Female Director, Gay Co-Star, Lesbian Star -- "Can You Forgive Me"

The ever-surprising Julie is raving about a new movie...and, no, it is NOT a loud, gruesome "Super Hero" blockbuster.

It's not a musical either.

Some intellectual foreign film perhaps? Wrong again.

Quoth the Catwoman, "Can You Forgive Me" is...

"A daring movie. Be surprised.

If I tell you what it's about you might not see it. See it.

Every scene pulls you in.

Superb female director.

It's so good you can't tell they're acting.

You won't stop watching."

Should Julie have mentioned there is a "cat woman" angle? Would that help poor "Batman '66" fans who need SOME reference to cling to? Here you go...

I would agree with Julie: "if I tell you what it's about you might not see it..."

Indeed, I happened to see some promo for it, and when a clip was shown, it didn't seem to be too compelling. It was presented as "based on a true story" (we all know how THOSE are embellished). The clip showed a sour-looking Melissa McCarthy (resembling a cross between Roseanne Barr and Seymour Philip Hoffman) and her flamboyant friend (Richard E. Grant) who flirts with a gay waiter in a diner. Not the best choice of scenes. The plot line was discussed, and that didn't exactly grab my attention either.

BUT...Julie's "SEE IT" was good enough for me to see it, and it IS a very unusual, quirky, original film. The acting is indeed excellent (watch for a restrained, excellent supporting role from Jane Curtin). The film resists "opening up" and being commercial with flashy moments of comedy, sex or violence (hence the quandary of what clip MIGHT sell it). Instead, it goes its own way, figuring anyone who has paid to sit in the theater, or stream it, is going to stay with it. And yes, if you do, you will be rewarded.

"You won't stop watching." Indeed.

I've enjoyed McCarthy's comedy on "Saturday Night Live," but here, she proves herself as an actress with a lot of range. Richard E. Grant showed tact, taste and restraint in a role that could've been over the top, instead of realistic and affecting. Hell, even the cat in the film showed a lot of personality.

In a year of "Black Panther" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "A Star is Born" among others, this quiet little "New York" movie has been overlooked, but not by the keen eye of Julie Newmar.

"A daring movie" these days, is one that does not rely on special effects, pandering to Millennials, or pushing an R-rating for those with no attention span.

As of this writing, "Can You Forgive Me," and another odd quirky small film, "Stan and Ollie," have yet to make back their $10 million production cost, but they're close to that mark. Of course, when you add in the price they'll get for streaming, and DVD sales, they'll both double or triple the investment, if not more. That's some sign that individualistic films can still be made and find an audience.