****

Hustlers-rm

It is an interesting phenomenon to see beautiful half-naked women doing suggestive sexy dances and yet, the net result is clearly a non-sexual experience. (Agreed upon by both reviewers). The reason being that the main focus of the film is to show how women so often have been objectified and used by men. Here, we see women who are not going to take it anymore and are going to stand up for themselves. If anybody is going to be “used” in the film, it is the rich men who are all too willing to throw hundreds of dollars around to see these girls dance and pretend to be sexually interested in them.

The story is based on a New York magazine article by Jessica Pressler played by Julia Stiles who teams up with writer/director, Lorene Scafaria to make this film which starred Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu. In this movie, we see a group of strippers and pole dancers who were tired of being used not only by their clients but by the club owners. They figured out a way that they can redirect to themselves a large part of the money being spent for their activities. The movie has a great deal of energy with powerful music from Janet Jackson to Chopin. The net result is a unique view of the world of exotic dancers and a meaningful relationship which develops between two of the “stars” as they try to take their destiny into their own hands. (2019)

****

The Meddler -sp

Writer-director, Lorene Scafaria has put together a dramedy (drama plus comedy) with which both young and old will identify. In a post-screening discussion with Ms. Scafaria, we learned that the story is a very close, realistic depiction of the writer’s own mother, who moved out to Los Angeles from the east coast after her husband died. The mother, Marnie (Susan Sarandon) who is on the screen for almost the entire film meddles or tries meddle in just about every aspect of her single daughter’s life, as well as in the lives of just about everyone else who she meets. Lori, the daughter (Rose Byrne) not surprisingly is a budding film maker, who as much as she tries, can’t get away from her mother’s love and over-attention, which of course she really needs. On one hand, we keep thinking that this mother character is exaggerated and way over the top. However, why then did she captivate our attention? The answer is that the film has captured the universal need and wish of most mothers to do just about everything and anything for their children at any age.

The dialogue and Sarandon’s characterization is near perfect. The screenwriter, who of course is really the daughter telling the story of her mom, has also added a romantic twist, which she acknowledges is her fantasy wish for her mother. This brings in a potential boyfriend for her mother in the person of a dashing, handsome, senior guy who rides a Harley Davidson motorcycle and raises chickens as pets. Unbelievable you say – just wait until you see Oscar winner J.K. Simmons take on this role.

This independent low-budget film has a lot going for it with a great script, two outstanding stars, a fine supporting cast and great execution by this young woman director. It also should have special appeal here in Los Angeles, where most of the film takes place from the scenes at the Grove, to glimpses of the entertainment industry in action and the beautiful west coast shoreline, as well as many characters who will remind you of people that you know.

This movie opens later this month across the country. We highly recommend it. (2016)