Pick 3: Justin Chang’s Downer Movies for the Holiday Season
Dec 3, 2024
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In a thought-provoking conversation, film critic Justin Chang from The New Yorker shares his picks for holiday movie viewing that lean towards the serious side. He dives into gripping tales like 'Nickel Boys,' adapted from Colson Whitehead’s novel, and highlights the haunting 'The Brutalist' featuring Adrien Brody, along with Mike Leigh's impactful 'Hard Truths.' Chang challenges the notion that holiday films must be light, quoting Roger Ebert to reinforce that meaningful storytelling surpasses superficial joy.
Justin Chang emphasizes that compelling cinema often explores profound themes, challenging the notion that holiday films must be cheerful.
The recommended films, including 'Nickel Boys' and 'The Brutalist,' provide deep emotional connections and highlight serious societal issues.
Deep dives
Exploring Holiday Movie Picks
The discussion highlights the contrast between typical holiday movies and the recommendations offered, which lean toward more somber narratives. Critics emphasize that not all engaging films are cheerful; in fact, some of the most compelling stories can be quite serious. Justin Chang, the critic featured, asserts that thrilling cinema often arises from profound themes, regardless of their mood. He references films that may not fit the conventional festive spirit but will resonate with audiences seeking depth and richness in storytelling.
Nickel Boys: A Painful Yet Powerful Adaptation
One standout recommendation is 'Nickel Boys,' based on Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which tells the harrowing story of two Black boys at a reform school in 1960s Florida. The film brings to light the chilling realities of the reform school system, shedding light on real-life horrors, including the discovery of unmarked graves. Director Rommel Ross employs a first-person perspective to create a powerful emotional connection, allowing viewers to experience the characters' pain intimately. Ingenue Ellis Taylor's poignant performance adds depth to the story, encapsulating the complex emotions surrounding such a tragic narrative.
Dramatic Depth in The Brutalist
The film 'The Brutalist' offers an ambitious exploration of themes such as immigration and the exploitation of talent through the lens of a Holocaust survivor, played by Adrian Brody. This third feature from Brady Corbet immerses viewers in the protagonist's journey as a renowned architect navigating post-war America, blending personal and historical narrative. Despite its lengthy runtime of three and a half hours, the film captivates audiences with its rich storytelling and high-quality cinematography, encouraging viewers to enjoy it in a theatrical setting. The deep themes and brilliant performances make it a worthwhile experience, showcasing the capabilities of modern cinema.
If “Wicked, Part I” and “Gladiator II” are not getting you into the theatre this weekend, Justin Chang, The New Yorker’s film critic, offers three other films coming out this holiday season which are “among the most thrilling that I've seen this year.” He recommends “Nickel Boys,” based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead and directed by RaMell Ross; “The Brutalist,” starring Adrian Brody; and “Hard Truths,” directed by Mike Leigh. These are heavy subjects—not traditional holiday fare—but “I returned to the words of Roger Ebert,” Chang tells David Remnick. “No good movie is depressing. All bad movies are depressing.”
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