The success or failure of any particular film can often depend on timing. Real-world events can alter the fates of movies in both positive and negative ways. So, too, can competing projects that explore similar storylines, where the first one to reach viewers is often, though not always, the one that makes the bigger impact.
That’s the issue with which The Glorias must grapple. Focusing on the many-layered life of feminist icon Gloria Steinem, it comes just months after the FX on Hulu miniseries Mrs. America, which told the story of one of the most significant moments in Steinem’s life, the fight in the 1970s to try to get the Equal Rights Amendment passed.
That moment and many others are touched upon in writer/director Julie Taymor’s biopic, which was co-written by Sarah Ruhl and adapted from Steinem’s 2015 book, My Life on the Road. The film starts off with some striking imagery of Steinem at various ages in black-and-white riding on a bus while the world in color goes by outside the window. Taymor returns to the bus motif repeatedly throughout the film, presumably to visualize the title of Steinem’s autobiography.
The first half of the film is jarring, as it jumps around at will to Steinem’s different ages, from her young childhood with an itinerant, grifter father (Timothy Hutton), to her older childhood with single mom and tap dance dreams, to traveling on a train in India in her young adulthood.
It’s this age, as embodied by Alicia Vikander, that gets the most play early on, as Steinem embarks on a career as a journalist, only to be objectified at every turn. She uses this to her advantage at one point, going undercover as a bunny at a Playboy club. Eventually, she breaks out on her own, and by the time the film gets to her Ms. magazine phase, Julianne Moore takes over the role.
It’s here, oddly, where Taymor seems to become much less adventurous. The first half is often fantastical, with scenes in one location and time blending into others in completely different locations and times. However, the second half is mostly straightforward, covering much of the same ground that was covered in Mrs. America. The events portrayed are certainly consequential, but the lack of flair or drama inhibits the sequences.
Despite giving a full-life view of Steinem, the film never succeeds at making her into a complete person. We’re shown different things in her life that influenced her views, but she still remains an enigma. It’s one of the drawbacks of film that no movie, no matter how long, can give as much detail on a person as a TV series or book can. So even though Mrs. America told the stories of many different women, Steinem made a larger impact there than she does here.
The four actors who portray Steinem through the years vary in quality. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the performances of either Ryan Kiera Armstrong or Lulu Wilson, who play her as a child, but neither is given enough to do to warrant praise. Vikander is good and certainly looks the part, but the Swedish actress can’t quite master the accent. Moore is predictably great, but her version doesn’t exactly line up with Vikander’s, and she never gains any momentum. Bette Midler and Janelle Monáe both do good work in limited roles.
For many, Gloria Steinem is one of the most influential women in the United States in the past 50 years, but The Glorias fails to show exactly why that is. Turning her portrayal over to four different actors is a great idea, but the film never fully finds its footing.
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The Glorias is available for purchase on digital VOD options like VUDU, GooglePlay, and Fandango Now, and is also streaming exclusively via Prime Video.
Alicia Vikander in The Glorias.
Photo courtesy of LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions
The Burkman Holiday Home of Frisco will be shining bright on December 1.
Dallas homes and neighborhoods sparkle and shine through the holidays, with dazzling coordinated displays, choreographed shows, and Christmas lights so merry and bright that Santa can see them from the North Pole.
Below is a roundup of the best neighborhoods and homes for a holiday-light pilgrimage in 2024. Many of them are plugging in Thanksgiving weekend; check back often, as the list will grow and grow as the season goes on.
For a longer list of marvelous Christmas lights around Dallas - including drive-thru attractions, immersive experiences, commercial displays and more, head to this story.
Neighborhoods and subdivisions with special displays
Deerfield Holiday Lights, Plano, December 1-30 The Deerfield subdivision of northwest Plano hosts a magical winter wonderland you can walk or drive through. You can even book carriage rides in advance to see dancing Santas, millions of twinkling lights, and larger-than-life displays. Deerfield is located between Preston Road and Coit Road. Check the website for maps and important information about traffic flow and parking. The free event runs 7 pm-10 pm on weekdays and 7 pm-11 pm on weekends.
Interlochen Lights, Arlington, December 14-26 The Interlochen neighborhood in northwest Arlington annually presents Interlochen Lights, more than 200 homes decked out in lights and holiday-themed displays. The event allows guests to drive through the neighborhood and pick out favorite displays while they tune into holiday music in the car. The route map is here. This year, the lights will be on from 6-11 pm December 14-26; free to drive through. Watch for updates on their website and Facebook page.
Glenbrook Christmas, Bedford, December 1-31 The Bedford neighborhood lights up nightly to tell the story of “The Night Before Christmas - In Texas That Is” - along with other festive displays. The entrance to Glenbrook is on Brookside Drive located between Cummings and Forest Ridge. The displays will be on daily, 6-10 pm. Follow the Facebook page for updates.
