By Anne Brodie
Australian actor Jacob Elordi’s current heartthrob status will bring folks in to see Daniel Minahan’s On Swift Horses in theatres April 25. And boy, do we get to see a lot of him. He’s Julius, brother of Lee (Will Poulter), who is married to Muriel (Daisy Edgar-Jones); they live in her isolated childhood farmhouse in Kansas. Julius shows up out of the blue, following his dishonourable discharge from the army while fighting the Korean War. No pension, no payout. He catches Muriel’s eye and we wonder how long it will take. Lee hasn’t recognised the electricity between them, and adores and trusts his big bro. With no job or prospects, Julius turns to his standby profession, gambling, and sex for money. Muriel and Lee move out to San Diego and Julius will got to Las Vegas to try his luck, and work his charms on marks. He fnds an actual job as a casino security guard who with co worker Henry (Diego Calva) peers down on card players from above, inside the ceiling, to catch cheaters. They begin a torrid affair; it’s the fifties so they take care not to be seen outside together. Muriel takes inspiration from Julius, she’s gambling on the gee gees, drinking alone at bars and thinking about her brief flirtation with Kansas neighbour Sandra (Sasha Calle). Events and emotions take a toll, and plans go awry – many a slip twixt cup and lip. And oddly, a lone horse has befriended Julius, a key element. This dense three hander is operatic at times and works on the principle that nothing is certain, especially where the heart is concerned.
Andrew Ahn’s The Wedding Banquet brings home the old saw that the truth shall set you free. But four friends, but no one wants to do that for fear of upsetting the traditional applecart. Partners Angela and Lee (Kelly Marie Tran and Lily Gladstone) live in Seattle in Min’s home, while their besties, lovers Chris and Min (Bowen Chang and Han Gi-chan) live in the garage. Lee desperately wants a baby but expensive IVF treatments have not worked and they can’t afford another. She suggests Ang do IVF – “you’re younger”. Chris won’t commit to marrying Min and confesses he and Angela slept together in high school. Meanwhile, Min’s grandmother Ja-Young (Korean legend Youn Yuh-jung) shows up to take him home to run the family business, the last thing he wants to do. Complicated problems have bold solutions; Min asks Ang to marry him to get his green card so he can stay but then a surprised grandma forces an elaborate wedding and banquet on them, even though she has known he’s gay all his life. Ange’s mother May Chen (Joan Chen -Twin Peaks!!!!!) shows up with her bag of problems to add to the mess. Ahn’s ultra human, complicated story resonates with anyone who has felt themselves protected by misdirection – a false hope – and everyone who has learned forgiveness and optimism and patience, nurturing their relationships. Yet another film shot dimly in dark spaces – except the wedding – that it is often unseeable. Movie makers, let the light shine so we can see everything your set and wardrobe laboured to produce and the faces of the characters as they go through their stories. In theatres now.
Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie, now playing in theatres across Canada is a real trip back to the 6os, man. Cheehc Marin and Tommy Chong were the leading comedy duo anywhere! The ones always stoned on marijuana, making fun of themselves, each other and society, wondering where the next joint’s coming from (sometimes stuffed down between the car seats). Fifty years together as a wise cracking, mellow pair a comedians, they were also filmmakers, producers, savvy businessmen and agents for change. Their films were massive successes, so is this one really their last? Well at 78 and 86 who knows? They contributed to the 60’s culturally left landslide and made history making dope cool. How times have changed. Records, films, stand up tours, special appearances, they were popular rebels. When US sent boys to fight the Vietam War, society split and belonged to the anti-war movement, as anti establishment as it gets, despite millions in income. Director David Bushell accesses wonderful archival footage and follows them together and alone, sniping at each other, describing their decades long bond and telling their unique stories of their upbringing, Tommy in Calgary, AB, Cheech in LA’s notoriusly tough South Central where he witnessed three murders by the time he was seven. He’s overcome his impovershed roots, he’s eloquent and happy; at one point he moved to Canada to avoid the draft and begin a new life as a potter (his beloved hobby). He worked at a ski resort! Tommy discovered a hot new singer, a child named Michael Jackson just as the Supremes discovered him. Lots to marvel at here, and if it feels dated, well, it doesn’t matter. It’s revealing and funny and reminds us that voices of protest and comedy are helpful these days.
