Back in 2016, thousands of column inches in both digital and legacy media were devoted to an all-female reboot of Ghostbusters and what that might mean for all of us in terms of the on-going war between women and men. In the midst of the media brouhaha, the release of Maggie’s Plan, written and directed by actual film-making woman Rebecca Miller, didn’t get a percentage of the attention, but the ascension of star Greta Gerwig to the forefront of worldwide film-makers via the Barbie movie might well change all that in the future.
Maggie’s Plan looks like some kind of Bridget Jones’s Baby pregnancy rom-com from the trailer, but it’s anything but; Maggie (Gerwig) wants a baby, but isn’t sure who the father should be; the local pickle salesman (like a jingles writer, this profession is always movie shorthand for a complete loser) or professor Ethan Hawke, who she has a crush on.
This matter is resolved quickly, and the action moves forward to Maggie’s child being considerably older, and Maggie questioning the correctness of her own previous decisions re motherhood. There’s also some academic satire to boot with Hawke and particularly Julianne Moore having fun as his flighty, pretentious ex-wife.
Maggie’s Plan is notable for being a film made by top female talent that deals with a woman’s personal dilemma with tact and taste; by some inversion of the microscope, a film directed by a man about women chasing comedy ghosts is somehow seen as a more significant work of cinema. Barbie felt like a personal film for Gerwig, with the main character’s heartfelt desiring not to realise an idea, but to have the idea. Hopefully Gerwig’s game-changing success will encourage viewers to seek out unfairly ignored films that embody other women’s ideas such as Maggie’s Plan.
Subject matter limits interest I’m afraid despite those concerned.
I’ll let Greta know to try harder.
She has to do something to regain public trust after Barbie failed to hit the $2 billion mark.
Still time…even out on streaming, it’s still a top 5 movie in many territories…
Actually, it probably will bust $2 billion after all the ancillaries. But in the old days theatrical would just the start, they would be looking at closer to $5 billion once you counted in mainstream TV, cable, rental, full-price DVD/VHS, reduced-price DVD/VHS, bargain DVD/VHS, plus streaming and reissues.
Can’t even begin to imagine what the merchandising tally will be for Barbie.
Forgot about that. Another billion.
Ugh babies! Pfft.
Is the correct answer. Why do we even need them?
Clones would be so much better.
Agreed. Send them in. Oh, wait, don’t bother, they’re here.
I see what you did there.
I do try.
Doesn’t every parent wonder if they made a gigantic fuster cluck at times with their children? I don’t think it’s just limited to mothers.
I am surprised you didn’t talk more about Moore’s role more, what with her being half-scottish and all. But I got your back!
The Scots Shall Rise Again!
https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-e7ec228cbe14592f7f6a60854f2cbbc3
Did you make that flag yourself?
I didn’t. I was thinking of it, but was too lazy. So I let google do all the work for me.
Since you keep mentioning her I did a quick search, which told me that I’ve never seen anything Gerwig has appeared in or directed. I guess the zeitgeist has passed me by.
I just wanted to reply on Eddie’s behalf, so you don’t feel left out.
Gerwig is a horrible actor and director and everything she does stinks. You shouldn’t watch her movies. In fact, you should march on Hollywood and burn it to the ground in protest. That is what I, Eddie the Unstoppable Kilt Wearing Killer, recommend.
And my good friend, the wise, benevolent and totes awesome Bookstooge, will back up those very statements. So, get to pillaging and burning!
This weak imitation is absolutely not me, to be clear.
What do you think? I feel like I was able to get Eddie’s character down perfectly with that comment.
I didn’t even know it was you until I checked the avatar!
Dang, I shoulda been an actuh!
Shoulda been something for sure.
Sigh.
Nope.
Guano colored card for hurting my sensitive artistic soul with that hateful and mean comment.
Don’t want you getting involved in the liberal cess pool of performative arts.
Too late. I just nominated myself to be Supreme Artist of the Entire World. I now OWN that cesspit…
Commie!
Commies wouldn’t take your statement laying down. So to prove to you that I’m not a commie, I’m going to go lie down on the couch now.
That’s why reading a top, well informed movie critic is good for you. Have you tried reading Roby Colins in the Torygraphy? Fascism is just a small part of their mindset.