20TH CENTURY WOMEN
Annette Bening received a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her signature performance in this comedy drama portraying a fiercely independent and proud divorcee, who yearns happiness and a wonderful future for her 15 year-old son Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann).
Set in Santa Barbara 1979, Dorothy (Bening) who runs a boarding house states “I know my son less every day” and enlists the help of two young female boarders to share their lives and provide guidance for her son.
The film quietly asks, what is it to be a mother and how do you become a good man? Do you need a man to raise a man? Jamie progressively discovers the meaning of life and also influences the lives of those around him.
Audiences will relate to the underlying themes of the older generation trying to connect with the younger generation and also attempting to adapt to a changing world.
This study of human relationships resonates the importance of family and friendship and is an endearing and powerful independent film which emerged as one of the freshest films from the US festival circuit. (MMo)
★★★1/2
