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The success or failure of such a script can hinge on the lead character and in this case, Ikuni Yoshimatsu as Grace is pure perfection. Whether playing a warm and engaging mother to her young son or evoking a silent and solitary grief, she never misses a beat.
Carlos’s refusal to accept that his facade is crumbling is emblematic of his struggle to hold onto something that will ultimately fail him, as it becomes clear that he cannot outrun the tightening noose that is reality.
While the spectacle of the arena scenes is entertaining, there are several moments when the CG effects are distracting due to their unconvincing nature. Beyond the spectacle of combat is the story of political unrest as Rome suffers under twin emperors who are cartoonishly wacky and so idiotic that their downfall could be seen from a mile away.
The plot doesn’t do much to endear the audience to Sally either. Right after meeting her, Zack becomes her assistant and is tasked with finding work she desperately needs. The movie tries to show the ageism that many women face in Hollywood, but it’s not exactly a new message.