dierregi I was looking forward to watching this movie because I liked Beginners, by the same director and I was not disappointed: this story has a similar understated quirkiness, but it is a bit less melancholic.The whole cast is convincing as a group of lost souls living in Southern California in 1979. Annette Bening is Dorothea, the 55yo single mum of 15yo Jamie. Due to their age gap, she finds it difficult to connect with Jamie. Dorothea asks Julie, a teenage friend of Jamie and Abbie, a lodger in her house, to help her raising Jamie.Their unconventional living arrangement is completed by William, another lodger in Dorothea's house. In his 40s, William could be a much needed father figure for Jamie, but the two do not get along.Increasing tension in the house pushes Jamie to run away with Julie. This in turn leads to a temporary re-connection with Dorothea, but we gather that their relationship was never easy or close and it is only in memory that Jamie finds solace and understanding for his long deceased mother.1979 was a transitional period: the end of whatever was left of the hippie era and the beginning of the yuppies. Punk rock was about to die, but it still seemed in good shape. Unfortunately, that was also period during which were developed some distortions in our society, perceived as "liberation". The growth of technology, fast travel, fast fashion etc...which resulted only in increased stress, frustration and chaos.I felt almost nostalgic watching a not too faraway time when people could live life without cell phones and the internet... However, without the internet I would not be here writing reviews... Great story though, and great soundtrack: a lot of Talking Heads' music is featured in the film, which I liked since I am a fan.

Reno Rangan You have seen films like this often. This is where a chick film meets art. Art means not the flick full of inspiration, message, awareness. But the presentation was so pleasant. The screenplay carefully picked the right events, and the dialogues were good. The book fanatics would go and look for the original source it was adapted from. But the truth is it was an originally written screenplay, and that's why it got a nomination at the recent Oscars. Another way to say, it inspired by the director's own childhood life, being raised by his mother and sister.This is the story of a single mother, whose teenage son is struggling to blend with the world. Then they have two roommates, one a woman in her 20s and a middle aged man. Beside a girl of her son's age visits regularly and sometimes secretly. So how all these people influence in the boy's life is the story that revealed. His mother being from different generation and not understanding the present world, which was the year 1979, where the film sets in.From the director of 'Beginners', yet another unique film. Thematically there's nothing special, though it was carved with the excellent bunch of actors made the difference. I'm not sure the title was perfect for what the film narrated. Yes, if it was Annette Bening's Dorothea's story, then it justifies. But the story does not have one perspective of narration. All the main characters like Bening, Elle, Greta, Crudup and Zumann, shared screen equally. So, instead I would have preferred the title, '20th Century Tale'.Greta kind of reminded me Kristen Stewart with the hair like that. Two hours long drama with some funs. Really a good film. The topics it brings in for discussion were interesting, especially which is in the current era. Films like this should be watching. It is about the life, people with different characters and ambitions.7/10

Lee Eisenberg Annette Bening got snubbed for an Oscar nod for Mike Mills's "20th Century Women", playing a divorced mom running a boarding house in 1979 Santa Barbara. Much of the movie features the characters (the mom, her son, his friend, and some tenants) discussing their past, but also focuses on the women's liberation movement. Unlike many movies set in the era, there's no emphasis on the clothes or music of the era. This one is all about the characters' relationships. And rarely have we heard female sexuality discussed this openly in a movie from the US.Mike Mills previously directed "Beginners", about an elderly man who comes out as gay to his son. I've liked both his movies so far. Probably the most interesting scene is at the end when the characters discuss their future. It's also good that, despite the spate of terrible things that happened in 2016, there were a number of female-driven movies (20th Century Women, The Boss, Ghostbusters, Bad Moms). I recommend it, and I hope to see more movies like it.

Prismark10 Writer and director Mike Mills film follows the lives of five people living in a house in southern California in 1979 and three generation of women.Dorothea (Annette Bening) a divorced woman in her mid 50s is raising her teenage son Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann) and concerned to raise him properly especially as he has no male role models. Jamie is making his own way through life as a growing teenager, he has a close relationship with neighbour Julie (Elle Fanning) who sneaks into his bedroom often but she might be pregnant from a casual encounter with another teenager.Also living in the house is orange haired punk Abbie (Greta Gerwig), a young photographer and cancer survivor and hippy William (Billy Crudup) a kind of handyman and who makes things with his hands. He begins a relationship with Abbie but he is a popular guy with the ladies.The film follows how these oddball group of characters have an impact on the lives of Dorothea and Jamie as times are changing. Even President Carter is uncertain about the times. America is moving on to a new decade and indeed soon to a new president. With these changing times the characters are concerned what music and dance are considered cool or not.This is a well acted ensemble piece with the just right amount of kookiness. Look out for the awkward discussion about periods during a dinner party scene.The narrative moves ahead of time as the adult Jamie reflects back as to what happened to some of the characters, all that smoking Dorothea does will have an impact on her health some years for now.The film is rather uneven and I felt oddly paced, the running time is too long and there is little plot in it.