Amanda's Picks

I recently caught two 2023 movies on streaming networks that required I suspend belief for a positive viewing experience. We’re not talking about the plot contrivances I have to endure with nearly every film I see. These movies offered some significant challenges to reality as we know it.

 

 

ARGYLLE

I didn’t expect much from Argylle (PG-13, on Apple TV) but I also didn’t expect my head to nearly explode from trying to figure out what was going on. Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) is a successful author of a series of books about Argylle, a dashing secret agent. She’s shy, single and very attached to her cat, Alfie. Then one day on a train, Elly’s life begins to resemble a plot from her book. A bearded stranger named Aidan, with excellent fighting skills, (Sam Rockwell) dispatches a variety of passengers on the train who are out to get Elly. While this is happening, Elly keeps seeing Argylle (Henry Cavill) fighting for her. Ultimately, Aidan whisks the bewildered author and her cat-in-a-backpack away to “safety.”

Aidan and Elly travel through several scenic countries and more bad guys get mowed down in myriad ways, thankfully none graphic or gruesome. Eventually the big plot twist and plenty of mini-plot twists are revealed and everything begins to make sense in a “Yeah, like this would ever happen, but it’s kind of fun,” way.

You need a very solid lead to ground goings-on like this and Bryce Dallas Howard is terrific, selling the audience on one far-fetched scenario after another. Rockwell and the always-reliable Bryan Cranston and Catherine O’Hara deliver enjoyable performances. Samuel L. Jackson tosses out his standard “I’m cooler than anyone in this movie and I don’t have to even do anything,” performance.

I admit, one of the reasons, OK, the main reason I decided to watch Argylle was the adorably freaked-out cat in the film’s trailer. While Alfie did spend most of the movie in a see-through back-pack, he did quite well in his key scenes.

Director Matthew Vaughn (Kingsman and Kick-Ass) definitely has a style. Vaughn goes for louder, stranger and LONGER. There is no reason for this movie to clock in at well over two hours. Cut a few plot twists and fight scenes and boom, 113 minutes. You could even throw in a few more scenes for Alfie. 

Argylle wrapped up rather nicely and a bit tamely, but as in every action film these days, there was a hint of a sequel or at least of the characters returning in another franchise. I’d love to see more of Elly and Aidan, but in a rom-com, please. 

Argylle: 2.25 Stars out of 5  

 

 

All of Us Strangers

Back to reality, or so I thought, I finally caught All of Us Strangers (R) on Hulu. Adam (Andrew Scott) is a brooding screenwriter living in a practically empty apartment complex. When the fire alarm goes off he meets the only other resident, Harry (Paul Mescal), who unsuccessfully tries to connect with Adam. 

Like Argylle, All of Us Strangers has a twist, and I don’t think it’s a spoiler to reveal it. Very early on we see Adam take a train ride (oh those wacky trains) to his childhood home where he reconnects with his parents (Claire Foy and Jaime Bell) even though they died when Adam was 11. Their exchanges are lovely and moving and begin to help Adam move on. With no friends, no other family, no work and no social life, these exchanges seem to be the only meaningful thing in his life. Ultimately, Adam does begin a relationship with Harry and he seems to begin enjoying life away from his apartment and his parents’ house. But the enigmatic Harry has issues of his own.

When All of Us Strangers was released in 2023, Andrew Scott was discussed as a contender for an Oscar nomination. However, in what was ultimately a very competitive and crowded category, he did not make the cut. Scott is outstanding in a tricky role where his character exists in several worlds. He exudes a deep vulnerability, especially in his scenes with Foy and Bell, who are superb as the parents getting to know their adult son. All of Us Strangers is confusing at times, and you have to accept some otherworldly happenings to become fully engaged in Adam’s story. But it’s definitely worth the effort. All of Us Strangers is a moving and thoughtful look at an unconventional way a person could choose to deal with loss and grief.  

All of Us Strangers 4 out of 5 stars