August 22, 2025

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 8/22

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

iF you want sophistication & Charm

materialists

Vincent Georgie: Intelligently and effectively written and directed by Celine Song, this terrific romantic drama (and no, not romantic comedy) benefits from giving star Dakota Johnson the role of her career. The tone, mood, and casting (look for “Succession” ensemble player Zoe Winters here, in a very effective supporting role) are all MVPs.

Synopsis: A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex.

Available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

if you want to take a weird road trip

paris, texas

Vincent Georgie: Germany’s Wim Wenders is one of our most creative filmmakers. In his best American film, he offers us a conspicuously bizarre and highly watchable road movie. What a trip this one is.

Synopsis: A disheveled man who wanders out of the desert, Travis Henderson (Harry Dean Stanton) seems to have no idea who he is. When a stranger manages to contact his brother, Walt (Dean Stockwell), Travis is awkwardly reunited with his sibling. Travis has been missing for years, and his presence unsettles Walt and his family, which also includes Travis’s own son, Hunter (Hunter Carson). Soon, Travis must confront his wife, Jane (Nastassja Kinski), and try to put his life back together.

Available on Apple TV and The Criterion Channel.

if you love a courtroom drama

the verdict

Vincent Georgie: A high-quality, intelligently written courtroom drama in the way that they, quite frankly, no longer make them. One of Sidney Lumet’s best films (and that’s saying a lot), with a terrific lead performance by Paul Newman. Nominated for 5 Oscars, including Best Picture.

Synopsis: Boston lawyer Frank Galvin takes his face out of the shot glass for one last shot at redemption, taking on a medical negligence case against powerful attorney Edward Concannon.

Available on Apple TV, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.

DOUBLE FEATURE

love triangles

Vincent Georgie: This week’s Materialists does an effective job in providing us with a viable and appealing love triangle. Here are two other films that are also effective in giving us some terrific romantic geometries.

reality bites

After college, Lelaina (Winona Ryder) films a documentary about herself and her friends as they flounder in their attempts to forge relationships and begin careers. Vickie (Janeane Garofalo) works retail, has an endless string of one-night stands, and awaits the results of her HIV test. Sammy (Steve Zahn) tries to come out to his parents. Lelaina gets involved with yuppie Michael (Ben Stiller) while maintaining a love-hate relationship with Troy (Ethan Hawke), who’s undergoing an existential crisis.

Available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

brooklyn

Young Irish immigrant Eilis Lace (Saoirse Ronan) navigates her way through 1950s Brooklyn. Lured by the promise of America, Eilis departs Ireland and the comfort of her mother’s home for the shores of New York City. The initial shackles of homesickness quickly diminish as a fresh romance sweeps Eilis into the intoxicating charm of love. But soon, her past disrupts her new vivacity, and Eilis must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.