Criticism of ‘To Leslie’: For and against in the controversy of the month

Please, by Roger Salvans

Like great soloists, capable of turning into anthems what for others would be just filler songs, Andrea Riseborough elevates ‘To Leslie’ with a superb performance. Thanks to her, this ordinary indie drama becomes a a major interpretation exercise, an authentic tour de force of an actress capable of metamorphosing and going through all levels of addiction hell in one take.

A range of registers and a display of physical nuances –it is impressive to see his commitment to the role– that are reinforced by the sober staging of Morris, who in his feature debut exhibits a narrative muscle forged in his time on TV very to consider.

Against, by Juan Pando

In Hollywood, the films subordinated to the brilliance of a star, who reserves the credit of executive producer for greater control of the result, are called ‘vanity projects’. Are videobooks luxury, without detracting from the interpretative virtues of its protagonists. The recent ‘TÁR’ and this ‘To Leslie’ are good examples.

The latter does not go beyond American indie production like so many, in line with ‘Red Rocket’ (S. Baker, 2021), but without its spark; directed by a television director, who needs two endless hours to tell a story with a self-congratulatory, tricky and repetitive script.

DATA SHEET

Address: michael morris Distribution: Andrea Riseborough, Marc Maron, Stephen Root, Allison Janney, James Landry Hébert Country: USA Year: 2023 Release date: 3–3-2023 Gender: Drama Script: Zach Baylin, Keenan Coogler Duration: 116 min.

Synopsis: Leslie, a single mom from West Texas, won the lottery six years ago and quickly squandered the prize, spending it all on parties and alcohol. Evicted, she turns to her son in an attempt to get her life back on track.