Lynn Gives Thanks, 2020
Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 1:20PM Team Experience is giving thanks. Here's Lynn Lee...
Between the scourge of COVID-19 and the utterly dysfunctional American response, 2020 is looking more and more like a lost year for public health, good governance, and the arts and entertainment industry in this country. Still, as tantalizing hopes of a return to normalcy glimmer on the horizon (three potential vaccines! A responsible, expertise-driven presidential administration!), Thanksgiving provides a much-needed reminder to appreciate the things that helped get us through the past several months. Here are some of the movie and TV-related moments and discoveries that brought me joy this year:
• Parasite making history as the first Korean movie to win the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Foreign Film.
• The huge, unblinking gimlet eyes of Anya Taylor-Joy (which bring to mind a cross between Emma Stone and Alita): sometimes challenging, sometimes disquieting, always riveting.
• The ironic curtsy by the protagonist of And Then We Danced at the end of his final dance – the most inspired “fuck you” gesture of the year.
• Getting to see my first drive-in movie ever (even if the movie itself, Tenet, was a letdown).
• The beautifully tender, improbable human friendship that transcends both greed and death in First Cow.
• The perfect timing of Palm Springs – not in terms of its box office, obviously, but as a comedic metaphor for pandemic life, married life, and/or life in general for the confirmed agnostic. (N.B: Yes, Groundhog Day got there first and may be the better movie, but Palm Springs is the better rom-com.)
• The haunting production and sound design of Alex Garland’s miniseries Devs.
• Ethan Hawke’s balls-to-the-wall performance as the half-cracked but oddly magnetic John Brown in The Good Lord Bird.
• Everything and everyone in Mrs. America, but in particular Margo Martindale’s wisecracking, weary yet unbowed demeanor as Bella Abzug, the activist perpetually striving to balance pragmatism and principle.
• The trailer for Minari
And, as always, Nathaniel and The Film Experience for continuing to make this a safe and welcome space to share my thoughts on movies with you all. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Reader Comments (7)
If Anya Taylor-Joy plays her cards right, I see an Oscar in her future.
I think this is the first time I've heard of THE GOOD LORD BIRD, but it does look fascinating. Thanks for the recommendation and this lovely list.
Now I definitely need to check out Devs (and find two hours when I can direct all of my focus to First Cow - I want to make sure I can give it the attention it deserves). Lynn, you are one of my favorites here at TFE, and I know when you recommend something, it is worthwhile.
And yes, Anya Taylor-Joy's eyes are enthralling...
Ethan Hawk getting more and more attractive as he ages.
Ethan is having such a long and surprising career because he realized he didn't want/wouldn't be a new Tom Cruise, Matt Damon or Brad Pitt, just like Nicole Kidman and Natalie Portman, who realized they wouldn't follow in the footsteps of Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock or Angelina Jolie.
How had I not seen the trailer for Minari yet?! It looks beautiful in every way.
Also, thought that picture of Hawke was Nick Nolte. Him looking old makes me feel old :)
"Parasite making history as the first Korean movie to win the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Foreign Film."
But not Best Original Screenplay? I think it is!
Claudio: The Good Lord Bird isn't perfect, but still well worth your time. It's based on a novel that takes an ironic, largely satirical view of a still-controversial historical subject, which gave the series (and Hawke) a tricky task striking the right tone. To their credit, they mostly succeed.
Jules: Aw, thanks! RE: Devs, I had some issues with the narrative...but like so much of Garland's work, its look and feel stayed with long me long after I forgot what those issues were.
Travis: You and me both. I can't believe he just turned 50.
Jonathan: Yes, I believe you're right! Possibly true of the other Oscars it won, as well? though I defer to the Oscars experts. Lots of glorious firsts!