Slow (15)
Directed by Marija Kavtaradze
★★★

 
WHEN dancer Elena and sign language interpreter Dovydas meet sparks fly, but this isn’t your typical romance or love story. 

Elena (Greta Grineviciute) is very physical, passionate and sexual while Dovydas (Kestutis Cicenas) is asexual, as he confesses to her off the bat, which means they have to discover how to build their own kind of intimacy.

You are allowed to witness it without it being disrespectful or voyeuristic. It is sweet and tender and the film examines their differing physical needs and how they affect the relationship as it develops at a gentle and slow pace. 

Writer-director Marija Kavtaradze delivers a complex yet frank and honest drama driven by moving performances from Grineveiciute, who is also a dancer and choreographer, and Cicenas. At times it is like you are watching a documentary as both leads are so natural and in the moment. 

It is heart-wrenching when he tells her that this is the first time he has cared so deeply about someone though he feels no sexual attraction either to her or anyone else of any gender. He says she can sleep with other people if she wishes. 

You find yourself rooting for their romance to flourish and survive against all the odds, but as the relationship progresses, they struggle to compromise on intimacy and being truthful with each other. 

It is heartbreaking to witness and Slow ends on a thought-provoking note. 

Out in cinemas May 24.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (15)
Directed by George Miller 
★★★

 
GEORGE MILLER returns to his Mad Max Saga with the origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa from Fury Road (played so magnificently by Charlize Theron) in another visually arousing nonstop action-packed extravaganza. 

Co-written and directed by Miller, it follows Furiosa’s troubled journey from the age of 10 to 26. Alyla Browne (next seen in Sting) is phenomenal as the younger Furiosa who is snatched from her home in the Green Place by members of Dimentus’s (an unrecognisable Chris Hemsworth) biker gang.

She is then taken to the warlord who murders her mother in front of her and keeps her captive for years. She seamlessly transforms into the formidable Anya Taylor-Joy, although I did wonder if it was still Browne or not as it was hard to tell. 

She then teams up with Praetorian Jack (an outstanding Tom Burke) to track down and kill Dimentus to avenge her mum, and losing her hand in the process. By the end it comes full circle showing exactly how Taylor-Joy becomes Theron’s version of the warrior.

While more character-driven Furiosa isn’t as relentless or as battering on the senses as Fury Road. 

Frankly, see it on the largest screen possible. 

Out in cinemas May 24.

Hit Man (15)
Directed by Richard Linklater
★★★★

 
INSPIRED by the true story of a mild-mannered college professor turned fake hit man for the police, Richard Linklater’s latest film is a sharp, funny and hugely enticing twisted comedy thriller. 

It is based on Skip Hollandsworth’s article in Texas Monthly about hit man Gary Johnson who he describes as “the Laurence Olivier of the field,” masquerading as different personas. It is co-written by Linklater and his leading man Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick, Anyone but You) who embellish this surreal tale.  

It is a clever and seamless mash-up of different genres as film noir meets screwball comedy in this dark romantic thriller in which Johnson (Powell) helps to catch prospective murderers in New Orleans by posing as a hired assassin. The plot thickens when he falls for femme fatale Madison (Adria Arjona) who wants her husband killed. 

It is a wonderful showcase for Powell’s extensive acting range as he embodies numerous colourful and oddball characters (appearing both handsome and disturbing which is a feat)  and totally commands the screen. His easy charm and wit are captivating plus his on-screen chemistry with Arjona is electric.  

This is Linklater’s most entertaining film to date.

In select cinemas May 24 and on Netflix June 7.

The Present (PG) 
Directed by Christian Ditter
★★★

 
A YOUNG boy uses an enchanted grandfather clock to turn back time in a bid to stop his parents from separating in this time travel comedy which shows you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. 

After reliving the same day 83 times without changing the outcome Taylor (Easton Rocket Sweda) finally enlists the help of his older two siblings (played by Shay Rudolph and Mason Shea Joyce) in saving their parents’ (Greg Kinnear and Isla Fisher) marriage. 

Think Ground Hog Day meets Back to the Future but with basic special effects. 

Kinnear and Fisher (whose own 13-year marriage ended last year) act their hearts out in this sweet but underwhelming family film.

Out in cinemas May 24.