Hammerle on… “Downton Abbey: A New Era” and “Thor: Love and Thunder”

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“Downton Abbey: A New Era”

Let me say that even if you are not a big fan of “Downton Abbey,” there is a reason why nearly everyone who has seen this movie will smile and say, “I really enjoyed it.” Great acting and a sophisticated script from Julian Fellowes leave you on the brink of tears while repeatedly laughing.

Maggie Smith gives an Oscar-worthy performance as the aging dowager countess Violet Crawley. Taking place in 1928, a movie company wants to use her English estate to make a silent film at the same time that her family learns she has inherited a large mansion from an unknown deceased man in southern France.

The family splits up to handle both semi-chaotic issues. Crawley’s son Robert (Hugh Bonneville), his American wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and their butler Carson (Jim Carter) embark to try to confront a widow who wants to hang on to her property in the south of France. I’ll say no more than to tell you that her late husband and Crawley only met each other in the 1860s. What happened?

Movie problems develop in England. The film’s director, played with style by Hugh Dancy, has to shut down if he can’t make a talking picture. While his leading man (Dominic West) has a great voice, his arrogant leading lady (Laura Haddock) is a disaster. You will love the unfolding story as the abbey’s supervisor, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), comes to the rescue.

The film is a sophisticated drama laced with humorous moments. The abbey’s servants play a major role throughout the film, which led to one drawback: The British dialogue was difficult to pick up at times, and I wished the film had subtitles.

Then again, let me admit that wearing hearing aids can be a curse in a movie theater!

“Thor: Love and Thunder”

If Marvel films are not your cinematic cup of tea, I encourage all of you to see Taika Waititi’s writing gems “What We Do in the Shadows” (2014), “Hunt For The Wilderpeople” (2016) and “Jojo Rabbit” (2019). These are three of my favorite films and they will stoke your curiosity about this “Thor” release.

Furthermore, as he displayed with “Thor: Ragnarok” (2017), he adds some emotional suspense and humor missing from films like this year’s box office hits “Jurassic World: Dominion” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” Action-packed silliness morphs into heartbreak that will leave you astounded as you wipe a tear from your eye.

Then again, the film’s beginning is predictable without question as Thor (Chris Hemsworth) whips himself back into shape to pursue some peace and solitude. The world is confronted with Christian Bale’s demonic Gorr the God Butcher. Following the death of his young daughter, Gorr is on a mission to destroy every god in the universe. That includes Thor.

Thor joins up with his pal Korg (Waititi), his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) to eliminate Gorr, but that proves to be a difficult mission. Let me just describe Gorr as Waititi’s recreation of the devil from the ninth rung of hell.

The film’s enjoyably goofy moments are best represented by Thor’s encounter with Zeus. Played by an unrecognizable Russell Crowe, wait for the moment when he strips a chained Thor of his clothes resulting in the fainting of his female supporters. One of those wretched scenes that you hate yourself for remembering.

But romance saves this film in the same fashion that it did “Dr. Strange.”

Without saying more, Portman’s Jane is suffering from an advanced state of cancer. She has to choose between staying bedridden to enhance recovery and grabbing Thor’s old hammer Mjolnir to save Thor. In the process, it enhances her cancer and takes her closer to death.

Like Dr. Strange, the most powerful moment of this film is when Thor has to say goodbye to the woman he loved. Yet does Jane die?

Bring some tissues and see this magical little film. And don’t worry, it lasts just under two hours. Thank you, Mr. Waititi.•

Robert Hammerle practices criminal law in Indianapolis. When he is not in the courtroom or the office, Bob can likely be found at one of his favorite movie theaters preparing to review the latest films. To read more of his reviews, visit www.bigmouthbobs.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author.

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