Thomas Duffy’s Top 10 Films of 2021

5. Blue Bayou

Justin Chon’s authentic portrait of a family torn apart is, quite simply, the year’s most underappreciated film. Many people looked away as the film became the center of controversy for its premise but it’s still one of the most undeniably moving pictures of the year. Chon and Alicia Vikander created a memorable couple whose love for one another becomes tragic as a loophole in the system leads to Chon’s character having to be deported. Chon’s Antonio is flawed but the character rings truer than many we have seen on screen recently. Antonio’s relationship with Vikander’s Kathy and his stepdaughter, Jessie, is so powerful that I can’t imagine anyone not being moved by this film. It has such emotion and such heart that I was surprised that it didn’t make more of an impact when it was released. I am confident it will be seen, however, and that people will discover this film and the great actor that Chon is. I really recommend this movie to anyone who missed it when it was released in theaters.

4. Cruella

Emma Stone was dynamite in Craig Gillespie’s delightful film which showcased Stone’s versatile talents as Cruella De Vil. Stone played opposite the always fantastic Emma Thompson and the two actresses faced off with extraordinary results all around. Inspired by 101 Dalmatians, Cruella was a unique take on the fashion industry as Stone’s Cruella always managed to keep herself one step ahead of Thompson’s Baroness. Stone is such a talented actress that she almost made us respect Cruella more than the character had any right to be respected. We understood Cruella and this origin picture was simply tremendously entertaining with a soundtrack that kept audiences tapping their toes throughout. I’d like to see this film get some technical nods at the Oscars especially for the costumes and makeup/hairstyling. In a perfect world, Stone would get an Academy Award nomination, but she’s won already so I’ll have to let someone else have their year instead. Jessica Chastain, perhaps?

3. Cyrano

Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett and Kelvin Harrison Jr. created the year’s most interesting love triangle in Cyrano, one of the most entertaining and elegant films of the year. Bennett as Roxanne, the girl of both Cyrano (Dinklage) and Christian (Harrison Jr.)’s affections is simply brilliant. Bennett followed up her role in last year’s Swallow with this terrific role. Cyrano is another movie that deserves attention for its costumes and hair and make-up all of which are simply outstanding. However, one piece of this film is being overlooked by some and undeservedly so. That piece is the terrific song that appears a little less than halfway through the picture. It is titled “Every Letter” and it is everything we go to the movies for. It’s passionate, compelling and sophisticated much like the movie itself which is sure to get a few nominations come Oscar time. Dinklage has never been better!

2. Nine Days

Nine Days is pure movie-going magic. Directed by Edson Oda, Winston Duke is the lead actor in the film. He plays a man named Will who has the power to select one of several souls for the gift of life. He meets his match in Emma played by Zazie Beetz. Emma is a soul like no other who befriends Will slowly while Will slowly shifts his focus to another soul named Kane played brilliantly by Bill Skarsgard. It is the unborn Emma who will ultimately teach Will a thing or two about life that will forever alter these two characters’ existences. I loved the ending where we learn about the man Will once was and when we see his passion towards life as brought out of him by Emma, it’s nothing short of a miracle. This movie is a miracle itself and I loved every minute of it. It’s the type of movie that sneaks up on you and floors you. I wasn’t affected more emotionally at the movies all year long than while watching this film.

1. Licorice Pizza

Licorice Pizza is everything you go to the movies for. Paul Thomas Anderson’s gem is just so entertaining to watch. It also challenges the viewer with a complex storyline of two young adults (one significantly younger than the other) who find comfort in each other’s company. Cooper Hoffman is the smart but young Gary Valentine who falls hard for a charming, somewhat confused, girl in her 20’s, Alana (the brilliant Alana Haim). If the chemistry of these stars wasn’t enough to make this film perfect, Bradley Cooper pops up as Jon Peters and Cooper steals the show in his brief but memorable screen time here. Sean Penn is also on board as well as several other notable actors as well, but this movie belongs to Haim and Hoffman. They are so delightful to watch that this film becomes like a present from Anderson to the audience in which we unwrap it a little at a time just until we get to that perfect ending that makes us feel good about life and that’s something a movie needs to do if it wants to be at the top of my list of the year’s best movies. Now, more than ever, we need Licorice Pizza to remind audiences that life is one crazy journey but sometimes you can find someone in your own life that can make it all worthwhile. Haim and Hoffman are movie magic and you’ll be won over by this film’s charm and extraordinary originality.

There you have it, folks. What films moved you this year? Hopefully if you haven’t seen some of the movies I’ve mentioned, you will check out my favorites and see if you can find the same excellent qualities that I found in them. Thanks for reading! Happy 2022 ahead at the movies!

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