Set in American in 1979, this indy comedy drama was nominated for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes this year so I had high hopes.
I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it. It was just all a bit too pretentious for this bogan.
Annette Benning is in the lead as Dorothea, a fifty-something year old single mum of Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann) living in a large home in Southern California with boarders William (Billy Crudup), Abbie (Greta Gerwig) and Julie (Elle Fanning). Well, Julie isn't quite a boarder but she's Jamie's best friend who often stays the night.
This film is sort of a coming-of-age story based on Jamie but our 20th Century Women are of course Dorothea, Abbie and Julie, who all have a unique influence on Jamie's life and these are the stories that shape the film.
There's some good performances but a special shout out for Elle Fanning who is excellent and at just 19 years old is destined for lots more great roles.
It speaks volumes that when I looked up some reviews of the film, I saw two separate ones in The Guardian, one gave it two stars and the other gave it four. I get it. I'm more in the two camp. About half way through this two hour film I looked at my watch thinking, this feels long and like it's not really going anywhere. But like I said, I didn't hate it... just didn't love it.
Trailer here. In cinemas Thursday 1 June.