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Survival of the Thickest (2023)
Dreadful acting and writing
I appreciate all the good intentions here and representation matters. But the acting of the lead here is atrocious..completely hammy, has no charisma and is simply not funny. Sounds like she is reading (or shouting) from the script with no subtlety at all. This is the case for most the cast here.
The writing as well is too obvious with overused tropes and predictable scenes - including the catty, camp stylist, the cheating boyfriend, and the unconvincing relationships.
Just bad.
They should have hired a better actress to tell this story. I wonder what an Amber Riley or Danielle Brooks would have done with this sort of time and scenarios.
A shame. Good intentions and potential let down by an inadequate lead.
My Name Is Mo'Nique (2023)
Magic of old Monique captured here
This long awaited stand up special would never be able to match the expectations of anyone sitting back, arms folded, waiting to see if 'Monique was worth the Netflix deal in the end'. And anyone expecting a 1 hour show of punch lines will also be disappointed. This is not a typical stand up show but in many ways feels like a personal testimony, capturing someone emerging vindicated but bruised after a trial by the public. In this special, Monique takes us on a journey in every sense of the word - back to her past, family and marriages to explain exactly why she felt compelled to stand to corporate giants. There are moments of magic that make this special worth seeing for the comedy - laugh out loud jokes about her time in special Ed is hysterically funny and takes us back to the classic Monique of the Queens of Comedy era. She has lost none of her comedic flare or confidence. The other highlight is the emotionally powerful testimony where she reveals her struggles with her sexual identity which is genuinely heartbreaking. These kind of extremes of laughter and anger and tears is perhaps a summation of the last few years for Monique but she delivers these peaks and troughs with a candour you can't help but respect. Some will take issue with the expletives - but none who are familiar with Monqiue's style of comedy, there also a few jokes don't entirely land or go on for too long - the 'oral explosion' scene felt a touch contrived and flat. Ultimately though this wasn't a 'perfect' stand up show, but it is one worth seeing for the moments of classic Monique humour that are there and to get a better understanding of the woman who, for better or worse, stood up to some powerful people and corporations and seemingly won. Welcome back Monique.
Sister My Sister (1994)
ASTONISHING ACTING
This is a profoundly disturbing and intriguing character study based on true events. The writing and directing is subtle and beautifully lyrical - the twist in this film is anything but predictable. However it is the acting in the film which its real glory, Julie Walters is brilliant as is Jodhi May - but it is Joely Richardson who delivers a tour de force. Just like her mother, she is profoundly entrancing to watch - understated with volcanic eruptions at the just the right moments. She deserved an Oscar nomination for this - as did they all. Well worth a watch.
Dumplin' (2018)
FLAT
The acting in this film is very flat. The lead actress does not have any of the charm to carry this picture and her lines are often underplayed - even her singing to Dolly Parton scenes seem languid instead of joyous. Jennifer Aniston does her best in a role against type and Dolly Parton's music is always a delight but ultimately both the director and writer, and especially their choice of the lead actress fails miserably. Bad.