Sundance Review: 'The Diary of a Teenage Girl' starring Bel Powley and Kristen Wiig

The indie scene is chock full of films about female sexual awakening, and most attempt to tell the  same edgy story. Few pull it off; either they're too soft or exploit the subject in ways that can be considered ugly. Marielle Heller's assertive directorial debut The Diary of a Teenage Girl does what many other films attempt which is push the limits in exploring the unchecked sexual desires of one atypical girl in 1976 San Francisco.

Anchored by a raw, untamed central performance by British actress Bel Powley, the film grabs your attention right away as 15-year-old Minnie reveals she just had sex for the first time. Against the backdrop of the west coast hippie and feminist movement there's an endearing spirit of rebellion against societal norms, and Minnie is swept up in it. But for all her hope that she's made the transition into womanhood, she's still very much an immature child. Blabbing into her tape recorder she reveals that her lover was Monroe (Alexander Skarsgard), the boyfriend to her mother Charlotte (Kristen Wiig), an alcoholic with trouble holding on to men. That Charlotte perceives her daughter as a rival isn't lost on Minnie, but it actually drives her to pursue the relationship further. She begins to revel in the danger of it, but also the feeling of being sexually attractive to men because she always perceived herself as ugly and fat.

The road Minnie travels is a familiar one of sexual experimentation bordering on nymphomania. There's of course sex with Monroe, but also sex with strangers, group sex, and a disturbing bout with prostitution that nearly crosses the line into bad taste. Hellner's unflinching portrayal of it is refreshing but Minnie's story is also consistently predictable. Based on the graphic novel by Phoebe Gloeckner, Hellner attempts to weave in brief, American Splendor-esque animated sequences that are beautiful but seem divorced from the narrative. While the case isn't completely made that all of Minnie's questionable behavior will build her into a confident woman, it does celebrate that she'll always be true to herself without the need for male validation. At a time when Hollywood is often and rightly criticized for its negative portrayals of women,  The Diary of a Teenage Girl sends a valuable message message about the value of self-worth.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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Review: 'The Giver' Starring Jeff Bridges, Brenton Thwaites, and Meryl Streep

Lois Lowry's book The Giverwas published twenty years, beating out The Hunger Gamesand Divergentby a considerable margin. In the case of the latter, which recently had an adaptation starring Shailene Woodley, the author has openly stated she drew inspiration from The Giver in crafting the faction-based, anti-diversity world of her popular novels. Does anybody really care about that, though? Nobody will think about which book came first, all they'll know is which film came first and which one looks like a derivative, boring entry in the YA genre.

The irony is so many of these films are about celebrating diversity yet they are virtually indistinguishable from one another. The Giver takes place in a future society where sameness is celebrated; all emotion eradicated and even the color spectrum is reduced to shades of gray. There is no war or hunger but there's also no excitement, and you can forget about sex or anything that qualifies as fun. Even words are highly regulated by this quietly oppressive governmental system, one that sends the elderly off to a mysterious paradise known as "Elsewhere". Of course this supposedly utopian society hides a dystopian underbelly, one that the Elders don't want to see revealed.

But if someone is going to expose what's really going on it may be Jonas (Brenton Thwaites), who during the "Choosing Ceremony" (well, that's what Divergent called it anyway) is shocked to learn he's been chosen to become the new Receiver of Memory. The Receiver is to train under the tutelage of the Giver (Jeff Bridges), a sort of Yoda master gifted (or cursed) with memories of how humanity used to be; the love, the war; the racism; the joy; the freedom; all the things that Jonas has never known. When Jonas' eyes are opened to the reality of human potential, and begins to see color in a way reminiscent of 1998's Pleasantville, he takes it upon himself to change the status quo once and for all.

The Giver explores our basic need to conform, to gain acceptance from others even at the cost of our individuality. This is a recurring theme we've seen far too often and done with greater insight by other films. The big problem is that Philip Noyce and screenwriting duo Michael Mitnick and Robert Weide do a terrible job of world-building , never fleshing out this society in a way that would make this believable. It's almost as if this was a movie made solely for the initiated who already knew everything going in, and maybe since Bridges has been developing this movie for a decade that's the case. He scored a major coup attracting the likes of Meryl Streep to star as the Chief Elder and she's so bland you wish for the hair-pulling excesses of August: Osage County. But she's a damn sight better than Thwaites who seems to have taken the lack of emotion to heart. While others such as Katie Holmes, Alexander Skarsgard, and Odeya Rush are expected to dial it back due to the story's requirements, Thwaites has no such excuse. He's comically bad and woefully stiff, but worse he's just not much of a presence at all. The story needs a charismatic figure and the only one it gets is Bridges. With a mischievous, knowing twinkle in his eye he's the only character fully-formed enough to warrant our sympathy, especially as he mourns over the memory of his last student (Taylor Swift in a minor cameo) who met a tragic fate.

