Here we find her in 1979 Santa Barbara as Dorothea, a single mom of a fifteen year old boy who rents rooms out to help make ends meet. The chain smoking free spirit struggles to raise her son in the right way and enlists the help of younger people to assist. Dorothea is an odd duck but is easy to like. Her home seems open to all. When she finds her car engulfed in flames in a grocery store parking lot she casually invites the fire chief to dinner for dousing the flames. Her son stands by perplexed.
Bening is terrific in this oddball role. She seems to be daydreaming much of the time but is at the same time connected to her surroundings. She is lonely but never alone. Dorothea is not one for glamour. She shows every bit of her age with nary a spot of makeup and a cigarette dangling in virtually every scene.
The supporting cast is very strong. Greta Gerwig is unrecognizable as the freelance photographer and boarder. She has certainly become a Hollywood A lister in recent years. She beautifully played the loyal assistant in the wonderful recent film “Jackie”. She appeared in two interesting films at last year’s Sundance Festival, “Maggie’s Plan” and “Wiener Dog”. We will be seeing more and more her.
Elle Fanning, Dakota’s younger sister plays the cute older girl next door who is joined at the hip with Dorothea’s son. The poor kid is smitten but she wants a brother-sister kind of relationship much to his hormone raging chagrin.
Billy Crudup who is popping up all over of late is featured as William, another boarder who works as a handyman/mechanic. He is a pure soul who wants to please and handles the role in grand fashion.
All in all, a very satisfying movie with excellent performances throughout. Bening is clearly the star and who knows, she may get still another nomination next year. “20th Century Women” is worth seeing.
