Late Fame (15)
Directed by Kent Jones
⭑⭑⭑⭑☆

ED SAXBERGER is the author of Way Past Go, a well-received but long out-of-print poetry collection. Reconciled with past disappointments, he sorts mail by day and shoots pool in the evening.

Everything changes when he is doorstepped by Meyers – a dapper, self-assured student, whose discovery of Way Past Go convinces him that Saxberger is an undiscovered virtuoso of verse.

Buoyed by flattery, Saxberger knocks around with Meyer’s “Enthusiasm Society,” a coterie of young intellectuals united by their affirmed loathing of social media. 

Realising the appeal of a comeback narrative, he begins to entertain the idea of writing new material for a performance event. Meanwhile his snobbery alienates his pool-playing blue-collar buddies.

His bond with Meyer’s group is strengthened by an attraction to Gloria, a beautiful and unpredictable actress. A little older than the young men, she’s the only member of the group with genuine talent, and the only one obliged to work. 

Samy Burch’s script, based on a novella by Arthur Schnitzler, poses interesting questions about privilege and class; the definition of an artist; and the control of culture by patrons and gatekeepers. 

It’s funny too. The dialogue is crammed with sly wit; there is energetic exposure of the Enthusiasm Society’s hypocrisies; and there’s splendid skewering of arts industry pretension: “We have no mandate, we are passion driven,” a cultural fixer drawls.

The performances are superb. Willem Dafoe depicts Saxberger’s doubts and upheavals with understated conviction; while Greta Lee’s Gloria is a bravura portrayal of social power and emotional fragility. 
AH
In cinemas September 4

The Death of Robin Hood (15)
Directed by Michael Sarnoski
⭑⭑⭑☆☆

FORGET any previous conception of Robin Hood and his merry men for this isn’t Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, or Men in Tights. This is the most brutal and bleakest depiction of the infamous outlaw. And frankly, it is the most interesting interpretation yet. 

The film, written and directed by Michael Sarnoski (Pig), centres on the end of Robin’s (Hugh Jackman) life and his impending death. Set in 1247, he is a vicious killer who is flawed and haunted by his former role as a larger-than-life hero. But there is nothing heroic about this morally corrupt man who admits he enjoyed robbing and killing. Seriously injured in a battle, he seeks help and haven at a priory run by Sister Brigid (a phenomenal Jodie Comer) who, unaware of his true identity, offers him the chance of salvation.  

Shot in Northern Ireland, the austere and unforgiving landscape reflects the character’s brutality and ruthlessness. Jackman delivers a performance reminiscent of Logan in an incredibly powerful drama that has a visceral and timeless feel to it. His scenes with Comer are intense and electrifying as she holds her own beautifully. This is worth seeing. 
MD
In cinemas September 4

Leviticus (15)
Directed by Adrian Chiarella
⭑⭑⭑⭑☆

THIS unnerving and seriously creepy queer coming-of-age supernatural horror is an impressive debut feature by Australian writer-director Adrian Chiarella. 

There is a lot to unpack in his gripping and refreshing thriller set in a conservative, industrial, Christian community in rural Australia in which two closeted teenagers Naim (Joe Bird, Talk To Me) and Ryan (Stacy Clausen, True Spirit) are subjected to a harrowing exorcism ritual after they are outed as gay. This unleashes a violent and evil entity which takes the form of the person the boys desire the most in each other. The film keeps you on tenterhooks as you don’t know who is real or not. It is a simple but brilliant plot device. 

Leviticus explores the psychological terror of conversion therapy and religious trauma, while the demonic presence is a metaphor for homophobia and guilt. Bird and Clausen give astounding performances that are both tender and terrifying as the two lads and their demonic doubles. 

Frightening and thought-provoking, Leviticus will haunt you long after it has finished. 
MD
In cinemas now

Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass (15)
Directed by David Wain
⭑⭑⭑☆☆

ZOEY DEUTCH’s indelible charm and joyful energy ground this farfetched comedy about a small-town hairdresser who, when she catches her fiance having sex with his celebrity hall pass, heads to Hollywood in pursuit of her own in revenge. 

Directed and co-written by David Wain and Ken Marino, who both star in the film, it proves a wonderfully entertaining yet surprisingly violent screwball comedy. It is jampacked with famous cameos. It’s a case of blink and you miss them. 

You can’t help but root for Gail (Deutch on top comic form) as she teams up with her best friend Otto (Miles Gutierrez-Riley), a would-be agent (Ben Wang), a paparazzi (Marino) and John Slattery (having a blast) to find her own celebrity sex pass, Jon Hamm from Mad Men. 

But if you’ve never heard of him or the TV show (that’s anyone under 25 as my niece confirmed) then the joke completely bombs. But still, it is worth seeing for Deutch alone.
MD
In cinemas September 4