Celebrity Profiles

L.A. Times is a cultural slice of a particular modern reality that plays with a breadth of neuroticism and familiarity. “I think there are certain expectations when a woman makes a film…that it will sound or feel a certain way, and I tried to subvert some of those,” says Morgan, “As a result my film may feel atypical or unnatural to some people. And, to be honest, I’m perfectly fine with that.” Morgan does not make apologies for her flawed characters; in fact, that is the point of the film. The characters are human and they act that way: confused, overbearing, annoying, funny, misguided, and hurt. They make stupid mistakes for honest reasons, they fight with each other over seemingly small things, and they act from a place of fear and love just like real people. There is no grand finale at the end of this film, no big reveal magic profound lesson insight, and this is just right. What L.A. Times delivers is an exploration, a humorous journey through what it often looks like to forge ones’ way toward love in this messy life.

It was a stormy morning near Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and a young Adam West  (recently discharged from the army, and trying to raise money to get to Europe) was dutifully fulfilling his responsibilities as a milkman— delivering dairy products to all the families on his route. Only, this was no ordinary storm. This was a full- blown hurricane.

“Perfectionism gets you results only to a certain altitude. It propels you up the mountain, but if you want to move around in the rarefied air of the summit it takes creativity and free thinking-and you can only be brave in your ideas if there is enough safety to take risks in your thinking and push your art.” Yes. That’s so good. My ride has pulled up but I’ve failed to notice.

….and, of course, the wild ride that is Sonia herself, from holding court at the tailor shop to sharing the remnants of her mother’s scarf with shaking hands, cutting flowers and choosing her lavish outfits. Each thread strengthens the overall film, working together to create something greater than the individual parts, resulting in an experience so profound and beautiful that, by the end, you are stunned. Everything has somehow shifted, especially your worldview, and each tiny thing is now visible through a new lens.