At The Movies for Wednesday 2 June 2021

AT THE MOVIES #840    THAT CERTAIN SOMETHING EXTRA

 

Simon Morris talks about the importance of charm in a film – you can’t find an audience if there’s no-one they like in your film.  And he finds three films that all depend on their likeable central characters.

 

Poppy is a New Zealand feelgood film about a young car mechanic with Down syndrome who’s determined not to let her disability slow her down.   Directed by Linda Niccol (Second hand wedding) and starring Ari Boyland (Shortland Street) and newcomer Libby Hunsdale.

 

Minamata is the true story of a campaign by a Life Magazine photographer against a Japanese toxic-waste scandal in the Seventies.   Starring Johnny Depp, Bill Nighy and opera singer Katherine Jenkins.

 

And the villainous fashion designer from the Disney favourite 101 Dalmatians gets her own film – Cruella, starring Emma Stone and Emma Thompson.  Directed by Craig Gillespie (I Tonya).