The Bikes of Wrath (2018)

Genre: Documentary

Directed by: Cameron Ford and Charlie Turnbull

Cast: Haley Lu Richardson, Cole Sprouse

Time: 110 minutes

A group of 5 friends from Australia decide to undertake the trek from Oklahoma to California on bikes, with a very limited budget, to take the same route taken by the characters of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.

Beyond the evident literary aspect of this documentary, this film offers a captivating look at the idea of the American Dream, at human relations and at rich vs poor, amongst other things. It is a fascinating documentary that I highly recommend.

Rating: «««««

Five Feet Apart (2019)

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Justin Baldoni

Cast: Haley Lu Richardson, Cole Sprouse

Time: 116 minutes

Stella Grant and Will Newman are two teenagers enduring a long term stay in the hospital to get treatment for their cystic fibrosis. As love grows between them, they try their hardest to have a relationship in spite of the fact that they have to stay 5 feet apart at all times for fear of severe cross-infection.

This is a very compelling story carried on screen by two very talented young actors. A few of the plot twists are a little predictable and cliché, but, nonetheless, this is a very entertaining and touching little film.

Rating: ««««