2015was the year of the heroine in film. Across all genres, it seems a paradigm shift is underway in how women are portrayed. Hollywood still has far to go in regard to gender, racial, and compensation equity; but maybe we are seeing incremental progress. It’s definitely a different, better industry than when I first started reviewing fifteen years ago.
Two characters in particular encapsulate this gender shift in mainstream cinema.Charlize Theronwas tougher than burnt leather as Imperator Furiosa inMad Max: Fury Road. Shaved head, amputated arm, she was every bit as ferocious as co-starTom Hardy. Then we have a truly stellar newcomer withDaisy Ridley’s ‘Rey’ inStar Wars: The Force Awakens. The most anticipated film of the year had a female lead that wasn’t a princess, pining away for a love interest, or a delicate damsel in distress. Her journey to becoming a lightsaber-swinging, Force-wielding badass was a truly welcome surprise. She represents a new kind of hero that will hopefully inspire a generation of younger audiences. The mammoth success of female protagonist adaptations likeThe Hunger GamesandDivergentfranchises have built up momentum to this point. Studios are finally realizing that women can be just as bankable as men in tentpole films.
Independent cinemaand the low budget realm had a banner year with exceptional female leads.Brie Larsonwins my best actress for the second year in a row with her gut wrenching performance inRoom. Larson plays a woman protecting her child in a tale of captivity pulled from recent headlines.Saoirse Ronanwill be her strongest contender for the Oscar. She’s fantastic as a beguiling Irish immigrant caught between two suitors in the period romance,Brooklyn. Love is also in the fifties era air forCate BlanchettandRooney MarainCarol, an exquisitely shot adaptation ofPatricia Highsmith’s groundbreaking sapphic novel. Both actresses will be serious contenders in the actress categories. My nod for supporting actress goes toJennifer Jason LeighinThe Hateful Eight. She has the finest performance in her decades long career as the despicably racist and manipulative Daisy Domergue.
The best actor of 2015 isTom Hardyfor his excellent work in multiple films. He resurrected Mad Max in a muted, but dominating physical performance inMad Max: Fury Road. He played both Kray brothers in Legend, a biopic about the sixties British gangsters. Then he topped off the year as a nefarious murderer inThe Revenant. Hardy’s talent and intensity has turned him into one of Hollywood’s most sought after actors. He hasn’t made any friends with his surly attitude at press junkets. As evidenced by a headline grabbing, online tirade against him by a disgruntled journalist.
Supporting actor was a tough call with many worthy choices.Mark RylanceinBridge of Spies, and literally, the entire male cast ofSpotlightwere brilliant. My choice in a crowded field isIdris ElbaforBeasts of No Nation. He is horrific as the Commandant, an African rebel leader exploiting child soldiers. His performance was so repugnant; I struggled mightily to watch the film.
Director/writerGeorge Millerdeserves a cabinet of awards forMad Max: Fury Road. My nod for best director, best film, cinematography, and editing. Miller’s thirty year hiatus from his Mad Max franchise must have been spent percolating genius. He’s made one of the greatest action films of all time using old fashioned filmmaking techniques. In an age of CGI and motion picture, Miller got his hands dirty with practical effects and elaborate stunt work. Anyone can make an art film. It takes vision and immense technical skill to craft an adrenaline fueled thrill ride likeMad Max: Fury Road. Here are theTop Ten Films of 2015as compiled by me, Julian Roman.
Mad Max: Fury Roadis an action masterpiece. Set in the wasteland of a nuclear apocalypse, the one armed lieutenant (Charlize Theron) of a grotesque despot steals his treasured brides. She escapes through the desert on a fuel tanker with an army of radiation poisoned freaks in hot pursuit. She finds an unlikely ally in Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy), a grizzled wanderer with a heart of gold and lethal proficiency. Director/writerGeorge Millerrevives Mad Max with bold vision and relentless execution.Mad Max: Fury Roadwill blow you out of your chair. It’s that good, really.
