Weekly Update for February 15: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You

FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING

The Breaker Upperers – Written and Directed by Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami (Available on Netflix)

Fifteen years ago, Mel (Madeleine Sami) and Jen (Jackie van Beek) discovered they were being two-timed by the same man. Bitter and cynical, they became fast friends and formed The Breaker Upperers, a small-time business breaking up couples for cash. Now they’re in their late-30s and business is booming. They’re a platonic, codependent couple who keep their cynicism alive by not getting emotionally involved with anybody else. But when they run into an old victim, Mel develops a conscience and their friendship is truly put to the test.

Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami.

Patrick – Directed by Mandie Fletcher; Written by Mandie Fletcher and Vanessa Davies (Also Available on VOD)

Sarah Francis (Beattie Edmondson) is a young woman whose life is a bit of a mess. The last thing she needs is someone else to look after, let alone someone who dribbles, snores, and eats from the trash! Yet, like it or not, her grandmother has bequeathed her a very spoiled dog, Patrick — her pug. Surely, she must have had her reasons?! Apparently not, as this four-legged interloper proceeds to cause chaos in all aspects of Sarah’s life. But then something remarkable happens. Patrick, with all his stubby, stumpy attitude, begins to turn her life around.

FILMS MADE BY WOMEN OPENING

“Ruben Brandt, Collector”

Ruben Brandt, Collector – Written by Radmila Roczkov and Milorad Krstic (Opens in NY)

Ruben Brandt (Iván Kamarás), a famous psychotherapist, is forced to steal 13 paintings from the world’s renowned museums and private collections to prevent his suffering from terrible nightmares he has as a result of subliminal messaging he received as a child. Accompanied by his four patients, he and his band of thieves strike regularly and with great success: the Louvre, Tate, Uffizi, Hermitage, the Museum of Modern Art. “The Collector” quickly becomes the most wanted criminal in the world. Gangsters and headhunters chase him around the world while the reward for his capture keeps rising, approaching a hundred million dollars.

Find screening info here.

TV PREMIERES

“Lorena”

Lorena (Four-Part Docuseries) (Premieres February 15 on Amazon Prime)

Lorena Bobbitt became a household name in 1993 when she cut off her then-husband’s penis with a kitchen knife while he slept. Her shocking attack — and the fact that her trial was televised — made her an overnight news sensation. A four-part docuseries, “Lorena” offers a powerful portrait of a woman pushed to the brink — and a nation wholly unprepared to deal with its epidemic of domestic abuse. The docuseries provides a helpful historical overview of what services and legal recourse were available to abused women at the time, or more accurately, the lack thereof. Hopefully the rise of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements will encourage Bobbitt skeptics to view the case through a new lens, and encourage all of us to do more for the millions of women who continue to be affected by domestic abuse. (Laura Berger)

Kim Possible (TV Movie) (Premieres February 15 on Disney Channel)

“Kim Possible”

No matter your age, chances are you’ll find something to love in “Kim Possible,” a new Disney Channel movie that’s also a Gen Z update of the beloved early-aughts cartoon. Kim is no longer animated, but she’s still everyone’s favorite straight-A student/crime fighter. If you watched the original series, you’ll get a kick out of Christy Carlson Romano’s (i.e. the voice of the animated Kim) cameo, and the film’s many Easter eggs. If you think young girls need more ass-kicking role models like Buffy Summers, you’ll probably be delighted to see Alyson Hannigan — yes, Willow! — playing Kim’s brain surgeon mother. Most importantly, if you’re someone who appreciates a nuanced coming-of-age tale, especially one about a young woman in the midst of a huge life transition, “Kim Possible” delivers. (Rachel Montpelier)

Fast Layne (Premieres February 15 on Disney Channel)

Twelve-year-old overachiever Layne (Sophie Pollono) finds her orderly life thrown into a tailspin when she discovers a sophisticated talking car named “V.I.N.” hidden in an abandoned shed.

Proven Innocent (Premieres February 15 on Fox)

“Proven Innocent” follows an underdog criminal defense firm led by Madeline Scott (Rachelle Lefevre), a fierce and uncompromising lawyer with a hunger for justice.

United Skates (Documentary) – Directed by Tina Brown and Dyana Winkler; Written by Dyana Winkler (Premieres February 18 on HBO)

“United Skates”

When America’s last standing roller rinks are threatened with closure, a community of thousands battle in a racially charged environment to save an underground subculture — one that has remained undiscovered by the mainstream for generations, yet has given rise to some of the world’s greatest musical talent.

Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Tina Brown and Dyana Winkler.

Flack (Premieres February 21 on Pop)

“Flack”

London-based American PR executive Robyn (Anna Paquin) and her colleagues at Mills Paulson deal with a variety of clients including a celebrity chef (Max Beesley), a stand-up comedian (Alan Davies), the founder of an organic cosmetics company (Katherine Kelly), and an American movie star (Bradley Whitford).