SUNDANCE HAD A NEW LOOK THIS YEAR BUT ONE THING REMAINED THE SAME: GREAT MOVIES!
Given the current status of the world, The 2021 Sundance Film Festival opted to go mostly virtual this year. As someone whose been attending since 1994, this proved to be quite a different experience. While it was nice not having to frantically rush from one venue to the next in an effort to not be late for a screening and while it was equally pleasant not having to stand in the freezing cold, the absence of that communal feeling that comes with experiencing a special film with a packed house in a massive dark room with a huge screen and incredible sound was sorely missed. Still, the lineup this year was pretty darn impressive and at the end of the day, it’s all about the movies.
In addition to going the virtual route, Sundance was a little shorter this year, therefore, I wasn’t able to see quite as many films as I generally do at this venerable fest but 16 features and 15 shorts ain’t too shabby!
For a list of all the award winners from the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, click here.
For a look at Cinemast.net’s Best of Fest and All the Rest, read on!
THE BEST OF FEST:
CODA
“CODA”–Which stands for Child of Deaf Adult–is an accessible, crowd-pleasing heart-warmer about Ruby Rossi, a teenager from a hearing-impaired family who desperately wants to break free of her fishing town roots and become a professional singer. Of course, as is often the case in stories like this there are obstacles holding her back. Emilia Jones is positively endearing in the lead and she gets a big-time assist from a likable supporting cast that includes the likes of Amy Forsyth (“Channel Zero: No End House”), Ferdia-Walsh Peelo (“Sing Street”), and Eugenio Derbez (“How to Be a Latin Lover”). Likewise, Troy Kotsur and Oscar winner Marlee Matlin (“Children of a Lesser God”) are wonderfully engaging as Ruby’s loving parents as is a solid Daniel Durant as Ruby’s brother. It should be noted that Kostur, Matlin, and Durant are all hearing-impaired in real life but clearly “CODA” is much more interested in what they can do rather than what they can’t do. On a final note, the family dynamic that makes up the majority of this movie might be its strongest attribute. “CODA” may be familiar in terms of its overall plot but what it lacks in originality it more than makes up for in heart. Winner of multiple Sundance awards including the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and the U.S. Dramatic Audience Choice.
Grade: B
HIVE
This inspiring true story finds emotionally distraught Fahrije (an outstanding Yllka Gashi) striving to start her own small business in an effort to make ends meet after her husband disappears during the war in Korsovo. It won’t be easy, however, as she resides in a mostly patriarchal society that won’t support her. “Hive” is beautifully shot and well-acted by all involved and while this is a film that easily could have gone into heavy-handed terrain, it’s actually quite understated. “Hive” won multiple awards at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival including the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize and the World Cinema Audience Choice.
Grade: B+
HOW IT ENDS
This offbeat, introspective, funny, and thoughtful little charmer from writers/directors Zoe-Lister Jones and Daryl Wein was shot during the pandemic and follows an endearing Jones as Liza, a lonely (and isolated) woman who wanders the streets of her hometown alongside the metaphysical manifestation of her younger self (wonderfully played by Cailee Spaeny) meeting colorful strangers and making amends with estranged friends and family members the night before an asteroid is set to destroy the planet. It’s all a little precious but man is it entertaining! It’s also strangely hopeful showing a society that’s surprisingly upbeat despite the fact that the world is coming to an end. With a pair of engaging leads and an onslaught of memorable cameos, “How It Ends” is pretty darn likable and for all its messages, loving one’s self is the one that shines brightest.
Grade: B
JOCKEY
Character actor Clifton Collins Jr. is positively outstanding as Jackson, an aging horse jockey who finds his life at a crossroads when coming face to face with an intense health issue. With shades of “The Wrestler,” this is an eloquent character study that opts to steer clear of rousing underdog sports movie tropes (although it is a crowdpleaser in its own way). Instead, it focuses on relationships. At the heart of the movie from writer/director, Clint Bentley is Jackson’s bond with a younger new arrival on the jockey circuit. Stellar performances, a supporting roster of real-life horse jockeys, beautiful cinematography, and an understated sensibility aid in making “Jockey” an absolute winner.
Grade: B+
MASS
From actor-turn-director Fran Kranz (“Cabin in the Woods”) comes this intimate and undeniably provocative drama about a couple seeking answers from the parents of a boy who perpetrated a school shooting resulting in the death of their son as well as a handful of others. This is gut-wrenching, emotionally charged stuff and it’s anchored by superb performances, most notably Ann Dowd and Martha Plympton as mothers looking to navigate through a parents’ worst nightmare. Kranz stages the quiet, thoughtful proceedings like a play and he’s careful to simpy present the situation rather than putting an emphasis on politics. This is a tough watch but it’s a powerful one.
