Movie Review - All About NIna

All About Nina *** (out of 5) (R) I must confess to a bias in favor of Mary Elizabeth Winstead. She seems incapable of a bad performance. She’s attractive in a way that conveys intelligence, with sex appeal that can shift in either direction on the hot-to-wholesome spectrum. We now know she can handle the role of an aspiring standup comic, burdened by an almost cliche level of anxieties and self-destructive tendencies. In the deft hands of writer/director Eva Vives, she delivers a fine portrayal of a woman struggling with her inner demons and the always-arduous journey from Nobody to Name in Show Biz.

There have been many similar films of comedians’ journeys, playing out more as character dramas than comedies. This one adds more sexual baggage to its protagonist’s ordeal, as she flees her native New York in favor of Los Angeles, largely to escape an abusive lover. Trust issues overflow her emotional baggage. The only good news is that airlines can’t charge extra for that kind of excess weight. Yet. We share her culture shock from East Coast caustic to La La Land snowflakes in her off-stage attempts to establish a life, while striving for the Big Break. We root for Nina in spite of certain actions and some rather obvious shortcomings. What we eventually learn about her formative experiences creates even more empathy for her current struggles.

Set your emotional gears for a character drama with comedic elements, rather than the opposite ratio. Then you’ll be able to enjoy another fine piece of acting from this underappreciated artist, who is well-served by a script with substance. (10/12/18)

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