FILMS
THE MULE (2018)
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper
Rated: 15
Eastwood stars as Earl Stone, a man in his 80s who is broke, alone and facing foreclosure of his business when he is offered a job that simply requires him to drive. Easy enough, but, unbeknownst to Earl, he's just signed on as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel. And even as his money problems become a thing of the past, Earl's past mistakes start to weigh heavily on him, and it's uncertain if he'll have time to right those wrongs before law enforcement or the cartel's enforcers catch up to him.
Topics of the film: The Mule is a film about loneliness in an America where everyone must be self-sufficient. However, it is also a film about the capacity for change and forgiveness until the very end. Recognising one's mistakes and desiring to make amends can redeem a life in extremis.
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FATHER STU (2022)
Directed by: Rosalind Ross
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson
Rated: R
Based on a true story, Father Stu is an unflinchingly honest, funny and uplifting story about finding purpose in a most unexpected place. After surviving a terrible motorcycle accident, Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg) wonders if he can use his second chance to help others find their way - and leads this former amateur boxer to the surprising realisation that he is meant to be a priest. Despite a devastating health crisis and the scepticism of church officials and his estranged parents, Stu pursues his vocation with courage and compassion, inspiring not only those closest to him, but countless others along the way.
Topics of the film: The film depicts Stuart's discovery of faith, which represented a true rebirth for him. Father Stu is also a film about physical suffering because Stuart's life was marked by a serious illness similar to muscular dystrophy in his later years, which ultimately led to his death. The way he lived with his illness and pain set an example for the faithful who came to hear his homilies, and the film recounts this in an honest and engaging way.
SULLY (2016)
MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart
Rated: 12
On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed the 'Miracle on the Hudson' when Captain "Sully" Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) and his co-pilot (Aaron Eckhart) glided their disabled plane onto the icy waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard. However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and career.
Topics of the film: The first topic is the importance of the human factor in life. While it is generally viewed negatively in the film, it actually saves the lives of 155 passengers. The second topic is Sully's desire to emphasise that the rescue was the result of teamwork. “We did it together,” Sully and his colleague say to each other.
SOUND OF FREEDOM (2023)
Directed by: Alejandro Gómez Monteverde
Starring: Jim Caviezel, Mira Sorvino
Rated: 15
After rescuing a young boy from ruthless child traffickers, a federal agent learns the boy's sister is still captive and decides to embark on a dangerous mission to save her. With time running out, he quits his job and journeys deep into the Columbian jungle, putting his life on the line to free her from a fate worse than death.
Topics of the film: The film's greatest merit is that it draws viewers' attention to the rarely discussed problem of child trafficking, which affects thousands of children worldwide every year.
ABOUT TIME (2013)
Directed by: Richard Curtis
Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy
Rated: 12
At the age of 21, Tim is told an incredible family secret by his father: all men in his family have the ability to relive their past. He can revisit any moment in his life to try things differently until he gets them perfectly right.
He decides to use his special new gift to win the heart of the beautiful Mary, but finds that the course of true love can be hilariously difficult - event with the ability to try, try and try again.
Topics of the film: The first topic is the importance of a father's presence. Tim learns from his father to enjoy the most beautiful moments of life, such as his first date, his wedding and the arrival of his children... Tim learns to experience each day to the full and without distractions. The second topic is how, over time, Tim learns to use his power as a gift to help others in difficulty, rather than as a selfish escape from his mistakes. The secret of life is love.
A MAN CALLED OTTO (2023)
Directed by: Mark Forster
Starring: Tom Hanks, Mariana Treviño
Rated: 15
Based on the comical and moving #1 New York Times Bestseller, A Man Called Otto tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower who is very set in his ways. When a lively young family moves in next door, he meets his match in the quick-witted and very pregnant Marisol, leading to an unlikely friendship that will turn his world upside down. Experience a funny, heart-warming story about how some families come from the most unexpected places.
Topics of the film: The first topic is that life always offers unpredictable events to help us when we are in need. Marisol (played by Mariana Trevino) and her cheerful, generous family bring joy to Otto's life and give the lonely man a second chance. The second topic is the importance of memory, particularly that of Otto's wife. The flashback scenes in which young Otto (Truman Hanks) and Sonya (Rachel Keller) meet, fall in love, get married and face challenges together are among the most touching in the film.
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (1961)
Directed by: Blake Edwards
Starring: Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard
Rated: PG
Holly (Audrey Hepburn) looks for a rich man to marry or to have fun in the happy New York days of the post-war years. She is independent, free, uncompromised, but is not fulfilled, she is not happy. So, she has to go to have breakfast in front of Tiffany's, where she dreams of the jewels that represent her future social ascension.
Holly fascinates both by her speeches and by her attitudes. It makes us laugh when, for example, all of a sudden, she comes out with phrases like: “It should take you exactly four seconds to cross from here to that door. I’ll give you two”. Or when she starts to study portuguese, because she wants to get away with the rich Brazilian José. However, we see that there is something that is not right in her way of life. In particular, in her relationship with Paul (George Peppard) and his unconditional love, always available to go wherever she wants and make the most nonsense, Holly's apparent indifference leaves us with some discomfort.
Towards the end, there is a remarkable discussion between the two, in which the patient and kind Paul explodes and clarifies Holly's existential problem: “You know what's wrong with you, Miss Whoever-you-are? You're chicken, you've got no guts. You're afraid to stick out your chin and say, "Okay, life's a fact, people do fall in love, people do belong to each other, because that's the only chance anybody's got for real happiness." You call yourself a free spirit, a "wild thing," and you're terrified somebody's gonna stick you in a cage. Well baby, you're already in that cage. You built it yourself. And it's not bounded in the west by Tulip, Texas, or in the east by Somali-land. It's wherever you go. Because no matter where you run, you just end up running into yourself”.
And maybe the meaning of the film can be expressed through the words of G. K. Chesterton: “The heart must be fixed on the right thing: the moment we have a fixed heart we have a free hand”. We are happy and totally free when we experience and accept that we belong, that we are loved. Even Holly will understand this at the end starting a new life full of meaning and joy.
Topics of the film: Happiness and belonging. We are happy and totally free when we experience and accept that we belong, that we are loved.