Binary Samurai (2023)

How closely does an actor need to resemble a character or historical figure in order to portray them on the Silver Screen? Seems to depend on color.

Overall, Matthias & Maxime doesn't reinvent this romantic concept. But it also doesn't need to. Dolan weaves a story of love, friendship, and life that is both realistic and bittersweet. The film is nuanced and sensual in a way we don't get to see often with LGBTQ characters. It's a film that we can celebrate.

A working class mom searches for her daughter.

In the film adaptation, director Jon M. Chu turns each musical number into a massive show stopper, with grand set pieces and a wealth of diverse dancers. Yet, in this attempt to show reverence for the people of the Washington Heights barrio, Chu, or maybe more specifically those in charge of casting, left out a crucial part of the community, Afro-Latinos.

Given a choice between a man and a mountain, it’s safer to choose the mountain.

The actions that Verity confesses to are tragic.  But the way to prevent those actions isn’t to force the related emotions into the shadows.