Movie Reviews
The Idea of You Movie Review: Anne Hathaway’s honest performance makes the film stand out in a not so formulaic rom-com
Anne Hathaway’s The Idea of You showing on Amazon Prime Video is pure fluff which will make you feel happy. And with so much happening around us, we really need movies like this.
read more
No it is not a regular fan fiction. In fact, it is not a fan fiction at all. For me, it is why sadistic people around us hate happy women. When you hit rock bottom emotionally, you will find people loving you and caring for you. But when you are happy and at the high in your life, then people start having problems.
Anne Hathaway’s
The Idea of You
teaches you when you hit rock bottom, you have nowhere to go, but up. That’s exactly what happened to Solène (Anne Hathaway), a recently divorced woman just about to hit 40. She unknowingly lands up in a relationship with a British boy band sensation Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine).
Solène is in a dilemma because Campbell is way younger to her and on top of that he is the heart throb of many young girls. And he is hugely rich and famous too. It is just that Solène (Anne Hathaway) didn’t know who he was. Solène is a stylish woman who was initially unimpressed by his celebrity status. The Idea of You is a fresh take on the popular rom-com-drama formula
The initial part of the film deals with how she has still not come to terms with her sudden divorce and how she was the last one to know that her husband was cheating with her. She got married young and had a baby was very early on life and while she was struggling with motherhood and setting up her art gallery, the husband was having an affair with a lawyer from his firm. The wound of her husband cheating on her is still raw and she is still dealing with it. Burdened with responsibilities of motherhood and loneliness, she really doesn’t know what she wants from life.
Even when Solène (Anne Hathaway) meets Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine) she is totally confused. Campbell is in his twenties and madly in love with her. She feels that the relationship with a young man just doesn’t fit in her life and on top of that she has got a young girl. But she can’t stop herself from meeting him and being loved by him. Yet at the back of her mind there is always that feeling of guilt and things get worse when the intimate images of her and Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine) got leaked on the internet. She gets slut-shamed by Campbell’s fans.
The Idea of You is a feel good film and most importantly it is always refreshing to see good looking actors on screen. And with Anne Hathaway flashing her million-dollar dolphin smile every now and then, you definitely can’t take your eyes off her. The place where both Solène (Anne Hathaway) and Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine) are in an intense kissing scene and she, a single mother of a teenage daughter, stops herself from getting more intimate by saying, “I could be your mother.” And to this Hayes quickly says, “But you are not.” So, that’s the whole dilemma of Solène.
There is something very pure and beautiful in the way the love between the two are shown. Never for once, will you feel the relationship to be dirty. The simple love and attraction between the two is shown in such a beautiful way makes it a great weekend watch. The music, the styling, and the outfits are great. The story is simple and pure fluff, so just enjoy it!
Rating: 3 out of 5
Movie Reviews
Research: How Top Reviewers Skew Online Ratings
Movie Reviews
The Forge Movie Review (with Spoilers)
If you are looking for a good movie to watch during these cold winter days, I suggest The Forge.
Before providing an explanation for my recommendation I must warn that this review does contain spoilers. Therefore, do not read the rest of this article if you intend to watch the film.
The Forge
A Brief Summary
Under the direction of Alex Kendrick, The Forge is a faith-based movie emphasizing the importance of discipleship. Actors such as Priscilla Shirer, Cameron Arnett, and Aspen Kennedy bring this theme to life with a passion for God that exudes beyond a typical acting role.
Their passion manifests through the story of Isaiah Wright, a young adult struggling to find direction in life. He focuses on playing video games, hanging out with friends and not handling his responsibilities.
His mother scolds him for his lackadaisical habits but a transformation does not occur until he meets Joshua Moore. Joshua Moore, the owner of Moore Fitness gym, offers Isaiah a job.
Little does Isaiah know, this opportunity will not only change his financial status but help him draw closer to God. God uses Joshua Moore as a mentor who gives Isaiah professional and personal advice to help him mature.
Over a short period of time, Isaiah decides to stop resisting God and accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. After hearing the news, Mr. Moore disciples Isaiah and invites him into fellowship with other Christian men.
This maturation helps Isaiah apologize for past mistakes, forgive his father and become a courageous young professional.
