041. 2020 Index: Film
The one you (I) have been waiting for: the best films of 2020.
Hi! I’m Maggie, and welcome to Tender Forms Off-Camera: a weekly newsletter about slow living. Topics include skincare, makeup, film, television, and health.
As with most of my top-rated films, both my heart and mind gravitate towards those that face hard truths, ask tough questions, teach, and transports to new worlds. The list includes new-to-me films along with those released in 2020. Here are my top ten.
*I’ve tried to link those available on popular streaming services. If not available there, you can find them for rent on all the usual platforms.
1. The Assistant (2019, Bleecker Street)
I first fell in love with this when I watched the trailer. It had a promising framework, storyline, cast, and I was certainly seduced by its soft, low light, and cool-toned world. I fell in love again when I watched it. What surprised me most was the languid pacing. You could feel the low rumbling in your ears, the incessant drone of everyday life at an office, and the claustrophobic feeling of its low ceilings, thin doors, and too-close proximity to your coworkers. And then, there was Julia Garner. You’ll no doubt recognize her from Netflix’s ‘Ozark,’ but she’s been around far longer than that. Her first feature was 2011’s ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene,’ and I expect what put her on everyone’s radar. Her performance in this is undeniably her best, and one not many can pull off. To command your attention while doing the most mundane tasks is truly a feat. The direction and cinematography are the other stars of this film. So technically sound and expertly executed. The film holds a rather subdued color palette, but a good amount of green finds its way into each color giving the setting a sickly feel. The come-and-go and drop-in supporting cast are excellent as well, despite everyone’s incredibly short screen time. Everything is nothing short of spectacular, and the film is utterly gripping. You don’t even realize it had a hold on you until the end when you find you were simply holding your breath the entire time. I fell in love again when it ended.
2. I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020, Netflix)
As with most films, I like to go in knowing as little as possible. I didn’t know it was adapted from a novel, so I can’t speak to how it compares to the original tale. However, this version is heady, enticing, delirious, joyful, and about ten million other things. It is impressive how much Kaufman was able to inject into this 135min film. I don’t want to give anything away, aside from that it’s splendid. The two leads, Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons (one of Husband’s and my favorite actors today), give such generous performances. This is probably one of the best things to come out of 2020.
3. The Lodge (2019, Neon)
This was a sleeper hit. This has to be the most underrated, under-discussed film of 2019 (Sundance)/2020 (national release). Even now, it’s tough for me to put into words because my immediate reaction is emotional, visceral. My heartbeat quickens, there’s a knowing smile across my face, and I’m instantly transported into a rural, windy, unforgiving snowstorm. This is one of those mind-bending, what-just-happened, think-about-it-for-weeks movies. It unfolds beautifully and unexpectedly, making it a rare and real thriller. Top marks go to Riley Keough, another underrated talent, and Jaeden Martell, who already has a great catalog and a long career ahead of him, I imagine. All you need to know is a divorced father leaves his son and daughter with his girlfriend in a remote lodge during Christmas. This film starts, plays, and ends with a bang. Go watch it.
4. Sound of Metal (2019, Amazon Studios)
This is the second to last film I watched in 2020, and it left me speechless. Though by no means would the premise say it’s a feel-good movie, that’s precisely what it is. It’s a genuine rediscovery of all the best and worst parts of being a person, and who, and what you can be to someone else. An electric performance by Riz Ahmed, whom I’ve been missing since I saw him back in 2014’s ‘Nightcrawler.’ Yes, he has been in several projects, film, and television since then, but none were up to par with that raw display of talent against Gyllenhaal. *Guys, this is the first I’ve spelled Gyllenhaal’s name correctly on the first try; remember this moment. If you’re a crier, may God be with you and provide you with endless tissues.
5. The House That Jack Built (2018, TrustNordisk)
Visually, this stands out the most amongst the (174) films I watched in 2020. This is unsurprising because Lars von Trier has a way of drilling into the microscopic crevices of your mind, seeding it, and allowing those scenes and ideas to grow and populate over the years. I know that sounds both invasive and gross, but it’s accurate because all his films are profoundly visceral and question the soul. ‘The House That Jack Built’ is a chronicling of one man’s discovery of his true self, an antihero’s journey. Anyone who thinks Matt Dillon is not an amazing actor, be prepared to be proved terribly wrong. Word of caution: this is rated R for many reasons. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here. *But please watch it because it’s excellent.
6. Possessor (2020, Neon)
By far, this was my most anticipated film release of 2020. And it did not disappoint. It stars Andrea Riseborough (whom you may remember from last week’s newsletter) and Christopher Abbott (the co-best actor to come out of HBO’s ‘Girls,’ the other being Adam Driver). I absolutely love these types of sci-fi horrors. The ones that bend your mind make you reassess what’s real and possible and provide you the visuals to see it. There’s a tactile quality to this world that I absolutely love. I purchased this so I could watch the extras and loved seeing how they achieved the effects practically (an under-appreciated skill nowadays). I also appreciate the son (director, Brandon Cronenberg) stepping out of the father’s (David Cronenberg) shadow, exploring his own path.
