Amanda’s Picks: ‘I’m Still Here’ and ‘Flow’

It’s been a couple of weeks since Anora (R) exceeded expectations at the Oscars, earning Sean Baker a record four trophies (Best Picture, Directing, Editing and Writing) for one film and star Mikey Madison a surprising but deserving Best Actress Oscar over sentimental favorite Demi Moore. While it wasn’t my favorite film of the year, and I feel A Real Pain deserved original screenplay over Anora, in my opinion. I praised Madison and called Anora a must-see. However, if you have a problem with a certain four-letter word, you might want to pass on Anora. It is used nearly 500 times in the movie. If you haven’t seen Anora, it’s available to stream on Hulu starting March 17.
Madison and Moore’s only real competition at the Oscars was Fernanda Torres, who scored an upset Golden Globe win for the Brazilian film I’m Still Here (PG-13, in theaters). That film went on to win the Oscar for Best International Feature.
I’m Still Here tells the true story of Eunice Paiva, who as the film begins, lives a happy and hectic life with her five children and husband Rubens, a former congressman, recently back from political exile. Their happiness is threatened as the country slides into a military dictatorship and Rubens is taken from their home. Soldiers won’t let Eunice or the children leave, and eventually bring her and her oldest daughter in for “questioning.” After several harrowing days in prison, Eunice returns home, determined to keep her family safe and to find out what happened to her husband.
I’m Still Here is based on the 2015 autobiography of author/playwright Marcelo Rubens Paiva, the only son of Eunice and Rubens. Director Walter Halles expertly conveys the fear and dread experienced by those living under a dictatorship. We pray along with the characters that the men watching Eunice’s children are true to their word and don’t hurt them, that the oldest Paiva daughter stays safe in London and that the journalists working to expose the corrupt government aren’t rounded up. And we pray that Eunice steers clear of trouble as she searches for the truth about her husband.
Torres is superb as she moves from happy wife and mother, to prisoner, protector and later scholar and victims’ advocate. It is a thoughtful and controlled performance. Eunice is grieving but has to appear strong for her children. She is angry but has to keep her anger in check. The story follows Eunice and her family into the future, portraying pivotal moments in their story and ending with Eunice being played by Fernanda Montenegro, the only other Brazilian actress nominated for an Oscar, and Torres’s mother. I wish there was more time spent on how this turmoil affected the children throughout their lives. However, I truly appreciate the filmmaker’s inclusion of an epilogue and photos of the real family during the end credits.

I’m Still Here: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Another semi-upset Oscar win was Best Animated Feature victor, Flow (streaming on MAX). I saw Flow weeks before the ceremony on the big screen where it received the most applause I’ve heard in a theater in a long time. I was rooting for this beautiful and moving dialogue-free film from Latvia, to win over Disney’s The Wild Robot, which I also really enjoyed. My affection for Flow might have something to do with my borderline cat lady status, and fascination with lemurs. However, even if you don’t like cats, I promise you will adore following Cat and her/his fellow animal refugees as they try to escape a massive flood and other threats to their homeland. There are no people in this strange and sometimes mystical landscape. I’m guessing they didn’t survive a disaster/apocalypse, which confirms my belief that cats are smarter than humans.
Director Gint Zilbalodis creates an amazing but believable world where our animal friends must work together and ignore their cat/dog, cat/bird differences to survive and create their own mini-society. There is also plenty of humor, thanks mostly to the lemur and its cherished collection of trinkets and a super adorable Golden Retriever. Flow is so much more than an animated adventure. It is a soulful, smart film that entertains but also serves as a reminder that all creatures are at their best when they work together; and as a warning about the global climate crisis. Flow will appeal to all ages and sets the bar for all animated films. I can’t wait to see what Zilbalodis does next.

Flow: 5 Out of 5 Stars