From Variety · Owen Gleiberman · · 1m 30s
Chris Rock's 'Misty Green' has teeth
Chris Rock returns to directing with a Hollywood story that Variety calls the best in years, carried by Rosalind Eleazar.
In brief
Chris Rock returns to directing with a Hollywood story that Variety calls the best in years, carried by Rosalind Eleazar. Rock is not a comedian dabbling in film anymore. 'Misty Green' is the work of a serious filmmaker, and Rosalind Eleazar is the reason it lands. Originally reported by Variety.
Rock is back behind the camera
It is his first film since "Top Five," and Variety's chief critic Owen Gleiberman came out of TIFF calling him the real thing.
“In his first movie since "Top Five," Rock confirms he's a major filmmaker.”
Hollywood right now, not then
No period gloss, no nostalgia. The film is set in the industry as it currently operates, and the review's verdict is that nothing about it is polite.
“explosively entertaining, savagely authentic drama about life in the Hollywood of today”
A star who already peaked
Misty is a television actress who got close to the top of the heap. The movie picks her up well after that window closed.
“But that was then and this is now.”
Eleazar plays her sour and sharp
Rosalind Eleazar, known from "Slow Horses," puts Misty in her late 30s and lets the anger sit just under the surface.
“doleful charisma and a casual fury”
The receipts of a moment
An Emmy for best supporting actress on the cult thriller series "Red Eye." A Cosmo cover. Proof the fame was real, which is what makes its absence hurt.
“She was on the cover of Cosmo.”
The show outlived the career
People still speak about "Red Eye" with something like awe. Misty is the one person who has to live next to that memory every day.
“People still talk about her show in reverent tones.”
The main idea
Rock is not a comedian dabbling in film anymore. 'Misty Green' is the work of a serious filmmaker, and Rosalind Eleazar is the reason it lands.
