Reel-View Ratings: The Bigger The Beard, The Better The Movie

MARGUERITE

It would too easy for Marguerite to devolve into farce: a wildly wealthy woman who wholeheartedly believes she is a gifted opera singer — never realizing she is awful beyond belief because her peers lavish praise on her. It’s an emperor’s new clothes scenario, for sure, and a cringe-worthy one at that. And yet, Xavier Giannoli’s film offers a different lens on the would-be singer, who is earnest, humble and sweet, and questions whether we ought to learn from her instead of merely laughing. Based off real-life warbler Florence Foster Jenkins, the film may overstay its welcome with a few draggy scenes, but it nevertheless relishes in its sumptuous spectacle and over-the-top performances.

Opens April 8 at Kahala Theatre

SUITE DREAMS

A zany hotel staff spins a web of intersecting problems — a bellboy dreams of becoming a singer, a maid finds herself at the crux of a political scandal due to an affair, the manager is ashamed to face his ex-wife, somebody’s pet duck escapes, and more and more — into a chaotic tapestry of screwball fun in this Japanese comedy. A bunch of big-name Japanese stars buoy the madness amiably and cheerfully, and it almost works — except for an ending that twists and shoves everyone into too-neat, too-easy resolution, leaving viewers with a sour taste as the credits roll. At least it was a fun ride to get there.

Plays at 2:15 and 6:45 p.m. April 10, and 1:45, 4 and 9 p.m. April 15 at the Movie Museum