Two weeks ago, I rhapsodized over “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris,” the new release about a widowed British cleaning woman; then, in our last issue, I reviewed the online documentary, “What Is a Woman?”
Noticing a trend, I decided this week to continue focusing on females — with a half-dozen films from my book on under-the-radar cinema, “The Best Movies You Never Saw.” Happily, these selections all offer powerful protagonists, providing us with six cinematic celebrations of strong women:
“A Big Hand for the Little Lady” (1966) This crackerjack Western is one of the best movies ever made about poker, with a dandy plot in which a recovering gambler (Henry Fonda) winds up betting his family’s entire $4,000 savings on a killer hand — much to the chagrin of his good-hearted wife, played to perfection by the redoubtable Joanne Woodward. There’s more to the plot, but rather than spoil things; I will say only that you too may wind up like Jason Robards’ character, who goes home wishing his own wife had half so much gumption.
“Brittany Runs a Marathon” (2019) Irresistible Amazon original based on the true story of a young Manhattan woman whose life-long struggle with being overweight has led to a crushing lack of self-confidence — and a social life that circles the drain. When Brittany’s doctor insists she lose weight, the woman begins running and slims right down — though her broken soul proves harder to fix. Tremendous performances all around; a feel-good sleeper.
“The Impossible” (2012) Naomi Watts has a staggering cinematic resume — but in my opinion, “The Impossible” is her finest moment. She plays real-life mother Maria Belon, who was vacationing with her family in Thailand when the 2004 tsunami roared through their resort, sweeping her away and injuring her gravely — though she shortly thereafter saw one of her three sons in the deluge and somehow managed to reach him; neither had any idea what happened to the rest of the family. Co-starring Tom Holland (everybody’s favorite Peter Parker), “The Impossible” had viewers sobbing out loud at the showing I attended. Have tissues handy!
“Molly’s Game” (2017) Another sleeper, another true-life basis, and another amazing script from the legendary Aaron Sorkin (“The West Wing,” “A Few Good Men”) — though this is the first of his own screenplays, he himself directed. Jessica Chastain plays Molly Bloom, a go-getter who oversaw privately organized poker games with stakes running into the millions; when the IRS comes after her, Molly becomes an unlikely hero because she won’t resort to the usual brutal collection tactics on the massive debts owed by gamblers who got in over their heads. The sensational supporting cast includes Kevin Costner, Chris O’Dowd, Bill Camp, and Idris Elba.
“Pieces of April” (2002) In this moving dramedy from writer-director Peter Hedges (“Dan in Real Life,” “Gilbert Grape,” “About a Boy”), Katie Holmes shines as a misfit daughter who, in a cramped Manhattan apartment, struggles to ready a turkey dinner for her suburban family — including her abusive mother, who is dying of cancer. Co-starring Oliver Platt and Allison Pill, with an Oscar-nominated performance from Patricia Clarkson as Mom. One of my favorite Thanksgiving movies.
“Sophie Scholl: The Final Days” (2005) Incredible true story of Germany’s Sophie Scholl, who fought against the Nazi regime during World War II, working with the tiny but courageous White Rose resistance group. Handing out pamphlets at the University of Munich, Sophie and her brother were arrested and eventually executed. This quiet but absorbing study consists mostly of Sophie standing up heroically under questioning from Gestapo hard-head Robert Mohr, insisting that the Reich is both unholy and doomed to failure. Only 21 at the time, she seems wiser and more prescient than the entire Nazi war machine.
So here’s a big hand to Sophie, April, Molly, Maria, Brittany, and the “little lady.” Feel free to write with other suggestions for future columns; robbwhitefan@gmail.com.