The Forge concludes with Mr. Moore issuing a challenge to his forge (and viewers) to make disciples for Jesus Christ.
Relatable to the African American Community
Brokenness & Fatherlessness
Along with a compelling message to go make disciples for Christ, The Forge also highlights themes relatable to the African American Community.
One theme was Isaiah’s brokenness due to the absence of his father. This may seem like a negative depiction of black families because some media platforms associate fatherlessness with African Americans.
However, I see this as a positive since it confronts the realities that many young adults of various ethnic backgrounds face.
Pain Drawing People Closer to God
Another theme Christians in the Black community can relate too is painful situations drawing them closer to God. For Isaiah, pain occurs through fatherlessness and the inability to find direction for his life.
But after surrendering his life to God, Isaiah transforms into a new creation.
For Mr. Moore, tragedy happens through a car accident resulting in his son’s death. Mr. Moore is so distraught, his marriage almost ends. Thankfully, yielding his anger to God helps him become a dynamic mentor for other men.
Ownership & Excellence in Business
One way Mr. Moore serves as a dynamic mentor is by discipling his employee Joshua. Mr. Moore has the freedom to share his faith with Joshua since he owns Moore Fitness Gym.
This same freedom appears as Joshua’s mom prays with her employees and friends at Cynthia’s (her hair salon).
In addition to a gym and hair salon, the film features a black owned coffee shop.
Seeing positive representations of African Americans in business through this film is encouraging for two reasons.
First, this positive representation shows all Christian’s how we can use employment to glorify God regardless of our job title. Second, this film shows there is a strong sense of work ethic, unity, teamwork and business savvy in black families.
Hopefully, this inspires more Christians to start black owned family businesses that will make a lasting impact in their communities.
The Impact of Discipleship
One way to make a lasting impact in any community is by investing in people. Mr. Moore this by establishing the forge and discipling countless men who then disciple others.
Through these personal investments, men not only grow spiritually, but in every aspect of their lives. They also gain a health support system that allows them to function in community the way God intends.
Imagine what our churches, families and society will look like if more men accept the responsibility of discipleship.
3 Things You Might Have Overlooked
The Power of Prayer
The displays of discipleship prevalent in this film could not be possible without prayer. Isaiah’s mom asks her forge to pray for him on a few occasions.
Prayer is also evident during Isaiah’s conversion experience as well as Mr. and Mrs. Moore’s daily affairs. These examples prove we can not draw closer to God or help others in their relationship with the Lord without prayer.
This is why Paul uses scriptures like 1 Timothy 2:8 to illustrate the importance of prayer.
An Excellent Use of Scripture
Along with illustrating the importance of prayer, The Forge does an excellent job of using scripture in its proper context. This is seen as Mr. Moore quotes or references the following scriptures to make key points
- Matthew 28:19.
- Luke 9:23.
- Galatians 5:13-14.
This factor stands out to me because I have seen other films use scripture and biblical principles out of context.
Being contextually accurate with scripture is essential because someone who does not fully understand a scripture may be susceptible to false teachings. God will hold filmmakers who intentionally misuse scripture accountable for making others stumble.
A Reminder About Sin
Thankfully, instead of making me stumble, The Forge offers a helpful reminder about sin. Sin is not just acts like using drugs, embezzling money, or committing adultery which are typical in many films.
Instead, The Forge reminds viewers that holding grudges, selfish ambitions, and not consulting God in every decision are also sins. I appreciate this reminder because it’s easy for believers to think they are in right standing with God if they do not commit sins others find unjustifiable.
However, God also takes offense when we act in ways that suggest he is not the Lord of our lives. We must strive to live by Luke 9:23 daily in order to be sincere disciples for Christ.
How do you feel about The Forge? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Your comments and feedback are greatly appreciated!
Movie Reviews
Movie Review: Robbie Williams has always lived to entertain. In ‘Better Man,’ he’s still doing it
“I came out of the womb with jazz hands,” pop star Robbie Williams recounts in “Better Man,” his new biopic. “Which was very painful for my mum.”
Badum Dum.
But also: Wow. What an image, to illustrate a man who, we learn, agonized from early childhood as to whether he had “it” — the star quality that could make him famous.
