Set in 1979, writer-director Mike Mills's 20th Century Women weaves an intriguing tale centered on Dorothea Fields (Annette Bening), a chain-smoking single mom who enlists the help of family and friends in nurturing her rebellious 15 year-old son, Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann), who is struggling to find his identity while growing into manhood. Mother and son live in a large old house in Santa Barbara, CA, along with a free-spirited feminist punk photographer (Greta Gerwig) recovering from cervical cancer, and an earthy carpenter/handyman (Billy Crudup) who is helping Dorothea renovate the ramshackle Victorian. Jamie is also influenced by his sexually promiscuous BFF, 17-year-old Julie (Elle Fanning), who insists on maintaining a platonic relationship, despite sneaking in his window and climbing into his bed at night. Mills (an Oscar nominee for Best Original Screenplay) draws on semi-autobiographical material to paint a compelling cinematic portrait of a devoted mother during a period of social and cultural upheaval, with Bening ably embodying unconventional, middle-aged, lonely Dorothea in this multi-generational dramedy. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by writer-director Mike Mills, a cast segment (11 min.), and a “making-of” featurette (10 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a bonus UltraViolet copy of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for this engaging Oscar nominee.] (S. Granger)
20th Century Women
Lionsgate</span></span><span style='mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>, 118 min., R, DVD: $19.99, Blu-ray: $24.99, Mar. 28 Volume 32, Issue 2
20th Century Women
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