First, as a filmgoer I want to begin by acknowledging that 2015 was an excellent year for movies. Blockbusters like Mad Max: Fury Road and Star Wars: The Force Awakens both entertained the filmgoing audiences and made money for the studios. Dramas and biopics told stories about people and events that shaped politics and culture, including Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys in Love and Mercy, Steve Jobs in both documentary and narrative films about his life, the Cold War in Bridge of Spies, and the Blacklist of screenwriters accused of being Communists in 1950s Hollywood in Trumbo. The mortgage banking and financial crisis of Wall Street was portrayed in The Big Short, and one of the best films of the year, Spotlight, revealed the pervasive abuse of vulnerable children by Catholic priests in Boston and beyond by the investigative reporters of the Boston Globe.
Miniature movie theater which reminds me of The Majestic when it was an art house venue.
It was also difficult to limit myself to the ten best films, so this year I feature a baker’s dozen plus an extensive honorable mention list. I’m also a fan of documentaries so I include seven documentary films to round out a final list of 20 Best Films of 2015. As in previous years there were also a number of films that have not premiered yet in Madison, or I missed them in their limited runs. Some of those films may have risen to the top of the list. I’m adding a few new features this year: Films I Wanted to Like More Than I Did, Guilty Pleasures, Missing in Action and Dream Double Features.
As I noted last year, as a cinephile, I want to give a shout out to theaters here in Madison for their efforts to re-engage the movie-going public by offering movie rewards, discounted show times, for remodeling and updating theaters, and scheduling runs of independent films. I’m grateful for the experience to see films by myself or with friends at Sundance 608. In 2015, I posted a number of events on Facebook and invited friends to see movies together and discuss afterwards. I also want to acknowledge my posse of filmgoing friends who regularly join me for a matinee at the movies. You share my passion and I always look forward to hearing your take on the films we see together.
I feel fortunate too to live in university community which boasts a flourishing film festival, The Wisconsin Film Festival*, and a diverse and robust series of free films brought to us by the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD)** at the Marquee Theater and for the folks at Cinematheque, including the Reel Love LGBT Film Festival*. From their website: “The Cinematheque is a coalition of UW-Madison academic departments and student film groups dedicated to showcasing the best in international cinema history and fine films which would otherwise never reach Madison screens.”
A note about the criteria for my list: As a filmgoer and not a professional critic, I choose films drawn from my favorite genres. I like biographies, LGBT-themed movies, crime and suspense dramas, well-done romantic comedies, relationship and dysfunctional family dramadies and documentaries. I especially enjoy films from a woman’s point of view, even more so when produced or directed by women, or featuring a strong female lead. Finally, I seek out movies made by a short list of favorite directors and writers often featuring a stellar repertoire of actors.
One last note before I present my list of Best Films of 2015, I want to acknowledge my gratitude for two people who greatly influenced my love of films. I dedicate this essay to my mother, Ethel Lenzke, with whom I watched many films while growing up, and Roger Ebert who recommended which movies to watch and helped teach me how to talk about them.
A Filmgoer’s Guide to the Best Films of 2015
(Not ranked, except as noted. All official movie posters courtesy of the film production studios)
- Carol – First, I must admit to being a fan of 1950s romantic melodramas, which I often watched
with my mother growing up. I loved the music that swelled, signaling important plot points or shocking turns in the action. I enjoyed the flawless perfection of the costumes and homes, everything always seemed free of chaos and imperfections unlike real life. Characters often talked in hushed whispers or riddles requiring the audience to decode the conversation and its disguised message. Todd Haynes, Carol’s director with a screenplay adaptation by Phyllis Nagy of Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 lesbian romance novel, The Price of Salt, masterfully captures this time period (another of his films, Far from Heaven deals with dual themes of upper middle class racism and closeted male homosexuality) and he reveals the simmering desires that were just below the surface in the post World War II, Eisenhower years, the prosperous yet conservative-values of the 1950’s. Carol reflects this backdrop perfectly and tells the story of two women from different backgrounds who surrender to their attraction and desire for each other as they each risk loss in their lives, yet are drawn to each other in a powerful, irresistible way. It is often said that 80% of communication is non-verbal and Haynes and his lead actors, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara’s characters signal their desire for each other in prolonged glances, wistful reverie, and carefully orchestrated touch and affection. Soon the heat and desire simmering just below the surface boils over and they break through societal taboos. I won’t tell you the ending of this film, but it is precisely what made Highsmith’s book both revolutionary and controversial when it was published. I loved the film: the directing, costumes, cinematography, soundtrack, screenplay and most of all the riveting and compelling acting of the leads. I couldn’t take my eyes off of them. If you like a story that slowly builds to a climax, see this film, Carol delivers and is my favorite film of the year with Spotlight following as a close second.
