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These are two I’ve seen recently:

The Lost Daughter: I finally caught up with this 2021 Netflix film based on Elena Ferrante’s 2006 novel. It was written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal (her directorial debut). It’s a psychological drama in which, Leda, a university professor, while on a solo holiday in Greece, encounters a large family who is also on vacation there. Watching a young mother and her young daughter, sparks the professor’s memories of her own young motherhood and daughters. Olivia Colman gives an excellent performance as 48-yr old Leda and Jessie Buckley plays Leda in her early 20s. Really good casting there. Both actresses are very believable as the same character at different ages. I love the novel, which I read several years ago and remember it vividly and I loved this film too. I highly recommend it unless you don’t like movies about very complex feelings about motherhood. Others in the cast include Ed Harris, Dakota Johnson, Paul Mescal and Peter Sarsgaard.

The Brutalist: Last week I caught up with one of last year’s Oscar contenders. It was 3 1/2 hours long and felt it so I’m glad I missed this one in the theater and watched it in the comfort of home. And I’m someone who typically has no problem sitting through long movies and plays. But this one felt too long. It even had an intermission. Here’s a blurb: “Escaping postwar Europe, a visionary architect and Holocaust survivor (played by Adrian Brody) comes to America to rebuild his life, his career, and his marriage. On his own in a strange new country, he settles in Pennsylvania, where a wealthy and prominent industrialist recognizes his talent. The movie explores themes of immigration, identity, and the search for the American dream, resonating with viewers.“ I’m not sorry I watched it but I didn’t love it like I loved other films last year.