Tell It Like a Woman

Wow, this mess of a... feature presentation (one hesitates to call it a film) plays like a screening at a mid-level shorts festival where organizers slapped together two hours worth of Shorts ranging from okay-ish (the Indian one) to embarrassingly on-the-nose (e.g. The Jennifer Hudson one). That screening (the one you might just be walking out of at that hypothetical festival) might be called Women's Voices or something like that, but that's really all they have in common. Annoyingly, if the idea was to represent a female experience, said experience is based all in cliché and narrow views of what female subjectivity can be. You get: woman as mothers, as occupied with housework, as victims of abuse, as having mental health issues (several times), as beauty-obsessed. That's all you could come up with? Feminists would say: thanks for nothing.

And at this point, I think the Academy is actively trolling poor Diane Warren by handing her Oscar nomination after nomination for mediocre songs written for poor movies, never with any chance of winning.

This is a movie of numerous stories about struggling women and its mediocre. Directed by Catherine Hardwick and starring women throughout most of which is sad with choppy acting. The humble aspect is how its got a lot to do with people not as able to help themselves much! Easily among the weakest of nominated films filled with uncomfortable scenes, really bad acting, and only a few wins. I am sure Diane Warren is happy a song from this is nominated otherwise it probably wouldn't get much attention. I'm surprised Cara Delevine was willing to play a homeless person deeply uncomfortable she's had way better roles at least wonderful actress Marcia Gay Harden helped out that was great! Solid for some aspects not much more.

This film is essentially a series of short films, whose only connection is a general theme of hardship for women.

Each of these stories are important. The real life people and situations that this film is based on are important.

However, in my opinion, it doesn't work as a movie. There's a lot of talent both in front and behind the camera, and I really respect the intent of the film, but I found myself detached, and impatient.

I don't think this film is going to highlight the issues it wants to, and I find it hard to believe it would convert anyone to its cause.

Had it not been for an Oscar nomination for best song (a good song btw!), I feel this film would have gone largely unnoticed.

I didn't think the film was awful, I just think some of the messaging was unclear and some stories fell short of meaning and direction. The first story that dealt with mental health and drug addiction was based on a true story and was well acted, in my opinion. If you know anything about this topic, you'll know there will be plenty of drama, that's a given. The other stories, some also based on actual events, were delivered adequately enough, as I remembered most of the stories long after the film was over. I thought the worst was the last story, which was animated, I didn't think it was a good fit.

I did like the song "Applause" which was nominated for an Oscar however, my pick is RRR's Naatu Naatu.

Watched it to check boxes on nomination nods, otherwise would have never even heard of it. And with good reason.

Seven badly written stories (some barely ok, others just painfully awful), mostly stereotypical and melodramatic, devoid of emotional weight. By the time it's finally over, there isn't one memorable scene, line or character.

It's insane it can now claim to be an Oscar-nominated movie, especially when compared to remarkable films (Nope, Northman, Woman King) which were completely snubbed by the Academy this year, but here we are. Alas, not even perennial nominee Diane Warren is able to save this tragedy, since 'Applause' is as bland as cellophane, better suited to a High School Music sequel that no one asked for.

I just wonder what the hell were Jennifer Hudson and Marcia Gay Harden thinking...