Coastal Elites (2020 TV Movie) User Reviews

life amid COVID isolation

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 21 September 2020]

Long since done with the Austin Powers and Meet the Parents franchises, Jay Roach has spent the past twelve years directing political-themed movies: "Recount" (about the 2000 election), "Game Change" (about the 2008 election), "The Campaign" (depicting a heated campaign for a congressional seat), "Trumbo" (about the blacklisting of Dalton Trumbo), "All the Way" (about Lyndon Johnson's efforts to pass the Civil Rights Act) and "Bombshell" (about the women at Fox News who exposed Roger Ailes as a sexual predator). Now he gives us "Coastal Elites", in which five people give monologues describing their displeasure with the Trump presidency and the coronavirus.

Opinions of this movie will almost certainly be split along ideological lines. Personally I found Sarah Paulson's character's monologue the most impressive. The movie isn't any sort of masterpiece, but I enjoyed it.

Ranting and raving in the Trump and COVID-19 era

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 17 September 2020]

"Coastal Elites" (2020 release; 87 min.) brings 5 monologues (the opening credits actually call them "rants") about what life in the COVID-19 and Trump era is like. In the 1st piece ("Lock Her Up"; 25 min.) Bette Midler plays Miriam Nessler, a liberal Jewish widow. She is in the interrogation room of the local jail, following a complaint by a Trump supporter that Miriam intimidated him. Miriam goes from cold to hot, ranting and raving against Trump and his Kool-Aid drinking supporters. "That man's name", she hisses, unable to say Trump's name... Subsequent monologues are "Supergay" (18 min.), about a gay actor playing a gay superhero; "The Blonde Cloud" (15 min.) about a Black women who went to boarding school with Ivanca, who now wants to befriend her again; "Because I Have To Tell Someone" (16 min.), about a liberal woman attending a family reunion, where everyone is a Trump supporter, and last but not least "President Miriam" (13 min.), about a nurse getting to know Miriam (yes, the same Miriam as in the first piece) as she battles COVID-19 in a NY hospital.

Couple of comments: this is the latest film directed by Jay Roach (the Austin Powers franchise; the Meet the Fockers franchise; etc.). This, though, is unlike any other film he has made. It brings 5 monologues that are filmed in a Zoom-like setting. Very little production. Instead we listen to these intense and for the most overtly political rants and raves that address what life is like in the current Trump and COVID-19 era. As you can well imagine, not many kind words are said about Trump. OK, none. So if you are someone who is drinking the Trump Kool-Aid by the gallons, you may want to watch something else, as your Dear Leader is chewed up and spit out. While Bette Midler's piece is the longest and highest profile, I thought the very last piece, about Midler's character Miriam as experienced by a registered nurse (played to great effect by Kaitlyn Dever, is in fact the best or at least the most moving. I'm not going to say anything more. Just watch!

"Coastal Elites" premiered this weekend on HBO and is now available on HBO On Demand and other streaming services. If you are deeply troubled by life in the COVID-19 era and under the (so-called) leadership of Dear Leader Trump, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Turning rage into art

[ozjosh03 · 9/10 · 14 September 2020]

I'd read a few snooty reviews that dismissed Coastal Elites as smug, self-satisfied, preaching to the choir... etc. The predictable put-downs of critics and commentators who always have to know better. In fact, it's smart, incisive, extremely timely and ultimately quite moving - and while being simultaneously depressing and uplifting. It's exactly the kind of whip-smart political theatre we need right now, when we can't even go to a theatre. Bette Midler is her usual powerhouse self as Miriam, a feisty Jewish momma who channels the collective rage at he who shall not be named. Dan Levy gives a nuanced turn as an actor with mixed feelings about his auditions for a gay superhero. And Kaitlyn Dever gives a restrained, yet masterful performance as a nurse on the front line. All five monologues are exceptionally well-written and brilliantly acted. And all the dopey 1/10 reviews from witless MAGA-hat wearing morons only go to prove that they are, as ever, utterly clueless and doomed to wallow in their cluelessness forever.

Daniel Levy Steals The Show

[danwelch-00678 · 9/10 · 13 September 2020]

Everyone in this unusual film is good, although Bette Midler is a bit "Bette Midlery" (but how could she not be?) But the standout is Daniel Levy, whose work I only know from Schitt's Creek. He's really good.

Bette Midler Is Superb

[drednm · 16 September 2020]

This HBO film, a series of five blistering monologues (comedic with an edge) about the current state of politics, the pandemic, etc. was written by Paul Rudnick. Each of the five actors plays a character dealing with life in 2020 America. Each character talks to a camera while in quarantine. And no it's not static; it's a lively and engrossing 90 minutes (or thereabouts).

Bette Midler starts things off superbly as Miriam, a woman who has been booked for attacking a man in a coffee shop. She talks about her life in New York as a middle-class Jewish woman and the things that are important to her. Next is Dan Levy as a gay actor in LA trying to get a role in a gay superhero movie and dealing with gay stereotypes.

Third is Issa Rae as the daughter of a wealthy Black businessman who has political ties through her years in boarding school and who talks about the politics of wealth and privilege. Fourth is Sarah Paulson as a meditation guru who talks about her visit back home with her working class family and the blindness of political fervor. Last is Kaitlyn Dever as a NYC nurse dealing with the day-to-day grind in a hospital flooded with pandemic patients and the loss of one special patient.

Tough, trenchant, and funny.

