Mean Girls (2004)

Fifteen years after its release, this film is still as relevant as ever. Based on the book "Queen Bees and Wannabes" by Rosalind Wiseman, the film showcases what being in high school is really like, especially for teenage girls, who live with the desire to be noticed, and the pressure to be popular and liked.

Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) has her first day of "real" school at the age of sixteen, having been home-schooled her entire life thus far. Her parents were zoologists living in Africa, and have only just returned to the United States when her mother was offered tenure at Northwestern University.

On her first day, she doesn't really fit in anywhere; the cliques in the school are already well-established, and there isn't any place for her.

Janis (Lizzy Caplan) and Damian (Daniel Franzese).

But on her second day, she is taken under the wing of outsiders Janis (Lizzy Caplan) and Damian (Daniel Franzese), and introduced to the highly-observed and strict political system of cliques in the school. She is warned primarily about a group called The Plastics, the three most popular girls in school, whose mission in life seems to be making life miserable for everyone else.

However, the next day, Cady is taken in by The Plastics: Gretchen Wieners (Lacey Chabert), Karen Smith (Amanda Seyfried), and self-appointed leader Regina George (Rachel McAdams).

At Janis's insistence, Cady infiltrates The Plastics, observing them from within, and passing information on their goings-on to Janis and Damian.

Unfortunately, it isn't long before Cady starts to take her new lifestyle and emerging personality a little too far, becoming a Plastic herself, to the detriment of her other relationships.

L-R: Gretchen Wieners (Lacey Chabert), Regina George (Rachel McAdams),Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan), Karen Smith (Amanda Seyfried).

I don't want to spoil things, in case there are still people out there who haven't seen this film yet, but the story carries with it many lessons and messages that are still as important and relevant to young people as they were when the film was made. (In fact, the lessons of the film are still so important, the film was recently adapted into a Broadway musical, and is enjoying great success on the stage after more than 600 performances at the time of writing).

The screenplay, written by Tina Fey (who also plays math teacher Ms. Norbury), is very clever. There are so many quotable lines that have quickly become part of popular culture. The characters are all very clearly defined, with plenty of conflicts, but there are also plenty of teachable moments. Having said that, the film doesn't come across as didactic in viewing as it actually is, which I believe is testament to its genius. Fey shows her incredible talent for writing (particularly comedy) here, and also plays the role of Ms. Norbury in a brilliantly understated way.

The costume design (by Mary Jane Fort) and production design (by Cary White) are also perfectly on point, establishing character and location respectively in such a strong way.

Ms. Norbury (Tina Fey).

It is in the performances of the cast, however, where this film truly shines. In particular, Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams play their respective roles with perfection, breathing real life into their characters, characters that could have fallen into cliche in the hands of other performers. Amanda Seyfried also deserves a mention here; playing a character as unintelligent as Karen actually requires a great deal of intelligence and skill, both of which she displays beautifully.

Director Mark Waters has made a wonderful film here, a teen classic that still stands the test of time, and is sure to continue to delight and educate audiences for years to come. It doesn't matter how many times I see this film, it still gets to me every time.

If you haven't seen it yet, you totally should check it out as soon as you can. This film is totally "fetch", and with Mean Girls Day (yes, it is a thing) tomorrow, now is the perfect time to do so.

9 out of 10.

Disobedience (2017)

Based on the novel by Naomi Alderman, this film gives a glimpse into an extremely tight-knit religious community.

Rav Krushka (Anton Lesser) dies suddenly while delivering a sermon at synagogue in a community of strict Orthodox Jews in England.

His only child, daughter Ronit (Rachel Weisz) is a popular portrait photographer living and working in New York. When she receives news that her father has passed away, she leaves straightaway and flies back 'home', even though it has not been home to her for many years.

She has been all but completely ostracised from the small community for reasons I won't go into here (I don't want to spoil that revelation for you if you should choose to watch the film). Her father, the highly respected rabbi of the community, refused to acknowledge her for most of her life; the newspaper article that reported his passing named him as 'childless'.

Dovid Kuperman (Alessandro Nivola) and Ronit Krushka (Rachel Weisz).

When she arrives, she goes to the only place she can think of: the house of close friend Dovid Kuperman (Alessandro Nivola). He is surprised to see her again after so long, but welcomes her in nevertheless, inviting her to stay with him and his wife Esti (Rachel McAdams). He was the rabbi's best student, and is believed by many to be the next in line for the position.

The three of them had been very close when they were younger, and Ronit is surprised that Dovid and Esti ended up marrying one another. Ronit and Esti had been even closer, and as far as Ronit knew, Esti was only attracted to women.

As Ronit deals with the aftermath of her father's death, and struggles to even be recognised as family, she and Esti begin to rekindle their friendship from years previous, which quickly turns into something more, threatening to not only ruin her marriage, but tear the entire community apart.

Dovid (Alessandro Nivola) and his wife Esti (Rachel McAdams).

The screenplay is written by director Sebastián Lelio and Rebecca Lenkiewicz, adapted from Alderman's novel. I have not (yet) read the book, so am unable to comment on the finer points of the adaptation. However, the script is - in my opinion - fantastically structured. It is filled with well-rounded characters who are all filled with conflicts of many different kinds, and plenty of drama to keep you invested in the story from beginning to end.

Danny Cohen's cinematography is wonderful, the majority of the film shot with the camera in hand-held fashion. Though it is hand-held, it is not too jerky, but just feels more natural than a stationary camera on a tripod would do. There are plenty of interesting camera angles used as well; this is certainly not your typical film, at least not in the way it is shot.

I must mention the score as well, despite the fact there isn't much of it to comment on. Composer Matthew Herbert uses his music very sparingly throughout the film, and it is at no point distracting. The music is always well-suited to the emotional truth of what is going on at particular points, as opposed to just matching the physical action. Naturally, as the film deals more with emotional issues than physical ones, this use of music is perfectly suitable.

Esti (Rachel McAdams) lights the candles in preparation for the Sabbath, as
Ronit (Rachel Weisz) and Dovid (Alessandro Nivola) look on.

The performances of the cast are absolutely magnificent. It is difficult to identify a clear standout among the ensemble cast, but I will say that Rachel McAdams gives - without a doubt - the best and most heart-wrenching performance of her career.

Director Sebastián Lelio has made a beautiful film here, one that I was not especially aware of prior to reviewing it, but one that I'm sure I will enjoy more and more upon repeat viewings. There is so much in this film, and so much going on under the surface, and so much that goes unsaid between characters, that I think it would take a repeat viewing to be able to appreciate it on that deeper level. But even with just the one viewing (so far), I am able to appreciate that this is an amazing film.

10 out of 10.