- Spotlight – As a journalism and communication arts major, and former Catholic, Spotlight was
especially compelling. The film’s suspenseful narrative was reminiscent of All The President’s Men as the reporters investigated crimes against vulnerable children, discovered buried “public” documents, identified both victims and perpetrators, and confronted those who covered up the sexual molestation crimes of the Catholic Church in Boston and beyond, which included the Bishop and Church hierarchy, the police, D.A., and lawyers who represented both the victims and the Church. The story was a reminder of how important freedom of information is, the public’s right to know, and the critical role of news-gathering and investigative reporting. The ensemble cast, direction, and script are Oscar-worthy.
- Room – Room is very different film, small in scale, yet large in
heart, which focused on a captive mother and son and their escape to freedom. I won’t say much more other than the human spirit is resilient and though we face what may seem like insurmountable obstacles we can survive and with love and care, thrive again. In the end it’s a horrifying story that’s hopeful. Amazing performances by the actors portraying the mother and young son. A lot of friends I’ve talked to have read the book and are “afraid” to see the movie. Overcome your fear and see two of the most remarkable performances of 2015.
- Brooklyn – A sweetly and simply told story of an Irish immigrant who came to America in the
1950s with the help of the church to pursue the opportunities that were missing in her homeland. Eilis Lacey played masterfully by the young Irish actress, Saoirse Ronan misses her home in Ireland until she finds purpose and meaning in her new life living in a Brooklyn boarding house with other young single women, working in a department store, and going to night school to become a bookkeeper and maybe one day an accountant. She meets and cautiously falls in love with a passionate young Italian plumber who also has dreams for his future. When Eilis is called back to Ireland her future becomes uncertain and how she responds is the suspenseful arc of the story. Nick Hornby’s (Wild, An Education, About a Boy, and High Fidelity) screenplay based on the Irish author Colm Tóibín’s beloved 2009 novel and Irish director John Crowley faithfully depicts one immigrant’s story and answers the question about where and what is home.
- The Danish Girl – Director Tom Hooper’s fictionalized account of David Ebershoff’s novel of the
same name chronicles the love story of two painters in 1920s Copenhagen, the portrait artist Gerda Wegener (Alicia Vikander) and her husband, popular landscape artist Einar Wegener (Eddie Redmayne) who slowly becomes Lili as he poses for Gerda’s portraits, which transforms both Gerda’s career and Lili’s life in a profound way. The movie depicts the journey of Einar as he becomes Lili and the impact on Gerda’s and Lili’s marriage. I don’t particularly like period dramas, but Hooper perfectly creates a time and place with scenes depicting Denmark and Paris of the 19th century. The film has received mixed reviews yet the acting has been singled out with both leads nominated for upcoming awards. The real star of the film is Alicia Vikander. Her portrayal of Gerda and her love for Einar, then Lili, enhances Redmayne’s transformative performance. I sometimes like to create my own Dream Double Feature. If you enjoy film bios of artists, see this film with last year’s Turner about eccentric British painter J.M.W. Turner, directed by Mike Leigh with Timothy Spall in the lead role.
