Film Feb GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2017 14:08 Page 3
Film Loving CERT 12a (123 mins) Starring Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga, Nick Kroll, Michael Shannon, Marton Csokas Directed by Jeff Nichols (USA)
Another true-life drama about the horrors of racism in the American South, Nichols’ understated film focuses on Richard and Mildred Loving, a couple who had the audacity to share a bed. Even though they were legally married, Richard was white and Mildred was black and in Virginia that meant prison. Joel Edgerton, who can apparently play anything, blends chameleon-like into Richard, a socially awkward bricklayer who sees no harm in marrying the most beautiful woman in his small community. As Mildred, Ruth Negga - an Irish-Ethiopian actress commands every scene she’s in, growing from a shy and timid wallflower into the public voice of her family’s cause. Released Fri 3 February
CRITIC’S CHOICE
Toni Erdmann CERT 15 (162 mins)
Starring Peter Simonischek, Sandra Hüller, Trystan Pütter, Lucy Russell Directed by Maren Ade (Germany/Austria)
Winner of innumerable awards and a Bafta and Golden Globe nominee for best foreign language film, Toni Erdmann is an unusual beast. Indeed, Maren Ade’s third feature pulls off a number of tricks. Opening in a nondescript suburb of Germany, her film tells of a lonely divorcee (Simonischek) in the autumnal years of his life. Without so much as a note of music or a caption or a whisper of exposition, Ade spins her tale in her own
sweet time, creating a small, slightly musty world which, in spite of everything, feels entirely plausible. Yet as we follow the life of this odd, old man, the spectre of the bizarre hovers at the door throughout the film’s 162 minutes. And because the events are so thoroughly unpredictable, Ade manages to hold the rapt attention of her audience – without ever betraying the credibility of her scenario. Consequently, the viewer is at a loss whether to sob or to roar with laughter. In short, Ade pulls off an extraordinary balancing act, producing a surreal black comedy rooted in real life. Released Fri 3 February
Rings CERT 15 (102 mins)
Fifty Shades Darker CERT tbc
Starring Matilda Lutz, Alex Roe, Johnny Galecki, Vincent D’Onofrio Directed by F Javier Gutiérrez (USA)
Starring Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Kim Basinger, Luke Grimes, Hugh Dancy Directed by James Foley (USA)
When Julia (Lutz) watches that damned video, she discovers a new horrifying truth: there is another movie within the movie… A sequel to The Ring and The Ring Two, which were themselves remakes of the Japanese original (1998).
A sequel to you-know-what, FSD follows Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey as they re-draw the boundaries of their relationship. Then Christian’s past threatens to rock the boat. Expect quite a bit of coupling. Released Fri 10 February
Released Fri 3 February
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk CERT 15 (113 mins) Starring Kristen Stewart, Vin Diesel, Garrett Hedlund, Steve Martin, Joe Alwyn, Chris Tucker Directed by Ang Lee (USA/UK/China)
We’re unlikely to encounter a more improbable cast all year. Based on the novel by Ben Fountain, Ang Lee’s latest film follows Billy Lynn as he attends a victory parade in his native Georgia. However, flashbacks to Iraq reveal a story at odds with the ticker-tape heroism. Released Fri 10 February 36 whatsonlive.co.uk