A LOVE SONG – ★★★★

Fairly relaxed film with beautiful scenery shot in Colorado. A woman later in life is camping in a trailer on a lake, and waiting for the arrival of a friend from high school, who she hadn’t seen from decades. A few quirky scenes, but if you liked Nomadland, you’ll probably get value out of this, even if it mightn’t have been quite as good.

TRIANGLE OF SADNESS – ★★★★

A last minute booking based on positive feedback I’d heard about it. Directed by Ruben Östlund who did Force Majeure at MIFF a few years ago, this is a three part film centred mainly around a young model couple who are living a luxurious lifestyle of the super rich. The first two parts were great, and if the third was as strong, this might have been a favourite of the festival. Unfortunately the third part dragged a little, but nevertheless this satirical take on society and the have’s treatment of the have nots is interesting when the tables are turned.

SWEET AS – ★★★☆

A nice enough Australian drama, probably more targeted at a younger audience. It’s about an aboriginal girl who is placed on a minibus with three other at-risk youths, in part to give them a place to be safe from their environments (and themselves), while participating in photo expeditions. Nicely made and paced. This is what should have been advertised to MIFF audiences repeatedly instead of “6 Festivals”.

THE LONELY SPIRITS VARIETY HOUR – UNRATED

Probably unfair to rate this at all, as I couldn’t watch past the first 15 minutes. I’m not sure who would find it funny, but I was cringing. It’s based on a comedy stage show, so maybe the real thing worked better.

THE INTEGRITY OF JOSEPH CHAMBERS – ★★★★

American film about a man who is struggling a little with a need to be more of a tough guy, and decides to spend a day hunting at a friend’s property nearby, against the advice of his wife and friend. Things take a turn and the film explored how he fights against what he wants to do vs what he should. Well made, recommended.

THE QUIET GIRL – ★★★★☆

Sometimes when you read a book, or play a game, or in this case, see a film, you think when it’s done “Wow. Why can’t I always have this great an experience?”. Likely to be my favourite of the festival this year, this Irish film is a touching and emotional story about a young girl who spends her summer with family relatives. In her own family she is one of many children, times are tight, and parents are struggling to juggle. When she is left with the couple who have no children, she is sorely in need of love and attention. Seeing how their tenderness helps her grow is wonderful, and like The Playground, an incredible perforce by the young actress. A must see.

MOJA VESNA – ★★★☆

Excellent understated film about a 10 year old girl whose mother has passed away, and is trying to be the glue for her immigrant father and pregnant sister. Spoke as loudly in what wasn’t told as it was with what was.

BECAUSE WE HAVE EACH OTHER – ★★☆

Kind of confused that this warranted being considered a film documentary. Looks at a Queensland based family; a father with three kids, a mother with two (both from previous relationships), who met and married 20 years ago. Kind of a cross between The Castle (but not as endearing) and Australian Story. Ultimately while it wasn’t uninteresting, probably would have been just as good as a one hour episode on the ABC.

PLAYGROUND – ★★★★☆

Wow. Impactful French film about a young girl starting at a new primary school where her brother already attends, and covering bullying from a child’s perspective. Unbelievable how well they really took you back to that feeling of childhood and the undercurrents of what goes on in the absence of adult wavelengths. I found my breathing arrested watching this. The young actress was stellar and deserves awards for her performance.