7. Спутник, U.S. Title: Sputnik (2020, Sony Pictures)
When Husband and I watched this trailer, we instantly added it to our watchlist. Then when it arrived on Hulu, we watched it that weekend. What a stellar sci-fi film. The cinematography is superb; I especially fell for the color grading. But that’s not even the best part. This has one of the more unique and original takes on creature design. We loved it. The performance by lead Oksana Akinshina is outstanding. And the two supporting actors are also remarkable. We watched it in Russian with subtitles (Husband and I refuse to watch and listen to anything that’s not intentionally dubbed). I’m not 100% sure there’s English audio, but I’d advise watching it with subtitles anyway. This was excellent!
8. Ad Astra (2019, 20th Century Fox)
You can’t fault me for adding a film where its story is universal to everyone. I already spoke about this in Newsletter 010, so I will keep it short. A heartfelt, genuine look at how we become the person we become and the moments where we choose to tether or untether ourselves.
9. 陽光普照, U.S. Title: A Sun (2019, Applause Entertainment)
This is my favorite indie that I watched in 2020. I choose to categorize it as indie because it’s got all the familiar indie stylings: a coming-of-age story, slow, flashbacks, and a whole lot of summer ambient noise. Except all of these are good things and rendered exceptionally well. Many breakout performances (though I was unfamiliar with the cast, so they might have already had these in other films) from an incredible cast. Thinking about this film makes my heart skip a beat. It’s filled with so much love. Watch it alone, watch it with loved ones. You won’t be disappointed no matter where, when, or with whom you watch it. As always, I suggest watching it in its original language (Mandarin and Taiwanese).
10. Her Smell (2018, Gunpowder & Sky)
You might have remembered an Instagram story from almost exactly a year ago when I watched this. I gave it 3.5 stars, which sits comfortably in the middle of most of my ratings (read “neither bad nor great”). So I was surprised to find it returning to the forefront of my mind as I compiled this list. It’s undoubtedly another antihero journey, but what got me most was Elisabeth Moss’s performance. I’ve watched almost her entire catalog (film and television), accidental or not, and this is her best so far. A performance so gripping, heartbreaking, uncomfortable, and true. Not to mention an unforgettable execution of a twist towards the last quarter of the film. I remember this film in its entirety a year later, having only watched it once. And when I think back on it, all the similar waves of emotion immediately hit me. It clearly touched upon something deep within, so naturally, it’s here as number ten.
In true Tender Forms fashion, I can’t pick just my top ten; I have to include honorable mentions. And of course, there are ten of these as well. These are listed in no particular order, with thoughts kept short because this newsletter is already too long.
Emma.(2020, Focus Features) Wrote about this back in Newsletter 031. It’s a joy to watch.
Vivarium (2019, Vertigo Releasing) Wrote about this in Newsletter 014. Loved the hyper-stylized treatment, and the story wasn’t bad either.
Doctor Sleep (2019, Warner Bros. Pictures) One of the best Stephen King film adaptations period. Dark, inky, delicious. Newsletter 013 has more thoughts.
Uncut Gems (2019, A24) Another one of many films that prove Adam Sandler is an incredible actor.
Villains (2019, Gunpowder & Sky) A highly entertaining film filled with equal parts silliness and madness.
Jojo Rabbit (2019, Fox Searchlight Pictures) The above description works here too. Except this one pulls at the heartstrings more. Feels like a modern take on a Wes Anderson film.
Lean on Pete (2017, A24) I haven’t cried this hard or long from a movie in a while.
A Ghost Story (2017, A24) Whoever makes fun of this film: a. it does look silly, I’m agreeing with you, and b. you just don’t understand.
The Philadelphia Story (1940, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) I’m notorious for not seeing many of the classics. I’m making it an active mission to correct that this year. This is the best original rom-com.
Booksmart (2019, United Artists Releasing) I didn’t like 75% of this movie, but the parts I did like were wonderful.
Thanks so much for reading! Today’s newsletter is a bit of a short one because 1. it’s almost at the limit again where it will get clipped, and 2. it’s just been one of those workweeks. I have many beauty related things in the pipeline and can’t wait to share them with you! My recent morning and evening skincare routines are also coming soon.
Just a heads up that I’m balancing crazy work hours at the moment so am on social media less. Apologies in advance if my responses are more delayed than usual! Rest assured, these newsletters will continue to deliver weekly. You can also always leave a comment or reply directly to this email to chat one-on-one.
And if you know anyone who might enjoy the above films, please share this email and newsletter with them!
As always, I hope you have a great start to your week! See you next Sunday.
