Reel Critics: Flawed characters make ‘Diary’ work

We are deluged with big budget blockbusters all summer long. But one of the most important movies this year is a small indie film that will knock your socks off in unexpected ways. “Diary of a Teenage Girl” takes you on an eye-popping journey of adolescent discovery.

It’s a young woman’s coming of age set in the psychedelic culture of San Francisco in the 1970s. Bel Powley is amazing as a plain Jane high school girl with more grasp of reality than most adults in her life. She represents every insecure teenager’s longing to grow up much faster than nature allows.

Kristen Wig is outstanding as her self-centered and hard partying mom. Alexander Skarsgard is her mom’s handsome boyfriend who initiates the teen’s sexual awakening. The obvious complications pile up quickly but they are peppered with razor sharp humor.

Director Marielle Heller and writer Phoebe Gloekner clearly bring a woman’s insight to the girl’s adventures. The use of Peter Max-style animation to illustrate the girl’s feelings adds another artistic dimension to this remarkable film.

It’s R-rated for serious sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll action. But the genuine portrayal of the flawed characters provides real food for thought for discerning adults.

— John Depko

*

Life Lessons Behind the Wheel

“Learning to Drive” pairs the always watchable Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley as a recently-separated book critic and driving instructor on the eve of an arranged marriage.

After her husband leaves her for another woman, Wendy (Clarkson) would like to just hole up with her books. She reluctantly heeds her daughter’s advice to learn to drive so they can spend more time together.

Manhattan traffic can take anyone out of their comfort zone, and Wendy’s anger and insecurities make for some interesting moments behind the wheel. She is fortunate that Darwan (Kingsley) is a kind and patient teacher.

It’s predictable that the two should bond and open up to each other about their failed expectations. For all his seeming wisdom, it’s surprising to see Darwan so emotionally remote with bride Jasleena (Sarita Choudhury).

Clarkson and Kingsley play off each other with a wit and understated chemistry that elevates “Learning to Drive”’s well-traveled plot.

*

Lily Tomlin shines as ‘Grandma’

The best reason to see “Grandma” is for Lily Tomlin in the title role. She is fantastic.

Elle (Tomlin) has just ended a relationship when her pretty granddaughter Sage (Julia Garner) shows up at her door. It’s apparent this relationship is prickly in a family of prickly relationships.

Sage needs money, right now. Grandma doesn’t have it but knows where she can get it. So off they go on a daylong road trip in a vintage clunker to get some cash.

With her acid tongue and quick temper, Elle manages to antagonize nearly everyone in her path from kids to old friends to family. Her daughter (a terrific Marcia Gay Harden) is also cut from the same cloth, yet we sense there is love there somewhere.

Tomlin’s brief scene with Sam Elliott takes the movie to another level. It’s the best thing Elliott’s ever done.

At a mere 79 minutes, this little “Grandma” packs a big punch.

—Susanne Perez

JOHN DEPKO is a retired senior investigator for the Orange County public defender’s office. He lives in Costa Mesa and works as a licensed private investigator. SUSANNE PEREZ lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant for a company in Irvine.