The Friendship Dilemma

Alfonso Cuaron’s resume speaks for itself and people should probably speak louder about it. Nearly 20 years ago, he took the core of P.D. James’ dystopian novel and crafted a film for the ages. Especially today. Morgan Gire and Erik Childress can’t help but gush a bit over Clive Owen along with the friendship that is forged with the young immigrant who may hold the, ahem, Key to humanity’s future.And if you want to read more about Children of Men, buy Nick Digilio’s new book, 40 Years, 40 Films; his pick for the best film of 2006. Buy the paperback. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

It took 28 years but they finally made a sequel to Twister. New storm chasers, new research and a lot of the same old, same old. Instead of an estranged couple this time we meet estranged friends. Or are they? Erik Childress and Morgan Gire are joined by The Daily Herald film critic, Dann Gire, to put the relationship of Daisy Edgar-Jones’ Kate and Anthony Ramos’ Javi under the microscope. Does he carry a long unrequited torch for her or is their business partnership a rekindling of lost friendship? Would he ever have a chance with Glen Powell lurking about? All this plus other lost opportunities, disaster and rom-com tropes and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Morgan Gire and Erik Childress believe that this tale of loss and emotional heartbreak is deserving of a rediscovery. In this episode they discuss how it smartly handles grief and the downfalls of shielding children from the harsher realities of life; a ball which movies tend to drop. Plus at its center is one of the sweetest pre-adolescent friendship tales beautifully portrayed by Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin. This is one that all families should experience together. Hold onto your tears long enough to listen to this in-depth discussion. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Shane Black made a little Hollywood history with his script for this movie even it’s not entirely the one he delivered. One element certainly not in dispute is the relationship between Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson is the rarefied platonic dynamic that the hosts seek out. Could even a brief shift alter the nature of their friendship or does it signal growth under temptation? Is this one of Jackson’s most entertaining performances? Just how bad is Craig Bierko as the villain? What is the line that will forever make Morgan and Erik lose it? All these questions plus action tropes and a good time on this episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

There are not many films that attempt to deal with a collection of individual women’s stories and Morgan presents this as Exhibit A. Erik has his counterarguments but Morgan makes her case for a film pushing back on the societal norms thrust upon women from an early age from the damage of playground myths to the pressure of getting married. The cliches of romcom’s past are revisited by the hosts and how they are reflected with or without commentary by the film itself. As each relationship is examined, Morgan and Erik look at whether Ginnifer Goodwin and Justin Long’s friendship is “the exception” and who amongst the cavalcade of characters relate most closely to each other’s own personal beliefs and experiences. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Horror films have always tested friendships and this personal favorite of Morgan’s certainly puts one into question. Her and Erik further break down the various genre tropes and archetypes, wondering how much more could have been explored if it had been franchised instead of messed with and delayed. Learn Morgan’s secret to watching horror while they wonder about the process in choosing the story’s victims. How does their pre-determined labeling mesh against everyday stereotypes of identity? Does the film’s approach towards sex fly in the face of a new generation’s attitude towards cinematic voyeurism? What conclusions do Morgan and Erik draw about the film’s climactic confrontation that questions just how great the film’s central friendship was to begin with. All these answers and more are put to the test by the two friends themselves. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Morgan Gire and Erik Childress teamed up with the hosts of Christmas Movies Actually, Collin Souter and Kerry Finegan, to take a look at the 2005 “love you like a brother, not a lover” Ryan Reynolds/Amy Smart comedy. Needless to say there were reversals on some of the one-time enjoyment of this film as they examine the portrayal of this friendship even without the hopeful romance. Does Smart’s woefully underwritten character willfully torture her high school bestie? Can a decade of regret overwrite the behavior of the physically-reformed nerds? Aside from an inspired comic performance from Anna Faris, the other lasting positive of this film are the new avenues of conversation it brought up in these all-familiar friendship tropes between men and women. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Kevin Smith’s Clerks films may be known for the ongoing friendship between Dante Hicks and Randal Graves, but there’s another in play in the first sequel. Rosario Dawson’s Becky may be Dante’s boss but she is so much more than that as evidenced by their backroom banter and nail polishing. As most movie friendships between men and women, theirs evolves into much more if not already there at the beginning. Erik and Morgan share a mutual appreciation for this film and the often X-rated intimacy in the language of certain workplace relationships. Is the triangle with Dante’s fiancé a step above the average “bad fit” in romcoms? Does Becky have the dynamics that led to Dante’s impending nuptials down cold? All that and mouths and trolls and taking it back. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

After a decade of raunchy teen sex comedies with a pubescent mentality and a momentary elevation through the work of John Hughes, the 1980s graduated with a teenage romance that took things to a new level. In the middle of Cameron Crowe’s tale of love between a directionless good guy and a driven valedictorian was a friendship rarely seen before or even since in the movies. John Cusack’s Lloyd Dobler and Lili Taylor’s Corey Flood were besties who advised and looked out for each other through past pain and the potential for future greatness and sadness. Erik & Morgan love these characters and so much more from the directorial debut of the writer who would eventually bring us Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous. They admire how the film embraces the insecurities of its characters and remembers how important economics can be to a long-term relationship. Is Diane Court’s father really the bad guy the people remember him to be or is he just looking out for his daughter’s best interests? And listen as Morgan tries to fix one of the most iconic cinema moments of the last century. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

The search for positivity in male and female friendships on this podcast takes a dark turn this week with Nacho Vigalondo’s 2017 film. This tale of monsters and alcohol is not the typical lovey-dovey tale of old friends finding romance. Though the relationship between Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis starts off friendly, true feelings are not always manifested as a means for happiness. Erik and Morgan discuss the deceased toxicity inherent in trying to control a woman working through her own problems. Flowery proclamations are replaced by love-bombing and savior complexes in a film that does not always agree with the pair but whose personal experiences and inward examinations make some of the behavior all the more disturbing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Kogonada’s debut film was a standout at Sundance in 2017. His rumination on grief, lost opportunities and the family members that contribute to them also feature a trio of friendships between men and women. Erik Childress and Morgan Gire break them all down while reconciling different opinions on the style of how their stories are told. Does a little go a long way or does the film’s meditative approach keep some of the hidden feelings too much at bay? John Cho and Haley Lu Richardson get an opportunity to shine here with first class performances along with nice supporting work from Rory Culkin and Parker Posey. Is this the rare film to elevate the absence of genuine male/female friendships in movies or does the emotional tension held within prevent these characters from being more than passing acquaintances? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Peter Dinklage just brought new life to the tale of Cyrano de Bergerac, so Erik Childress and Morgan Gire went back and looked at the more comedic take on Edmond Rostand’s play that Steve Martin wrote in 1987. Fred Schepisi’s Roxanne put the big nose on Martin and cast Daryl Hannah as the titular character of his affection. His feelings are secret, but a friendship still develops that Erik & Morgan examine along with C.D.’s relationship with local business owner, Dixie, played by Shelley Duvall who may be a little closer to him than you might remember. As for C.D. and Roxanne, is it a friendship that could have survived unrequited emotions? Is Martin’s modern version of the legendary window scene creepy or romantic for the ages? Is the film itself one of the great romantic comedies of its era (or any) or is it just a lot of fluff with character motivations that do not ring true? Drink it all in and words do not fail either of your hosts on the 35th Anniversary of this film. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com