My overall review of the Telluride Film Festival this year is that some films needed to be turned down. Way down. I’m not just talking about volume. I’m talking about drama/story.
For example, Jay Kelly was too much. Real people don’t talk like that. It wasn’t believable. We have enough drama in our world at this moment – no more, thanks. I want truth in my stories and Noah Baumbach tends to turn up the drama/acting to a high pitch level that leaves me thinking: Are these are ‘cartoon character’ characters or real people?
Emily Mortimer + Baumbach’s co-wrote Jay Kelly… which made me wonder: Why isn’t the protagonist a woman? ‘Joyce Kelly’ would have been a much richer, more interesting story if the George Clooney character was a woman (played by Allison Janney). Ok, if it had to be a man, at least make the relationship between the George Clooney and Adam Sandler characters, richer and deeper. A little handholding at the end did not make up for the silliness of most of the story like the daughter’s feet were swollen… That just seems ridiculous and not plausible.
Give me truth in stories.
The movies I found the most watchable and loved:
- Network (chock-full of drama), yet it never feels false. The characters feel real, and the fact that this film was made 50 years ago is a testament to the story because everything the writer predicted 50 years ago is what we’re living today. This film is a treasure. It’s not streaming on any platform. So I bought it. Because I feel like this film is new annual mandatory viewing.
- And 2025’s far and away, favorite was Sentimental Value. I really hope this film sweeps the Oscars. This is the film of the year. It deserves to win everything. The story starts with a metaphor about how a house knows all of our secrets. Wow. Just such an unbelievably poetic and beautiful way to start the story. I was just completely blown away by this film. Release date: November 7, 2025. In the meantime, watch Worst Person in the World (Netflix now). Renate Reinsve, the incredible Norwegian actress is in both Sentimental Value and Worst Person. She’s so watchable. Every beat feels real.
Speaking of being “blown away”, I also saw Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein. It’s really loud. It’s like a marvel movie for art film people. So many explosions so many CGI wolves. I mean, for what it is it’s fine. It’s just not really my jam because it’s so loud! And when I say loud, I mean the seats in the theater shook. Loud.
| 2025 Films | Grade |
| A Private Life | A |
| All the President’s Men | A+ |
| Blue Moon | B |
| Deliver Me From Nowhere | A |
| Frankenstein | B |
| H is for Hawk | B |
| The History of Sound | A |
| If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You | C |
| Jay Kelly | C |
| Man on the Run | A |
| The Mastermind | B |
| Network | A++ |
| Nouvelle Vague | A |
| Pillion | B |
| Sentimental Value (twice) | A++ |
| Tuner | A |
A Private Life
Super fun film. Genre-defying. Part Rom-Com. Part Thriller. Part Foreign Film. Pure joyful Jodie Foster.
Jodie Foster was delightful as she introduced her film. Loved that she came to TFF! She’s a treasure.
All the President’s Men
Do yourself a favor, subscribe to Criterion Channel and watch this incredible film. Wow. It was beyond fun to watch it on the big screen. Truth. Not a false note in the whole picture.
Blue Moon
This film feels like a real attempt to get Ethan Hawke an Oscar. It was a miss for me. However, I loved Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague – below.
Deliver Me From Nowhere
It sure was fun having Bruce Springsteen in Telluride! See pic below! The Boss!
Frankenstein
My short take: This film is like a Marvel movie for the NPR-tote carrying art film lovers. Big sweeping CGI. It was quite loud. (Side note: It was really fun seeing a movie with Oprah in the theater! Oprah!!)
H is for Hawk
Claire Foy is great. Mabel is great, too! Mabel! Mabel!
The History of Sound
Beautiful love story. If you liked Brokeback Mountain, you’ll like it.
If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You
This film is pretty tough to watch. If I wasn’t watching it on the big screen, I’m not sure I would have stuck it out. Rose Byrne was directed to TURN IT UP and she’s damn near hysterical. It’s A LOT.
Jay Kelly
I don’t love Noah Baumbach – I mean, well, I love that he loves Greta Gerwig, because I love her, too. But his films are really over-the-top. I prefer more truthful performances. Jay Kelly is all TOO MUCH.
Man on the Run
Great doc about Paul McCartney. Fun ride.
The Mastermind
Fun + suspenseful. Everyone loves a good heist film, right?
Network
Whoa. This forward-thinking film predicted EVERYTHING. Watch it now and you’ll be knocked out by the writer’s premonitions about the future. Could have been made in 2025. Holy shit. SEE THIS FILM AGAIN TODAY.
Nouvelle Vague
A fictional telling of the making of 1961’s Breathless. Super fun! Wear your sunglasses and enjoy it even more.
Pillion
If you like penises, you will love it. I’m not sure I loved it. It’s like a gay-”Secretary”. And I loved Secretary (2002).
Sentimental Value
I mean… I saw this film twice… and that should tell you everything you need to know — so, I’m not going to tell you ANYTHING about this film – because you just gotta see it for yourself. It’s just incredible. I will see it again when it’s released in November, 2025.
Tuner
I liked this little movie about a piano tuner. Good story.
🎬 Trailers (Alphabetical)
- A Private Life — Trailer on MUBI
- Blue Moon — Official Trailer (2025) YouTube
- Deliver Me From Nowhere — Official Trailer (2025) YouTube
- Frankenstein (del Toro) — Official Trailer YouTube
- Hamnet — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLOWdtjLCTo
- If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You — Official Trailer (A24) YouTube
- Jay Kelly — Official Trailer (2025) YouTube
- Sentimental Value — Trailer 1 YouTube | Trailer 2 YouTube
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