It is uncommon for directorial debuts, such as Maggie Gyllenhaal’s strikingly distinctive "The Lost Daughter," to be as sure handed as this film is.

For what initially looks like a slightly above average tearjerker of a slog through a castoff Lifetime movie of the week, the new dramedy, The High Note, from Focus Features proves to be a surprisingly delightful tale that show...

Adult melodramas are usually hit or miss for a lot of audience members. When played right, they can become absorbing and endlessly engaging. A perfect example would be Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation (2003). That film was a...