28 August 2026
LATE FAME ***1/2
An old post office employee in NYC has the same routine every day. Dull work sorting the mail, same drink and meal after work in the corner bar, the same old pals there who just shoot the breeze, and then back to his lonely flat. But once upon a time, he was a writer and published a book of poetry.
This is an indie film with a big heart and some questions in mind. What happens when one finally feels acknowledged, appreciated and looked up to after years of anonymity? Especially when his newfound fans are earnest young intellectuals looking to him for inspiration in their own artistic fields. It’s not only gratifying and uplifting, but quite intoxicating. Will it last, and how will it affect his life and demeanour?
The director, Kent Jones, knows his cinematic field well, having been the artistic director of the New York Film Festival for six years, a film critic and, of course, a filmmaker. He adapted this work from an Arthur Schnitzler novella written at the end of the 19th century. Transporting the character of Ed Saxberger from turn-of-the-century Viennese life to the New York scene works quite perfectly in the hands of Jones, a true cineaste.
It’s a delicate film, moving, witty and urban – contrasting the mundane with the elite. It reminded me somewhat of the enticing 1990 Whit Stillman film called “Metropolitan”, about a young group of debonair socialites. It had the same feel of so many possibilities among select Manhattanites.
The extra impact comes from Willem Dafoe’s nuanced portrayal of the poet Saxberger. This is one to see, along with the young Edmund Donovan as the leader of the fans who first approaches Saxberger, and the alluring Greta Lee, who plays the lone girl in their literary group. Quite a trio. A film not to miss.
THE DOG STARS ***
At 88, Ridley Scott – of such great and varied films as “Blade Runner”, “Thelma & Louise”, “Gladiator”, “House of Gucci”, and so many others – is back to entertain us.
This time, Scott takes us to a dystopian world in the near future where much of humanity has died from a terrible virus. Even though it might seem a cold and distressing theme, Scott manages to make his tale work on many levels, both tender and fearful, both a love story and one of vicious survival. Something between “Mad Max” and a hopeful elegy.
Two men with opposite outlooks are surviving together in an abandoned airplane hanger in Colorado. Hig (Jacob Elordi, last of “Frankenstein” and “Wuthering Heights”) flies his old Cessna plane on reconnaissance trips and to pick up supplies in nearby abandoned Denver. Bangley, played with fierce gusto by Josh Brolin, makes sure no marauders get into their safe zone.
When Hig catches a human voice from somewhere in the state on his plane radio, he feels he needs to find these other survivors. And so begins his dubious quest which turns into a dangerous, yet possibly hopeful adventure, where we meet a father-and-daughter team played by Guy Pearce and the lovely Margaret Qualley (daughter of Andie MacDowell). There’s also a weird sequence, starring the always excellent Allison Janney, that will have you wondering where that came from – super fun!
But the sweetest part of the film is the camaraderie between Hig and his beloved dog, Jasper, from whom comes the title of the film. It’s Scott again – both tender and thrilling.
L’INCONNUE * (vo French)
Wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. Or maybe I might. There are films that are useless, and then there are others that stay with you because of their entertainment value; due to an important topic well-developed; or because it moves you deeply. This one is on the useless list, for it has none of those qualities.
Even such a fine actress as Léa Seydoux can’t save this incoherent tale of a man and a woman switching bodies due to an emotionless sexual encounter. Dark, dull, hopeless, and 140 minutes of this. Save your time and money.
Superb **** Very Good *** Good ** Mediocre * Miserable – no stars
By Neptune
Neptune Ravar Ingwersen reviews film extensively for publications in Switzerland. She views 4 to 8 films a week and her aim is to sort the wheat from the chaff for readers.
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