What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding?

What indeed, Elvis? But without war, hate, and myopia, we wouldn’t have the outsiders who drive the drama in so many of our stories.

Like the fish-man and the woman with something fishy about her in The Shape of Water. Or the mysterious stranger who comes to Hollywood with a fat bank account and a dream in The Disaster Artist.

Or the Syrian self-smuggler who blackens himself for a journey to the Great White North(ern Europe) in The Other Side of Hope. Or even the frustrated actress who winds up “just a waitress” in Wonder Wheel. Yessir, without genuine misery, everything would be Just Getting Started.

Opening but (alas) unreviewed: Window Horses.