Woman Talking

Starring: Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Ben Whishaw, Frances McDormand, Judith Ivey, Michelle McLeod, Vivien Endicott-Douglas, Sheila McCarthy, Emily Mitchell
Directed by: Sarah Polley
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
2022

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: The women of an isolated, strict religious community band together to discuss their path forward after suffering years of abuse.

Review:

Tim: This is the third Sarah Polley film I've seen, and as a director, I believe it's her best. Her earlier films showed flashes of brilliance and Away From Her was good. I didn't love Take This Waltz, but it had solid moments sprinkled throughout. Polley seems always intent on focusing on small, intimate character studies. Women are important in her films (which is sad to use as a descriptor, but Hollywood...). I really like her focus and it feels like Women Talking is her most ambitious, most effective effort yet.

What's funny about that statement is that this film ordinarily wouldn't be called "ambitious"- it's a small, character-driven film. Her previous films almost felt claustrophobic at times, so tightly were they focused on the characters. This is the biggest cast she's worked with and her horizons were broadened just a bit. I think it made this film feel more accessible and only slightly less art house. I think that was a good thing and the movie benefits from it.

Now, this very much feels opposite of what Hollywood usually does. The main cast is nearly all women, except for Ben Whishaw. And, they mostly talk throughout the entirety of the film. Here's the thing, though- audiences don't get enough film with women talking. I loved the title, because it's a description of the film, but it also hints at the power women have if they would just engage with each other, push back against the patriarchy. I know this is extremely difficult at times, potentially impossible at others. Women risk everything to do this- to talk, engage, exchange ideas, make plans. This is depicted in brutal fashion here. The fact that these women meet to talk about the future- they are risking everything. They're risking their personal safety and well-being. They're risking their children. They are potentially risking their lives. This movie is often not easy to watch, but it shines a spotlight on the plight of many women the world over. In Polley's hands (and with a brilliant script, co-written by Polley), scene after scene of women talking is almost never dull. She infuses these scenes with energy and emotion. She assembled a brilliant cast to give powerhouse performances. Women talking here is a fairly thrilling thing to watch.

Rooney Mara gives an impressively strong performance in the "lead" role of a truly ensemble film. I think I forget how talented Mara is- she doesn't get that many opportunities to show us the depth of her abilities. Here, she's strong, limited, but capable of deep emotion and has an interesting perspective on life. You watch this character and can't help but contemplate what her life might have been like, had she not been held back by this ultra religious, suffocating, abusive culture. Mara makes you contemplate all this through her work. Claire Foy is strong as well. I didn't always love her character and she feels a bit on the outside at times (even if she's in the middle of everything). Still, Foy is so talented and it's impossible not to notice that here. I've been a big fan of Jessie Buckley for a while now, and this film is a great example of why. Buckley's character purposely puts herself at odds with the other women- she's the fighter, the arguer, the provider of contrary opinions. It's a grating performance at times, but Buckley has several of the most poignant, unforgettable moments of the film. The raw emotion she shows will cause your breath to catch in your chest. She feels like a true supporting character who stuns with her work.

Ben Whishaw was excellent here, too. As the only real male character in the film (besides background boys), his role was critical to the film. I loved how the other characters responded to him- some with love and kindness, others with vengeful fury. He's the stand-in for the male population here, while also providing an immense contrast. The movie tells us that not all men are bad, but sadly, many of them are. Whishaw makes us care for this flawed character as he undergoes a wide-range of emotions and responses. He's so good in the role. I was really surprised that the film barely used Frances McDormand. I don't understand this- she's an exceptional actress, yet she's barely in the film and doesn't get a chance to do much of anything. It was an odd choice, but it was nice seeing her regardless. Michelle McLeod had some nice moments and Vivien Endicott-Douglas shined in a few scenes- she may be someone to keep our eyes on. Judith Ivey had powerful, incredible sequences, as did Sheila McCarthy. Polley works wonders with this cast- giving them all a chance to shine. The movie is the right length, at 1 hour, 44 minutes, but Polley uses that time for the characters to talk, to interact. This gives the entire cast multiple chances to showcase their skill, and they all rise to the occasion.

Now, I'm a big fan of Women Talking. I do think it's Polley's best film and one that is impossible to ignore or forget. I don't quite think it reaches greatness. I felt a little disappointment when learning that the true story this film is based upon took place in Bolivia. It felt odd to announce this was based on a true story, but then have zero of the cultural aspects of the original event. I get why the change was made, but it did feel weird to have all these white women living out an experience that amazing women in Bolivia actually had. I also felt like the film did become redundant in a few places- talking for 90 minutes can be compelling, but the women often retread the same ground. The movie does drag in a few places, where you feel like you can't listen to any more talking and are desperate for action. The worst moments here is when the film tries to suggest there's urgency- the men are coming home! But, the women continue talking without any rush at all. It felt weird. There's a few scenes where characters smile or laugh at odd times. I understand Polley was trying to show the range of emotions these women felt, and that they could laugh even in the midst of horrible, life-changing decisions. However, not all of them worked and a few times it felt out-of-character or just odd. I do wish the film delivered a bit more depth of some of the emotions. The characters experience them, but they don't always translate directly to the audience. None of these are major flaws, though- this is still an incredibly made, highly recommendable film.

I was a big fan of the script early on- some of the dialogue is so beautifully written. There's a lot of dialogue here, and I can't imagine the challenge of weaving all these women's perspectives and opinions together in a way that holds our attention and mostly shows momentum and forward progress. It wasn't a surprise to me that the film won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Polley deserved that. The film's only other nomination was for Best Picture. I'm a bit surprised no one from the cast was recognized. I wouldn't quite put this film in my top 10 of 2022, but the one Oscar it won feels valid.

Women Talking is an exceptionally good film and really shows what Polley the director is capable of doing. I hope she continues to make movies like this, continues to showcase incredible women (actresses and characters) in her work. We need more films like this.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Away From Her, Take This Waltz, Wild Rose, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, Nomadland