Regents Park Luminary Event, McKinney, December 14-15 Residents of this Stonebridge Ranch neighborhood hand fold over 2,500 paper bags each year and line the streets and central park area with luminaries for families to enjoy. Grab a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider and drive or walk through streets lined with traditional luminaries and enjoy the Christmas lights that adorn the Craftsman-style homes. For updates, follow the Facebook page (highly recommended as this is a weather dependent event). Runs December 14-15 only.
Homes with over-the-top lights
Miracle on 134th Street, Celina, November 23-December 23 A Celina family has turned their massive property into a holiday amusement park, complete with over 1 million lights, a train, carousel ride, Santa's workshop, Mrs. Claus’ bakery, and much more. Tickets start at $26.99 for adults; $20.99 for kids 3-12, with season passes available and free on-site parking. It runs 5:30-9 pm through December 23. Find it at 10455 County Road 133, Celina, 75009. Follow theFacebook page for updates on special photo ops and more. Here's a preview:
Burkman Holiday Home, Frisco, starts December 1 An alumni of ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight, the Burkmans’ home is one of the most famous Christmas-light attractions in the area. It features nearly 115,000 lights, animatronic figures, special “character” photo nights, and more. They also collect new/unwrapped toys for the The LiyanaStrong Foundation and charitable donations for a scholarship fund. Open nightly beginning December 1, but closed the first two Mondays in December and for inclement weather. Check the Facebook page for updates.
The Movie House, Allen, November 28-January 1 This Allen family home turns into a theater, showing highlights from favorite holiday classics like Christmas Vacation, Elf, A Christmas Story, Home Alone, Love Actually, Die Hard and more - all set to music and over 10,000 lights. Guests can also snap a pic in front of a 6-foot star that makes everyone part of the action. The 15-minute show starts on the quarter hour every night from 6-11 pm and runs Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.. 1600 Wagon Wheel Dr., Allen. Preview it here:
Tell Family Lights, Keller, November 28-December 31 The family in this home near Keller Central High School is bigger and better than ever, they say. The choreographed light show features 60 songs, and visitors can now download an app on their phones to listen to the show (or tune in to FM radio in the car). Then vote on a favorite song. (Make sure to not block anyone’s driveway and be careful driving down the street, they advise.) The show runs is on 6-10 pm daily starting Thanksgiving night. Find it at 5016 Keating St., Fort Worth, 76244. Follow their website or Facebook page for more information and updates.
'The Gift of Light' display at Joules-Cornetti home, McKinney, November 28-January 1 This wonderland in McKinney has a little bit of everything: dazzling lights, inflatables, wireframe items, yard art, an entire section devoted to nativities, plus Santas and reindeer, polar bears and penguins, Disney characters, and new for this year - a Buc-cee's inflatable mascot. The "gift" is that they raise money for the American Heart Association, and the story behind their effort is very personal. The lights go on 5-11 pm Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. Find it at 8624 Palermo Way, McKinney.
‘Stay in the Light’ display at Hughes Home, Rockwall, December 1-25 Homeowners Brenda and David Hughes have strung more than 100,000 lights outside their home in a festive display. They call it "Stay in the Light" in memory of their son, Nathaniel, who suffered from depression and passed away in 2019 at the age of 29. The couple is accepting donations for Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County plus blankets, socks, and toys to a local children’s hospital. The lights are on nightly, 6-10 pm. 1655 Plummer Dr., Rockwall, in The Shores neighborhood.
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The Burkman Holiday Home of Frisco will be shining bright on December 1.
Neighborhoods with pretty lights
The Park Cities The stately homes in the Park Cities neighborhoods of Dallas dress up with beautiful light displays; pick just about any street where you see houses lit top to bottom in twinkling lights, and there are bound to be a dozen more. Don’t miss Highland Park Village and its 1.5 million lights, and be sure to drive down SMU’s Bishop Boulevard, toward the fountain and back. The annual SMU Celebration of Lights takes place Sunday, December 2.
Kessler Park Historic Kessler Park features twinkling holiday lights on grand old homes and majestic trees against a backdrop of the Dallas skyline. The holiday decorations are coordinated on various traffic islands in the neighborhood each year. From downtown Dallas, go west on Interstate 30. Take the Sylvan exit, turn south on Sylvan, drive about a half a mile, and turn west on Colorado.
Elderoaks Lights, Oak Cliff A Dallas tradition more than 30 years strong, Elderoaks sees 96 percent of its homes participate in an impressive display. Located along three streets just south of the old Oak Cliff Country Club (Elderoaks Lane, Elderleaf Drive, and Elderoaks Place), the neighborhood scenes celebrate Christmas with homemade decorations that span medieval times to present day. Don't miss the streaming show of Christmas carols. There's no fee to watch, and lights go on at dusk each night.
Know of another spectacular lights display in DFW? Email stephanie@culturemap.com. Please include a website or link to social media page with your recommendation.
