The Next Reel Film Podcast

“Cecilia was the first to go.”

Sofia Coppola had made a few short films in the mid nineties, but it was reading Jeffrey Eugenides’ 1993 novel “The Virgin Suicides” that convinced her she wanted to be a director. She wrote the adaptation on spec after reading it because she saw so clearly how she wanted to tell it, and despite some challenges with the rights, got it made. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our ‘Coming of Age Debuts’ series with Coppola’s 2000 film The Virgin Suicides.

There’s plenty to discuss with The Virgin Suicides

It’s a dreamy, hallucinatory film told through narration and a pseudo-documentary style. How well does that work for us? Does the style fit the type of story about memory and reflections? And how well does the filmmaking style speak to Coppola as a first-time feature filmmaker?

It’s clear that Coppola had a vision with this story. The cinematography, production design, costume design, hair and makeup, music, and editing all fit perfectly with this view on teen angst in the 70s. The actors work well to convey the story as well. Who stands out?

What is the film saying about suicide? How does that tie in with Coppola’s messages about the challenges of life as a teenager? And her themes on looking back to your youth?

There’s a lot to digest with this film. It worked well for the two of us, but it’s a challenging film that may not be for everyone, particularly with its languid pacing. Still, we had a great time and a great conversation. So check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Film Sundries

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.

• Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Theatrical trailer
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• Flickchart
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Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.

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“Goodbye, Snowball.”

With several short films under her belt, Lynne Ramsay got her first feature film made and released in 1999. The film tells the tale of a young boy growing up in a poor neighborhood during a period in Scotland when the binmen were on strike, leaving thousands of pounds of garbage lying in the streets, yards, and roads. Growing up a child in Glasgow, Scotland, in the 70s, it makes sense that Ramsay would start with what she knows. What she created was a realistic depiction of childhood at this time that feels authentic and honest. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Coming of Age Debuts series with Ramsay’s third film, 1999’s Ratcatcher.

Here’s some of what we discuss in our Ratcatcher conversation.

We set the conversation up with some history about Glasgow in the 70s, just to get a better sense of these strikes and how it affected people. We also talk about the housing issues there at the time.

The children performing in this film, notably young William Eadie, are outstanding. They never strike a false note and make use feel as if we’re growing up in this period with them. And what’s great about the parents’ performances is that they feel like extensions of these kids. We see them as nothing more than big kids who really have no way out of this cycle they’re in.

There are themes of guilt, friendship, sexual development, freedom, and escape. How are these various themes depicted in the film? What’s Ramsay trying to say?

And what about the animals? Rats, mice, cats, dogs. We share our thoughts on them.

It’s a strong film right out of the gate for Ramsay. We have a great conversation about her and the film so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.

• Watch this on Amazon, or find other places at JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Theatrical trailer
• Poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!

Here’s where you can find us around the internet:

• The Web
• Letterboxd
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• X
• YouTube
• Flickchart
• Pinterest
• Pete 
• Andy

What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!

• You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.
• Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.
• Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.
• Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.
• Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

“It’s not unusual to move every three months.”

The story of Tamara Jenkins’ Slums of Beverly Hills feels very lived in with authentic characters and situations. It makes sense that there’s a semi-autobiographical element to her film. How well does it hold up over two decades after its release? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Coming of Age Debuts series with Jenkins’ 1998 film Slums of Beverly Hills.

What do we think of Slums of Beverly Hills?

Jenkins has only made three feature films unfortunately, but we’ve liked what we’ve seen. (In full disclosure, Andy worked on The Savages so might be biased.) She’s talked about how challenging our system is for women directors, which may speak to her low output.

The struggles of Vivian in this film, perfectly played by Natasha Lyonne, carry the story. As she literally comes of age (we start the film with her dad getting her her first bra), we feel her struggles to adapt to her changing body. And living with her dad and two brothers makes her life frustrating.

Speaking of her family, Alan Arkin, David Krumholtz, and Eli Marienthal are perfect. They feel like a real family. When Marisa Tomei enters as their crazy cousin Rita, it just fits.

Rita and Vivian have a great cousin relationship involving things like talking in gibberish and lessons in vibrators. Oh, and plenty of breast talk too. Jenkins rides a strong line of comedy with the dramatic moments, and it all works.

We love the concept of the film riding along the fringes of Beverly Hills. It’s a period piece that always feels authentic. We have a great time with this one, so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.

• Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Theatrical trailer
• Poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!

Here’s where you can find us around the internet:

• The Web
• Letterboxd
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• X
• YouTube
• Flickchart
• Pinterest
• Pete 
• Andy

What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!

• You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.
• Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.
• Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.
• Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.
• Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

“Like a rose in the gutter...”

Mira Nair got her start with documentary projects, so it makes sense that her first feature, Salaam Bombay!, is a gritty and realistic depiction of life on the streets for a kid in the slums of Bombay. It also feels logical that Nair would use real street kids as her cast to imbue the story with a more authentic sense. Should she have just made a documentary though? Or does the film work as is? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Coming of Age Debuts series with Nair’s 1988 film Salaam Bombay!.

