Tar Meets Pretty Woman

And I’m back. How about we ease back into the routine with a little “Tar” meets “Pretty Woman” – minus Richard Gere. The new #MeToo drama from sexually charged auteur of the moment Luca Guadagnino (“Challengers,” “Queer” and that peach movie with the cannibal) returns with “After the Hunt.” Set in the world of ivy league academia, Julia Roberts plays a well-liked professor with perhaps the most famous laugh in the world alongside a colleague played by Andrew Garfield and mentee played by Ayo Edebiri. Andrew’s character gets accused by Ayo of assault, and the Cancel Culture wars begin. And because this is Luca he sprinkles in some gay flakes, with the implication that Ayo’s character is attracted to Julia’s. I mean, they both wear a lot of nice blazers, so I can see it. If this all reminds you a little too much of “Tar,” you’re not wrong. Except they’ve removed the direct contact and made a man the monster, which – hey, if the shoe fits. (Andrew seems lovely in real life, but ever since “The Social Network” him and Jesse Eisenberg – also apparently lovely in real life – have had the most punchable faces to me.) Anyway. I never know how to feel about these kinds of stories, because none of this shit would be dramatic if we just believed women in the first place. At least they both look nice in a gray suit with gold accessories. And, it is almost Thursday after all.