By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.25 cats
Director: Joanna Hogg
Starring: August Joshi | Carly-Sophia Davies | Joseph Mydell | Louis | Tilda Swinton | Zinnia Davies-Cooke
Country: united_kingdom, united_states
Year: 2022
Running time: 96
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13874422/reference/
Michael says: “Completing (perhaps?) the unplanned trilogy begun with THE SOUVENIR and THE SOUVENIR PART II, Joann Hogg’s take on the gothic ghost story, THE ETERNAL DAUGHTER becomes my favorite of her films since ARCHIPELAGO. In a genius casting move, Tilda Swinton returns to play Rosalind Hart for the third time, this time also playing her daughter, Julia Hart, now at middle age in present day, and a stand-in for Hogg herself. Julia was played by Swinton’s real-life daughter Honor Swinton Byrne in the two THE SOUVENIR films, All three films are inspired by Hogg’s life, first as a young woman learning the craft of filmmaking, and then in middle-age struggling to understand her mother by writing a film about her. By setting it in a haunted house setting, complete with an inspired music department that leans heavily on the gothic horror genre. It’s an interesting concept t have the one actress play both parts, and Swinton pulls it off with amazing aplomb, her return to Rosalind Hart being the true winner here. Rosalind is the most interesting character in the first two films, and remains so in this film as well, although Swinton’s portrayal of Julia as an adult adds tremendous depth and interest in the character. And let us not forget Louis, Rosalind’s dog, portrayed by Swinton’s own hound. Certainly a performance worth noting. 4 cats”
Chris says: “Joanna Hogg’s THE PARENT TRAP, only Tilda Swinton plays mother and daughter instead of twins, the genre’s gothic/psychological horror rather than Disney rom-com, and the dog gets fourth billing. Also the third of a trilogy and possibly the best of the three. 4.5 cats”