“Where have you been?”
“Having an existential crisis in the hot tub.”
The exchange comes from “Him,” director Rebecca Wahls’ smart, sharp satire of “The Bachelor” and similar TV reality dating shows. “Him” is one of 120 films – 47 feature-length and 73 shorts – set for the 33rd annual Woods Hole Film Festival, which officially opens on Saturday, July 27, and runs through Saturday, Aug. 3.
The festival also will include master classes and panel discussions. Boston Society of Film Critics members Dana Barbuto, Allyson Johnson, Sarah G. Vincent, Tim Jackson, Tom Meek and yours truly will discuss their jobs and seek feedback in the discussion “What Do You Want From Film Critics?” to be held at 1 p.m. Aug. 3 at Redfield Auditorium.
So far, I’ve seen 12 of the fest films, and “Him” is among the best.
In it, five women (Kira Omans, Tess Higgins, Sydney Battle, Margaret Berkowitz and Lucie Solene Allouche), all in their 20s, are the final contestants sequestered in a villa during filming of a date show.
Starring in “Him”: from left, Margaret Berkowitz, Lucie Solene Allouche, Tess Higgins, Sydney Battle and Kira Omans. (Courtesy of Woods Hole Film Festival)
Pitted against each other supposedly for the love of a bachelor (who is never seen in the film), they are advised by the show’s on-set producers on how they’re doing and how they might up their game to achieve their ultimate goal: becoming engaged to the special fella. Flashbacks reveal how they are manipulated into “opening up” and exposing their vulnerabilities and emotions – ostensibly to increase their odds of success, but it’s obviously more in the service of creating “good TV.”
Director Wahls and cast member Higgins wrote the screenplay, and they’ve obviously done their homework. The behind-the-scenes machinations in such shows might not be as cruel in real life as they are in “Him,” but it doesn’t take a great stretch of the imagination to see that they could be.
Through its blend of biting humor and unsettling drama, and without being preachy, “Him” makes us consider why such reality shows are so popular and whether they should be, what they suggest about the participants and the viewers, and what they say about gender roles and our values as a society. A lot of it will make you cringe, but the film ultimately is uplifting, as the women start to take control of the situation – and their lives. In-person screening at 8 p.m. Aug. 1 in Meigs Room at Swope Center; virtual screening, Aug. 4-11. ***½ (out of four)
Other favorites
Ukraine fighters in “Porcelain War.” (Courtesy of Woods Hole Film Festival)
“Porcelain War.” Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev’s documentary about the war in Ukraine, would make an excellent companion piece to last year’s “20 Days at Mariupol.” It focuses on three Ukrainian artists who continue to pursue their work while also preparing as Russian invaders approach their town. “If one doesn’t resist evil, it doesn’t stop,” says one of the artists, who works for his country’s special forces by training civilians to use weapons. The film is a powerful, inspiring look at courageous everyday people under siege. 6:30 p.m. July 27 at Redfield Auditorium; virtual, Aug. 4-11. ***½
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott in “The Body Politic.” (Courtesy of Woods Hole Film Festival)
“The Body Politic.” In 2019, Baltimore has more murders than New York City, whose population is 15 times higher, and newly elected Mayor Brandon Scott says it’s time to use more innovative, long-term solutions to turn things around. Director Gabriel Francis Paz Goodenough explores Scott’s efforts, and the obstacles he faces to fulfill his vision, in this revealing documentary. 6:15 p.m. Aug. 2 at Redfield Auditorium; virtual, Aug. 4-11. ***½
“In the Whale.” The special screening of this film, set for July 26, is already sold out, but if you get a chance to see it down the road, do so. David Abel’s doc tells the story of Provincetown lobster diver Michael Packard, and how he finds himself caught in the mouth of a humpback whale. Though the incident itself is of biblical proportions, Abel’s film goes deeper into Packard’s life, with his tragic family history and his struggle with depression, and it’s fascinating. ***½
“Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty.” John de Graaf’s documentary provides an overview of the life and career of Stewart Udall, the congressman who became the secretary of the interior for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. The film serves as a compelling history lesson as it shows how Udall had to balance politics and ideals as he strove to protect the environment and preserve our country’s natural beauty, while also fighting the good fight for civil rights, the arts, and peace in Vietnam. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at Clapp Auditorium, virtual, Aug. 4-11. ***½
“Stalled in Eight Etudes.” Actress Tracey Bonner delivers a tour de force in Kersti Bryan’s 17-minute short about several characters making brief appearances in a municipal courthouse women’s restroom. Pay special attention to the end credits; you might be in for a surprise. Showing in the “Moving Forward” shorts program, 8 p.m. July 28 at Falmouth Academy/Simon Center; virtual, Aug. 4-11. ***½
Also worth checking out
Josh Radnor, right, and Rob Huebel play brothers in “Happy Families.” (Courtesy of Woods Hole Film Festival)
“All Happy Families.” A solid cast headed by Josh Radnor (“How I Met Your Mother”) enhances this enjoyable dysfunctional-family comedy from director Haroula Rose. Radnor plays a writer, still living in his childhood home, who’s jealous of his successful TV star brother. John Ashton (“Beverly Hills Cop”) and Becky Ann Baker (“Freaks and Geeks”) play the parents, with Rob Huebel (“The Descendants”) especially funny as the self-focused brother. 5 p.m. Aug. 3 in Meigs Room at Swope Center; virtual Aug. 4-11. ***
“The Lost Weekend.” A teen boy (Brendan Egan) is challenged to assert his masculinity while maintaining his personal values during a summer weekend trip to the Cape in this 22-minute dramatic short from writer-director Charlie Norton. Shot in East Sandwich and Marshfield. Showing in the “The Spirit of Massachusetts” shorts program, 5:30 p.m. July 30 at Falmouth Academy/Simon Center; virtual, Aug. 4-11. ***
“The Day Keeper.” Steve Young plays Cliff Wentworth, lighthouse keeper of Nobska Lighthouse in Woods Hole. Only, he’s the daytime keeper, with two things on his daily checklist: 1) Keep an eye on things, and 2) Make sure light is on (optional). Boston-based director Mark Kiefer, who wrote the screenplay with Young, makes the most of the 8-minute running time of this funny mockumentary. Also in “The Spirit of Massachusetts.” (See screening info above) ***
“Crookedfinger.” After a murder-suicide in which her mother kills her father, Maria (Paula Jon DeRose) returns to her childhood home on the Cape to tie up loose ends. Complicating matters: the appearance of her unstable brother (Blake DeLong) and weird sounds that only Maria can hear. Directed by Jason Courtland and Julia Halperin, it’s a strange, gloomy, deliberately paced thriller that keeps you guessing where it’s going. 8 p.m. July 30 at Falmouth Academy/Simon Center; virtual, Aug. 4-11. **½
“Katie’s Mom.” It’s not fair to compare Tyrrell Schaffner’s movie to a classic like “The Graduate,” but it blatantly invites such a comparison. So, imagine “The Graduate,” only from Mrs. Robinson’s point of view, with Mrs. R. (here Nancy, played by Dina Meyer) not married and reluctant to have an affair (though she does have it, with her daughter’s boyfriend); Ben (Alex/Aaron Dominguez) much more worldly and much less confused; and Elaine (Katie/Julia Tolchin) with a lot more personality. Tolchin stands out as Katie, an immature but likable college girl. 8 p.m. July 27 at Clapp Auditorium. **½
“Three Birthdays.” Radnor stars again, this time in a movie in which, like “Katie’s Mom,” the daughter gets the short end of the stick. It’s 1970 Ohio, around the time of the Kent State massacre (uh-oh), and academic couple Rob (Radnor) and Kate (Annie Parrise) navigating shifting thinking regarding marriage, monogamy, gender roles and so forth. Daughter Bobbie (Nuala Cleary) pays an emotional price … and then some. Directed by Jane Weinstock. 4 p.m. Aug. 1 at Redfield Auditorium; virtual, Aug. 4-11. **½
More information on Woods Hole Film Festival: woodsholefilmfestival.org.
** Click here for Tim Miller’s previous movie columns for Cape Cod Wave **
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Tim Miller
Tim Miller is co-president of the Boston Society of Film Critics and a Tomatometer-approved critic. He teaches film and journalism at Cape Cod Community College in West Barnstable. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or follow him onTwitter @TimMillerCritic. Or you can ignore him completely.
