoon-worthy spell. If this tale about the novel love affair between time-traveling librarian Henry DeTamble and the artistic love of his life Clare Abshire all sounds vaguely familiar, that's because it is. Back in 2009, Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams cozied up as the ageold lovebirds and the result was a moderately successful film. This time, there's even greater chemistry between the two leads — Theo James and Rose Leslie — as well as just about everything else that's required of a romantic dramedy — heart, emotion, tears and humor. There are also countless derriere shots of James, star of the “Divergent” series. They aren't entirely gratuitous (OK, maybe mostly gratuitous) since Henry plunks down naked at various stages in Clare's life.
That “Back to the Future”/”Quantum Leap” like scenario does get uncomfortable at points, but director David Nutter and writer Steven Moffat don't shy away from the complexities in this nutty scenario. They venture there to suss out the nature of love and attraction and the importance of valuing moments of happiness since they are fragile and fleeting. It's obvious that this heartfelt material resonates with Nutter, Emmy-winning director of “Game of Thrones,” whose wife died in 2019. His sensitive handling of this romance, combined with James' puppy-dog adorableness and Leslie's impassioned performance, give “The Time Traveler's Wife” a breezy, heartwarming wisdom that seems deceptively airy and light but is deep and beautiful. Cynics won't be able to stomach any of it, but the rest of us will gladly embrace the feels and tears.
DETAILS >> ★★★★ ; debuts Sunday on HBO.
“CANDY” >> Streaming services seem to prey on sordid true-crime stories, but the results have been erratic. Hulu's latest stab at adapting a sensational murder is this five-episode series starring Jessica Biel. She gives a nervy, nuanced and tightly wound performance that's one of her best yet. More impressive are the vintage '80s production details: the dark wood-paneled walls, the macrame owl door ornament and those dubious fashion, hair and home decor choices. That kitschiness pairs well with an unpredictable story about a bloody ax murder on Friday the 13th in Texas.
It hinges on a most unlikely defendant, Candy Montgomery (Biel), who is slowly suffocating under the community's burdensome weight of expectations. Stuck in a passion-deprived marriage, the bored do-gooder goes about life and does everything just so … until she fancies having an affair with her friend's hubby. Melanie Lynskey co-stars as Betty, Candy's friend who is married to the man Candy hooks up with. Per the norm, Lynskey gives another low-fi, high-impact performance. In fact all the performances — including one surprise turn — are top-notch and fit in well with a tamer “Twin Peaks”-like vibe.
Creators Nick Antosca and Robin Veith — the forces behind “The Act” — have made one of the better crime miniseries, one that's unconventional in important ways. Candy's story has certainly caught Hollywood's eye; HBO Max is making its own version called “Love and Death.” But this “Candy” is a tough act to top.
DETAILS >> \*\*\*; Hulu is airing each of the five episodes daily, with the final two episodes airing today and Friday.