PICK OF THE WEEK
Salt

Sit patiently through the first ten, fifteen minutes of Salt because once a Russian defector names C.I.A. agent Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) as a spy, Salt takes off like a rocket. A thrilling chase scene—where she’s barefoot—is followed by some mior plot points, and then another thrilling chase scene. Salt gets more preposterous as it goes along—she walks away from a dangerous car crash with nary a scratch—but put the brain in neutral and nevermind. As Salt, Jolie executes both impressive kicks and sure-shooting gunfire while confounding her colleagues who want to “bring her in, or bring her down.” The plot is merely an excuse to hang action sequence after action sequence, but even when Salt is ludicrously hopscotching down an elevator shaft, Jolie manages to dazzle. The action actress looks great kicking ass with reckless abandon, and she’s yes, sexy, slinking around White House corridors trying to execute—or perhaps foil?—a plot to wage nuclear war. Salt isn’t deep at all, and that’s partly why it’s so much fun. It just doesn’t take itself seriously at all.

ALSO OPENING

Agora

The best of intentions can’t save this unintentionally funny historical epic about Hypatia (Rachel Weisz), an astronomer-philosopher-teacher in Alexandria 391 A.D. A love triangle forms between Hypatia and her handsome pupil Orestes (Oscar Isaac) and her slave Davus (Max MInghella) but there is no romantic drama, just silly moments of pretty characters looking longingly at each other. Meanwhile, the Christians rise up against the Jews and an overwrought religious battle ensues. Writer/director Aleandro Amenábar shoots everything in an epic style that is wrongheadedly over-the-top. There are portentous moments and pretentious moments in which the camera turns upside down to mimic the topsy-turvy conditions of Alexandria. And while the film features some beautiful cinematography, the whole city feels fake. Nothing seems to be at stake when Hypatia and her lovers are forced into hiding. And when Hypatia seems on the verge of making an important scientific discover, Weisz is unconvincing. The Oscar-winner imbues her character with too much seriousness, acting hammily rather than haughtily. It’s a shame that Agora fails to deliver on almost every level. The film tells an important piece of history, it just does it badly.

Father of My Children

Driving through Paris on the way to see his family, film producer Grégoire (Louis-Do de Lencquesaing) is constantly on the phone, and furiously chain-smoking. His efforts to remain calm as various projects fall apart around him mask the depth of his greater financial and professional troubles. When Grégoire must face the reality of his dire, perhaps insurmountable situation, Father of My Children shifts gears and focuses on Grégoire’s friends, colleagues, and family’s reaction to his life and work. This absorbing film, brilliantly realized by writer/director Mia Hansen-Løve considers issues of one’s legacy—especially when Grégoire’s oldest daughter Clémence (Alice de Lencquesaing, the actor’s real-life daughter, who is excellent) discovers her father had a son with another woman. As the film quietly, but powerfully shows, Grégoire’s attempts to maintain both professional and personal happiness—which involve lying and trying to keep the creditors at bay—take a considerable toll. His sacrifice for this films and his family belies an emotional cost far greater than the debts he has incurred. Father of My Children is a busy, ramshackle film, with many characters, themes, and emotions coursing over two hours, but it is consistently absorbing, never confusing, and highly affecting. The large ensemble cast does well but it is the larger ideas about memory and heritage that truly resonate.

The Kids Are All Right

Julianne Moore and Annette Bening play a lesbian couple whose teenagers seek out their sperm donor dad (Mark Ruffalo) in this comedy-drama.

Metropolis

A re-release of the Fritz Lang 1927 silent classic with 25 additional minutes of footage.

Ramona and Beezus

Based on Beverly Cleary’s books, this family comedy features Ramona, a young girl and her big sister Beezus as they get into wacky adventures.