Movies that can tone shift: Three of my favorites

These are some of my favorites from the year and they all have the ability to shift tones, pretty drastically at times.


Movie: Marriage Story
Nominated for: Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role, Actress in a Leading Role, Actress in a Supporting Role, Original Score, Original Screenplay
How I watched: Netflix
When I fell asleep: I did not
When it had me: Right from the start
When it lost me:  It didn't 
What I have to say: This movie was filled with such honesty and care, both for the story and for the characters. The depiction of this slowly unraveling marriage is so real and relatable. It's not filled with bad guys and injustice; it's filled with miscommunication and long held pain. Your allegiance might shift from one character to another or you might feel like you are sitting outside of it, watching both of them with equal empathy. But no one is painted a villain, and I love that. The plot is fairly mundane, filled with everyday life struggles and small moments. But between the writing and the incredible acting, I did not get bored living through this with them.
Tone Shifting: Look for the scene starring Martha Kelly. Pure comedy in the midst of so much painful drama!



Movie: Parasite
Nominated for: Best Picture, Directing, Film Editing International Feature Film, Production Design, Original Screenplay
How I watched: Arclight Theatre
When I fell asleep: Didn't
When it had me: As soon as the grifting started
When it lost me: Never
What I have to say: How I love a movie that takes hard right turns and totally mystifies you! In general, American film making is far more likely to follow predictable story lines and structures. It's with the Foreign Film (or newly named International Feature) category that you really get to check your expectations at the door. This reminded me of Shoplifters, one of the nominees from last year. I am struck by these Korean films that paint a picture of life that I have not truly delved into before and that makes me align myself squarely with some really dubious characters. This film had me captivated, shocked, second-guessing and thinking deeply all in the same two hours. That's a good time!
Tone Shifting: Someone called this a comedy-drama-horror mash up and that's so accurate! The social commentary is biting and hilarious, the struggles of the characters are real and relatable, and the building tension between groups rises to horrific proportions. Bong Joon Ho has the ability to morph his movie from genre to genre as he goes without leaving you feeling confused, distracted or just fed up.



Movie: Jojo Rabbit
Nominated for: Best Picture, Actress in a Supporting Role, Costume Design, Production Design, Adapted Screenplay
How I watched: In theatres, with my husband and kids
When I fell asleep: not once
When it had me: goofy Hitler
When it lost me: It didn't, really
What I have to say: One of my favorite things is to imagine the conversations that led to certain events occurring, like the conception of Jojo Rabbit. Taika Waititi telling his friends he wants to play Hitler one day. His friends protesting that would be a very bad idea, Taika explaining HIS version of Hitler would be more fun and playful. Everyone taking a nervous step away from him. Ah, what fun!
So anyway, how DO you teach a child not to be a Nazi when not being a Nazi means certain death? Not an easy task, and it creates the right amount of tension in this film. As does the interplay between very serious themes, high stakes and a whimsical comedy overtone. The choice to take a comic look at Nazis actually gets you to look at everyone involved in the film with fresh eyes. My kids thought their heads would explode from feeling resonance and sympathy with Nazi characters! I think it is worth being reminded that most Germans and Nazi party members were not monsters, just humans trying their best in a messed up situation. Just like us.
Tone Shifting:  Waititi takes us from moments of absurdity to gut wrenching sadness. This kind of dance between humor and tragedy is not often done well but I found the balance utterly delightful, and at times heart-breaking in this film.