Category Archives: Feel Good Not For Children

2010, Drama, Drugs, Explicit sexual discussion, Feel Good Not For Children, Gay theme, Love Story, Sex Scenes

Every Day (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Ned (Liev Schreiber) is fed up with his unfulfilling work as a writer on a flawed television show and his stagnant marriage to wife Jeannie (Helen Hunt). Just when he thinks life can’t get worse, his teenage son announces he’s gay and his ailing father-in-law (Brian Dennehy) moves in. Ned’s relationship with an amorous co-worker (Carla Gugino) adds even more tension, but despite the setbacks, the rewards of everyday family life overcome.

NetFlix’s description is misleading: As soon as the film opens Ned’s son is already discussing being gay. In fact the boy is nagging to attend a gay prom and Ned is protectively worrisome lest some older male might take advantage of the boy.

No one is perfect, but this husband and wife are a good and struggling couple beset with stressful problems that are certainly familiar to all of us in this American 21st century:

  • Ned worries about his gay son and confides in no one
  • Jeannie’s aged father is a nasty man that she could never love
  • Ned is a TV screenwriter whose gay boss is demanding and unpredictable.
  • Home life is so stressful that Ned and Jeannie do not have much sex much to Ned’s chagrin.
  • As a result Ned is sorely tempted by his temptress co-worker

Characters are well scripted and portrayed. Brian Dennehy plays the miserable father to perfection but shows his sad human side as well. Helen Hunt (who for me will always be the wife in the TV series “Mad About You”) is now (2011) an attractive 48 years old who is perfect for this part. Liev Schreiber does well as a very attentive and caring father whose job is very stressful.

Ned is part of a team of writers who are constantly urged by the boss to invent shocking plots involving sex of all types. Were it not for these explicit discussions I could almost recommend the film for children. Even the almost invisible nude sex scene in the swimming pool is not really objectionable.

Moreover, this is the first film I have seen which treats the life of a teenage gay person in our ordinary American day to day lives. You would worry about your straight daughter’s relation to boys, so why would you not worry similarly about your gay son ?

An “Every Day” film about a family that has it all, that is to say, all those nasty problems. I loved its ordinariness.

2010, Based on true facts, Conspiracy, Feel Good Not For Children, Lawyers, Nudity, Police Story, Prison, Underdogs win, Violent

Conviction (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Convinced that her brother, Kenneth (Sam Rockwell), has been unjustly convicted of murder and incompetently defended by court-ordered attorneys, high school dropout Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) puts herself through law school in order to represent him in his appeal. Inspired by a true story, director Tony Goldwyn’s stirring drama also stars Melissa Leo, Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher and Clea DuVall.

Miscarriages of justice, at least for me, are always compelling stories. Of course, you know that the film would not have been made if events had not turned out well for Kenneth Waters.

Read about about the history in the Wikipedia article. There you will also find mention of Martha Coakley, Attorney General of Massachusetts. In the film she comes off very badly. Hearing her name so often during the film was almost a shock. Read about her reaction to the film in the same Wikipedia article. Politicians always know the right thing to say.

Warning: Although the film is eventually a feel-good, getting to the end is a real roller-coaster of setbacks. At the very least, I can only admire the incredible and inspiring fortitude of Betty Anne Waters.

Do NOT miss the final frames which explain in text how things turned out after Kenneth got out of prison. Also the Wikipedia article has some follow through.

My biggest disappointment was that the corrupt woman Ayer police officer, Nancy Taylor, who framed Kenneth could not be prosecuted due to the Massachusetts statute of limitations.

2006, Bullying, Corny, Fashion, Feel Good Not For Children, Love Story, Musical, Transvestite theme

Kinky Boots (2006)

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From NetFlix:

After inheriting a shoe factory, Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) aims to take the fashion world by storm with help from a flashy cabaret dancer named Lola (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who helps him design a racy line of men’s boots, in this whimsical comedy from British director Julian Jarrold. But on the eve of the Milan Shoe Fair — just as Charlie’s about to introduce the world to his signature shoes — everything falls apart.

Sometimes maudlin, sometimes almost preachy, “Kinky Boots” has enough originality to provide a decent evening’s entertainment. Think of this British film as part of the tradition of films such as the American version of “La Cage aux Folles”: singing and dancing and a sermon here and there about acceptance, tolerance, motherhood and apple pie. Tell the children what a transvestite is and even the children can watch.

