Arnav Srivastav
5. Hateship, Loveship (2013)
Johana Perry (Wiig) is employed by an elderly and affluent Mr. McCauley as a domestic help and to take care of his granddaughter Sabhitha (Steinfeld) after the demise of her mother. Ken, her alcoholic and distanced father resides in Chicago seldom coming to visit his daughter. Sabhitha and her best friend start playing games with the innocuous Johana, leading her to believe that Ken is attracted to her. She seems to return the feelings and steals some furniture from McCauley’s garage and flies off to Chicago to live with him. Skepticism and repulsiveness quickly transform into warmth and affection as the two get married and find acceptance from Sabhitha. One of Wiig’s finest performance, we had the opportunity to see her in a dramatic role. And boy, was she perfect. Surreptitious glances and earnest physical displays of longingness amplified the effect of her performance and the film overall.
4. The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015)
If you too became a fan of Alexander Skarsgard after ‘Big Little Lies’, ‘The Diary of a Teenage Girl’ is for you. Capturing the magical and effervescent feel of the ’70s, the film sets up its young and inordinately reckless Minnie with an insouciant and vibrant Monroe. While there shouldn’t normally be problems, the latter is Charlotte’s (Wiig) boyfriend and the former her daughter. There you go, problems. Bel Powley is a revelation and drives this movie with utmost guile and the typical teenage rebel. Marielle Heller paints an unsettling yet alluring picture, taking her camera to places we couldn’t or rather wouldn’t dare to go. Bold, brazen, and liberated.
3. The Spoils of Babylon (2014)
I’ll just go ahead and say it. ‘The Spoils of Babylon’ boasts of the greatest ensemble ever assembled on television. And the great thing about it is that it uses the cast in the best possible way. Will Ferrel introduces each episode as we delve deeper and deeper into the seemingly perfect lives of a dysfunctional family who have made it big in the oil business. The mirage is broken and broken emphatically as the dark secrets of the members come to fore. Spread over six deftly crafted episodes, ‘The Spoils of Babylon’ is storytelling at its very best.
2. Downsizing (2017)
When scientists discover how to shrink humans to five inches tall as a solution to overpopulation, Paul (Matt Damon) and his wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) decide to abandon their stressed lives in order to get small and move to a new downsized community — a choice that triggers life-changing adventures. The premise boasts of a vague similarity to Spike Jonze’s ingenious ‘Being John Malkovich’, distancing itself with the means in the end. The mixed reviews certainly are incredulous considering the mesmerizing performances and a very well executed plot. Damon redeems himself after the debacle of ‘The Great Wall’. Hong Chau steals the show, though with a terrific performance that sets her up enticingly for a career in Hollywood.
1. Bridesmaids (2011)
Annie, an out of work middle-aged spinster, has no meaning in life, ever since her bakery closed. She finally gets a lifeline when her best friend Megan announces she’s engaged to be married. Her hopes and meticulously planned surprises are crushed and disposed of by Helen, the gorgeous and ruthless wife of Megan’s husband’s boss. A chicken fight begins between the two as they fight to make Megan’s experience heavenly and make sure they get noticed for it. Melissa McCarthy stole the show with a terrific cameo which is enough for you to tune in. A gem really this film.
Read More: Alicia Vikander Movies