- Joy – I had the pleasure of seeing Joy in a sold-out theater on Christmas Day with a group of
friends, women to be precise. This makes a difference, because this is a rags-to-riches story, a pull-yourself-up from your bootstraps fairy tale that happened in real life. Joy Mangano is an American inventor, businesswoman, and entrepreneur who started her career by creating a revolutionary mop and sold it herself on QVC with record-breaking success. This is also the story of a single mom with two kids, who supports a dysfunctional family of divorced parents including her father’s new girlfriend, ex-husband, half-sister, and a grandmother who believes Joy is destined to do anything she can dream. Film critics, mostly men, have been hard on this film, calling it uneven, one of the director and writer David O. Russell’s missteps, and a poorly told hot mess of a story. My friends and I disagree. It was a delight to watch a heroine rise above the challenges that face the working class and with the support of people who love her: her grandmother, daughter, ex-husband, and best friend as she triumphs, fighting battles and adversaries along the way. If some of the men who write film reviews picked up a mop and cleaned floors, they’d appreciate this story more. Jennifer Lawrence and the entire cast was a delight to watch. See this film and judge for yourself and don’t let the critics prevent you from experiencing some joy.
- The Martian – I highly recommend the film. It was visually stunning, had a compelling,
science-based story with the right mix of suspense, special effects and humor. Ridley Scott, director of some of my favorite films, Blade Runner, Alien, and Thelma and Louise, knocks it out of the park. Matt Damon, who has been guilty of some regrettable “mansplaining” lately about race and gay actors, redeems himself in the lead role, at least momentarily. I gained a new philosophy for living from the film, my takeaway on the overarching theme, “Work the problem!” If you liked the suspense and science of Ron Howard’s film, Apollo 13 you’ll love this movie!
- Steve Jobs – Don’t let poor box office receipts or theories of audience fatigue for stories about
Steve Jobs keep you from seeing Steve Jobs. The screenplay by Aaron Sorkin, the acting of the entire lead cast members, especially Michael Fassbender as Jobs, and the capable direction by Danny Boyle, are all reasons to see this film. It is not your typical biopic; it is operatic and Shakespearean-like in its storytelling about a man who is considered to be both a creative genius and a flawed human being in his most important personal and collaborative relationships.
- Love & Mercy – The film biopic of The Beach Boys Brian Wilson premiered at the 2014 Toronto
Film Festival in a Special Presentation. From Wikipedia: “The film, deriving its title from the 1988 song by Wilson, is presented in a parallel narrative covering two specific time periods in Wilson’s life: the 1960s and the 1980s. Paul Dano and John Cusack depict the young and middle-aged Wilson, respectively, with Elizabeth Banks as Wilson’s second wife Melinda Ledbetter, and Paul Giamatti as Wilson’s psychotherapist Eugene Landy.” Paul Dano’s performance as Wilson during his prolific earlier career is a standout and Elizabeth banks is compelling and believable as Wilson’s second wife who marshals the family to rescue Brian from Dr. Landy’s control and save his life.
- Grandma – First, it was both good to see and laugh with friends at Sundance for the matinee of
Grandma starring Lily Tomlin on a beautiful, late summer day. I won’t reveal too much of the film’s story other than to say it dealt sensitively with an important and life-changing topic, abortion. It also managed to walk the tightrope and balance the fine line between comedy and drama, especially as it dealt with relationships between mothers and daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters, lovers and spouses from the past and present, loss of loved ones, and most importantly our relationship to ourselves and the responsibility to live honestly and wholeheartedly the life that we choose. The film’s casting was incredible, supporting actors of many colors and identities, representing people from all walks of life. I learned from my friend Leanne that the old 1950s black Packard that Lily’s character, Elle, drove was in fact her own personal vehicle. See this film. You may see some of your own story in this well-written, acted, and directed movie. Lastly, Grandma is one of this year’s films which passes the Bechdel Test.
- Trumbo – Trumbo the biopic of Dalton Trumbo who was one of the blacklisted Hollywood 10
screenwriters in the 1950s who were accused of being communists and convicted of contempt of court when they didn’t name names. I enjoyed the film much more than the reviews suggested. Bryan Cranston plays Trumbo and Helen Mirren is a villainous Hedda Hopper.
- Bridge of Spies – Sometimes a film doesn’t always appear to be a draw for me at first glance.
Before I saw Bridge of Spies I thought it would be another history lesson in the capable hands of director Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks, yet not a compelling drama. I was so wrong. Once again Spielberg and Hanks tell a suspenseful story, a cliffhanger, which takes place during the Cold War. Hanks is never showy in his recent performances and I immediately believed him in his role as an attorney, as well in his client, a Russian spy that he’s asked to defend, played by the remarkable Mark Rylance, as Hank’s attempts to negotiate an exchange of spies between the US and Soviet Union governments.
