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“Golda”
To be quite frank, few people other than students of history will like this film. However, I fall into that category.
With a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria launching an attack on Israel, the movie largely focuses on Prime Minister Golda Meir’s response. Played with energetic style by Helen Mirren, she smoked cigarettes constantly, which included during her cancer treatments.
The first and only female Israeli prime minister, she faced constant criticism for her country’s lack of preparation concerning this war. In her 70s, nearly 2,700 soldiers were killed, which led to her resignation in 1974.
Except for a short moment, Golda didn’t visit the front, and neither does director Guy Nattiv’s camera. Instead, you watch her interaction with a staff that included Defense Minister Moshe Dayan as they countered a response to the Arab invasion. As a history fan, I found these moments made “Golda” an interesting movie.
Without saying more, the film had some dramatic moments. It was tragic to watch a secretary in Meir’s office collapse when she received word that her son had died in combat. In addition, there are some very fine scenes as you watch her interact with Henry Kissinger, played with style by Liev Shreiber, as the U.S. helps negotiate an end to the conflict.
Just be prepared to tolerate Golda’s chain smoking!
“The Little Mermaid”
OK, here is the story. Halle Bailey is superb as Ariel, a young mermaid who wants to see the world above the water.
Over the objection of her father, King Triton (Javier Bardem), she makes a deal with Ursula (a memorable Melissa McCarthy), a nasty witch. Having saved Prince Eric, a drowning sailor (Jonah Hauer-King), from death, she can become human for three days. If she gets a kiss, she can remain. If not, she must return to the sea and become a slave to Ursula.
What gives this film some power is the music along with the performances of Daveed Diggs and Awkwafina. Diggs plays the crab Sebastian, who functions as Ariel’s bodyguard. As always, Awkwafina is marvelous as the seagull Scuttle.
Ariel and the prince immediately fall in love, and you watch their journey to see if Ariel is saved with a kiss. You’ll remember her singing “Part of Your World.”
As an aside, Monica and I watched the film at Disney World. We recreated our first trip there 35 years ago, before we were married. We saw a little bit of our own history as we watched Ariel and the prince develop a romantic relationship.
Let me also say that we took many rides in the various parks. If you go, make sure you don’t miss Space Mountain in the Magic Kingdom and Avatar Flight of Passage in the Animal Kingdom theme park. They are fun beyond words.
You’ll relive Ariel and the prince’s first kiss.•
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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 preparing to review the latest films. To read more of his reviews, visit www.bigmouthbobs.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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