This being a Taymor production, you can
expect a few genuinely trippy sequences that
come out of nowhere. But these maximalist
sequences don’t detract from the overall film
(they don’t add much either, but you can’t
help but appreciate them nonetheless).
All of the Glorias are wonderful at their parts
too, although some might ding Vikander for
her accent. Yet I think what she achieves is
more powerful than a dead-on impression
and Taymor should be applauded for taking a
chance on the Swedish actor with imperfect
American pronunciation.
“The Glorias” throws its hands up at the end
with a jarring cut to Steinem reflecting on
Hillary Clinton’s 2016 loss, shots of recent
women’s marches and even some of the real
Steinem herself. Her impact is hard to quantify
in a few minutes and these choices are a bit
obvious and a bit artless for an otherwise
smart and engaging film that avoids most
cloying cliches.
But maybe a neat and tidy ending would
be asking too much. This is a woman and
a society that are still evolving, even as the
credits are rolling.
“The Glorias,” a Roadside Attractions, LD
Entertainment and Amazon Video release,
is rated R by the Motion Picture Association
of America for “brief lewd images, some
language). Running time: 139 minutes. Three
stars out of four.
MPAA Definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying
parent or adult guardian.