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    Movie Review

    The Little Hours plumbs depths in desperate search of comedy

    Alex Bentley
    Jul 14, 2017 | 3:25 pm
    The Little Hours plumbs depths in desperate search of comedy
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    The idea of framing a movie around the centuries-old The Decameron probably seemed like a fun idea for writer/director Jeff Baena, allowing him and his cast to put whatever kind of debauchery they wanted onto a text that’s somewhat familiar for anyone who’s ever taken a literature class. But there’s sometimes a big chasm between idea and execution, as is greatly evident with The Little Hours.

    At the story’s center are Alessandra (Alison Brie), Fernanda (Aubrey Plaza), and Ginerva (Kate Micucci), three 14th-century nuns whose words and actions are, shall we say, less than Christian. Their behavior is aggressive in almost every way, from profanity-strewn rants, violence toward those who cross their path, and a lust not normally associated with nuns.

    That last trait gets heightened even more when Massetto (Dave Franco), a servant on the run from a local nobleman (Nick Offerman), gets taken into the convent by Father Tommasso (John C. Reilly). Even though Massetto is warned not to speak, his mere presence is a disruption for the three nuns, who each are attracted to them in their own way.

    On a surface level, the film can be intermittently fun based purely on the talents of the actors. Each member of the cast — which also includes Molly Shannon, Fred Armisen, Jemima Kirke, Paul Reiser, Adam Pally, and Paul Weitz — has the ability to elicit laughs solely from his or her delivery. That goes double for Plaza, who’s allowed to go wild in her role.

    But as with any film, there’s got to be more than some laughs to make a film fully succeed. There doesn’t seem to be any real point to the plot, with each scene merely serving as a loose connection to the next and characters floating along for the ride. Perhaps those intimately familiar with the source material will find layers that aren’t noticeable to a general audience, but it’s hard to imagine there being a large enough audience like that.

    Ultimately, the film doesn’t seem to serve its primary audience particularly well. Those looking for some naughty stuff to laugh at will get a few chuckles, but not enough to sustain them. The funny aspect of having normally staid characters act in a way that's unbecoming of them fades relatively quickly, leaving the bulk of the film to go through the motions.

    I’m sure all of those involved with The Little Hours had a blast playing in their own personal comedy sandbox. Maybe next time they’ll actually come up with a decent story as well.

    -----

    The Little Hours is now playing at Landmark Magnolia in Dallas and Angelika Film Center in Plano.

    Kate Micucci, Alison Brie, and Aubrey Plaza in The Little Hours.

    Kate Micucci, Alison Brie, and Aubrey Plaza in The Little Hours
      
    Photo courtesy of Gunpowder & Sky
    Kate Micucci, Alison Brie, and Aubrey Plaza in The Little Hours.
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    Editor's note: It was a newsy week in Dallas. Sadly, the founder of a Dallas sweets company passed away; there was also news of a new gourmet European market in the works and peach cobbler coming to DFW Airport. Here's a chance to get caught up on the week's most-read stories, and here's help planning a fun weekend.

    1. Dallas Caramel Company founder Rain McDermott dies at 52. Dallas entrepreneur Rain McDermott, who founded artisan caramel maker Dallas Caramel Company when she was only 34 years old, died after a battle with breast cancer; she was 52.

    2. Gourmet European Market to open in north Dallas with pierogi and more. A new food shop with a distinct European flair is coming to Dallas: Called Gourmet European Market, it's opening at 17435 Preston Rd., in a shopping center south of Frankford Road, where it will feature food products from all over Europe but with a special focus on the Eastern European countries of Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Israel, and Bulgaria.

    Gourmet European Market Polish gingerbreadPolish gingerbread at Gourmet European Market.Photo courtesy of GEM

    3. Chef and caterer opens Southern to-go cafe south of Dallas. A chef and caterer has opened an eponymous to-go cafe south of Dallas: Called The Cedric Frazier Experience, it’s an upscale soul food kitchen located at 103 Waller St., in Red Oak, where it opened on June 7.

    4. Dallas cuts slack on senior homeowners with new property tax exemption. Dallas seniors who own a home got cut a break: On June 11, the Dallas City Council approved additional property tax relief for senior and disabled homeowners by increasing the city’s property tax exemption for residents who are 65 or older or disabled.

    5. Peach cobbler concept to open 2 locations at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Southern desserts are coming to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): The Peach Cobbler Factory, a chain based in North Carolina, will open not one but two locations at the airport. The first DFW location will open in Terminal D in late 2025; a second location will open in the new Terminal C Pier in 2026.

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