Sundance 2020 officially invaded Utah, as it began on January 23 and closed on February 2. The Festival saw the premiere of 118 feature-length films. Many are hoping to find distributors and others are already available to the viewing public (Miss Americana on Netflix, anyone?).
But 118 is a lot of movies, so how does one whittle that number now and prepare for movie viewing in the coming year? There are films from Disney, foreign options, and some very well-reviewed documentaries, but what should the public be watching for in theaters closer to home? Here are a few of the very best Sundance had to offer this year.
Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always
In good news, Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always already has a trailer for everyone to already enjoy. The basic premise of the film follows two teenage girls, originally from rural Pennsylvania, who are traveling to New York City looking for assistance with an unintended pregnancy. That plot makes the movie very relevant to the current political climate across the country, but this has also been praised for its direction and narrative focus. Director Eliza Hittman, previously known for her 2017 project Beach Rats, has grown with her craft, producing a much more focused film than in her other projects.
Black Bear
Were you a Parks and Recreation fan? Always wanted to see Aubrey Plaza stretch her full acting wings?
Then Black Bear is one to watch for after premiering at Sundance. The film follows Plaza, as a young filmmaker, who takes a week to go write at a lakehouse, only to be troubled by the home’s other residents. They include another artist (a musician this time) and his pregnant girlfriend. Called both dark and funny and, by some, the best performance of Aubrey Plaza’s career, it’s one not to miss when it reaches beyond to festival circuit.
Promising Young Woman
Promising Young Woman may be one of the Sundance premieres you have already heard of. Like Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always, a trailer is already out in the world and playing in cinemas. Starring Carey Mulligan, the film follows Cassie (Mulligan) after an undisclosed event that changed her life and set her on the violent yet righteous path to right the wrongs she has seen as a woman in the world. The film is already scheduled to hit theaters across the country in April, and it has a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The 40-Year-Old Version
Continuing on the theme of struggling artists, like Black Bear, The 40-Year-Old Version tells the story of Radha, once a playwright, who finds herself still looking for success and love at the age of 40. She works as a teacher and continues to face rejection from the wider theater community. In an attempt to redefine herself as well as find who she used to be, Radha returns to an old obsession: rapping. But how does one balance two artistic paths? And what does success actually mean? Another amazing aspect of the film is that Radha Blank writes, directs, and stars in the piece.
Palm Springs
Andy Samberg stars in Palm Springs, which follows Sarah, the maid of honor at her sister’s wedding. It’s a destination wedding where Sarah connects with Nyles, the date of another bridesmaid because they both believe that nothing in life matters. A romantic comedy at heart called both sweet and funny, it could be a hit when it reaches beyond the bounds of Utah. A descendant of films like Groundhog’s Day, the movie is supposed to be hysterical as well as heartwarming.
Crip Camp
One of the documentaries that premiered at Sundance was Crip Camp. The doc, from Netflix, tells the story of Camp Jened, a summer camp for children with disabilities. It was also run by hippies. The documentary tells the larger story of the birth of the disability-rights movement. Produced by the Obamas, the documentary is a positive story in a very depressing time. It’s great to be reminded of what the world can do when it decides to work for the better of everyone instead of being power-hungry and selfish.
Falling
Boasting an all-star cast, including Laura Linney and, the film’s director, Viggo Mortensen, Falling tells the story of a father, played by Lance Henriksen, who, due to age, moves in with his gay son and family in Los Angeles.
The father happens to be very conservative. In a time of polarized political beliefs across the nation, the film touches on very personal and very relevant topics.
The Father
Like Falling, The Father focuses on family dynamics and illness. The movie stars Anthony Hopkins and The Crown’s Olivia Colman, as father and daughter. Hopkins denies the onset of Alzheimer’s and fights his daughter as she tries to provide care. Then, a mysterious man also barges into their lives to further confuse and disrupt the family relationships. The film was praised for its impeccable performances by every person in the cast.
Kajillionaire
Kajillionaire stars Richard Jenkins, Gina Rodriguez, Evan Rachel Wood, and Debra Winger. It tells the story of a family of con artists. The parents have spent 26 years training their daughter to scam people whenever the opportunity presents itself. When the family is forced to ask for outside help with their latest scheme, the daughter begins to question the only (and very strange) life she has ever known.
Into the Deep
Netflix certainly made quite the statement with its documentaries for 2020. Like Crip Camp, Into the Deep looks set to be a major success for the streaming platform. The doc tells the story of Peter Madsen, an inventor who hit the news in 2017 for murdering journalist Kim Wall on his submarine. Wall was supposed to write an article on Madsen and his sub but never returned from visiting him in Copenhagen. Her dismembered body was eventually found in the ocean. The great part about Into the Deep is that the documentary began filming in 2016. It was supposed to be about Madsen as an eccentric person and turned into something far more sinister.
