Month: May 2022

‘Montana Story’: A small family addresses a massive rift in Big Sky Country

Jeff Mitchell

“Montana Story” (2022) – Montana is 147,000 square miles, 255 miles long, and 630 miles wide.  That’s a long way across the state.  One could drive from Boston to New York City, turn around and chauffeur back to Beantown, and then make a U-turn (yes, again) and head back to and reach The Big Apple, and that’s how big Montana is.  It’s the nation’s fourth-largest state, with just over 1,000,000 residents.  According to Google, 1,062,000 individuals, or 7.2 people for every square mile. The Treasure State, the country’s 41st, is…

Movie of the Week: ‘Notes on a Scandal’

Jeff Mitchell

“Notes on a Scandal” (2006) – “Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer.” – Sun Tzu Barbara (Judi Dench) is history teacher at a London high school, and she’s been in the classroom for decades and nearing retirement.  It couldn’t come quick enough, as her patience is as thin as Timothee Chalamet on a hunger strike.  Never married and a social loner, Barbara is unhappy, but her mood turns when Sheba (Cate Blanchett) – a beautiful, tall, and cultured 30-something – arrives on campus to teach art.  Since Sheba…

‘Happening’: Diwan’s abortion film is a distressing, timely, and important cinematic experience

Jeff Mitchell

“Happening” – “Accept it.  You have no choice.” – Dr. Ravinsky (Fabrizio Rongione) Dr. Ravinsky voices this message to Anne Duchesne (Anamaria Vartolomei), a 23-year-old literature student, during a follow-up visit.  Even though he delivers these words with regret and empathy, the blow isn’t tempered to Anne’s ears.  She does not consent.  She cannot concede. Anne is pregnant.  She wishes to terminate her pregnancy. However, it’s 1963 in Angoulême, France, and abortion won’t become legal until 1975.  Anne is stuck.  She wishes to continue her studies and verbalizes her situation.…