While Streep is ostensibly the "villain" the real nemesis for Jonas is societal compliance, and that doesn't give him much to directly contend with. As a result there's a severe lack of action (unless sled rides are thrilling to you?) and a tone that stays flat throughout. Without a proper rising of the stakes the film ends with a resounding thud that won't have many aching for a sequel. Uniformity muddies The Giver's core message, and without a compelling story or central character it's not a film you'll want to receive.

 Rating: 2 out of 5

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New Trailer for 'The Giver' Shows a Colorless Future

In Lois Lowry's novel The Giver, there are numerous scenes depicted in stark black and white, so when the first trailer for the film emerged in full color it drove fans a little crazy. Maybe The Weinstein Company and director Philip Noyce heard the outcry, or maybe it was always designed to be this way, but the latest footage assures the book's readers the film will indeed be faithful.

While those same fans would also have you believe The Giver is not your typical YA adaptation, the trailers would seem to indicate otherwise. Starring Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Brenton Thwaites, Katie Holmes, Alexander Skarsgard, and Taylor Swift, the film is set in a seemingly idyllic world of total conformity, until one young boy receives the gift of past memories and threatens to expose a secret that could destroy everything. So it's not unlike Divergent and The Hunger Games in following one special character who threatens to break the fragile status quo by following their true feelings.

The Giver opens on August 15th.


The Giver Official Trailer #2 (2014) - Meryl Streep, Jeff Bridges Movie HD by Trailer-Addict

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Kristen Wiig and Alexander Skarsgard Join 'The Diary of a Teenage Girl'

Besides the extensive list of films shown at Park City every year, the Sundance Institute is also well-known for the support given to budding filmmakers. The Sundance Feature Film Program was integral to the success of Ryan Coogler and his breakout film, Fruitvale Station, just last year. Now another director who went through the Directors and Screenwriting Labs is about to make the jump into the big time with a pair of major stars by her side.

Marielle Heller will make her writing/directing debut on an adaptation of graphic novel The Diary of a Teenage Girl, and she'd already lined up Kristen Wiig and Alexander Skarsgard to star. However it will be British actress Bel Powley taking on the lead role of teenage artist Minnie Goetze, who navigates 1970s San Francisco by speaking her mind, hating school, and sleeping with her mother's boyfriend.

No word on when filming will begin but with financing already secured it will probably be soon.

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Alexander Skarsgard and Theo James Among Those Rumored for 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

 Just when you thought the Fifty Shades of Grey rumor-mongering was done, Charlie Hunnam had to go and ruin everything. Hunnam had secured the lead role of Christian Grey in Sam Taylor-Johnson's adaptation of the best-selling smut novel, and with Dakota Johnson on board as Anastasia Steele all was ready to go. But just as production was about to begin in mere days, Hunnam dropped out and now it's basically back to square one. Cue the role call of candidates!

According to THR, True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard, Jamie Dornan of U.K. series The Fall, Divergent star Theo James, and Christian Cooke (Romeo and Juliet) are said to be in the mix, with producers basically going back to the original drawing board in plucking out these names. If this goes like the last round of casting went we can probably expect to see more random names pop up. Anybody throw Russell Crowe's name out there yet? Oh, yep, there it is. It's going to get ridiculous, ya'll.

Speaking of ridiculous, there are conflicting theories going around about the reason for Hunnam's departure. THR suggests the problem could be the script by Kelly Marcel, which had enough problems that Patrick Marber (Closer) was hired to give it a polish. But other sources say that's not a big deal and not the real issue. The studio talking point is that Hunnam left due to scheduling conflicts with hit FX series Sons of Anarchy, but US Magazine claims the actor never wanted to do the movie at all. A source says...

"Charlie Hunnam was never going to do Fifty Shades of Grey. He told his agents from the beginning he didn't want to do it and was going to pull out."

And yet another source tells them it was definitely a scheduling problem. The point is that the speculation is going to be running wild for a few weeks until Focus Features gets this thing locked down and in front of cameras next month. Otherwise it's going to be tough to meet the August 1st 2014 release date. 

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Meryl Streep and Alexander Skarsgard Join 'The Giver' with Jeff Bridges

Was there a secret email passed amongst screen legends where they vowed to take over genres they normally wouldn't be considered for? We've already seen Robert Redford and Glen Close venture into superhero territory as part of Captain America 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy, and now the great Meryl Streep is moving into her first YA adaptation.

