There are so many films that come out every week let alone every year, aren’t there? We can get so caught up with trying to keep up with the latest awards contenders, box office hits, and culturally relevant pieces that we just don’t have enough time to turn back the clock and check out films from the past. But it is so important to expand our horizons and experience the art that has set the stage for today’s cinema. You might need to find the time, so it is important to make wise choices with what you spend that time watching. Whether we head back 10 years, 50 years, or even 100 years, there is great cinema throughout the years. But let’s rewind the clock and here are some reasons why you should check out… The Little Hours (2017)
| Directed by Jeff Baena Starring: Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Dave Franco, Kate Micucci, John C. Reilly, Nick Offerman |
The Concept
Whoever came up with the idea for this movie was a genius. Follow a small group of horny and frustrated nuns who just get into all the worst kinds of troubles? That sounds like a winner to me. This film tackles so many different themes centered around sexuality from frustrations that will never happen, falling in love at work, forbidden love, coming out of the closet, and so many other ideas rolled into one quirky and offbeat comedy that no one saw coming. It has an interesting perspective on religion without discounting faith all together. Bringing modern society complexities into this period environment also works out so well.
The Cast
This is a STACKED cast. The central trio of nuns alone is filled to the brim with talent. Brie is pitch perfect as the frustrated “girl next door” type that we can all connect with. Plaza is that perfect amount of weird, crazy, and unnerving as she straight steals every scene she is in. Micucci is a fun addition as well as she delivers an energy that stands out amongst the rest. Dave Franco gets to have some fun hiding as a deaf and mute handyman. The rest of the supporting cast offer up fantastically offbeat and dry comedic performances including John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Fred Armisen, and Nick Offerman (and his majestic hair). They all have impressive chemistry together making for quite the ensemble.
The Tone
This is not a film for kids…or teens…adults only. This is a kind of bonkers R-rated comedy that fully utilizes its new boundaries. You will see some skin (maybe more than some) including a crazy evening of dancing around a fire with a coven of witches. There is plenty of sexuality in the film (as discussed before) and they do not need to pull punches in its portrayal. The nuns need to protect themselves…and it might manifest in curse world ladened screaming. There is plenty of heart (surprisingly) in the film, but it is the raunchiness and unabashed crude behavior that makes this film so hilarious.