Chef’s Table: Legends, a new four parter streaming on Netflix April 28 spends time with each of four of the most famous chefs on the planet -Jamie Oliver, Alice Waters, Thomas Keller, and José Andrés. While learning about the ways they entered the vast world of cooking, and dedicated themselves to it, we get to look at a lot of the food. 😊 Their stories are terrifically interesting and their styles uniquely their own. Oliver found his purpose in life after failing at school due to dyslexia and during that journey, dedicated himself to helping others through food education efforts. He became famous in the UK before hitting it big here with The Naked Chef TV show. He was 26 and didnt like fame “It felt wrong, like a stomach ache”. He didn’t seem like a chef, dancing his way round a kitchen, a whirlwind of decision making and execution as he invented dishes and personalised standard recipes. While working at London’s famed River Café, a TV crew followed him, by accident, and the next day he received three phone calls pitching his own series. He said it was like being in a boy band; soon he was a millionaire. He wanted to “democratise” great food in the UK, which is not known for its cuisine. He opened 46 restaurants that brought in 100M pounds a year but then experienced the other side of fame – the backlash. His businesses collapsed. But his dedication to educating schools on their nutrition programmes, with the help of Prime Minster Tony Blair, continued. He still coaches young people. Famed Berkely California chef Alice Waters, creator of Chez Panisse, says her global fame began with a simple salad. It was grown locally; she created the organic Farm to Table movement and word spread far and wide; for dessert, she served surprised guests bowls of local fresh fruit, which tasted unlike anything else. Less drama here but just as interesting. I didn’t get to Keller or Andrés because I was already in the kitchen trying out what I’d seen. Much to learn.
Clinton Kelly and Stacy London hosted a terrifically popular fashion reality show back in the day called What Not to Wear. They’re back with their abundant knowledge of fashion and goodwill with a new series that suggests a more modern approach to clothing. Wear Whatever the F You Want a ten parter on Prime Video launches April 29 in which subjects tell them what they like and the hosts make it happen for them. The subjects are gifted with entire wardrobes that reflect their vision of themselves. Personal expression of style may break the rules, but its 2025 and things have changed in the in the decade since What Not to Wear. Their first client grew up with 13 male cousins, is a mother of two girls and works as a barista and nursing home aide. She’s busy and frequently uses her daughters’ clothing, not giving herself the luxury of buying what she wants. But does she even know what she wants? Stacey and Clinton advise her; she’s tiny so any patterned outfit must be chosen carefully. She wants colour but what kinds of colour? Together they will weave a spell and send her to a formal tea party. Spoiler: she’s transformed and happy. A hard-core lifelong emo/goth girl says she used the “costuming” to keep people at bay, but is more confident now and dreams of looking feminine and approachable. The team sends black packing and introduces her to flattering colours and shapes which meet with her approval and her hard-to-please mother! Another client who transitioned is looking for help in creating a truly unique style. Clinton and Stacey deliver amazing pieces, a pink tuxedo jacket festooned with long pearl tassels and a pink tulle layered skirt for date night, and other statement pieces for the confident client that are achievable. Doable. Simple psychology, encouragement and endless choices from the wardrobe racks and then family and friends’ reactions.
Time for another This Hour Has 22 Minutes Vote Canadian: A 22 Minutes Election Special! Ah yes, those wily wits Aba Amuquandoh, Stacey McGunnigle, Trent McClellan, Chris Wilson and 22 Minutes veteran Mark Critch will kick the tar out of the most consequential Canadian vote in years. Mark McKinney plays Prime Minister Mark Carney and Glass Tiger’s Alan Frew performs “Canada’s Song, a tribute to the country’s resilience, freedom and beauty”.
Streaming now on CBC Gem and to be broadcast on CBC approximately 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT Saturday following the Toronto/Ottawa NHL playoff game. Also appearing are Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Québécois candidate Rose Lessard, Green Party Co-Leaders Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, with a classic 22 Minutes drop-in at the Federal Leaders’ Debate. Critch has coffee with the real Carney.
