Michael Morris – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY – Review by Susan Granger

February 24, 2025March 1, 2025 Susan Granger abi morgan, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Casper Knopf, colin firth, Dan Mazer, emma thompson, Helen Fielding, Hugh Grant, Michael Morris, peacock, renee zellweger

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is the first film in the British romantic comedy franchise to skip a US theatrical release and go straight to streaming on Peacock. That’s probably a wise choice because Bridget Jones’ fans are older now and it’s fun to watch at home. Still a grieving widow, idiosyncratic Bridget (Renee Zellweger) desperately misses her beloved late husband, Mark Darcy, four years after he was killed on a humanitarian mission in Sudan. That pervading sorrow extends to their 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. Although Bridget’s former lover/boss – now best friend – ever-flirtatious Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) offers support, meaning that he’ll watch the kids so she can occasionally get out of her London home, her love life is nonexistent.

Reviews

TO LESLIE – Review by Diane Carson

February 5, 2023February 5, 2023 Diane Carson Allison Janney, Andre Royo, Andrea Riseborough, marc maron, Michael Morris, Stephen Root, To Leslie

The title woman in director Michael Morris’ To Leslie has one defining characteristic. Leslie is an alcoholic with all the baggage destructive to any healthy relationship; that is, Leslie will beg, borrow, or steal money to support her illness and the dysfunctional behavior resulting from it. Inspired by actual events, the story begins more upbeat, with Leslie winning a $190,000 lottery.

Movie of the Week

MOVIE OF THE WEEK October 7, 2022: TO LESLIE

October 2, 2022October 2, 2022 Jennifer Merin Allison Janney, Andrea Riseborough, betsy bozdech, Cate Marquis, jennifer merin, leslie combemale, liz whittemore, loren king, marc maron, Marilyn Ferdinand., Michael Morris, motw, Movie of the Week, nell minow, Owen Teague, Pam Grady, sandie angulo chen, To Leslie

Andrea Riseborough adds yet another memorable performance to her impressive filmography in director Michael Morris’ wrenching drama To Leslie. She’s heartbreakingly vulnerable as a West Texas woman who gets one last chance to turn her life around after she squanders a $190,00 lottery win and her drinking spirals out of control. At stake is her self-respect, any hope of happiness, and her relationship with her son.

Festivals Reviews

TO LESLIE (SXSW 2022) – Review by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

March 12, 2022March 13, 2022 Alexandra Heller-Nicholas Andrea Riseborough, marc maron, Michael Morris, Owen Teague, sxsw 2022, To Leslie

As a platform to display Andrea Riseborough’s acting chops, To Leslie is a key entry in a filmography that is only going from strength to strength. With Riseborough, this film is capital S “Something” alright, focusing as it does with razor sharp precision on questions of shame, class and redemption.