Hammerle on … “Disobedience,” “Deadpool 2”

“Disobedience”

Imagine the classic “Casablanca” (1942) being redone where it now takes place in a patriarchal Jewish community in London in the decades after World War II. Imagine further that Rick and Ilsa, memorably played by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, are now both women. What you end up watching is a lesbian love affair where both of our paramours will always have Paris even if they cannot have each other.

Here you will see Rachel Weisz playing Ronit Krushka, a New York photographer who journeys to London to attend her father’s funeral. Given that her father was a leading Rabbi of his very conservative Jewish community, Krushka was ostracized years ago for her unacceptable relationship with another young girl. What plays out is a story where a lesbian love affair rekindles against a backdrop where the predominantly male leaders of this Jewish enclave view homosexuality as a challenge to tradition which they treasured as life’s calling card.

Though Ronit is reluctantly welcomed back to honor her late father, things quickly unravel when she discovers her childhood “friend” Esti Kuperman (played admirably by Rachel McAdams) is married to a Rabbi (Alessandro Nivola). A roar subsequently erupts when they are seen in each other’s arms, kissing in a park.

Though the film involves a condemned love affair with twists and turns that will again remind you of several of the events in Casablanca, the movie’s strength is found on two levels. The first is the performances of Weisz and McAdams, and their sexual encounters leave nothing to the viewer’s imagination. Both hot and heavy at times, it reminded me of the equally provocative sexual encounter between Charlize Theron and Sofia Boutella in last year’s “Atomic Blonde.”

Both Rachels are on top of their game. Weisz’s talent has previously been displayed in films such as “The Light Between Oceans” (2016), “Denial” (2016) and “My Cousin Rachel” (2017), while McAdams will always be remembered for her sterling performance in “Spotlight” (2015).

The second strength of this film flows from its recognition that the secret to life’s happiness is not found with tradition but with freedom. In order to find love you have to be able to choose your path in life and not be mandated to live by certain rules that have long outlived their meaning. Freedom enables our two ladies to resolve their forbidden love in a fashion that was surprisingly heartwarming, and it made the film worth watching.

Ingrid Bergman’s Ilsa may have done the right thing when she boarded that plane with her loving husband, but Rick was able to walk away with a smile on his face knowing that she would always exist in his heart.

“Deadpool 2”

If you want to find a film that will have you rockin’ ’n’ rollin’ from beginning to end, then you have to see “Deadpool 2.” It is violent, vulgar and one of the most sarcastically funny films to ever hit the big screen. While “Avengers: Infinity Wars” had some wonderfully funny moments, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool engages in an act that embraces what I can only call cinematic cannibalism as he mocks himself at every turn. But what also makes this film so magical is the ability of screenwriters Rhett Rees and Paul Wernick to profanely mock nearly every other character in the Marvel universe.

It begins with the opening sequence where Deadpool is seeking a way to kill himself, using a ceramic image of Wolverine’s death in last year’s “Logan” as inspiration. The movie involves the constant struggle of Deadpool’s companions to turn away from suicidal thoughts, and they finally succeed when Deadpool is literally ripped in half in battle. You will never see a more hysterical sequence than when Deadpool has to try to exist on legs resembling those of a 6-year-old boy as he waits to mature into his former self.

The plot centers around his beloved wife Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). At one moment bent on vengeance, he ends up trying to help Russell, a young mutant who has been bullied and abused at his X-Men-style home run by a diabolical headmaster played by Eddie Marsan. A large, ongoing battle ensues as Russell is hunted by Cable, an alien on his own mission of vengeance. Josh Brolin brings the same strength to his role as the villain Cable as he did playing Thanos in the recent “Avengers” megahit.

Just as the powers of Thanos required involving of all the Avengers’ characters combining to save the world, Deadpool assembles his own team which includes Colossus, the large titanium-covered character as seen in the original “Deadpool” film that bears a great resemblance to Drax of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, and Domino (Zazie Beetz), a young woman whose principal talent involves never getting injured.

But while all of these characters have some great moments, it is the performance of Julian Dennison as Russell that is memorable. He hates nearly everyone while being singularly dedicated to destroying the headmaster played by Marsan. As young as he is, Dennison has enormous talent playing confused children, and I can only urge you to see a film that I loved, “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” (2016).

Reynolds, who is one of the co-writers of this film, spends most of his time as Deadpool behind a mask that hides his scarred face. Deadpool’s ability to flamboyantly deride everyone will remind you of the best of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in the original “Saturday Night Live” cast. Good grief, the film even takes you to the edge of tears only to learn that you and the audience are being duped into making fools of yourselves.•

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• Robert Hammerle practices criminal law in Indianapolis. When he is not in the courtroom or the office, Bob can likely be found at one of his favorite movie theaters watching and preparing to review the latest films. To read more of his reviews, visit www.bigmouthbobs.com. The opinions expressed are those of the author.