Q’s Reviews – July 19, 2021

Us.  This is a British four-part mini-series from Masterpiece available on PBS and Amazon Prime Video.  The series chronicles the breakup of the Petersen’s marriage while dealing with their teenage son’s (Albie) coming of age angst.  Tom Hollander is masterful as Douglas Petersen, always the smartest person in the room and in control.  His wife, Connie (Saskia Reeves) has always been a free spirit and has finally had enough of Doug’s domineering.  They decide to take a grand European tour to see if they can fix the marriage and allow Albie to connect.  Off they go to Paris, Amsterdam, Venice, and Barcelona.  The grand trip devolves into a series of mishaps that lead to the inevitable break-up.  Albie and Douglas have a breakthrough and renew their father/son relationship.  The film has its comic moments but is also quite sad in that we are rooting for both Connie and Doug, but their relationship is in the dust bin.  They decide to get well divorced and to move on – and they do.  It is a poignant, moving, and comic drama.  Put it on your list to see.  No rating but would likely be R for language.

Pig.  A sad and melancholy look at a life gone awry.  Nicholas Cage is Rob.  Rob is a hermit living in a shack in the wilds of the Oregon forests.  He is a truffle hunter who ekes out a survival by selling and bartering the delicious tuber with Amir.  Rob lives alone with his foraging pig who is legendary for her truffle sniffing nose.  The pig is kidnapped.  Rob must then revisit his past in Portland to find his beloved pig.  Rob’s past is quite remarkable as he was celebrated chef who just disappeared one day.  As he careens around Portland as a smelly derelict wearing rags, his story is revealed, and we don’t care.  He is a disagreeable guy who made some bad choices and is now living in self-imposed squalor.  There are numerous plot gaffes that ruin what might have been an interesting movie.  Rated R for language and brief violence.  In Theatres.

Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain.  This documentary tells the story of renowned chef and bon vivant Anthony Bourdain.  Two hours with Bourdain is a bit too much.  We know how it ends so the overly long build-up to the denouement is trying.  Using interviews, extra footage and outtakes from his many TV shows, and contemporaneous clips Bourdain comes across as brazen, cynical, and difficult.  He had many loves and passions in his life but was always unfulfilled, always searching.  He was reaching for perfection but could never achieve it.  He had many people around him who loved him, but he could never fully embrace their love.  His suicide was hurtful and leaves a black stain on his image.  Rated R for language throughout.  In Theatres.