The Boathouse Restaurant, 1 Alvord St., South Hadley
An irresistible restaurant is not only defined by its food. Sure, a tasty bite to eat is an essential component, yet it is often the arresting atmosphere and authentic sense of place that keeps patrons coming back for more.
Few eateries in Western Massachusetts define a scenic destination quite like The Boathouse Restaurant in South Hadley. The restaurant sits right beside Brunelle’s Marina, a beautiful and tranquil bay of water that feels quintessential to the New England experience. Upon arrival, visitors can embrace a lovely view that puts them in a perfect mood for the dining experience.
The inside is similarly picture-esque. There is a fine-dining flair that elevates every nook and corridor. The refined setting is home to equally elegant food. Fresh and well-battered fish and chips, fragrant salads and hearty burgers are just some of the many dishes that The Boathouse expertly prepares.
Perhaps my favorite way to experience The Boathouse is for a cozy brunch. The establishment cultivates a welcoming environment for patrons to dine and unwind, including a plethora of guilty pleasure brunch staples in a sophisticated new package. The Boathouse’s mimosa flight is a particular standout. Peach, tropical splash and the exotic mermaid flavor all showcase clever reinventions of everyone’s favorite breakfast libation.
New to Theaters: “Mufasa: The Lion King”
Remember when Disney randomly remade “The Lion King” in 2019 as a live-action film? The artless cash grab proved to be a pointless exercise, yet the movie roared to record-breaking results at the box office. The smashing results inspired Disney to play in the creative sandbox with “Mufasa: The Lion King,” a prequel based on “The Lion King’s” patriarch king lion, Mufasa. Told via flashbacks, the prequel charts the character’s journey from a wistful young cub to king of the animal kingdom. We follow Mufasa as he establishes a friendship with eventual adversary Scar and falls in love with the kind-hearted Sarabi.
There is at least a semblance of thought and care here, which is more than can be said about the 2019 disaster. The significant change behind the camera is the inclusion of “Moonlight” Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins. Jenkins is a masterful auteur who manifests profound emotions and mesmerizing visuals when operating in his comfort zone. That skill set shines through on occasion. “Mufasa” exhibits subdued beauty in its reflective, character-driven frames. Jenkins imbues much-needed reflectiveness in these moments, allowing for a few poignant frames where characters reckon with their identity and legacies. The voice cast, led by Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr, also exudes more gravitas compared to the star-driven 2019 film.
It may be a marginal improvement, but “Mufasa” still finds itself haunted by the errors of its remake forefathers. I still can’t get over the hidden valley look of these movies. The faux photorealism alienates me constantly from the story’s emotional crux. Attempts at making the lions speak naturally fall by the wayside, with the film looking more like an artificial tech demo than a meaningful piece of storytelling.
The story itself vacillates between glimmers of promise and regurgitating the same tired cliches audiences have grown to expect. Character motivations here are a particular weakness. The disintegration of Mufasa and Scar’s relationship is so flimsy and thoughtless despite being the key engine of the film, while Mufasa’s journey to self-actualization comes across as a watered-down copy of its beloved predecessor.
There are a few new songs here from Lin Manuel-Miranda, and while some exude charming wordplay, others feel like an afterthought.
There is a great story to be told about generational trauma and the burden of legacy. I know this because “Lion King” (1994) already told it with much more grace and artistry. “Mufasa: The Lion King” whimpers at the chance to build upon a storied foundation.
