Though aspects of Mills' film play out like a guide to the female psyche, for the most part this is a poignant and witty mix-tape. All the characters get a moment to shine as they throw glorious and awkward shapes to their own personalised tunes.
Patchy, but when it’s good it’s a consummate delight.
An insightful and, on occasion, laugh-out-loud piece of filmmaking. Artfully shot and structured, while its warmth and wit shine as brightly as the Californian sun.
The result is a film that, like its main protagonists, is perceptive, affecting but often exasperating too.
Mills brings the era alive with spot-on pop culture asides, but he smartly makes the movie all about Bening.
Annette Bening gives a fine central performance but this kooky comedy suffers badly from unfocused direction and an unmistakable air of self-indulgence.
A poignant reflection of life’s joys and sorrows with a smartly written script from director Mike Mills and an understanding of the scary, wonderful things that happen to everyone as they grow up and older.
There’s a certain arch self-awareness in the screenwriting that won’t appeal to everyone, but I loved the film for its scrapbook structure, its warmth and candour.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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