I'm going to die with my boots on.
Weekly Directed By Women Viewing Guide
This week all of my recommendations are older streaming picks including three documentaries, two dramas about women in crisis, and a couple of international hidden gems.
I had intended to recommend Mafia Mamma, the latest collaboration between Catherine Hardwicke and Toni Collette, however as you can read in my review over at RogerEbert.com, that movie is total garbage. So instead, I am going to suggest you watch their first film together, 2015’s Miss You Already. Based on screenwriter Morwenna Banks' radio play Goodbye, the film stars Collette and Drew Barrymore as lifelong best friends Milly and Jess whose friendship goes into turmoil when Milly is diagnosed with cancer at the same time that Jess becomes pregnant. Collette and Barrymore have incredible friend chemistry together, and each feel like fully realized women going through immense personal changes. Collette in particular does not shy away from the more prickly, selfish aspects of Milly, pushing her as far as she can without ever alienating the audience (even as she alienates her friends and family). To counter that, Barrymore brings her trademark affability and a warmth that is simply irresistible. This is such a lovely film that mostly flew under the radar when it was released, but should really be considered a high watermark in the careers of both actresses. You can stream it now for free on Tubi.
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