In Review: Austin Film Fest 2021

Plot: Princess Diana and Prince Charles are very much on the skids, and now it’s time to ring in Christmas at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate.

Review: I went into Spencer thinking it would be more of a straight forward drama, but it’s really not at all. In fact, it’s driven by this ever-present and sharp sense of claustrophobia, which leaves me more inclined to label the latest from director Pablo Larraín as a horror film. Either way, I was thoroughly captivated by Spencer. Partly because it’s just so damn well-directed, but mostly because it’s easily the best performance of Kristen Stewart’s career (so far). Highly recommended.

Plot: This film doesn’t have a plot, per se, so I’ll just borrow this from the AFF site: “The Same Storm is an intimate, emotional glimpse into the lives of twenty-four characters persevering over the spring and summer of 2020.”

Review: I liked most of The Same Storm. I thought it did a nice job of providing quick looks into the many things that really drove people’s lives during the pandemic, and even though the movie-by-way-of-Zoom thing already feels kind of tired, it’s a perfect fit here. The main issue is that writer/director Peter Hedges never quite figures out where to take all of the little stories he crafted, so the back portion of The Same Storm totally fizzles. Somewhat recommended.

Plot: A rap superstar retreats to a small town in the country to make an album. He may have other intentions though.

Review: The first thing I need to note here is that I was hoping Down With The King would be the hip hop version of Pure Country. It isn’t. Now, to be fair, it does hit a few of the same plot points, but this is much smarter, more subtle film. Also, Freddie Gibbs, in what’s his feature film debut, is worlds better at acting than George Strait could have ever hoped to be. This one is recommended.

Plot: A young girl copes with the loss of her grandmother.

Review: There’s a twist in Petite Maman that’s so glaringly obvious I wasn’t sure it was actually supposed to be a twist. In any case, I suppose it doesn’t really matter, as this is a very charming, heartfelt film. On another note, I’ll be very surprised if the youngster Joséphine Sanz isn’t on the silver screen a lot more after this – she’s a natural. Recommended.

Plot: Two teens spend one last day together before they follow through on a plan to kill their bullies.

Review: Don’t Go To School Tomorrow is a weird one. Right away, you’re introduced to two teen boys who want to murder their bullies (i.e. classmates and teachers), and then you’re left to follow them around as they hang out. Neither kid is presented as unlikable, but since you know what they’re planning, it’s difficult to pull for them in any way. Maybe the duo’s revenge plot would have worked better as a twist near the end of the film? Anyhow, this wasn’t bad – it was just off. Somewhat recommended.

Plot: After discovering that Tariq needs money to get his sister out of an abusive marriage, Cai starts to assist him with stealing animals (from the zoo where they both work) and selling them.

Review: There’s a meandering feel to The Falconer, but I liked it. Rami Zahar and Rupert Fennessy are great as two young men who suddenly find themselves in a spot where they’re forced to come to terms with their (very different) places/roles in the world. Recommended.

Plot: Even though he can’t afford it, a man takes his family on a long overdue vacation. He then finds himself caught up in a bizarro situation with an old friend.

Review: I had a good time with Holiday At All Cost – it’s maybe a little too long, but it’s got plenty of funny parts. If you’re a fan of comedies where one thing after another goes very wrong for the central character, then this is definitely one you should seek out. Recommended.

Plot: A couple opts to leave behind city life in exchange for a spot that’s in the middle of nowhere. After discovering a hole in their new basement, things get weird.

Review: Honestly? I loathed this amateurish film.