(15) 118mins
“It never gets easy… it just gets less hard,” is the mantra that guides recovering alcoholic Rona (Saoirse Ronan) in this compelling adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s acclaimed memoir.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Orkney in Scotland, we first encounter Rona as she lives a quiet life with her compassionate, God-fearing mother.
The last few inches of Rona’s hair are dyed bright blue, a vivid testament to her past party girl lifestyle that seems to be fading away.
As Rona toils away on her family’s farm, she immerses herself in upbeat dance tracks while sipping on cans of sugar-laden Coke. Her frantic energy hints at a coiled spring ready to unleash at any moment.
Intelligence and vivacity radiate from her, making her both fascinating and relatable.
But what shadows lurk in her past? Through a series of poignant flashbacks, we witness the fully blue-haired Rona in the chaotic expanse of London, entangled with her boyfriend Daynin (Paapa Essiedu) while chasing her dream of becoming a scientist.
Yet lurking within this vibrant life is the insidious demon of alcohol—her greatest foe.
As the story unfolds, troubling glimpses into her self-destructive spiral come to light—Rona’s life is like a beautiful flame doused in the darkness of addiction.
We watch as she careens through reckless situations, falling into a canal, and clashing with loved ones as the weight of her choices grows heavier.
Daynin, deeply in love but equally exhausted, eventually realizes there’s nothing more he can do; change can only stem from within Rona herself.
Then comes the wake-up call—a stark hospital room where she takes her first steps toward recovery.
At Alcoholics Anonymous, she finds strength in the shared experiences of others on similar journeys, providing a glimmer of hope amidst her struggles.
In stark contrast, Rona’s isolated life in the unforgiving Scottish Isles is laid bare—a life devoid of distractions, forcing her to confront her past demons.
Director Nora Fingscheidt artfully threads the narrative, highlighting Rona’s authentic development without drifting into cliché territory.
It’s a captivating representation of the struggle for recovery, recognizing the tedium mixed with fleeting moments of joy.
The majestic Scottish landscape serves as a canvas, inviting viewers to breathe in the fresh air and feel the chill against their skin.
Saoirse Ronan delivers a *heartfelt* performance that steals the show, genuinely capturing the essence of Rona’s tumultuous life.
It’s a sight that you won’t want to miss.
In exciting upcoming films, Matthias Schoenaerts will portray the lead villain in DC’s Supergirl.
Margo Robbie and Jacob Elordi are set to star in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights.
Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans will team up for the holiday comedy Red One, debuting this November.
(15) 138mins
Renowned for his masterwork *The Godfather*, director Francis Ford Coppola has poured over £100 million of his personal wealth into this ambitious futuristic film inspired by ancient Rome.
Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, the story unfolds in a decaying urban landscape where architect Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) seeks to resurrect it as a sustainable Utopia using a groundbreaking invention.
However, the powerful Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito) stands determined to undermine his efforts.
Stuck in the middle, the mayor’s daughter Julia (Game of Thrones star Nathalie Emmanuel) seeks her own fulfillment against the backdrop of familial expectations.
Despite Coppola’s grand ambitions regarding the nuances of humanity, the film becomes a convoluted, stunted narrative that tests viewers’ patience.
Even with a compelling ensemble cast, including Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, and Jon Voight, this oversaturated project ultimately fails to resonate.
Linda Marric
(15) 89mins
Isn’t it true that youth is often squandered on the young?
This incisive coming-of-age comedy navigates the life of 18-year-old Elliott Labrant (Maisy Stella) as she unexpectedly encounters her 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza).
Younger Elliott is taken by surprise as she indulges in potent mushrooms to celebrate her birthday, leading to a cascade of wise musings and life lessons from the older version—most of which she dramatically dismisses.
Fresh out of high school life on her family’s farm in a picturesque Canadian harbor town, young Elliott yearns for the freedom to explore friendships and her budding sexuality, rolling her eyes at her mom’s advice.
When her older self warns her to steer clear of anyone named Chad, she tries to heed that advice, especially when a charming farmhand named Chad (Percy Hynes White) arrives, quickly capturing her heart.
In this delightful narrative, there are no convoluted explanations for the time-travel element, and it opts out of portraying harsh repercussions from youthful indulgences, adding a refreshing twist.
The outcome is a charming, relatable film that invites laughter and reflection.
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