Widows is an action drama directed by Steve McQueen from a screenplay by McQueen and Gillian Flynn, based upon the 1983 ITV series of the same name. Widows is a British-American co-production. The plot follows a group of women who attempt a heist in order to pay back a crime boss after their criminal husbands are killed during a botched job. I was thrilled to see Widows, as I heard it received raved reviews and 93% rotten tomatoes. They were right, Widows deserved every good review it received.
Harry Rawlings (Liam Neeson) is a renowned thief who is killed alongside his partners, Carlos Perelli (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), Florek Gunner (Jon Bernthal) and Jimmy Nunn (Coburn Goss), during a botched robbery. Harry’s widow, Veronica Rawlings (Viola Davis), a Chicago teacher’s union delegate, is threatened by crime boss turned politician, Jamal Manning (Brian Tyree Henry), from whom Harry and his partners robbed $2 million. Jamal is running against Jack Mulligan (Colin Farrell), the son of the incumbent, Tom Mulligan (Robert Duvall) and needs money to help win the election.
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Veronica discovers Harry’s notebook, which contains a detailed plan for what would have been his next heist, worth $5 million. She decides to carry out the heist to repay his debt to Jamal who has his blood thirsty brother, Jatemme (Daniel Kaluuya) watching the women’s every move. Veronica recruits two of the other widows, Alice gunner (Elizabeth Debicki) and Linda Perelli (Michelle Rodriguez), to assist her. Since the fourth widow, Amanda Nunn (Carrie Coon), didn’t show to their initial meeting, Veronica visits her and learns she has a newborn child, so she opts not to mention nor include her in the heist. Alice is responsible for buying the getaway car and guns, while Linda is tasked with deciphering the blueprint in Harry’s plan. Alice uses David (Lukas Haas), a real estate executive who identifies the blueprint as a safe in Jack Mulligan’s home. In the meanwhile, looking for information, Veronica’s chauffeur, Bash O’Reilly (Garret Dillahunt) is murdered by one of Manning’s men. Linda recruits Belle (Cynthia Erivo), her children’s babysitter, to be their driver and Veronica visits the Mulligan home to ask Jack for protection from Jamal and to case the premises in advance of the heist, while the other women investigate the external security.
Obviously, I really enjoyed Widows. The cast were the crème de la crème of actors who played their roles with outstanding precision. The plot heats up with an intensity that will keep you guessing to the very surprise ending. Widows has more twist and turns than you can imagine. The style and flow of Widows reminds me of “How to Get Away With Murder”, only much more understandable. I recommend this film to anyone who wants to see a good suspense feature with lots of twist, action and excitement. Check it Out!!!
I smell Oscar nominations here. The Judge goes deep into ones soul. I loved the way it wrapped up the ending and I loved the cast. Robert Downing, Jr. plays Hank Palmer, a hot shot lawyer from Chicago who has a reputation for winning his cases. When his mother dies, Hank is summoned back home where he hasn’t been for 20 years. He’s leaving his troubled home in Chicago where he has a cheating wife and a small daughter, arriving in his home town of Carlinville, Indiana where he has 2 brothers Glen Palmer (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Dale Palmer (Jeremy Strong) and a father, Judge Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall) that makes up a dysfunctional family that he never speaks to. Hank expected his trip back home to be short but when his father is accused of murdering a convict he sentenced in his court years ago, Hank stays to defend him. Many paths are explored in this 2 hour and 27 minute film. So far, The Judge has proven to be a more than worthy contender among the better movies I’ve seen this year. Billy Bob Thornton plays the states attorney (Dwight Dickham) who prosecutes the judge. Dax Shepard plays C. P. Kennedy the defense co-council and Hank’s daughter, Laura Palmer (Emma Tremblay) are just a few that make an excellent cast. While visiting Carlinville, Hank discovers there are many old relationships that need closure. This film makes for a very interesting story and well worth the price of a movie ticket to see it.
CAROL's WORLDS 