Happening

For me, L'Événement (Happening), Audrey Diwan's new film about a young woman in France in the early 1960s trying to get an abortion, feels a bit like a retread. I liked it a lot, honestly, and it's quite a thriller, actually – I was on the edge of my seat for much of it – but I guess I feel like I've seen it before. In 2020 there was Eliza Hittman's excellent US American film Never Rarely Sometimes Always, which was much more of a terrifyingly tragic drama than Happening. But this movie reminded me most of Cristian Mungiu's truly wonderful 4 Luni, 3 Săptămâni şi 2 Zile (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days) from 2007, which works a lot like Happening.

In any case, Happening works very, very well, and it was a good watch even if it didn't feel completely original. It also feels very important in the U.S., where rampantly misogynist state governments – and a truly backward federal government – are once again attempting to force women to give birth by passing anti-abortion legislation.

Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020)

Eliza Hittman's new movie is very, very good. Never Rarely Sometimes Always is honestly a heartbreaking movie that turned my stomach numerous times and at one point in act two just plain moves into brilliance. It's excellent, and as usual Hittman gets very good performances out of her actors.

Beach Rats

Beach Rats is contemplative and sad with an excellent lead performance. There were long stretches where I forgot Harris Dickinson was even acting. This has gotten better in my mind since I watched it, too. Beach Rats has its problems, but I liked it a good deal.