Saverio is an insurance broker who arrives in a small town after receiving a letter from a potential client requesting insurance for "special affections." Upon arriving at the mansion, Saverio is captivated by the beauty of Susana, the granddaughter and heiress to a vast fortune—beautiful, refined, and cultured. What Saverio doesn't suspect is that he will become the victim of a macabre plot, in which he plays a crucial role. Susana, in collusion with her family and friends, will feign madness with the sole purpose of making Saverio fall at her feet.
Christopher Nolan transforms Homer's ancient epic into one of the most breathtaking cinematic spectacles of his career. While its nonlinear storytelling and exposition occasionally hold it back, The Odyssey is a visually stunning, emotionally resonant blockbuster that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible.
Although Christmas is a time of year for love and cheer for all, holiday cinema has not always represented diverse communities. Being a holiday with Christian origins, much of its media consists of straight white families or straight white romances. Luckily, modern years have been bringing with them plenty of POC and LGBTQ+ representation that the holidays so desperately need.
Despite its glaring flaws, First Girl I Loved is not entirely undeserving of a watch. For people who can handle the more difficult aspects of the story and graphic scenes, it is worth looking into. It’s not a film worthy of rewatch, but it may still resonate somewhat with those who need a story like this. It is a genuine, if flimsy attempt at a coming-of-age tale. Were the film to be directed by someone with experiences more similar to Anne, it would likely be more powerful--as it is, it feels like a man’s perspective of what it means to come to terms with your identity as a lesbian.
At its heart, it’s a fond tribute to an influential artist and thus one that can speak to everyone’s inner artist, even if it lacks the sincere commentary you may wish to see.
Halle's belting, crystal clear notes, and warm tone infused something into this blockbuster that I thoroughly enjoy.
