Verve’s film picks for the month of February.
Priscilla
In cinemas 1 February
Tomatometer: 83%
When teenage Priscilla Beaulieu meets Elvis Presley at a party, the man who is already a meteoric rock-and-roll superstar becomes someone entirely unexpected in private moments: a thrilling crush, an ally in loneliness, a vulnerable best friend . A film by Sofia Coppola, starring Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi.
Coup de Chance
In cinemas 22 February
Tomatometer: 84%
Woody Allen’s Coup de Chance is a thrilling blend of romance and noir crime set against the enchanting backdrop of contemporary Paris. Hailed as Allen’s best work in a decade, the French-language drama navigates the complexities of love, passion, and danger. Fanny and Jean, a seemingly perfect couple, find their lives entangled in a web of suspense and adultery after a chance encounter. With a beboppin’ jazzy score, Allen’s film, showcased at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, delivers an effortlessly enjoyable celebration of cosmopolitan life.
The Zone of Interest
In cinemas 15 February
Tomatometer: 91%
May December is beloved filmmaker Todd Hayne’s latest feature examining fame, sexuality, and the lives of people on the periphery of mainstream society. The film finds married couple Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles Melton), 20 years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, buckling under the pressure of a visiting actress, Elizabeth (Natalie Portman), researching for a film about their past.
May December
In cinemas 15 February
Tomatometer: 90%
Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.
The Great Escaper
In cinemas 7 March
Tomatometer: 80%
Inspired by true events, The Great Escaper, tells the story of octogenarian Bernard Jordan’s (Michael Caine) escape from his care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France. It was a story that captured the imagination of the world – Bernie seemed to embody the defiant, ‘can-do’ spirit of a generation that was fast disappearing. Bernie’s adventure, spanning a mere 48 hours, also marked the culmination of his 60-year marriage to Rene (Glenda Jackson). Directed by Olivia Parker.
