By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Andrea Pallaoro
Starring: Adriana Barrazza | Emily Browning | Joshua Close | Patricia Clarkson | Trace Lysette
Year: 2023
Running time: 106
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6337816/reference/
Michael says: “MONICA is a finely constructed story about a fractured family reunited with the decline in health of the surviving matriarch. The title character particularly hasn’t had any contact with the family for years, and her return is brought about by her brother’s wife, who finds Monica and encourages her to return home to see her mother before she dies. Monica’s life doesn’t seem all that fulfilling at the moment; her most recent boyfriend has dumped her, and she makes money by giving erotic massages and performing sexual acts on the internet for tips. She decides the time has come to return home.
“Italian-born writer/director Andrea Pallaoro lets Monica’s story advance slowly, naturally and with not a lot of narrative. He frames his characters uniquely, often only showing part of their face or body, or reflected in glass or mirrors, to coincide with the story that we learn by slowly piecing together bits of knowledge. MONICA is the second of a proposed trilogy of films by Pallaoror centered on a female lead, the first being HANNAH, starring Charlotte Rampling. The acting in MONICA is strong as well, lifting the story up without the need for a lot of dialog. Trace Lysette is strong as the title character, embodying a difficult, internal role. The always reliable Patricia Clarkson brings nuance to the dying Eugenia, good supporting turns from Adriana Barraza, Emily Browning and Joshua Close round things out. As I think back this morning, the film has risen in my estimation (it was late and tired when I watched it last night). 4 cats”
Diane says: “This film is about the universal desire for long red hair. No, I’m just projecting. MONICA is another good movie where one wishes one hadn’t seen the trailer–I would have liked to see how it unfolded without my foreknowledge.
“A woman returns home after a long absence to care for her mother. Shot with loving observation of bodies, notably a series of shots at the beginning, tight to the face. The square aspect ratio enhances those shots. Color is heightened, along with lots chiaroscuro.
“Not the greatest role for Patricia Clarkson as the mother–I was delighted to see her, but not much is demanded. Trace Lysette is fine as lead. But the script is a little wanting–trying to say much with few words, it falls into generalities. 3 cats.”