Kate Winslet’s ‘Goodbye June’ and Daniel Craig’s ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ Offer Compelling Cinematic Contrasts
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A film directed by Kate Winslet, based on a script penned by her 19-year-old son, might seem an unlikely recipe for success. Yet, “Goodbye June,” starring Winslet alongside a stellar cast, emerges as a surprisingly poignant and darkly humorous Christmas offering, while Daniel Craig returns in Rian Johnson’s latest whodunit, “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” offering a more convoluted, though ultimately less satisfying, cinematic experience.
A Raw and Moving Family Portrait in ‘Goodbye June’
“Christmas is, however, a time for miracles,” and “Goodbye June” feels remarkably like one. The film, a wonderfully raw and moving exploration of sibling dynamics and familial heartbreak, doesn’t shy away from the messy realities of life – noisy children, frayed tempers, and even “armpit farts.” It’s a perfect film to contemplate the looming festivities with your own family.
Winslet portrays Julia, one of four siblings grappling with the impending loss of their mother, June (Helen Mirren), after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Her siblings include Molly (Andrea Riseborough), navigating the challenges of raising four children with an organic lifestyle; Helen (Toni Collette), a new-age enthusiast devoted to crystals; and Connor (Johnny Flynn), the quietly sensitive caretaker burdened by the weight of responsibility.
The screenplay, astonishingly written by Joe Anders while still a student at the National Film and Television School, possesses a wisdom and nuance far beyond his years. As one observer noted, Anders demonstrates “an amazing ear and eye for the ridges of resentment that crisscross family life—and the emotion they keep at bay.” The film deftly portrays the years of unspoken tension between Molly and Julia, requiring a carefully constructed visiting schedule to avoid direct confrontation, and the strained relationship between Connor and their seemingly detached father (Timothy Spall). “There is not a better culinary pairing than a pint of Guinness and pork scratchings,” Spall’s character pontificates, offering a darkly comic counterpoint to the gravity of the situation.
Despite the heavy subject matter, the film finds moments of levity. A palliative care nurse’s overly cheerful demeanor prompts Molly to wryly ask, “Advanced care? What is she advancing to?” while Julia succinctly declares, “Bagsy not tell Helen that Mum is dying.” While the film occasionally leans into sentimentality – June receives a remarkably well-attended send-off, complete with a Nativity play – it consistently grounds itself in the mundane details of life, such as a poignant scene reduced to the simple notation “Snickers bar × 2” in one reviewer’s notes.
“Goodbye June” earns a well-deserved ★★★★☆ rating, offering a deeply resonant and relatable portrayal of family in the face of loss. The film is 114 minutes long and rated 15.
‘Wake Up Dead Man’: A Mystery That Loses Its Way
In contrast, Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” feels less focused, despite the return of Daniel Craig as the astute detective Benoit Blanc. Sporting a signature sweeping fringe and tartan suit, Craig investigates the death of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), found murdered in a locked room. Blanc immediately recognizes a “textbook example of a perfectly impossible crime,” referencing classic mysteries by Agatha Christie, Edgar Allan Poe, and John Dickson Carr.
However, the film’s strength lies not with Craig, but with Josh O’Connor’s performance as a conflicted young priest, quickly becoming the prime suspect. While the supporting cast – including Andrew Scott, Jeremy Renner, Cailee Spaeny, and Thomas Haden Church – is impressive, none of the characters achieve the memorable depth of the Thrombey family from the first “Knives Out” film.
Johnson’s signature playful style is present, complete with “some serious Scooby-Doo shit” and a climactic “checkmate moment” where Blanc unravels the mystery. Yet, the intricate plot ultimately feels convoluted and forgettable. As one critic observed, “half an hour after the film is over you won’t remember a stitch of it.” The film’s most enduring scene involves O’Connor taking confession, echoing the pure-hearted character of Ana de Armas in the original film.
“Wake Up Dead Man” receives a rating of ★★★☆☆, running 144 minutes and carrying a 12A rating.
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