Julia

The most notable thing about this sordid drama is Tilda Swinton's self-consciously showy but nonetheless impressive performance as a slutty American party girl deluded into believing she can pull off the perfect crime. Swinton's Julia Harris is a perpetually wobbly floozy who meets a desperate woman in an AA meeting and agrees to kidnap her nine-year-old son (surprisingly well played by Aidan Gould), who is being raised by his wealthy grandfather. Julia signs on to the plan and then, impetuously and unwisely, changes it without fully comprehending the consequences. Directed by Erick Zonca, Julia (inspired by John Cassavetes' 1980 Gloria) offers a tour de force role for talented English actress Swinton, whose character engages in numerous sleazy, degrading scenes, ultimately weakening Julia's third-act stab at redemption. Except for the aforementioned Gould, the other cast members don't contribute anything substantive, but one senses they weren't asked to: this is Swinton's show all the way, and she steamrolls through it. A strong optional purchase. (E. Hulse)