The United States vs Billie Day Holiday (Hulu)

 

The United States vs Billie Day Holiday (Hulu)

This is the story of Billie Day Holiday’s short and notorious life. She was popular in America and overseas for her unique jazz and blues voice. She had a tragic life. Her mother was a prostitute and she was raised in a brothel. At age ten she was raped. She was a heroin addict and spent a year in jail. She attracted the wrong men or the wrong men were attracted to her; they beat her and took her money. She was also a pioneer in civil rights activism for her rendition of the protest song “Strange Fruit”. In her defiance to sing Strange Fruit she irked the ire of Herbert Hoover and was a target of the FBI for many years.

Andrea Day  gives a phenomenal performance. She resembles Holiday, but what carries her performance is attitude. Her portrayal of Holiday' defiance of the FBI and other authorities in her life is palpable. Day emotes Holiday’s theatrical persona. Holiday was temperamental and rash which Day brings these traits to the screen. When Day sings she embodies Holiday. She sings the songs in the movie. To mimic Holiday’s timbre she started smoking, drinking alcohol and cold water.

Lee Daniels is the director. He tells a great story but the flow of the film is a bit choppy and nonsequential.  The period wardrobes authenticate the film. Day is showcased in  gowns associated with Holiday. The excellent ensemble cast includes Tyler James Williams as Lester Young . He is the person who gave Holiday the moniker Lady Day. Trevante Rhodes plays Jimmy Fletcher, an FBI agent and one of her lovers (its complicated). Billie Day Holiday died at the age of 44 of cirrhosis.

I never heard of the song Strange Fruit nor realized its significance to the civil rights movement. It is based on a poem by Abel Meeropol, a.k.a Lewis Allan:

 

 

Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swingin' in the Southern breeze
Strange fruit hangin' from the poplar trees

Pastoral scene of the gallant South
The bulgin' eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolias sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burnin' flesh

Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather
For the wind to suck
For the sun to rot
For the tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop

 

 

The Mauritanian (Amazon Prime)

 

The Mauritanian (Amazon Prime)

This film is a show case for the talents of Tahar Rahim who plays Mohammedou Ould Salahi. Salahi was detained at Guantanamo Bay for fourteen years with out charges and released. He subsequently wrote a book of his experience which is the basis of the film.

Essentially this is a four actor film: Tahar Rahim as Salahi, Jody Foster as Nancy Hollander, Benedict Cumberbatch as Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch and Shailene  Woodley as Teri Duncan. Rahim’s character displays a range of powerful emotions resulting from his captivity. Salahi is subjected to isolation, fear and terror. In these terrible circumstances there are scenes of claim and acceptance from the long confinement. He even manages to make friends with a fellow detainee which he never meets. He conveys the desperation of imprisonment and any little comfort is significant. The “Enhanced Interrogation” scenes  were horrendous and difficult to watch. I am sure they used a stunt double for some scenes but he did many himself. The emotional distress and mental break down were etched on his face. This is a demanding role.

Jody Foster is a multi-talented actor and director but her role as the lead defense lawyer Nancy Hollander was a bit one dimensional. She plays the hard as nails defense lawyer ready to fight. Most of  her screen time is in a secured room or on a plane limiting her performance. She does have good chemistry with Salahi after overcoming his initial distrust.

I think Benedict Cumberbatch is a brilliant actor but casting him as a southern prosecution lawyer with a pronounced drawl was amusing. Instead of a relaxed good old boy he came off like a stiff British colonel.  He played role well but someone like Mathew McConaughey would have been better suited.

Shailene  Woodley  character temporarily assists Nancy Hollander since she speaks French. When they first meet Salahi they were surprised he spoke English. When asked how he learned he said, “same as you, word by word’.

The film makes political statements but Rahim’s performance is reason enough to see the film.

Minari (Amazon Prime)

 

Minari (Amazon Prime)

Minari is the American immigrant story of hope, despair and fortitude. The Yi family moved from California to Arkansas  hoping of start a farm specializing in Korean vegetables. There are four family members plus a grandmother. Jacob the father, played by Steven Yuen, bought a parcel of land in rural Arkansas and a trailer home. The kids though a home on wheels was funny but their mother  Monica, played by Han Ye-ri , was saddened by its desperate condition. This would  be one of many hardships they endure. Their performance is emotive arising from the challenges of their new life.

Three other cast members are of note. Their son David played by eight year old Alan Kim is amazing. He is a big part of the movie and carries it off with poise and humor. He is adorable with very pinchable cheeks. As a child it is easier for him to acclimate to the new culture since his ties to Korea are less than his parents.

The grandmother is played by Youn  Yuh-jung. She is not the stereotypical dour Asian grandmother. She has unkempt hair, curses and does not really care how she looks. David rejects her as a grandmother since she wears men’s underwear. She is the generational bridge to home. She does not speak English and cooks traditional meals. She plants minari (water celery) in a perfect location by a river. The flourishing  crop is a sign of hope and literally a transplanting into American soil.

Will Patton is a veteran actor. He plays Paul who works with Jacob on the farm. He is eccentric and a religious fanatic but good hearted. Patton captures the intensity of a fervent believer and someone outside of the norm. His presence with family is awkward but the family accepts him as a friend. It is a challenging role which he does well.

This is a heartfelt story worth watching.