Certain Women is at times a boring and bemusing film – saved by some stellar performances
Whilst this film is certainly awesome to look at and ponder, were it not for it’s final chapter, I wouldn’t bother
Certain Women is one of those films that makes me feel quite stupid - what am I missing?
Where’s the message?
Am I the only one left feeling thick?
All those are probably true and whilst this film is certainly awesome to look at and ponder, were it not for it’s final chapter, I wouldn’t bother.
The introspection and prolonged pauses offered during these three very almost interconnecting short stories aren’t punctuating any great heaps of dialogue, seeming instead to serve us time to think - which in my case was a bad idea as, whilst I appreciated that this is a “proper” film, I just found myself bemused.
First we are offered Laura Dern as, erm, Laura - a lawyer caught up in her clients disastrous life resulting in a jail visit.
She neither seems to like him very much or say very much.
Secondly we meet Michelle Williams as Gina and her unhappy family, who are building a house.
They need some stone, so they go and buy some stone from an old man.
That there is basically it.
Then you get the kicker.
Kristen Stewart and Lily Gladstone effortlessly lift this movie from the doldrums and present one of the finest examples of miscommunication and unrequited love you’ll see for quite some time.
Lily Gladstone in particular is fully deserving of all recent accolades.
A beautiful, boring film saved at the finish line.