May Culture Roundup

Everything I've watched, read and listened to in the month of May

Summer's coming!! But has someone forgotten to tell the British weather? Luckily, I spent half of my May in sunny Sri Lanka but, of course, still managed to squeeze in some culture throughout…

The Idea of You

Quickfire summary: A 40-year-old single mum (Anne Hathaway) begins an unexpected romance with a 24-year-old boy-band singer (Nicholas Galitzine).

Rating: 2/5

Okay, so, like everyone else in the world right now, I'm into Nicholas Galitzine. After his broodingly brilliant portrayal of Prince Henry in Amazon's Red, White & Royal Blue, I was hooked. (He's since gone on to star in Bottoms and Mary & George.)

So when I found out he was due to star in The Idea of You alongside Anne Hathaway, I instantly read the book like the good little fan I am. I liked the book; it had the right amount of romance and a bittersweet ending that was the only way tie up the loose ends – one of the many things that fell down in the film when I watched it (sorry to the two friends who I'd hyped up with nervous excitement).

Despite the humongous hype and budget, I was left cringing at the stilted pace, the ropey plot and the phoney ending. Still an NG fan til I die though…

The Cherry Orchard

Photo: Johan Persson | Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard at Donmar Warehouse

Quickfire summary: An aristocratic Russian family are forced to sell their estate, including its famous cherry orchard, to pay off their debts.

Rating: 1/5

Keeping this short and sweet, Chekhov is clearly just not for me. While that's probably (in part) due to the fact that I was standing throughout the two and a half hour run, the characters felt disjointed, I had no clue what was going on in the first half and felt there was no redeemable quality in any character. Thanks but not thanks, Chekhov!

Challengers

Quickfire summary: Tension mounts when tennis-player-turned-coach Tashi (Zendaya) finds herself coaching her husband (Mike Faist), who faces their former friend and Tashi's ex (Josh O'Connor).

Rating: 4.5/5

Tension, sex, tennis. Those are the three words I'd use to describe this MASTERPIECE of a film. Despite the initial titillation of the trailer, I honestly went in expecting a bit of a romp fest. I was pleasantly surprised when what really followed was a clever back-and-forth love triangle that builds with every breath and bounce of a ball (tennis, ofc), all expertly executed by the three leads. Exquisite.

People, Places, Things

Quickfire summary: Struggling actor and addict Emma (Denise Gough) spins out of control and into rehab. Will she be strong enough to stop blaming others and face her demons?

Rating: 4/5

As this had moved from The National, I knew it would be good. (It also starts with the main character struggling to make it through a Chekhov play, so major points from the off.)

I hesitate to say 'relatable' as the rest of the play is incredibly moving and, at times, hard to watch. Covering themes of addiction and denial through Emma's 'cold turkey' journey, the staging is perfectly disorientating, as is the eery music and direction that lays the actors bare. It also has a Fleabag-esque humour, which provides the brief yet welcome light moments when needed.

Benson Boone: Fireworks and Rollerblades

Rating: 4/5

As previously mentioned, I spent two lovely weeks in Sri Lanka and this album was the soundtrack to the whole trip (sorry to our poor driver who was subjected to this every day). Faves include: Cry, Slow It Down, Hello Love, Forever and a Day.

Young Woman and the Sea

Quickfire summary: Based on a true story, Trudy Ederle (Daisy Ridley) survives death in childhood, which gives her a new lease of life when she competes at the Olympics as a swimmer and sets her sights on the English Channel.

Rating: 4/5

I never entered into the Star Wars chat so I'm late to Daisy Ridley, but from the opening frame of her face, she had me on the edge of my seat. Trudy begins as a meek, shy girl but becomes formidable when she battles sexist discrimination in a bid to swim the English Channel.

It's classic Disney – with some characters not fully formed and other themes spelled out a little too much. But I found it a joy to watch and even shed a tear at the end. A truly uplifting film.