EL SEGUNDO HERALD March 3, 2022 Page 5
Entertainment
Film Review Check It Out
Bright Burning Things
by Lisa Harding
By Library Assistant Mary Martes
Single mother Sonya, once a glittering
ingenue and celebrated actress, is now living
on the dole with her young son Tommy. Still
young and beautiful, her life has narrowed to
Tommy, and the wine that eases her confusion
and desperation, and wards off the angry swarm
of voices in her head. A story of addiction and
recovery, this deep dive into Sonya’s psychosis
and alcoholism is harrowing but ultimately a
tale of redemption.
Estranged from her father and having lost her
mother at a young age, Sonya is struggling to
raise Tommy on her own. She has no friends
and no other family to help or support her, nor
does she want any. Four-year-old Tommy was
the result of a love affair with a callow man
who had no intention of being a father. The
daily demands of motherhood create a separation
from reality while she struggles to raise
Tommy on her own. Her obsessive, possessive
love for him is second only to her love of the
bottle. As she sinks deeper into intoxication,
her sanity begins to slip. Riddled with profound
lack of self-esteem, always waiting to be found
a fraud, Sonya becomes increasingly unhinged.
Her “imp, bad fairy” takes over and she loses
control, spewing vitriol to any who dare to
question her parenting. She creates a fanciful
world with Tommy that they alone inhabit.
She fails to see that she is becoming a danger
to Tommy. Speeding through traffic for the
adrenaline rush, stealing groceries, burning
the food she does attempt, failing to feed or
bathe him leaves him neglected, starving and
dirty. Lost in her fog, she fails to notice she
is being monitored and one last careless act
finally forces her to confront her demons.
Tommy is taken to live with foster parents
while she attends a treatment facility. She may
be there under her own volition, but Sonya
does not think she really has a problem. In
her mind, all she needs is Tommy. As she
struggles, she begins to see more clearly and
finds a mentor of sorts. Tommy struggles as
well. He is angry and confused that Sonya
left him without a good bye. Her journey to
sobriety and back to Tommy is rendered in
heartbreaking reality with a skillful hand. At
times difficult and disturbing, this is a novel
well worth discovering.
To discover more redemptive reads, stop by
the adult service desk or check out our online
catalog at www.elsegundolibrary.org. •
SB Swatik & Brandlin LLP
LAW
AT T O R N E Y S AT L AW
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Living Trusts, Wills, Estate Planning
Probate and Trust Administration
310-540-6000
www.sbtrustlaw.com
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The Sweeping Musical ‘Cyrano’
Aims For The Heart, and Hits
By Ryan Rojas for Cinemacy.com
Where to watch: ‘Cyrano’ is now playing
in theaters.
The new movie Cyrano is a heartfelt
romantic musical that turned me into putty
in its hands. Based on the timeless tale of
Cyrano de Bergerac–a man gifted with words
yet fated with an unconventional appearance–
Haley Bennett stars as Roxanne and Peter Dinklage as Cyrano in Joe Wright’s Cyrano. Photo courtesy Cinemacy.com.
it’s the story of a heartbreaking and tragic
love triangle. However, seeing the power of
true love on screen also makes for one of
the most uplifting movies to see this season.
When he learns that his friend and secret
love, Roxanne, has fallen in love with another
man, the gifted wordsmith Cyrano agrees
to write his love letters to her. Concealing
his own feelings, he resigns to living a life
where he hides away his love. Directed by
Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice),
Cyrano stars Peter Dinklage in the title role.
The original story goes back to the classic
“Cyrano de Bergerac,” written by Edmond
Rostand. Director Joe Wright’s Cyrano is
based on the most recent stage play adapted
and directed by Erica Schmidt (who’s married
to Dinklage). Previous versions of the
story make Cyrano’s comically long nose his
character’s tragic physical feature. Yet the
film uses Peter Dinklage’s short stature as
the attribute that fuels Cyrano’s insecurities
and society’s rebuke.
For such an open-hearted romantic musical
to work, the music needs to be truly moving.
And this score is. Written by The National
(music written by Aaron & Bryce Dessner
and lyrics by Matt Berninger & Carin Besser),
Cyrano‘s soundtrack is brooding and moving
in ways that fans of the band will recognize.