The title Salaam Bombay! may feel more appropriate for a Bollywood musical, but the film stands out regardless.

While it has a documentary feel, the film works well to introduce us to the world of Krishna and the people in it. We feel it’s fictional but it does have a sense that it could actually happen. But does Nair push too much to advocate for change with the end of the film? Pete thinks so and doesn’t like it but Andy feels it works exceptionally well.

The child performers were actual street kids and they bring incredible authenticity to the film. The adults feel a part of the world as well, and as dark as this world is, there is a sense of community that develops.

There’s also a sense that this is a vicious cycle and these kids will never break free. It’s difficult, particularly seeing the adults and realizing it’s the next step for the kids. Whether it’s a pimp, a drug dealer, a brothel madame, or just a business owner who exploits the children for cheap labor, it’s an inevitability in this world. It’s the opposite of the fantastical escape in Slumdog Millionaire.

So does this fit as a coming of age film? If the kid seems to be stuck in this place, does he come of age? We disagree a bit on this point.

Regardless, we both find it to be a strong film with amazing child performances. It’s a film that should be seen by more people just to walk in the shoes of this community. We have a great conversation about it so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.

• Theatrical trailer
• Poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!

Here’s where you can find us around the internet:

• The Web
• Letterboxd
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• X
• YouTube
• Flickchart
• Pinterest
• Pete 
• Andy

What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!

• You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.
• Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.
• Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.
• Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.
• Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

“I’m curious, Rose. I’m very curious.”

Coming of age stories come in all shapes and sizes. The adaptation of Calder Willingham’s 1972 semi-autobiographical novel ‘Rambling Rose’ into Martha Coolidge’s 1991 film of the same name was one that captured a slice of life of a teenager and his family growing up in the South during the Great Depression. His coming of age largely happens when the new housekeeper moves in and piques his sexual awareness. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our John Heard series with Coolidge’s 1991 film Rambling Rose.

Does Rambling Rose work for us?

This is an interesting film because there’s a lot about it to discuss. But does that mean we liked it? Pete really didn’t while Andy liked it but with reservations. Neither of us were as captured as critics were at the time, so why is that?

We go back and forth on the characters here. Andy likes Robert Duvall. Pete doesn’t. We both love Diane Ladd. Laura Dern and Lukas Haas are great but what do we think of their characters? And that doctor? Is he stupidly evil or is there more to him?

Of course there’s the whole sexual exploration dealt with between an underage teen and a 19-year-old. Does that feel problematic? Or is it dealt with in a believable way? But what about how they handled it during the production?

John Heard’s in this, but only in the framing device. Do we even like the framing device for this film? Would it have worked without it?

How about Martha Coolidge’s direction? And how the heck did Renny Harlin and Mario Kasar get involved?

It’s an interesting film. Not one of our favorites, though even we disagree on whether it works or not. But it’s worth watching and discussing for sure, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.

• Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Theatrical trailer
• Poster artwork
• Original Material
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!

Here’s where you can find us around the internet:

• The Web
• Letterboxd
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• X
• YouTube
• Flickchart
• Pinterest
• Pete 
• Andy

What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!

• You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.
• Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.
• Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.
• Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.
• Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

“You want there to be a connection. That doesn’t mean there is one.”

Penny Marshall came on to Awakenings after Steven Spielberg stepped off the project apparently. Perhaps that’s why it feels a bit different for a Marshall film. But how well does this pseudo-true story work as it recounts Dr. Oliver Sacks’ experiments on patients with encephalitis lethargica in 1969? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our John Heard series with Marshall’s 1990 film Awakenings.

Is Awakenings more than just Marshall’s bid at an Oscar?

We think it’s more, but it sure feels like Oscar bait. But again... couldn’t it just be Marshall’s desire to tell an interesting story and step outside her comedy box? Same goes for Robin Williams. He delivers the goods here as an introverted doctor who would rather work with worms than people. And of course Robert De Niro gives a performance where you’re convinced he’s afflicted with the disease the character of Dr. Sayer is trying to cure. Even Dr. Oliver Sacks, upon whose studies the film is based, thought De Niro performed accurate to the disease.

But did Dr. Sacks have any issues with the film? Turns out he had some issues with Steven Zaillian’s script. So do we. There are times it feels very written. Is that intrinsically bad? Or can it work?

As for the rest of the cast, it’s a great group of performers. Too bad Penelope Ann Miller isn’t given more to do.

All told, it’s a strong movie with a powerful performances but also a script that feels very written and in the end, something you can see once then not worry about it again. Still, it’s worth talking about so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.

• Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Theatrical trailer
• Poster artwork
• Original Material
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!

Here’s where you can find us around the internet:

• The Web
• Letterboxd
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• X
• YouTube
• Flickchart
• Pinterest
• Pete 
• Andy

What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!

• You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.
• Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.
• Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.
• Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.
• Or sign up for AUDIBLE.