Give it a B and just enjoy the fun!

2008, Comedy, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Gay theme, Love Story, Sex Scenes, Swedish

Patrik Age 1.5 (2008)

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From NetFlix:

After moving from the city to a small town, gay couple Sven (Torkel Petersson) and Goran (Gustaf Skarsgård) adopt a child. But when Patrik (Thomas Ljungman) arrives in their lives, it turns out he’s not 1.5 years old as they were told by the adoption agency — he’s a rebellious, homophobic 15-year-old. While the couple houses the angry boy until the mix-up is resolved, his presence causes them to reassess their lives.

Gay-themed films have come a long way from being centered on the AIDS epidemic to a more realistic involvement with society in general. After watching this film, I would like to know if you thought the story portrayed was realistic, that is to say, could happen.

So what do you expect from a “straight” film: sex, violence, comedy, mystery, romance, sports, war ? Ignoring the gay theme, this film offers romance, non-explicit sex, some rough stuff that could hardly be called violence, comedy, social issues, an orphan needing a home, etc. Sound familiar ?

Although I did not expect much at first, I was pleased to find that this sane and warm film tells a story which is finally a feel-good. Each character is well-cast and well-acted, including their well-honed facial expressions. Look for a variety of neighbors, for better or worse.

Swedish with optional English sub-titles.

Is Sweden any different from the US&A ?

2006, Biographical, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Redemption, Religious Theme, Slavery, True Story, Underdogs win

Amazing Grace (2006)

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From NetFlix:

Based on actual events, this historical drama from acclaimed director Michael Apted tells the story of William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), an 18th-century English politician who fought for the abolition of slavery. Despite staunch opposition, Wilberforce waged an aggressive campaign using boycotts, petitions and slogans to bring the British slave trade to a decisive end. Albert Finney, Michael Gambon and Rufus Sewell co-star.

Worthwhile but not maudlin feel-good films can be hard to discover. “Amzing Grace” is such a jewel.

For an historical reality check please read the Wikipedia article.

England, through the efforts of Wilberforce, abolished the slave trade in 1807, a half-century before the American Civil War. Stay for the final credits which add that Wilberforce and William Pitt are buried side by side in Westminster Abbey.

Although it is eventually a feel-good film, you will be subjected to unsettling descriptions of the treatment of slaves.

In the film I saw many familiar British actors whose names I have never known. To give some of them credit, you will see:

  • Benedict Cumberbatch was William Pitt. He is currently the Masterpiece Mystery Sherlock Holmes.
  • Michael Gambon was Lord Charles Fox. He was Dumbledore in “Harry Potter”.
  • Rufus Sewell was Thomas Clarkson. He was Alexander Hamilton in “John Adams”.
  • Ciarán Hinds was the evil Lord Tarleton. He was Gaius Julius Cesar in “Rome”.
  • Toby Jones was the cretinous Duke of Clarence. He was Karl Rove in “W”
  • Nicholas Farrell was Henry Thornton. I will always remember him as the young runner Aubrey Montague in “Chariots of Fire”. His screen credits roll on for pages.
  • Albert Finney was John Newton and IS British acting.

DO NOT MISS THIS FILM !!!!

2010, Drama, Explicit sex, Feel Good Not For Children, Gay theme, Nudity, Vulgar

The Kids Are All Right (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson), the children of same-sex parents Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore), become curious about the identity of their sperm-donor dad (Mark Ruffalo) and set out to make him part of their family unit, often with hilarious results. But his arrival complicates the household dynamics, and nobody is sure where or how he fits in — if at all — in this Golden Globe-nominated comedy.

Because of a few details such as Annette Bening using the F-word in the majority of her lines and several male gay sex video segments used by the lesbian couple to become aroused, this film is probably not for children (unless, of course, they come from Los Angeles).

If there is a message in this film, it is that gay marriage is not that much different from straight marriage as regards the passage of years, the difficulty of communication, infidelity and all the usual problems.

Would it really happen that Julianne Moore has a fling with Mark Ruffalo ?

Both kids were great and as the film ends my only regret was how things ended for Mark Ruffalo. Comments ?

