Movie #1415 ........................."Certain Women"

Movie #1415 "Certain Women" was a movie that looked interesting to me when I saw the trailer, but I never got around to seeing it in the theatre so I rented the DVD.  Well, it is based on some short stories that center on females, so I enjoyed that part of it, but looking at the whole film, I feel that each one, if developed further, would have been a good film.  Let me explain....there are three films put together that appear to be connected because the editor goes back and forth a little and they are connected very weakly ---- Laura Dern in the opening of the film is sleeping with the husband of Michelle Williams in the next one --- the third story seems just to be out there until the main character  goes into a lawyer's office to find Kristin Stewart and crosses by Laura Dern from the first story --- and that's it!  Weak connections, for sure.  The leads never talk TO each other or ABOUT each other.    However, one could say the theme of each story deals with women's issues --- all the women are oppressed in some way, usually by a male, and being the nurturers in society, they can be accused of being too giving, and each part of the film shows consequences of that trait.  At least, that's what I got out of  it.  But really there aren't high, high points -- but considering that most of the film is full of mundane activities like walking and eating, and the pacing is slow, slow, slow, when anything happens, it appears to be big, I guess.  But really, just meeting a guy in prison, just moving sandstones from an old man's home to your truck so you can use them to build your house, and just driving to see a teacher that you liked, don't seem very high in high points.....but there they are!  I would give this film a 2, except for the competence in the acting, and the third story's long moment of driving by the native American student.  That scene was very powerful ---- it was the one time this woman stepped out of her mundane life to change her lonesome life, and she's shut down!  Ooh!  Still gives me goosebumps --- I just wish the other stories connected better in one powerful scene.  I give this a 3 out of 5 stars.

"CERTAIN WOMEN"     2016     1 hour and 47 mins    rated R

In this quiet drama, three Montana women try to find their way when life throws them curveballs. As lawyer Laura deals with a hostage crisis, Gina clashes with an elderly neighbor, and ranch hand Jamie becomes smitten with an adult education teacher.

Cast: Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams