The Luminary Laughter Review - All Roads Lead to Rome with Emily in Paris - + The Best Rom Coms, TV, Standup, Drama and Radio

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When was the last time you watched a film, drama, radio show, stand up show or podcast that utterly transported you and made you laugh out loud with delight or guilty pleasure? This month's Luminary Arts and Entertainment Review is devoted to an expansive dose of laughter medicine and escapism, doctors orders.

All Roads Lead to Rome in Emily in Paris 4

Hot tip? All Roads lead to Rome as Eugenio Franceschini becomes the hottest man in television, as Marcello Muratori, Emily's new latin lover in the new series of Emily in Paris. I declare Eugenio should be the next James Bond.

Let's All Watch the Comedy Classics

Given the state of the world in 2024, I declare now is a good time to wallow in the best vintage comedy from Black Adder to 30 Rock both on ITV and look out for emerging new political stand up on X. Hot tip, check out guerilla journalist and natural born satirist, Lionel McGloin, and his producer Oliver Gruber. Their X handle is No Tap on God. You can find them on YouTube here. No Tap On God Lionel's wickedly funny escapade at New York Fashion Week sums up the age of stupid. I blame processed food, the rise of narcissism and not enough time laughing at ourselves and cultivating critical thinking.

Meet Me in Paris or New York

Firstly, I will never stop liking the films of Woody Allen and as the director Oliver Stone recently suggested, whatever Allen may or may not have done in his private life, (he hasn't been prosecuted for anything) Woody Allen is one of the most talented American film auteurs of the past sixty years and it is perfectly possible to enjoy his wickedly funny, clever, sharply observed films as pieces of art in their own right and leave the man out of the equation.

The Glitterati at Play in New York in the Rain

In that spirit and for a huge dose of laughter and razor sharp social satire, I would like to recommend a brilliant return to form with Woody Allen's A Rainy Day in New York. This film came out in 2020 and it has been overlooked and it shouldn't be. No one understands the New York cultural glitterati or the beguiling, restless spirit of the city better than Allen. The pretensions, love entanglements, wicked temptations and youthful misalignments are spot on in A Rainy Day in New York and Timothee Chalomet is spookily good as the latterday Allen figure. He is aided and abetted by a stellar ensemble cast which includes - Elle Fanning, Selina Gomez, Jude Law, Liev Schreiber, Rebecca Hall and Diego Luna.

You can watch A Rainy Day in New York on Amazon Prime. The film is currently free to watch with Ads. Or you could buy the DVD.

Diane Keaton Out Grows Woody in Annie Hall

The film has largely gone uncelebrated because Allen has been cancelled by the mainstream media and critics who follow like sheep. I liked the film so much I watched it three times. You can find it on Amazon Prime. Tell your friends. Then watch Annie Hall, Diane Keaton's Oscar-winning star turn as a woman who outgrows her man. The writing is first class. Remember, Woody Allen is not afraid to send himself up.

Greta Gerwig as the Goofy, Adorable Underdog in Frances Ha

For a take on Allen's impact and legacy on other filmmakers, watch the delightful Frances Ha, on the BFI Greta Gerwig's sweet, affecting homage to Allen, directed by her husband Noah Baumbach. The film is raw and intimate and exposes all the human frailties and vanities. Gerwig plays the goofy underdog, who goes from co-dependance with her best friend to hitting rock bottom and then quietly succeeding by holding her nerve when her friends turn flaky and unkind and life constantly gives her lemons.

After Woody Allen, it's time to take the Eurostar to Paris, the eternal city of haute couture, crazy love, allure, ruthless ambition and outre pr hijinks, for the latest instalment of Emily in Paris Four, and a good pinch of Luminary escapism, where anything is justified in the name of the ritzy allure of success, including the pretence that vaginal lubricant could be the next miracle, wonder, anti-ageing treatment. I applaud the way the script sends up the business of luxury. Nothing is off limits from penis pants to the allure of scarcity. After more than two decades as a newspaper journalist, I have seen it all and that's why I find Emily in Paris tres amusing. There is no need to make up the storylines... reader it is all true.

A Sexual Harassment Scandal and an Exquisite Trip to Giverny

So, buckle up for the latest kooky instalment of love rivalry, the dirty rotten business of promoting luxury goods and a serious sexual harassment scandal to boot in Emily in Paris Four where we have no clue what year it is so long as it isn't 2024. Who needs to live in the real world right now. Lily Collins as Emily still lives in a tiny apartment, but can afford to flaunt a haute couture wardrobe only Lady Gaga could afford, but would be gifted free...ooh la la... and one of the most ravishing scenes is set at Giverny, where Emily and Camille have a very ladylike catfight over Gabriel and fall into the lake. Never has a cat fight looked so dreamily beautiful - it's like dissolving into a Monet painting and all I could think about was Emily's electric blue suit is too lovely to get a soaking.

Small is Beautiful on a Clifftop on Cyprus

Then to Cyprus to get hot and bothered about Harry Connick Junior as a laconic, hot, tattooed rock star doing a winning impression of wanting and not wanting to be alone a la Greta Garbo in the delightfully low key film Find Me Falling directed by Stelana Kliris. The film is offbeat, with a great supporting cast of local actors. It is quirky with good writing and Connick Junior is quietly magnetic as the rock n roll star who runs away to Cyprus when his comeback album bombs only to have his past deliver the daughter he never new existed.

The story takes place mostly on a cliff top, the beach or a local taverna. I like the smallness of this un-Hollywood film. It's about people, society, food and giving a damn and the music will linger long after the credits roll.

Love Without the Rose-Tinted Glasses

John Allman wants to be alone, but fate has other ideas. He buys a house on top of cliff in Cyprus, only to discover it is a 'suicide hotspot' and then he runs into his fiery ex, now a doctor at the local hospital and the locals find out who he is. Find Me Falling's strength is the local community which John is gently drawn into, a sharp script which gently upends, romantic happy endings and the sense that the lovers are not naive and looking at love thorough rose tinted glasses. This is a sharp, funny and honest look at love after two decades apart.

Watch Find Me Falling On Netflix.

An Island of One

Then, you could watch Nicole Kidman, Zoey King and Zac Ephron in A Family Affair. Ditch the double standards of an older woman having a hot love affair with a younger man (in any case Kidman looks about the same age as Efron thanks to filler) and soak up the satire about the loneliness, excess and the madness of Hollywood and how one movie star just longs to get excited about buying his own cereal and isolated whey protein with someone he really likes.

Pay attention and enjoy the satire. Ephron falls for Nicole Kidman's bluestocking, whip smart writer who is not remotely impressed by his film star status. This is catnip to a lonely, badly behaved movie star crying out to do better. The only elephant in the room that spoils this sparky sour sweet rom com is the amount of filler in Kidman's face. It is very distracting and a sign of how women are treated as they age in Hollywood. Kathy Burke outshines all of the leads as the sassy mother-in-law and even better her face moves as she delivers quick fire lessons on sex and not being afraid to get what you want.

I Want a Latte with Milk from a Real Cow

Best line in the film? When Zac's 'island of one' movie star demands a latte made with milk from a real cow, or is that cancelled too? You could also watch Nicole Kidman in The Perfect Couple on Netflix. The trouble with this achingly expensive looking look at me murder mystery is that it feels like murder by numbers, the heroine is insipid and there isn't one likeable character in this funereal crime caper set on Nantucket Island and I could see the bombshell coming a mile off can you? If I haven't succeeded in putting you off - Watch The Perfect Couple on Netflix.

Either way,I hope you will spend your quality time giggling with delight and admiring the absurdity of life and doing something to get involved in Robert Kennedy Junior's joyful crusade to reawaken curiosity and restore real food and health not just to America, but to all the places where the myth of convenience has had a disastrous impact on life itself. You can find out more by listening to the RFK Junior Podcast here or go to Kennedy 24 for all the latest videos.

Almost two years ago to the day, my wise, clever functional doctor looked at me and gave me the best advice on how to support my recovery from autoimmunity caused by vaccine injury. Sharief, my doctor is always upbeat and positive, no matter how grave the medical situation.

This is his prescription, which he meticulously includes in all my medical reports and updates. He said you must do these five things everyday - "Cook from scratch, practice deep breathing and meditation, move more, find your tribe and indulge in laughter all the time." He added, " Watch your beloved movies, listen to the radio and laugh often."

He was right. If only all doctors were so effective, fun and practical, rather than pushing useless pills. On days when I really need an emergency dose of calm, laughter and to stay away from relentlessly depressing and scary news and the bonfire of the vanities, which is X, I watch repeats of the Detectorists on Netflix also on BBC iPlayer or The Durrells on ITVX and Netflix.

Five minutes into watching two nerdy, awkward blokes talking to each other about Mastermind in a darkening field with their metal detectors, to a meditative chorus of birdsong whilst looking for gold and the holy grail, and I am becalmed. The Detectorists has got it all. The romance of archaeology and history, satire, tree hugging, digging for gold and then giving the reward money back to the earth. To that you can add the joy of friendship, Johnny Flynn writing the songs and singing down the pub without fanfare, and the late, marvellous, waspy Diana Rigg playing opposite her daughter Rachel Stirling and the simple joy and camaraderie of belonging to a club.

You can learn a lot about what really matters in life by watching The Detectorists. Maybe, you will even feel inspired to join our magazine club so we could hang out more. Details here.

Nothing bothers me when I am watching our intrepid hunter gatherers. The Detectorists is an ode to the slow life and the importance of community. It's the same with The Durrells, the perfect adaptation of Gerald Durrell's Corfu Trilogy. For a sunny dose of laughter, misadventures and a banquet of growing pains and escapism, join me and watch Keeley Hawes and her raggle taggle brood of headstrong, individual offspring as they grow up on Corfu, fall in and out of love and learn the power of self sufficiency.

Live Like Frank the Sloth

There's even Frank the sloth to help you slow down. The sloth is our mascot too. Now, who doesn't want to take a pelican for a walk or go motoring along cliff top roads and olive groves in a scarlet Morgan? The writing is a joy, the sun is always sparkling except when the rain doesn't stop for two days and the comedy and the growing pains of life are executed with flair, bravado and a marvellous ensemble of British, Greek and European acting talent. Watch The Durrells on ITVX and Netflix.

When I really want to ditch the twenty first century, I escape to the golden age, and I watch Cary Grant behaving exactly like Cary Grant is supposed to behave (as the fantasy perfect man) in Charade, Indiscreet or His Girl Friday and I then I am alright again. I particularly adore His Girl Friday, because Cary's wicked newspaper editor is so uncannily authentic and his character reminds me of just about every editor I have ever worked for in news-paper-land. I also like the scene in Indiscreet where Cary and Ingrid saunter so romantically, along the Embankment, after dinner at the Garrick Club in Covent Garden. I've done that iconic saunter with a beau and I long to do it again! Notice how the Rolls follows so slowly, at a discreet distance.

In my experience women are often less transparent than men. Men shout, swear and sometimes brawl, and women are either wonderful and supportive or busy scheming behind our backs. Journalism is an Alison in Wonderland profession. I love it with a passion.

The Best Comedy and Drama to Laugh Through September

Now, here is more of my roundup of the very best films, drama, comedy and sketches to laugh through September and beyond and delight in the medicine of comedy.

For film and drama - the best picks are on Netflix this month. In Emily in Paris Season 4 Part Two - Suddenly, Emily isn't living it up in Paris, she jets off to Rome in pursuit of the thrilling and enigmatic goat herd, Marcello, Eugenio Franceschini, who turns out to be the scion of one of Italy's under the radar, luxury good houses. Either way, the Dolce Vita storyline spices up the action faster than you can say limoncello and Lily Collins pulls off a decent, insouciant homage to Audrey Hepburn seeing Rome from the back of a scooter, swooning over pasta, making tantalising wishes in the Trevi fountain and getting over the chef in the most adorable wardrobe of off-the-shoulder gingham and fifties style gowns. It's great to see Ashley Park get to flex her songstress wings with a spine tingling number which Emily christens Beautiful Ruins and Sylvie turns up to wreck Emily's romantic holiday and rekindle a grand Italian amour of her own. For sheer over the top romanticism, all roads lead to Rome.

The Kissing Booth and Teenage Kicks

To embrace you inner teenager, watch The Kissing Booth, where Zoey King becomes the new coming of age star, following in the stellar trail of Winona Ryder, Alicia Silverstone and Molly Ringwald who plays her mum's gorgeous best friend. Oh and the men are just ridiculously too beautiful for school.

Movie of Barbie, for more of Greta Gerwig, as a natural comedienne, you can catch her best rom coms on the BFI website. Don't miss Damsels in Distress, in which she takes on the student patriarchy with hilarious consequences and Baghead,where a slasher screenplay turns horribly real. Other comedy gems to watch include Bottle Rocket , an early crime caper film from Wes Anderson which transformed Luc Wilson into a star; Scrapper, the debut film from British filmaker to watch Charlotte Regan about a 12 year old girl who thinks she can get by stealing bikes after her mother dies and Billie Piper in her directorial debut as Mandy, a single mother with a life that frequently combusts as she fearlessly negotiates motherhood, love, work and sexual politics.

Love Without the Rose-Tinted Glasses

If you are feeling really fed up and need a reboot, watch Happiness for Beginners starring Ellie Kemper a Luke Grimes and a get under you skin indie soundtrack and you will long to tune out and go hiking with a bunch of total strangers and re-learn the important skills of cooperation, perseverance, team building, listening and maybe you might also find love where you least expect it.

For ITVX highlights don't miss Life of Brian, Passport to Pimlico, Black Dynamite, The Importance of Being Earnest, Rising Damp and Douglas is Cancelled.

A word of caution about Douglas is Cancelled. I found it over-acted, hysterical and an ordeal to watch. I felt sorry for Hugh Bonneville and Karen Gillan. This television and media-land drama does finally deliver a savage punchline, but it is an ordeal to get there. I won't spoil it for you, but if you want to watch a really hammy drama about power, sex, harassment and revenge, then this might just be for you. If not, the latest instalment of Emily in Paris delivers a far more stylish and intelligent way to expose a powerful man at the helm of a fashion house for abusing his position with young women, when Sylvie goes to the press and bravely and fearlessly tells her story. After all, when used properly and when journalists are free to do their job, the pen is mightier than the sword

Happy viewing, until next time, Alison Jane. xxx

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Copyright Alison Jane Reid/The Luminaries Magazine September 2024. All Rights Reserved. No Copying in any format including Ai.