December 14, 2022
2022 Redux: Frank J. Avella's Best Films
Frank J. Avella READ TIME: 7 MIN.
Ambitious, audacious, and boundary-pushing films and performances made a comeback in 2022 with a few bold satires ("The Banshees of Inisherin," "Triangle of Sadness"), some daring cinematic achievements ("Avatar The Way of Water," "Babylon," "Everything Everywhere All at Once"), startling narrative storytelling ("TÁR," "The Woman King," "Women Talking"), dazzling escapism ("Top Gun: Maverick," "RRR"), and love letters to the medium itself ("The Fabelmans," "Empire of Light").
Along the way there have been a few shameless awards-bait films ("The Whale" – borderline homophobic), while far superior work has been overlooked ("God's Creatures," "The Son," "She Said").
Here are my choices for the best of a more than decent year in film.
Honorable Mentions
"5-25-77," "All Quiet on the Western Front," "Argentina 1985," "Close," "Cow," "Decision to Leave," "Elvis," "Empire of Light," "The Menu," "Nothing Compares," "Official Competition," "The Son," "Triangle of Sadness," "Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths."
My Top 13
13. "Glass Onion"Although it's billed as "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery," the only thing this film shares with the original Rian Johnson comedy-mystery-whodunit is the incomparable Daniel Craig, who takes his master sleuth Benoit Blanc to heightened levels of hilarity. Otherwise, there is a brand new crime committed amidst the sterling cast of posh and privileged suspects. Janelle Monáe and Kate Hudson manage to steal scenes while also etching memorable characters. This is easily the funniest comedy of 2022.
12. "EO"
Donkeys seem to be the film animal of 2022. There's Colin Farrell's beloved ass in "The Banshees of Inisherin," and Polish auteur Jerzy Skolimowski's "EO," who is set on an extraordinary journey that reveals all the aspects of human nature – from the selfish to the cruel to the sometimes kind. "EO" is hypnotic, transcendent filmmaking from start to breathtaking finish. And when Isabelle Huppert appears in her Italian villa, it's not as surprising as it is another refreshing treat.
11. "The Woman King"
One of the most rousing gems this year, Gina Prince-Bythewood's stunning saga "The Woman King" is about a gaggle of fierce and ferocious female warriors who protect the African kingdom of Dahomey. Viola Davis has her second-best role to date (love Ma Rainey) as Nanisca, the kick-ass and fearless leader. Lashana Lynch kills (literally and figuratively) as Nanisca's loyal lieutenant.
10. "Women Talking"
Sarah Polley's riveting, "Women Talking," adapted from Miriam Toews' 2018 novel, is about a fictional Mennonite community where terrible things have been happening to the women, who have now gathered to make some important decisions. The amazing cast is led by Jessie Buckley, Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, Frances McDormand Judith Ivey, Sheila McCarthy – and the lone male, Ben Whishaw. Polley's film has tremendous contemporary resonance.
9. "The Fabelmans"
"The Fabelmans" is a film I loved so much more the second time – less hype, more attention to subtext. Steven Spielberg returns to his childhood as his alter ego, young Sammy's (Gabriel LaBelle in a brilliant breakout performance), adoration for cinema grows and evolves while his messy, but loving, family help fuel his calling. Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, and Judd Hirsch are all wonderful. The script (by Spielberg and his best collaborator Tony Kushner) is incisive, sometimes deceptively so. And Sammy's late interaction with a high school jock says everything about the power of film.
8. "RRR"
The films of Indian helmer S.S. Rajamouli are box office smashes in his homeland and, in the last few weeks, his bromantic spectacle "RRR" (Rise Roar Revolt) has been gaining awards traction as well as record-breaking Netflix views – even at a running time of 3 hours – with good reason. The film explores the horrific treatment of the people of India by the British rulers, but does so in the most mind-bogglingly outrageous and delightful manner. For queer audiences, the central relationship between the intense, cutthroat Ram (a masterful Ram Charan) and his more docile bestie Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao, Jr.) is as homoerotic as they come.
7. "She Said"
In the tradition of "All the President's Men," and "Spotlight," "She Said" is an engrossing, insightful look at the modern-day scandal that birthed the #MeToo era. The film focuses on the two New York Times journalists, Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan) and Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan), who penned the now famous 2017 exposé on the infamous movie mogul and accused rapist Harvey Weinstein. "She Said" is anchored by a dynamic, captivating performance by Mulligan. The supporting cast is also spot on, especially Samantha Morton and Jennifer Ehle. The film is deftly written Rebecca Lenkiewicz and tightly directed by Maria Schrader.