Grade: B+
STREET GANG: HOW WE CAME TO SESAME STREET
This is a wonderful exploration into an iconic television staple that’s known for perfectly marrying entertainment with education and it’s been doing so for the better part of five decades. “Street Gang: How We Came to Sesame Street” isn’t only affectionate but it’s also quite insightful. True, it tends to be a little overstuffed and there are some things that are skimmed over but it’s still a lovely tribute that pulls back the curtain on “Sesame Stree.” Further still, I honestly could have watched hours of outtakes and behind the scenes moments alone, but thankfully, this film has a lot more to offer. As a doc, “Street Gang” isn’t quite in the same league as the similarly structured “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” but it’s still easily one of the best films of this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
Grade: B+
THE SPARKS BROTHERS
The great Edgar Wright (“Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz,” “The Worlds’s End,” “Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World,” and “Baby Driver”) makes it 6 for 6 with an immensely entertaining documentary called “The Sparks Brothers.” This comprehensive film traces the career of the underappreciated pop/rock act, The Sparks Brothers; A career that has spanned nearly 50 years. Not familiar with the influential sibling musicians who make up this infectiously likable (and hilarious) act? Then let this movie be your insightful crash course. Wright has always been musically inclined, particularly from an editing standpoint, and never has that been more apparent than it is here. At 2 hours and 15 minutes, you might think this film would run out of steam. You’d be wrong. What’s more, i’m not particularly well versed when it comes to the Sparks Brothers but no matter. By the time this movie was over, I wanted to dive right into their extensive catalog of music, and that is, perhaps, the best compliment I can pay Edgar Wright’s latest high energy triumph. By way of interviews with the innovative and talented brothers Mael, discussions with fellow musicians and fans (including the likes of Beck, Weird Al, Fred Armisen, Duran Duran, and Franz Ferdinand), and plenty of energetic concert footage to boot, the spirited joy that is “The Sparks Brothers’ is a blast from beginning to end. A pity that Sundance festivities weren’t live this year because if they would have been, it’s safe to say that the Sparks Brothers would have performed live following a screening. Wouldn’t that have been epic? Still, watching this movie was the next best thing and pound for pound, this was my favorite film at Sundance 2021.
Grade: A-
ALL THE REST:
CENSOR
An atmospheric Argento-esque horror/mystery/thriller about a movie censor (extremely well played by Niamh Algar) who’s verbally attacked by a vengeful public after a video-nasty she signed off on inspires a real-life killing.
Grade: B-
COMING HOME IN THE DARK
Grade: B
EIGHT FOR SILVER
Grade: C-
KNOCKING
Grade: C+
LAND
Grade: B-
MISHA AND THE WOLVES
You can certainly file the unpredictable “Misha and the Wolves” under the “truth is stranger than fiction” category as this compelling documentary weaves its tale around a holocaust survivor and the strange, labyrinthian story that would lead to her fame.
Grade: B
ON THE COUNT OF THREE
Two inseparable friends (well played by Christopher Abbott and the film’s director, Jerrod Carmichael) make a suicide pact with one another but before committing the horrific deed, they engage in one turbulent afternoon coming face to face with various individuals who’ve affected their lives in some shape or form in this sometimes uneven but always provocative dark comedy. “On the Count of Three” was the winner of the U.S. Dramatic Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance 2021.
Grade: B-
PLAYING WITH SHARKS
Grade: B
PRISONERS OF THE GHOSTLAND
Grade: B-
BEST SHORT FILMS OF THE FEST:
THE AFFECTED
Grade: B+
THE CRIMINALS
This intense drama finds a young Turkish couple without a marriage certificate getting more than they bargained for after they check into a hotel looking for a little privacy.
Grade: B
DEAR PHILADELPHIA
Gifted photographer Renee Maria Osubu profiles the struggles and accomplishments of various fathers in the city of brotherly love in a short documentary that finds individuals doing everything they can to better their community.
Grade: B
EXCUSE ME, MISS, MISS, MISS
An underachieving sales girl discovers a bizarre truth at her place of employment in this colorful, odd, and amusing satire from director Sonny Calvento and writer Arden Rod Condez. I’ll be damned if I know what it all means but I enjoyed it!
Grade: B
FLEX
There is offbeat and then there is “Flex,” a hilariously strange little ditty in which a bodybuilder shares his inner monologue with viewers all while flexing in front of a mirror. As awesome as it is weird.
Grade: B+
LIKE THE ONES I USED TO KNOW
The best short I took in at Sundance 2021 is this bittersweet 1980’s holiday-set drama in which a divorced dad arrives at the home of his ex-inlaws to pick up his kids on Christmas Eve. What follows is both heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure. The performances in this short are superb, most notably the kids. The performances are so good in fact, at times, I didn’t feel like I was watching a movie. I felt like I was eavesdropping on the lives of these authentic characters. The only thing I didn’t like about “Like the Ones I Used to Know” is that it didn’t win an award. A real shame because it was completely deserving.
Grade: A-
THE LONGEST DREAM I REMEMBER
The exquisitely shot and appropriately titled “The Longest Dream I Remember” is a poetic and haunting look at loss and follows a young woman as she sees first hand what her absence might mean to the Mexican town she’s left behind.
Grade: B
SNOWY
This quirky little human interest doc isn’t only a tribute to the adorable little turtle that the film takes its name from but it’s also an amusing and sincere character study about the eccentric individual who calls Snowy his best friend.
Grade: B
SOUVENIR, SOUVENIR
Director Bastien Dubois’s experimental ode to his grandfather is a beautifully animated trip through the horrors of the Algerian War. “Souvenir, Souvenir” was the winner of the Sundance 2021 Animated Short Jury Prize.
Grade: B
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