Senator Anne Bancroft criticizes a candidate for Secretary of the Navy for the gender segregation in the Navy, so a deal is made to test a candidate to see if she can compete equally with the men during training. Topographical analyst Demi Moore is chosen as the first test subject because she is prettier than the other options. I’ve been wanting to watch this for quite awhile, but my library seems to have only bought copies because of the Oscars controversy. It’s a solid bit of filmmaking that doesn’t offer much terms of original storytelling, but Demi’s transformation and dedication to the physicality of the role is impressive.   

The only ones who appreciate and can afford English cutter Mark Rylance’s custom suits in 1950s Chicago are a family of Irish mobsters. When his livelihood and his life are threatened by this association, he must use all his skills to save himself. They say they’re in Chicago, but there’s nothing about the one location setting that gives that away, neither does whatever accent Zoey Deutch was trying to give. I love Mark Rylance for his quiet understated performances and here he combines that with an underlying confidence. He carries the film from start to finish and it is never not an interesting ride.   

In 1971, photographer W. Eugene Smith (portrayed by Johnny Depp) traveled to Minamata, Japan to document the effects of mercury poisoning caused by industrial pollution on the residents there. Because of Depp’s various legal and personal problems, the film was shelved for a long time which is a shame. I’d never heard of Minamata disease before nor that it is considered one of Japan’s big four pollution diseases. The United States is no stranger to corporate environmental malfeasance, but it’s disconcerting, though not surprising, that it happens elsewhere. The film offers a beautiful and captivating story, though reading the real life story as always makes me wonder why the producers make the changes they do.

Returning from the service, writer William Lundigan is surprised to discover that the new home his wife June Haver purchased in his absence is a run-down apartment building. Oddly included in the occasional Marilyn Monroe boxset, the acturess only appears in the film sporadically as Lundigan’s war buddy who rents an apartment in the building. The housing shortages after World War II makes for interesting conflict and the building itself plays an important character in this light-hearted tale, keeping everyone on their toes. That being said, the tenants all make more compelling protagonists than the too-cute married couple, especially swindler of lonely old ladies Frank Fay.