Streep has joined the cast of The Giver, remarkably making this her first time starring alongside Jeff Bridges. Based on the sci-fi novel by Lois Lowry, the post-apocalyptic story is set in a society the collected memories of the people are held by one man, known as a Receiver. Last month, Brenton Thwaites snagged the role of Jonas, who is selected to be the new Receiver but finds he is overwhelmed by such a great responsibility. Also joining the cast are True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard as Jonas' father, and Cameron Monaghan (Prom) as his best friend. Streep will play the chief elder, charged with maintaining order in their seemingly utopian society.

Bridges has been developing this film for years and will also serve as a producer, so clearly he sees something worthwhile to shepherd it for so long. Philip Noyce is directing with filming to being this October. [Deadline/TheWrap]

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Alexander Skarsgard frontrunner for David Yates' 'Tarzan'; Samuel L. Jackson eyed

Exactly one week ago a shortlist emerged for David Yates' Tarzan, with Alexander Skarsgard, Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, and more in the running to play the jungle-dwelling hero. And now just like that it appears they've found their man as Skarsgard is reported to be the frontrunner for the gig. Time to start brushing up on those vine swinging skills.

But that's not all, as Samuel L. Jackson is being targeted for the role of George Washington Williams, an ex-Civil War soldier turned mercenary looking to redeem himself for his part in killing Native Americans. The story from Adam Cozad will center on John Clayton III, aka Tarzan, who after being assimilated back into society is asked by Queen Victoria to investigate strange happenings in the Congo.

No deal is in place, and Yates still has to convince Warner Bros. Skarsgard is the perfect choice. But the studio knows the True Blood actor well at this point, as he's got the Viking flick The Vanguard in development, along with the low-budget thriller Hidden.

Expect Tarzan to get the greenlight soon and Skarsgard confirmed as production is being planned for next summer. [Variety]

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Tom Hardy, Charlie Hunnam, Alexander Skarsgard, and Henry Cavill eyed for David Yates' 'Tarzan'

After directing the last four Harry Potter movies to phenomenal success, David Yates has taken his sweet time deciding what to do next. That doesn't mean he's been sitting idly by, as he was once attached to direct Your Voice in My Head with Emma Watson, and has an Al Capone trilogy with Tom Hardy circling the title role. But after mulling his options, Yates has decided he wants to hit the jungle first, choosing a big screen version of Tarzan as his next project.


Yates began circling the job back in June, but at the time it was unclear what direction Warner Bros. was going to go in. Craig Brewer(Footloose) was, and presumably still is, developing a rival take on the Edgar Rice Burroughs character, but that version may now be dead and buried. The version Yates will take on features a script by Adam Cozad(Jack Ryan), and already names are starting to emerge as to who will get to wear the loincloth and swing from the trees. Henry Cavill, Charlie Hunnam(Pacific Rim), Tom Hardy, and Alexander Skarsgard(True Blood) are all reportedly being looked at for it, with no one really in the pole position at this stage. All four men have fairly close ties to the studio, but I think it's unlikely Cavill could handle another high-profile franchise after Man of Steel and possibly Justice League.

Tarzan would be a tough film to make relevant and cool, but if any one could do it Yates is one of those guys. Certainly it would have to be better than the most recent Burroughs adaptation, John Carter? [Vulture]

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Sure Shots: Ridley Scott; Alexander Skarsgard; Chris Columbus

* Oh joy. More Biblical epics. I thought this was Hollywood? Godless heathen Hollywood? So why are there so many movies based on religious fairy tales in the works? The latest comes from Ridley Scott, who tells Esquire that he's working on a film based on Moses, the guy with the parting of the seas and the Ten Commandments and stuff. The film will be appropriately titled Moses, and is likely the same one being developed by 20th Century Fox, who probably want to keep working with Scott now that Prometheus is only a few days from release. Don't expect to see this happen any time soon, as Scott has about half a dozen flicks on the burner.

