On your screens this week… “Eternal Beauty”, “Excalibur”, “Sybil” and many others

This week, we advise you Excalibur, Sybil, Eternal Beauty and many others.

(1): Masterpiece, (2): Outstanding, (3): Very good, (4): Good, (5): Average, (6): Mediocre, (7): Poor.

The Boys in the Band

(4)

Moral drama directed by Joe Mantello.

Starring Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer.

What’s this ? Manhattan, 1968. A single gay receives his friends in his penthouse to celebrate the birthday of one of them. The irruption of a college friend, heterosexual, married and unaware of the sexual orientation of his host, has the effect of a cold shower on the guests.

How is it ? The theme, the dialogues, the sublime decor, right down to the deliberately emphatic acting of the actors, conspire to make this adaptation of Mart Crowley’s play a carefully polished antique, for the sole purpose of shining. Requisitioning the cast of the most recent Broadway production, THE BOYS IN THE BAND however captures the oppressive climate of the time very well.
On Netflix

Eternal beauty

(3)

Psychological drama directed by Craig Roberts.

Starring Sally Hawkins, Billie Piper, Morfydd Clark.

What’s this ? Schizophrenic since being abandoned at the foot of the altar by her fiancé on the threshold of adulthood, a Welsh 40-year-old is putting all her love hopes on an aspiring musician, who also suffers from mental illness.

How is it ? In a heartbreaking performance, echoing her composition in MAUDIE, Sally Hawkins eloquently embodies the vulnerability, disorientation and loneliness of psychotic people. In tune, the staging translates, through skilful lighting effects and color changes, the mental universe of the protagonist.
In video on demand

Excalibur

(2)
Fantasy drama directed by John Boorman.

Starring Nicol Williamson, Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren.

What’s this ? His wife having fallen in love with his best knight, King Arthur lets himself be drawn by his witch half-sister in an affair from which a son is born, who will become his enemy.

How is it ? This adaptation by John Boorman (DELIVRANCE) of the legend of the Knights of the Round Table comes in an extravagant treatment and a distinctly stylized imagery, where the fantastic and the witchcraft are in the spotlight. The enchanting Merlin, performed with verve by Nicol Williamson, takes center stage for much of the story.
Saturday 11:30 p.m. on Max

The Glorias

(4)

Biographical drama directed by Julie Taymor.

Starring Julianne Moore, Alicia Vikander, Timothy Hutton.

What’s this ? New York, the 1960s. Returning from a trip to India, during which she became aware of the plight of women from underprivileged castes, journalist Gloria Stenheim began her long fight for the feminist cause.

How is it ? Original, vibrant and informative, this biopic inspired by the memoirs of Gloria Steinem offers a fascinating light on the history of American feminism. In addition to lengths and a few less successful fancy effects, Julie Taymor (FRIDA, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE) signs an ambitious and moving work, carried by a Julianne Moore more dazzling than ever.
In video on demand

The perfumes

(5)

Dramatic comedy directed by Grégory Magne.

Starring Emmanuelle Devos, Grégory Montel, Gustave Kervern.

What’s this ? To keep joint custody of his daughter, a single father is forced to work as a limousine driver. He must therefore deal with the whims of his new client, a perfume specialist with a strong character.

How is it ? This variation on a used formula (we think of DRIVING MISS DAISY) is weighed down by a hesitant scenario, with vague stakes and too late revelations. Sometimes interesting, the ensemble purrs, without downtime or downtime, propelled by an elegant production and actors at ease in roles tailor-made for them.
On the platform of Cinema du Parc online

Sybil

(3)

Dramatic comedy directed by Justine Triet.

Starring Virginie Efira, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Gaspard Ulliel.

What’s this ? For her first novel, an ex-psychologist is inspired by the setbacks of a final patient, an actress pregnant with a famous actor, who forms a couple with the director of the film they are shooting on the volcanic island of Stromboli, in Italy.

How is it ? Building on the success of VICTORIA, Justine Triet and Virginie Efira are teaming up again, with an even more impressive result. Along the lines, between dark drama and satirical comedy, this new portrait of a woman gains in complexity and originality. Efira is more intense and shameless than ever, well served by a controlled staging, with varied atmospheres.
On the platform of Cinema du Parc online