I don't think that means what you think it means

[wpirotte · 3/10 · 8 August 2023]

So...there I was, minding my own business, when the Max comedy section offers me this movie, self described as socially distanced satire. Being a gullible deplorable, as it were, I thought, what the heck, give these insufferable narcissists one more chance. Probably you can guess at the rest. It ain't comedy, it ain't satire, and it certainly is not entertainment. It is an extended rant from a has-been public personality, captured on hot mic because no one in their right mind would let an actual interview like this go on for more than 180 seconds. But I have to hand it to the Midler - getting people to pay you for simply rambling and also having the rambling be utterly predictable is like a miracle, where chaos theory and a random numbers table create a perfectly straight line.

Loved it. Such great writing and acting.

[Kimfuqua · 9/10 · 13 September 2020]

Each of the five pieces is a tour de force. The writing and the acting are incredible and it all fits together powerfully in the end. I recommend viewers watch it in a quiet place where they can really pay attention and appreciate the performance. This isn't a show that will do well in a room of distractions.

A love letter to the left

[peter-p-scherr · 1/10 · 16 September 2020]

Hollywood stars sequestered in their mansion deliver a political message in the guise of entertainment.

Intelligent Entertainment.

[allynrifkin · 9/10 · 13 September 2020]

They have to make this a series. Each performance expertly written by Paul Rudnick.

Dismal

[fmwongmd · 3/10 · 22 September 2020]

This attempt at political comedy falls far short of its intent of providing entertainment.

Gripping, Honest

[dan-dashnaw · 10/10 · 13 September 2020]

This film captures the dynamic so many of us are facing during these particularly confounding times. The superb acting and great writing really pronounce the existential dread that this direct threat to our democracy is forcing upon us. Who knew we'd be fighting fascism in America in 2020? This is an incredibly important work during a critical crossroads in liberal democracy across the globe.

Typical

[artfuleye · 4/10 · 14 September 2020]

I don't write reviews. This is my first, but I do read them. The reviews for Coastal Elites here on IMDB define this movie perfectly. As I write this I'm the only middle of the road review. All the reviews so far are 9/10's or 0/1's. If you are liberal you will love it, best thing ever. If you are conservative you will hate it. I gave it a 4 because it's very predictable and bland. A really good movie, really well acted will sway you to appreciate the story even if you don't agree with the philosophy behind it. Really good movies can make me root for the bad guy. This one did not. Coastal elites failed to draw me in, I didn't feel engaged or moved. I wonder why it was so one sided, is a little balance in this world out of the question? It was just another anti-Trump story. For me it was a waste of my time. At least I didn't have to waste my money on it. I would have been super upset if I spent $$$ to see it on Broadway.

Powerful - leave it at that

[jrneptune · 9/10 · 13 September 2020]

From Director Jay Roach and Screenwriter Paul Rudnick. Based off a Play.

HBO throws down the gloves in a brave and bold stand against the current administration (my apologies for refusing to say his name). They are largely preaching to the choir I suspect at this point.

Each actor delivers a fictionalized story which is meant to represent most importantly a conglomeration of actual people.

All the stars gave great performances in my opinion. Bette Midler, Dan Levy, Issa Rae, Sarah Paulson, and Kaitlyn Dever. I have to admit I was seriously surprised to see Kaitlyn Dever who is a young still on the rise in the show.

Everyone should watch it though I would rate it PG13 for language.

Politics and pandering for idiots

[TechnicallyNuts · 1/10 · 13 September 2020]

Wow. This is just pandering to the political agenda before the election. It's not informative or entertaining. It is nauseating. Left or right doesn't matter. This is a new low for politics.

So real and raw

[beautyforbeast · 10/10 · 13 September 2020]

Let's all be honest...this is exactly everything we have been feeling, thinking and dealing with. This is the most Realist thing I've ever watched!!! And I loved it.

Worse Than Stupid

[theognis-80821 · 1/10 · 29 June 2021]

Unbearably boring: simpering self-pitying left/liberalism. But it is in focus.

TRUTH

[rhmacl · 10/10 · 13 September 2020]

Truth. Get used to it. You may not like it...which means you need a reality check.

Brilliant!!

[bobbiekostos · 10/10 · 13 September 2020]

All five actors did such magnificent performances and totally captured what is happening in our world today....sad but true. Bravo!! Would love to see more honest and wonderful shows like this one.

Bad acting. Bad writing. Cliché. Propaganda

[imdb-451-718995 · 2/10 · 17 September 2020]

I would expect much better acting from at least some of the people in this cast! This is the least inspired festival of self congratulation for lefties I can possibly imagine

Coastal elites

[talkcard · 10/10 · 13 September 2020]

Worth watching and everyone can identify with the characters

They made a movie about their TDS

[richp-251 · 1/10 · 14 September 2020]

This was beyond pathetic cringe worthy television. Leftists haters are taking thing to a new low. Just sad 😞

Outstanding

[prevostroland · 9/10 · 14 September 2020]

Exceptionally sharp writing by Mr. Rudnick, with outstanding performances by everyone in the cast.

Just trash

[minidiva48 · 1/10 · 13 September 2020]

The worst!!! Not funny in the least and just who you'd expect to see. Don't waste your time!!!

Hilarious

[sgordon2011 · 9/10 · 15 September 2020]

So I have enjoyed this HBO special in two capacities: 1. It is a pungent take on the frustration in America right now, in 2020. It's well written and well acted. It feels very much of the time and I am grateful that it exists. 2. Looking at the reviews on here of Trump's delicate, special, little snowflakes absolutely raging at the fact that they have not broken the creative American spirit is absolutely, side-splittingly, hilariously perfect.

Excellent

[patrickyarber · 10/10 · 14 September 2020]

You feel everything they're saying. Sooooo good and on point. Excellent performances and the writing was phenomenal. I could watch it again and I just finished it.