* Alexander Skarsgard and Benjamin Walker are the top two contenders to co-star in The Great Wall, the silly sounding action flick from Ed Zwick(The Last Samurai). Whoever snags the role will join your future Man of Steel, Henry Cavill, in the story about two British soldiers in the 15th century who uncover a mystery surrounding the The Great Wall of China's construction. Skarsgard has had it rough lately with two straight bombs in Straw Dogs and Battleship. Walker is mainly untested as a leading man, but will get a chance to be all presidential in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. [Deadline]

* Chris Columbus(Rent) has picked up the rights to John Grisham's baseball novel, Calico Joe, with plans to write and direct. The book follows a young Major League Baseball prospect who has his promising career ruined by a near fatal beanball. Based in part on the true story of Ray Chapman(the only player ever to die due to a MLB injury), it follows the lasting effects the beanball had on everyone involved in the incident, including the pitcher who threw it. Columbus will also produce the film through his 1492 Productions. [Deadline]

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Andrea Riseborough joins Alexander Skarsgard in horror flick, 'The Hidden'

I had a brief opportunity to meet Andrea Riseborough at Sundance, immediately after watching her in James Marsh's slow burn of an IRA espionage flick, Shadow Dancer. Not only was she charming and very intelligent(especially when discussing the IRA's checkered history), but her powerful performance was one of my favorites of the festival and of the year so far. We're still waiting for Shadow Dancer to get a U.S. release date, so until that day comes Riseborough is filling her time dabbling in horror.

She'll take on the female lead in The Hidden, which currently has Alexander Skarsgard(True Blood) on board. The story follows a family who escape to a bomb shelter to ride out a mysterious outbreak. Matt and Ross Duffer will direct based on their own screenplay, which like every friggin' script it seems lately, was on the Black List.  I'm staring to think the Black List, which details the best unproduced screenplays floating around Hollywood, isn't that big of a deal anymore. Who the Hell cares?

Riseborough was most recently seen as Wallis Simpson in Madonna's historical drama, W.E. [Variety]

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Alexander Skarsgard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Ryan Gosling lead wishlist for The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

The hole left by the departure of George Clooney from The Man from U.N.C.L.E. looks to be filled sooner rather than later. I half expected that Steven Soderbergh, attached to direct the big screen adaptation of the cult fave 60s spy series, would replace the project with something else. Especially since it counts as one of the few films on his list before his "retirement". Why would he want to do with anybody other than his closest collaborators? 

But the wheels are still turning, apparently, as TheWrap has learned of Warner Brothers' extensive wishlist for the role that would've been opposite Clooney. The three main names being considered are Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ryan Gosling, and Alexander Skarsgard.  The first two are pretty easy as they'll appear on everybody list for every movie. The kicker is Skarsgard, who most will recognize as Eric Northman on HBO's True Blood. While his big screen presence remains fairly untested, he's got a lot coming up. He stars in a remake of Straw Dogs which is out right now. He has a minor role in Lars Von Trier's disaster pic, Melancholia, and next year will be featured in Peter Berg's Battleship. None of those would likely make Skarsgard the movie star a film like U.N.C.L.E. would.

The series was sortof a riff on the James Bond model, following two secret agents: American Napoleon Solo(Robert Vaughn) and Russian Illya Kuryakin(David McCallum) and their adventures working for global espionage organization, U.N.C.L.E. Clooney would've been Solo most likely, and although no names have been mentioned for that role obviously someone of equal stature is being sought. Daniel Craig, maybe? Seems like a natural fit to me, although I'm sure he's too busy. But when you're a star of the caliber Warner Brothers is no doubt seeking, scheduling is always an issue.

The same could be said of Gordon-Levitt and Gosling. I doubt either of them has the time to fit in a film that by all accounts is going to be physically taxing and action heavy.

Soderbergh's frequent writing partner, Scott Z. Burns(Contagion, The Informant!), wrote the script, which will keep the same action/comedy tone and will be set in the 1960s.

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Alexander Skarsgard joins Brit Marling's The East

 
I've heard the name Brit Marling enough to last the next two years worth of indie "It" girls. She's been on a fierce roll, writing, producing, and starring in both The Sound of My Voice and the vastly overrated Another Earth. Since then she can basically do whatever she wants, and she'll jump a bit further into the mainstream as part of Robert Redford's political thriller, The Company You Keep. But she's got a passion project which is slowly but surely moving forward. Titled The East, Marling will again co-write with Zat Batmanglij who is also directing. All it needed was a leading man, and now that guy has been found in another up 'n coming star.

Alexander Skarsgard, who has found his niche as the vampire Eric Northman in HBO's True Blood, has joined the film, which centers on a female agent who infiltrates an eco-terrorist group called The East. Skarsgard will play the leader of this group, fighting to seek revenge against those darn corporations. The son of swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard(Thor, Breaking the Waves), he's been making a big move onto the big screen of late. He'll be seen in Lars Von Trier's end of the world flick Melancholia. Before that he'll do battles against James Marsden in the home invasion pic, Straw Dogs, and let's not forget he'll shoot pegs at aliens or something in Battleship.

October and November is being eyed for the start, with Nashville being the location. Fox Searchlight has set up a nice comfortable corner for Marling to do her thing, so they'll likely be handling distribution. [THR]

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