- The Big Short – “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know
for sure that just ain’t so.” Quote attributed to Mark Twain. This quote opened the film, The Big Short and perfectly captured the story that was about to unfold, the film adaptation of Michael Lewis’s book about the buildup to the housing market and credit bubble of 2007-2010 and the traders and bankers who bet against the market and predicted it’s collapse. One interesting note about the Twain quote, like the smoke and mirrors of the bundled mortgages that hid the greedy abuse of banks and lenders by providing AAA-rated bonds that included sub-prime loans, some experts believe the Twain quote is bogus and cannot be attributed to him (things that make you say h-m-m-m-m). The film tackled a subject that has affected all Americans (and ultimately the economies of countries all over the world). The film featured four celebrities who transgressed the “fourth wall” to explain key aspects of the mortgage crisis, and for this filmgoer it was a useful technique to explain complex financial products and processes. The ensemble cast was watchable, believable and compelling and included Christian Bale, Steve Carrel, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt. The only distraction for me was the bad hair and fake tans of some of the characters in an attempt to recreate fashion and style of the times. The film told the story as part comedy and drama, but for this viewer it was really a horror movie, because in the end we haven’t corrected the abuse of the big banks and the government that regulates it. We’ve also failed to restore the many victims of the crisis who lost jobs, homes and retirement funds and assets. If there was a lingering message, we’re in trouble. The movie is worth seeing simply as a wake-up call so that we all get to the voting booth and do whatever is left in our power to salvage democracy.
Documentaries (Not ranked, except as noted)
- All Things Must Pass (Favorite documentary with Amy as a close second). See my blog post.
- Amy
- The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution**
- She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry
- Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine
- Going Clear
- Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck*
Honorable Mention (Includes both narrative and documentary films)
- Ex Machina
- Trainwreck
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- Tangerine**
- End of the Tour
- The Amazing Nina Simone
- Tab Hunter Confidential*
- Clarence*
- How to Change the World*
- Almost There*
- Infinitely Polar Bear
- Pawn Sacrifice
Films I Haven’t Seen Yet (and likely would have been considered for the Best Films list)
- The Revenant
- Anomalisa
- Youth
- 45 Years
- Son of Saul
Guilty Pleasures (Films by favorite directors, actors and/or genres)
- Mistress America (Stars Greta Gerwig, directed By Noah Baumbach)
- While We’re Young (Directed by Noah Baumbach)
- The Gift (Psychological drama starring actor Joel Edgerton)
- I Am Chris Farley (Recovery theme and bio)
- Jurassic World (Jurassic Park and Planet of the Apes genre)
Films I Missed When They Were Here (Still on my “Must-See” List)
- Best of Enemies
- Goodnight Mommy
- Clouds of Sils Maria
- Inside Out
Films I Wanted to Like More Than I Did (Films I anxiously waited to see)
- Chi-Raq
- Freeheld
- Black Mass
- Suffragette
- Truth
- Tomorrowland
Dream Double Features (Films to watch together)
- Carol & Far from Heaven (Films by Todd Haynes featuring 1950s themes)
- Steve Jobs & Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (A narrative & documentary about Steve Jobs)
- Amy & Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck (Documentaries about fallen stars & cautionary tales)
- The Danish Girl & Mr. Turner (Biopics of 18th & 19th Century painters)
Missing in Action (Films whose release dates have been postponed)
- About Ray
Award Shows
Tonight is first of the major award shows, The Golden Globes, probably the most entertaining of the film awards shows, yet it features the smallest pool of voting members. We have a number of award announcements and broadcasts ahead including the SAG Awards (Screen Actors Guild), BAFTA (British Academy and Television Arts), Independent Spirit Awards, and finally The Academy Awards, whose nominations will be announced this Thursday, 1/14/2016.
* Films seen at the 2015 Wisconsin Film Festival. To read more: 2015 WI Film Festival Fandom (and More!)
** Films seen at the Marquee Theater sponsored by the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) and at the Cinematheque.