6. "Babylon"
The first 2 1/2 hours of Damien Chazelle's "Babylon" perfectly capture a singular vision of the silent film era that is rarely seen – irreverent, decadent, debauched. It's great filmmaking. Those last 30 minutes do a bit of an injustice to Chazelle's complex characters. Still, this cinematic epic is the boldest, most daring of 2022. Margot Robbie leaps off the cinematic cliff into her best performance to date. Li Jun Li and Brad Pitt are outstanding. Diego Calva says everything necessary with his facial expressions. And the production values are spectacular!
5. "Top Gun: Maverick"
Recently, a friend said she refused to see "Top Gun: Maverick" because she hates Tom Cruise movies. That was a head scratcher to me. You might dislike the person you think he is (or is pretending to be) but hating his films? The most commendable thing about Cruise is his love for the medium and his insistence on giving audiences something special, something they must visit a theater to experience. Such is the case with a sequel over three decades in the making – an astonishing and glorious film that far surpassing its mediocre predecessor with a good story, amazing tech credits, and some fab performances, beginning with Cruise himself, who deserves to be in the Oscar conversation.
4. "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
For originality and fearless filmmaking Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert's wildly wacky and deeply poignant "Everything Everywhere All at Once" checks all those boxes and more. The explosion of creative storytelling, along with stellar performances by the gifted ensemble led by the incandescent Michelle Yeoh, make for a dense work that should be revisited to continue to peel away the legion of layers that can be found in the narrative.
3. "Avatar: The Way of Water"
The King of the World has returned to try to win back that crown he lost to Kathryn Bigelow (his ex) 13 years ago. "Avatar: The Way of Water" continues the saga of Jake Sully and Ney'tiri on Pandora. They now have four kids and must flee the forest and learn, well, the way of water! Sea-obsessed maverick James Cameron breaks more cinematic ground, providing moviegoers with a mesmerizing three-hour, 10-minute behemoth of a film that argues for love and compassion, which is exactly what the world needs right now. This is gobsmackingly arresting filmmaking!
2. "The Banshees of Inisherin"
The first time I saw "Banshees of Inisherin," I appreciated Martin McDonagh's witty script, detailed direction and deft and deliberate genre-blending – oh, and the heartbreaking performances. On a second viewing I was able to truly marvel at the film's satiric elements and the important themes it raises about legacy and human nature. This is a complex, rich, and nuanced work, funny as hell and devastatingly bleak. Colin Farrell delivers his best work and should win every award. Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, and Barry Keoghan are beyond excellent, etching memorable, instantly classic portrayals.
1."TÁR"
Todd Field's staggering, shattering new work, "TÁR," is as culturally relevant as it is intellectually invigorating. The film begins as a penetrating portrait of a celebrated (fictional) orchestra conductor and soon deconstructs itself to reveal how the hubristic Lydia Tár's life begins to unspool in the #MeToo era. Blanchett gives one of the best onscreen performances of the millennium. Period. But "TÁR" is more than just a showcase for Blanchett, it's a refreshing, almost-new type of cinematic narrative that probes the abuse of power and whether we should or can separate the artist from the art. This is thought-provoking, invigorating cinema at its best.
Best Performances
Lead Female:
1. Cate Blanchett in "TÁR"
2. Margot Robbie in "Babylon"
3. Olivia Colman in "Empire of Light"
4. Michelle Yeoh in "Everything Everywhere All At Once"
5. Danielle Deadwyler in "Till"
Runner up: Emily Watson in "God's Creatures"
Lead Male:
1. Colin Farrell in "Banshees of Inisherin"
2. Gabriel LaBelle in "The Fabelmans"
3. Tom Cruise in "Top Gun: Maverick"
4. Austin Butler in "Elvis"
5. Hugh Jackman in "The Son"
Runner up: Ram Charan in "RRR"
Supporting Female:
1. Carey Mulligan in "She Said"
2. Kerry Condon in "Banshees of Inisherin"
3. Janelle Monae in "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery"
4. Hong Chau in "The Menu" and "The Whale"
5. Dolly DeLeon in "Triangle of Sadness"
Runner up: Sigourney Weaver in "Call Jane"
Supporting Male:
1. Brad Pitt in "Babylon"
2. Barry Koeghan in "Banshees of Inisherin"
3. Brendan Gleeson in "Banshees of Inisherin"
4. Michael Ward in "Empire of Light"
5. Ben Aldridge in "Spoiler Alert"
Runner-up: Ben Whishaw in "Women Talking"