152Beasts of No Nation
Beasts of No Nationis ahorrifying storyof innocence lost and corrupted.Abraham Attahstars as a young African boy turned into a child soldier by an abominable rebel leader (Idris Elba). Directed byCory Joji Fukunagaand adapted from the novel byUzodinma Iweala,Beasts of No Nationis an unflinching look at the use of children as instruments of war. A difficult film to watch, it shows humanity at its worst, and the near impossible task of rehabilitating these lost children.
143Spotlight
Spotlightis an expertly crafted procedural on the value of good journalism. It is the true story of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize winning Boston Globe reporters that investigated the hideous crimes ofJohn Geoghan. They uncovered thepedophiliascandal in the Roman Catholic Church and their decades long systemic cover-up of the crimes. Writer and Director Tom McCarthy enlists an all star cast (Michael Keaton,Mark Ruffalo,Rachel McAdams) in a complex and engrossing film.
134Sicario
French Canadian DirectorDenis Villeneuvedelivers a brutal and bullet-ridden look at the drug war in Mexico.Emily Bluntstars as a wearyFBI agentduped into joining a CIA run task force. Horrified by their violent methods, she questions the identity of a capable but ruthless fixer (Benicio Del Toro).Sicarioillustrates the astonishing violence and methods used by cartels to gain leverage in an unceasing conflict.
125Bridge of Spies
Steven SpielbergandTom Hankscollaborate again in this excellent Cold War thriller. It is based on the true story ofFrancis Gary Powers, an American U-2 pilot who was shot down over Russia in 1960. Hanks stars asJames Donovan, a principled lawyer who negotiated the perilous prisoner exchange. The film shows America during the Red Scare and the palpable fear of nuclear war.
Brie Larsondelivers a stunning performance as a woman trying to protect her young son (Jacob Tremblay) in an unfathomable situation. Based on the novel byEmma Donoghueand directed by Lenny Abrahamson,Roomis a fictional story pulled from recent,shockingheadlines. The journey taken by mother and son is powerfully emotional. Larson is so good here. She is a lock to win the Oscar for Best Actress.
107The Martian
Ridley Scotthas his best film sinceGladiator.Matt Damonis terrific asMark Watney, a botanist accidentally left behind on Mars. Presumed dead, Watney uses ingenuity and humor to survive on the barren planet. When he’s discovered to be alive by NASA, a global effort is launched to rescue him.The Martianis a rollicking adventure with a lot of heart and laughs.Matt Damon, who’s been so good since day one in his career, is my bet to win the Oscar for Best Actor.
Carolis the film adaptation ofPatricia Highsmith’s novel,The Price of Salt. Set in 1950s New York City, Therese (Rooney Mara) is a department store worker that befriendsCarol(Cate Blanchett), an entrancing older, married woman. Their friendship blooms into a forbidden romance that threatens every part of their lives. Beautifully shot by DirectorTodd Haynes,Carolis an exquisite, well-actedstory of secret love.
Creedis a new chapter in theRockyfranchise.Michael B. Jordanstars as Adonis Johnson, the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed. Saved from juvenile detention by Creed’s widow, Johnson grows up with an unstoppable determination to be a fighter. He leaves the comforts of a privileged Los Angeles life and goes to Philadelphia, in search of the one man that can help fulfill his dream, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). Director/writerRyan Cooglercontinues to astound in his second film.Creedis an uplifting tale of friendship and purpose. It is the bestRockyfilm since the original.Sylvester Stallonehasn’t been this good in years.
710Brooklyn
Saoirse Ronanis absolutely radiant inBrooklyn. She plays an Irish immigrant struggling to find herself in a foreign country, until she’s noticed by a hardscrabble Italian (Emory Cohen). A tragedy takes her back to Ireland where she finds familiarity and a new suitor (Domhnall Gleeson).Brooklynis a captivating coming of age tale. Adapted byNick Hornsbyfrom the novel byColm Toibin,Brooklynwill enchant you. It’s the best date movie of the year.
