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I loved this film directed by John Crowley. This romantic drama stars Florence Pugh as Almut and Andrew Garfield as Tobias. Both actors deliver intelligent, sensitive, and nuanced interpretations of a well-written script that demanded deep acting chops. Crowley expertly directed (or allowed) Pugh and Tobias to transform a tragic ending into a hopeful story. The British playwright and screenwriter Nick Payne wrote the script. The movie moves back and forth in time, but the zig zagging time-line never interfered with the honesty and heart of the narrative.

I’ll watch Conclave again because of the color, photography, and visual artistry. The cinematic experience is like revisiting my favorite art pieces at my local museum. Stéphane Fontaine (cinematography), Suzie Davies (Production Design) and Roberta Federico (Art Direction) deserve accolades. The artistic beauty of this film reminds me of The Danish Girl and Brooklyn. Edward Berger directed the film. Peter Straughan and Robert Harris created excellent dialogue. The writers cleverly steered the audience in two directions. When the one ending is apparent, I felt a little miffed by the logic and the editorializing. ‘You, dear audience, must know that this is the way the world should work.’ I thought the ending jumped the shark. Always blame the writers. ;) The cast is top notch: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini.

Ghostlight is a little indie film with no budget and a big heart. 10/10 Dad and daughter in real life, Keith Kupferer (Dan) and Katherine Mallen Kupferer (Daisy), play the father and daughter duo in the film. Tara Mallen (Dan’s real-life wife and Katherine’s mother) plays the wife and mother, Sharon. The audience slowly learns the family is dealing with a tragedy that each person copes with in their own desperate way. Daisy, a talented high school actor, is expelled for cursing and disrespect. Her anger is palpable. Dan’s anger is under the surface, like hot lava ready to erupt. Serendipity causes Dan to secretly join a community theater group of misfits staging Romeo and Juliet. Daisy finds out and joins the troupe. What therapy couldn’t achieve, the theater unites the dad and daughter duo. Most importantly, the family moves past the anger stage of grief. Written by Kelly O’Sullivan. Directed by Kelly O'Sullivan and Alex Thompson.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]