The Way We Speak
Ian Ebright
2024, 97 mins.
On life and loss
How timely indeed that this literal debate film arrives during real life clashes between right wing Christians and freedom-wanting people of all persuasions. Add to that the current subtext of “Will he or won’t he?” debate her (Trump/Harris of course) and a smattering of “Who identifies me?” and you have a production that can stimulate conversations long after the credits finish rolling.
On the surface, the plot is simplicity itself; an apparently forward-thinking organization hosts an annual debate on a variety of subjects with a winner declared. But this year, one of the intellectual combatants, George Rossi (Ricco DiStefano) dies of a heart attack just as the proceedings are supposed to begin. His opponent is long-time friend and Science ‘R Us essayist/atheist Simon Harrington (it falls to Patrick Fabian to carry the film which he does from stem to stern).
No worries, a last-minute stand-in for George is quickly found: Kailey Rhodes gives a largely believable portrayal of bible-thumping Sarah Clawson. Because of her developing reputation as an author of godly books, the question under scrutiny shifts to The Existence of God - Why God/Why Not?
Adding fuel to narrative fire is Simon’s wife, Claire (best acting of them all from Diana Coconubo), who is bravely battling Stage 4 blood cancer, yet determined to cheer her husband onto victory, even if it’s the last thing she does.
Keeping the organization’s trains running on time is Annette Davis (a fine mix of stoicism and “let’s get on with it” from Ayanna Berkshire).
As promising as all of this sounds, director-writer Ebright is not quite able to find the magic of seamless narrative flow, as lies told aloud or bundled away until it’s too late missed the aura of believability: there’s just too much “Oh I can see that coming” to hit the mark. In short, the words they speak, sometimes do protest too much, rather than make more welcome salient/subtle points.
On the other hand, anyone who has lost a loved one or a dear friend too soon may well empathize with the grim realities, (discreetly presented by Ebright) of human frailty that exist far beyond the debate stage or cinema. JWR
Sorry, Not Sorry
Cara Mones, Caroline Suh
2024, 90 mins.
It’s no joke
Full confession: I have never watched a C.K. Louis standup routine (live, or on video); in all 90 minutes of this documentary, I never laughed once, but nearly cried on occasion.
Imagine Donald Trump as a comedian (of course, some would say he is), then having unwanted sexual encounters and still being allowed to ply his “trade”.
In C.K.’s case, he was never charged (well masturbating in front of fellow female comedians is hardly a felony…especially when your next gig might depend on remaining silent).
In Trump’s case, charged and convicted, but still hoping to squirm out of sentencing thanks to a totally unbiased supreme court, the shoe is most certainly on another foot.
The victims: E. Jean Carroll for Trump had the audacity to bring suit, and win! Many others in C.K.’s “world” (notably Jen Kirkman), struggled with telling the truth or losing their careers. Headlines were made, but justice certainly took a back seat.
What would you do?
Eventually, thank goodness, C.K.’s transgressions came to light (first via the New York Times in 2017, from which C.K. said, “Yes, the allegations are true”. But the initial cacophony soon dissipated, causing the multimillionaire, apparently, funny man, to take a nine-month sabbatical.
Soon after, he was reborn at Comedy Central with devoted fans (so like Maga in blindfolds), ignoring his heinous transgressions (after all, they’re just women) and resuming a cash-cow career without an iota of real apology.
Trump must have gone to school on that. JWR