Turns out, he did. Williams became the hugest of stars in his native Britain, making 14 No. 1 singles and performing to screaming crowds And whatever else we learn from director Michael Gracey’s brassy, audacious and sometimes utterly bonkers biopic, the key is that Williams’ need to entertain was primal – so primal that it triumphed over self-doubt, depression and addiction. It should surprise nobody, then, that this film, produced and narrated by Williams , is above all entertaining.
But wait, you may be saying: Five paragraphs in, and you haven’t mentioned the monkey?
Good point. The central conceit of Gracey’s film, you see, is that Williams is represented throughout by a monkey — a CGI monkey, that is . This decision is never explained or even referred to.
There’s a clue, though, in one of Williams’ opening lines: “I want to show you how I really see myself.” Gracey based his film on many hours of taped interviews he did with Williams. He says the pop star told him at one point that he felt like a monkey sent out to entertain the masses — particularly in his teens as a member of the boy band Take That. It was Gracey’s idea to take this idea and run with it.
We begin in 1982, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Young Robert Williams is bad at football and mercilessly taunted. But there’s no football in his DNA, he explains. There is cabaret.
He gets the performing itch from his father. When Sinatra appears on telly singing “My Way,” little Robert jumps up to join Dad in singing along. But Dad cares more about performing than parenting, and one day just leaves home for good. Robert is raised by his mum and his adoring grandmother, who assures him he’s a somebody, not a nobody.
At 15, flailing in school, Robert auditions for Take That, the boy band, and somehow makes the cut. The band first covers the gay club circuit — until it emerges that girls go wild over these young men.
Director Gracey, who helmed “The Greatest Showman,” is quite the showman himself, never more obviously than in a terrific musical sequence that chronicles the band’s journey to success. Filmed to Williams’ hit “Rock DJ” on London’s Regent Street and featuring some 500 extras, the number starts with the boys hardly noticed by passersby, representing the start of their career. Gracey illustrates their rise to fame with explosive choreography, pogo sticks, scooters, London buses — all ending in a flash mob with hundreds dancing on the famed street.
And now, Robert is forever Robbie – his name changed by the band’s shrewd manager, Nigel. “Where’s my Robert gone?” asks his grandmother , bewildered by the hype. “I’m a pop star now,” he replies.
But fame brings all sorts of trouble for Robbie. Later, he will note that when you become famous, your age freezes – so he never graduates from 15. He sinks into depression and develops alcohol and cocaine habits.
But when the band kicks him out, his competitive fire is stoked: He’s going to have a “massive” solo career. A woman overhears him saying this to himself at a New Year’s party; she turns out to be Nicole Appleton, of the girl band All Saints. Another of Gracey’s grand song and dance numbers covers their troubled relationship, including an abortion.
Nicole ends up leaving Williams , part of a miserable time for the singer, who manages to destroy most of his relationships. But he reaches a career pinnacle, performing at the storied Knebworth Festival to some 375,000 adoring fans.
Gracey punctuates shots of Williams performing with a violent, medieval-style battle between the singer and his demons — other versions of him, essentially. It’s another over-the-top sequence that makes this biopic radically different than most — if also a tad indulgent .
But, hey, it’s all in service of one thing. “Let me entertain you,” Williams seems to be screaming through every scene. Mostly, he succeeds.
“Better Man,” a Paramount release, has been rated R by the Motion Picture Association “for drug use, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some violent content.” Running time: 135 minutes. Three stars out of four.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
-
Business1 week ago
These are the top 7 issues facing the struggling restaurant industry in 2025
-
Culture1 week ago
The 25 worst losses in college football history, including Baylor’s 2024 entry at Colorado
-
Sports1 week ago
The top out-of-contract players available as free transfers: Kimmich, De Bruyne, Van Dijk…
-
Politics7 days ago
New Orleans attacker had 'remote detonator' for explosives in French Quarter, Biden says
-
Politics7 days ago
Carter's judicial picks reshaped the federal bench across the country
-
Politics5 days ago
Who Are the Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
-
Health4 days ago
Ozempic ‘microdosing’ is the new weight-loss trend: Should you try it?
-
World1 week ago
Ivory Coast says French troops to leave country after decades