2010, Chick Flick, Could Be Sad, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Love Story, Military, Sex Scenes, War

Dear John (2010)

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From NetFlix:

While on leave, U.S. soldier John Tyree (Channing Tatum) falls for Southern college student Savannah (Amanda Seyfried), whose ideals and heartfelt principles are at once attractive and unfamiliar. But their love is put on hold when terrorist attacks prompt John to reenlist. Now, handwritten letters hold the lovers together. Lasse Hallstrom directs this modern romance based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks.

As the film started I thought “Why on earth am I watching a PG-13 ?” (the one sex scene is so discreet as to be non-existent). Indeed the beginning of the film seemed like an ordinary chick flick. But there are enough worthwhile themes here to make the story interesting.

Richard Jenkins plays John Tyree’s autistic father. Just yesterday I reviewed The Confession (1999) in which Richard Jenkins plays a crooked politician. He plays the part of a father who loves his son but whose autism prevents him from expressing that love openly. There is one very touching scene between the two.

Channing Tatum has appeared in Stop-Loss (2008) which is another war film.

Amanda Seyfried is Chloe (2009) in the film of the same name.

This could be a tear-jerker.

Forgive my scepticism. I do not know enough about autism. But is it at all believable that an autistic man marries, has a normal son, and when the wife abandons the family while that boy is pre-school the father raises the boy to maturity ? And could that son do such selfless deeds ?

2008, Biographical, Docudrama, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Redemption, Sports, True Story, Vulgar

The Damned United (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Arrogant Brian Clough (Michael Sheen) helms England’s soccer champs Leeds United in 1974 alongside confidant and assistant manager Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall), but he manages to bungle the deal in a mere 44 days, winding up fired. Written for the screen by Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) and based on David Peace’s critically acclaimed novel, this fictionalized account of the notorious sports legend co-stars Jim Broadbent.

You don’t have to be a soccer fan to enjoy this well-made and well-acted film. Possibly the Wikipedia article might help. In fact that article claims that much of the film is fictional. Hopefully the barebones historical facts are accurate.

During the film we do see Leeds cheating during the soccer matches. One of Brian Clough’s contentions was that in fact in the past Leeds did a lot of that sort of thing. There is a lot of soccer slang that went right past me, but it did not really matter.

During the film you don’t see that much soccer playing. Rather the emphasis is on Clough’s arrogance and his relation with other managers and players. In a certain sense the film ends on a happy note.

At the end of the film you get to see actual film clips of the real Brian Clough and Peter Taylor. Indeed I saw a similarity in looks between the actor and the real Clough.

Perhaps the cursing is not appropriate for children.

2004, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children

Dear Frankie (2004)

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From NetFlix:

Faced with the prospect of raising her son, Frankie (Jack McElhone), with a good-for-nothing man, the resourceful Lizzie (Emily Mortimer) spirits him away to Scotland with good intentions and pretends the boy’s father is aboard the HMS Accra. But after years of Lizzie’s skillful lying, the jig is up when Frankie learns the ship is docked right by their home. Now, the only way to protect Frankie’s heart is to find a man willing to pose as his dad.

“Dear Frankie” is one of my favorite films and I’m not sure why. Perhaps I feel sorry for the mother and son on the run from an abusive father. Perhaps the way a stanger enters their life to help out in a bad situation is touching. At any rate it is a quiet film with some very poignant moments.

You will recognize Emily Mortimer as one of the Rachels in “Shutter Island”. Gerard Butler plays the stranger. Considering his slide into mediocre potboilers, this might be one of Butler’s best films. The fighting scenes between Frankie’s parents could be too much for children to watch.

2009, Comedy, Feel Good Not For Children, Love Story

(500) Days of Summer (2009)

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From NetFlix:

When his girlfriend, Summer (Zooey Deschanel), unceremoniously dumps him, greeting-card copywriter and hopeless romantic Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) begins sifting through the year-plus worth of days they spent together, looking for clues to what went awry. As he recalls the good and bad times he spent with the commitment-phobic girl, his heart reawakens to what it cherishes most. Marc Webb directs this uncommon love story.

Although I laughed at lot watching “Just Friends (2005)“, daughter Kate thought it was a bit crass without much subtlety. So I watched “(500) Days of Summer” at her suggestion and the comparison was enlightening. In fact “light” is the operative phrase. No matter your age, pretend you are in your mid to late twenties, relax, and enjoy this unpretentious, easy-going, clever comedy. Think of the film as the bubbles in a glass of champagne.