The most sweeping song that is sure to stick
with audiences is “Someone to Say.” It’s a
heartwrenching and beautiful song that’s
buried itself deep in my head since seeing
it in the film’s trailer.
As the title character, Peter Dinklage
captivates and commands the screen. He
Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding.
Mary Martes
Police Reports
See Film Review, page 12
Monday, February 21st
One male adult was arrested at 1154 hours
from the 800 block of South Pacific Coast
Highway for public intoxication.
Five subjects were arrested at 1625 hours
from the 800 block of South Douglas Street
for identity theft. Additionally, one of the
subjects was charged with possession of a
controlled substance for sale and forgery.
A petty theft report was taken at 1842 hours
from the 700 block of South Pacific Coast
Highway. A male adult removed merchandise
without rendering payment.
Tuesday, February 22nd
A petty theft report was taken at 0746
hours from the 2200 block of East Rosecrans
Avenue. Unknown suspect(s) stole a purse
from an unlocked vehicle.
An identity theft report was taken at 1203
hours from the ESPD lobby. A known suspect
opened a credit card account with the
victim’s information.
A petty theft report was taken at 1606
hours from the 2500 block of East El Segundo
Boulevard. A male and female stole
merchandise from the store.
A petty theft report was taken at 2106 hours
from the 700 block of South Pacific Coast
Highway. A male suspect stole a backpack
A misdemeanor hit and run report was
taken at 0131 hours from the 1700 block
of Imperial Highway, vehicle versus pole.
Wednesday, February 23rd
A stolen vehicle report was taken at 0552
hours from the 300 block of Concord Street.
Unknown suspect(s) took a Hyundai Sonata.
One male adult was arrested at 0945 hours
from the 5200 block of West Rosecrans
Avenue for possession of a stolen vehicle.
A stolen vehicle report was taken at 0932
hours from the 200 block of East Mariposa
Avenue. Unknown suspect(s) took a 2012
Hyundai Sonata.
A vandalism report was taken at 1156 hours
from the 2000 block of East Rosecrans. Unknown
suspect(s) wrote graffiti on a property.
An attempted stolen vehicle report was
taken at 1336 hours from the 400 block of
West Imperial Avenue. Unknown suspect(s)
broke into victim’s vehicle and ransacked it.
One male adult was arrested at 2050 hours
from the 800 block of Apollo Street for felony
vandalism and trespassing.
A vandalism report was taken at 1820
hours from the 100 block of Nevada Street.
Unknown suspect(s) wrote graffiti on the
wall of the victim’s property.
A robbery report was taken at 1845 hours
from the 700 block of South Pacific Coast Highway.
Unknown suspect(s) took merchandise
and threatened to hit the victim with a bottle.
A burglary report was taken at 1845 hours
from the 700 block of South Pacific Coast
Highway. Unknown suspect(s) took over
$1500 worth of alcoholic beverages without
paying for them.
Thursday, February 24th
One female adult was detained at 0739
hours from the 500 block of North Pacific
Coast Highway and transported to Marina
Hospital for a 72-hour psychiatric evaluation.
A grand theft report was taken at 1055
hours from the 300 block of West Acacia
Avenue. Unknown suspect(s) took the tailgate
from a 2018 Toyota Tacoma.
A burglary report (residential) was taken
at 1417 hours from the 900 block of Main
Street. Unknown suspect(s) took a green
power washer from an apartment complex.
A lost property report was taken at 1800
hours from the 300 block of Main Street.
Lost was a ring.
A battery report was taken at 2202 hours
from Mariposa Avenue and Nash Street.
The victim was punched in the face during
an altercation.
One female adult was arrested at 0342
from Acacia Avenue and Cedar Street for
identity theft.
One male adult was arrested at 0342 hours
from Acacia Avenue and Cedar Street for
identity theft, providing false information
and one outstanding misdemeanor warrant.
Friday, February 25th
A disturbing the peace report was taken
at 0753 hours from the 800 block of Bungalow
Drive.
An identity theft report was taken at 1037
hours from the 900 block of Sheldon Street.
See Police Reports, page 15