Matilda the Musical
Who would have thought this late entry would have such an emotional wallop? The story, written by Roald Dahl, focuses on a young girl who is forced to spend her life with parents who don’t care for her or want her around. The story has been done before, in a prior edition with Danny Devito, but this musical edition is based on a West End production that has been one of the most popular musical productions in London, frankly, ever. The Royal Shakespeare Company took Dahl’s material and managed to visualize it in a way that appealed to the senses, and keeps you humming along with fantastic songs as well as truly touching moments. Prepare to cry at least once, even if it’s unexpected, as this film goes from gut punches to joy in a snap. It also features some of the best uses of prosthetic makeup I have ever seen on an actor.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
In 2019, when Rian Johnson’s Knives Out was released, people had no idea what to expect. The film was not a high-budget action film. It didn’t feature superheroes, capes, or major action sequences. What it provided the audience was something they hadn’t seen in a while: a good, old-fashioned murder mystery that was outlandish, funny, enjoyable, outrageous, and constantly kept you guessing. When the film came out, there was nothing in the theaters that compared to it, and after the success of the original Rian Johnson, who directed blockbusters like The Last Jedi, had a film with real critical acclaim. How else do you follow that up than with a sequel that, at least to me, matches the overall attitude and fun of the original, introduces a cast to surround our lead detective, and leaves the audience guessing all the way to the end? You produce Glass Onion, a Netflix original film that will have some detractors, but may be one of the most rewatchable films of the year, and will certainly be a film I’ll remember more than most.
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
Have you ever wondered if a really good film could suffer because it is made available on a platform almost no one has? Well, that unfortunately happened to this gem, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. The film centers around a British housekeeper who’s become used to being abused by her clients and misses her husband, whom she hasn’t seen since he left to fight in World War II. She’s always hopeful that one day he will return, but as time goes on, life continues to get harder for her to make ends meet. One day she’s forced to confront a client for lack of payment, only to discover the most beautiful dress hiding in her closet. In that moment, she aspires for change. This is a touching film that actually features side stories that work. Unionization of workers, protections for a city, and the care of those touched by loss are all directly addressed.
What’s more, when she shows up to a fashion show and is treated with snobbish behavior, she responds with kindness and wins over the models and owner with the basic story of hope that says everyone deserves to have a dream. I won’t give away all the surprises, but if you have Peacock, take a moment and give this fantastic film a watch; it is built for a great date night. If you don’t have Peacock, then hold on. Many places frequently post coupon codes for the site that allow you to get it very affordably, often $20 for your first year, which is not bad for a service with a deep catalog of Universal studios content. Available to stream on Peacock.
Turning Red
I will not deny that a film later on this list is more likely to win the Oscar in the best animated film category. That doesn’t in any way undo the incredible success of storytelling that is present in Turning Red. This film speaks directly to mother-daughter issues, growing up, feeling different, puberty, and understanding culture. Representation matters, and many Americans missed some of the elements that Chinese Americans found so moving it drove them to tears. This is what it means to feel included in the conversation, to have a film that embraces your culture and acknowledges it, and makes it a central part of the story without using it as a crutch. Because of that close connection, the bigger story about growing up within Turning Red is universal and packs a punch. Available to stream on Disney Plus.
Pinocchio (Netflix)
Before you watch Pinocchio, make sure you are watching the correct version. This recent Golden Globe winner hits the mark with a film that is too dark for younger kids and will remind adults of The Shape of Water far more than any Disney-type telling of the story. The stop-motion animation is beautiful, and the story tells what love truly means, a topic that even the best films find difficult to convey. Still, Pinocchio tells a story that is moving and motivating. It’s another big win for Netflix’s work to invest in premier directors doing top-flight storytelling. The story changes the time and location you are used to for Pinocchio, placing us in the era of Mussolini’s Italy, and it is in that environment that it challenges us to think of the ways where fascism is a pox to our own humanity. This is poetry on film. In the same way that I think The Shape of Water is brilliant for talking to us about how we treat each other, Pinocchio talks to the audience about how we think of ourselves and how it’s OK to bring that into our discussions with each other, to find in each other the humanity and grace we need.
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Michelle Yeoh is finally receiving the praise she has deserved for years as an actor in her outrageous, hilarious, action-filled turn as a woman who can chart the multiverse in a film that understands the multiverse in a very, very different way than you may have seen in any recent Marvel or DC film franchise. Everything Everywhere All At Once is storytelling that embraces the ridiculous concept and runs with it. For fans of the film, you only have to say “hot dog fingers” for them to chortle and recognize exactly how far into the moment this film is willing to take us in hopes of investing us in the story of the characters. In the hands of other actors, this film might not have succeeded, but Yeoh knocks this film out of the park. If you really want to get the most of this film, you quickly discover you have to watch it twice to pick up on all of the tells, easter eggs, and understandings you couldn’t have been looking for the first time. Truly excellent film making. Available to stream on Amazon Prime.
There are other films I could reference, especially for special effects or for sheer sizes like Avatar 2, RRR, Prey, Good Luck, Leo Grande, and Hustle. I haven’t had a chance to see other films I know could achieve this list, so I’m interested in your feedback!
Community, what do you think? What were some of the films you enjoyed in 2022?
