Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day (12A)
Directed by Tina Gharavi
⭑⭑⭑☆☆

SET in 1910 London against the Suffragette movement, a female astronomer, who is determined to study at Cambridge, challenges Edwardian patriarchy as she does everything in her power to avoid love and marriage in this non-romantic film adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day. 

Directed by Tina Gharavi and written by Justine Waddell, this is very much shot from the female gaze as it follows Katherine Hilbery (Haley Bennett) who is resolute in forging her own path in astronomy against her controlling father’s (a phenomenal Timothy Spall) wishes to marry her off. “Do you think a man wants to be with a woman who works?” he tells her. 

Her mind is somewhat blown when she is befriended by Suffragette Mary Datchett (Lily Allen) while her biggest champion and supporter is her cousin Cyril (Misia Butler) who is fighting his own secret battle. Meanwhile her mother’s (Jennifer Saunders) book editor Ralph Denham tells her “is it impossible for you to imagine that a man may want to support a woman’s success.”

Bennett is fierce and mesmerising as a bold and passionate scientist who faces sexism and misogyny. 

Unlike Woolf’s novel this unfolds at a much faster pace and the female characters take centre stage along with their feminist ideals. It is underscored by a modern soundtrack.

The film’s themes still resonate today as almost 120 years later and we are still fighting for equal rights.  
MD
In cinemas June 19

Familiar Touch (12A)
Directed by Sarah Friedland
⭑⭑⭑⭑☆

WRITER/DIRECTOR Sarah Friedland provides a refreshing portrait of dementia in this coming of old age drama and impressive debut feature. 

Inspired by Friedland’s work as a memory care worker, it is viewed from the perspective of its protagonist Ruth (Kathleen Chalfant, Old) a former cook in her 80s who is slowly losing her memory. The first six minutes of the film is her preparing lunch in silence; she places a piece of toast in the dish rack which is the first red flag. She thinks she is being taken to a hotel by Steve (H Jon Benjamin), her son who she mistakes for her suitor, but it is in fact a residential care home. 

It is anchored by a nuanced powerhouse performance by Chalfant who is incredible in this slow burning immersive drama which does not dwell on the horrors of dementia. Ruth remains herself while her world changes. 

It was made in collaboration with the residents and care workers at a Los Angeles retirement community some of which appear in the film and it makes it seem more realistic.

It is a stunning piece of work. 
MD
In cinemas June 19

Nino (15)
Directed by Pauline Loques
⭑⭑⭑☆☆

ON HIS 30th birthday Nino, a somewhat stolid Theodore Pellerin, learns during a follow up visit at his local Parisian hospital that he has throat cancer caused by the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) and must start chemotherapy on the immediate Monday. Before that, however, he needs to supply a sperm sample for deep freezing as the chemo is likely to sterilise him.

It is Friday and, to compound matters, he has misplaced the keys to his flat. What follows are Nino’s (and the film’s) slightly aimless meanderings and encounters where his cancer is the unuttered reality, as is the empty sperm vessel. Mercifully, resolution is provided by Nino’s plucky and imaginative former schoolfriend and presently single mother Zoe (a delightful Salome Dewaels).

In conclusion, on a appropriately sunny Monday, things finally come into focus as esoteric friend Safian (William Lebghil) arrives to hold Nino’s proverbial hand at the clinic. Hmmm.

In 2010 actor Michael Douglas in a public-spirited announcement said he had throat cancer caused HPV — he subsequently fully recovered.
MB
In cinemas June 19

Toy Story 5 (PG)
Directed by McKenna Harris and Andrew Stanton 
⭑⭑⭑⭑☆

WHETHER it is great timing or just sheer luck, Toy Story 5 is on point examining children’s growing reliance on new technology, plus cyber bullying, just days after Keir Starmer announced an under-16s social media ban from spring next year. 

The first Toy Story film to be awarded a PG, it hits the ground running as Jessie (Joan Cusack) is warned by some abandoned toys “the age of toys is over” as they are being replaced by modern digital tech which is turning kids into zombies. She does not take it seriously until Bonnie is given a Lilypad (Greta Lee) smart tablet and becomes hooked on it. There is an eerie pan across the nearby houses as all the children are in their bedrooms glued to their screens, which parents will identify with. 

Jesse, Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen) and the gang fight for their survival and to find Bonnie a real friend to play with, with the help of 50 new Hi-Tech Buzz Lighyears. 

Being a Pixar film, this is fun and heartfelt while thought-provoking. If it gets a child to put their tablet or phone down and play, then it’s a winner.  
MD
In cinemas June 19