Monsters and drama: The overlooked cinema of 2023
By the year’s end, 2023 arguably became one of the strongest years in film, as there was a plethora of striking works throughout the cinematic spectrum. Legendary auteurs continued to hone their craft across a wide range of stories and genres, and for once, there was no shortage of unique blockbusters. As is the case every year, there were more than a few films that slipped through the cracks and were only known to a niche in the moviegoing population. The following five titles are a fraction of such films.
“BlackBerry” directed by Matt Johnson
Available on AMC+ and rental services
The rise and fall of rich people and their companies has long been a popular subject to skew for filmmakers, especially in recent times. Only a few have been as nuanced and hard-hitting as Matt Johnson’s chronicle of the ill-fated line of BlackBerry smartphones. Powered by a terrific cast propped up by a towering Glenn Howerton and lightning-fast pacing that nevertheless captures the existential doom that comes with the inevitability of its real-world outcome, “BlackBerry’” pulls off the tricky balancing act of being a wildly entertaining yet discomfiting look at the predatory and self-destructive nature of capitalism.
“Fallen Leaves” directed by Aki Kaurismäki
Available on Mubi
Small in runtime and scope but massive in its personal impact, Aki Kaurismäki’s beautifully-rendered tale of the power of connection amidst a land of capital and societal pecking orders soars on the strength of its gorgeous craft, finely-tuned performances and devastating humor. It is one of the most delightful and deeply felt films of 2023. To top it all off, it showcases one of the best onscreen dogs in recent memory.
“Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros” directed by Frederick Wiseman
Available in theaters
The four-hour documentary extensively yet passively details the inner workings of a Michelin-starred French restaurant. Capturing everything from the sourcing of ingredients from a streetside market to the tangential conversations between guests likely won’t appeal to everyone’s tastes or schedules. For those willing to make time for it, “Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros” is a monumental achievement in filmmaking – not for any formal ambitions, though it is beautifully shot and cut, but for its substantial ones. Frederick Wiseman shows us everything that makes a restaurant a restaurant. The fact that he can spin what we might usually perceive as trivial business convos into engaging foresight into the very livelihoods of these human beings, thus helping us understand our own drives, desires and pursuits of personal fulfillment, is more than commendable.
“Monster” directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda
Available in theaters
The latest work from the master of humanist cinema reaffirms the director’s singular gift for weaving gentle tales of compassion out of the most troubling of situations. It takes on the Rashomon style of narrative storytelling, but instead of merely using it as a gimmick as some modern films do, it urges us to sympathize with and completely understand each character. The way the central conflict unfolds and reveals a host of other truths is nothing short of brilliant, and complete with a talented ensemble and a touching final score from Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Monster” feels like a defining moment not just for this decade, but for us as human beings.
“When Evil Lurks” directed by Demián Rugna
Available on AMC+, Shudder and rental services
Demián Rugna brings a refreshingly apocalyptic atmosphere to the demonic possession genre with his shocking and unshakable “When Evil Lurks.” That’s not to say the film is about the end of the world, but rather that its tone and plot are so downbeat and bleak and executed with such no-frills nastiness that it can’t help but feel like the end is upon us as we watch. It has jaw-dropping gore and practical effects in spades and this uneasy feeling of helplessness and powerlessness that spreads from the characters to the viewer makes this Argentinian horror leave a terrifying impression.
