“Women Talking” Isn’t What We Expect

Sarah Polley’s “Women Talking” This is a group of women who are contemplating moving away from their homes and is set in a isolated religious community.

The reason?

Men People living nearby have been stealing into their homes at nights and attacking them. The Women have three choices when it comes to voting: Do Nothing, Stay Fight Or Leave.

InitiallyThe discussion centers around the idea that people who leave their homes will be condemned to hell. Others Question the logic of staying and how faith influences their decision to flee or stay as they are.

SadlyThe film is based on a true story.

In 2011: A group of men were charged with drugging and raping females in a Bolivian Mennonite community. The Film is based on the Miriam Toews’ 2018 novel of the same name.

Two Things you should know before you go “Women Talking”: The rapes are not depicted. They are only discussed. Polley hasn’t made a polemic or even a heavy-handed film. There There is a righteous anger expressed in the dialogue and film as a whole, but there is suspense about how the story will turn.

Nothing Here you feel either political or inevitable. Polley’s film isn’t an easy watch, due to the unusual presentation and the darkness of them material, but there is an honesty and immediacy here that each of the performers connect to.

The Women are played by Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey Frances McDormand. Ben Whishaw Makes the most of a supporting character, a male witness who is assigned to take “the minutes” Discuss.

The An ensemble cast is a collection that includes acting talent, but the standout actor is Foy; there’s fire in Foy’s performance that made her character especially compelling. That said, there isn’t a bad performance here and, at 104-minutes, the film is paced well and never feels didactic.

Sporting It has a muted color palette, and only one setting. It feels like a film play with a stellar ensemble cast. The theatrical presentation was initially something I was resistant to. Polley The narrative is broken up, but the approach grew on my shoulders.

While The film’s look is unchanged, as does the location. However, there are some exterior shots. What drew me in was the inner fire of characters, their words and the power of the decisions being made.

Because the characters have grown up in this community, express various degrees of awareness and empowerment, I never felt judgmental towards them and the movie isn’t, either. While There is no film that presents a sexy, sexualized story. “faith-based” It is remarkable in how it treats religious communities.

Polley is no stranger to difficult material – among her breakthrough roles was in Atom Egoyan’s “The Sweet Hereafter” (1998). About a school bus accident that destroys a community.

Polley’s directorial debut is the terrific “Away From Her” (2006). A magnificent adaptation of Alice Munro’s “The Bear Came Over The Mountain” (2001). In In addition to performing a haunting, career-best performance Julie Christie, “Away From Her” It is also one of the most sensitive, revealing, and layered films to explore the topic. Alzheimer’s disease.

Her 2011 films, however, were less appealing to me. Seth Rogen/ Michelle Williams Romantic drama “Take This Waltz” “Stories We Tell” (2012), a documentary on her family history. “Women Talking” Her directorial debut was nearly as impressive as her second, and she demonstrates her ability to work with actors and create character-driven stories.

The Use of “Daydream Believer” By The Monkees during a key scene is so indelible, I doubt I’ll ever hear that song again without thinking of this film.

Three Stars

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