208. Playing for Time

208. (17 Sep) Playing for Time (1980, Daniel Mann) 73



This downright devastating look at concentration camp life hinges entirely on Vanessa Redgrave's powerhouse performance. I've always been stunned by her talent, but now more than ever I see her staggering ability to do so much with a line or a glance. The physicality makes this all the more believable as the ensemble have their heads shaved and appear gaunt, but more than anything it truly feels as if they're always staring death in the face. The few moments of levity they have are such a splendid reprieve from a barrage of consistently harrowing scenes. A limited color palette and Arthur Miller's poignant, anguished script make Playing for Time all the more powerful.

158. If These Walls Could Talk

158. (18 Aug) If These Walls Could Talk (1996, Cher & Nancy Savoca) 69



This serious-minded message film takes an undeniably melodramatic approach in its opening "1952" segment, but I can't recall a film with an unwed mother where the stakes were quite this high. It's impossible not to become immediately invested. I'd never have thought I'd describe Demi Moore as an absolute powerhouse, but she's nothing short of extraordinary here.

"1974" comes down from the devastating opening. Sissy Spacek's role requires some serious introspection and a performer as placid as Spacek can be isn't perfectly suited for the role. "1996" is sometimes too broad for its own good, clumsily written and directed and too actorly to feel organic. But the finale is emotional and eerie.