No. 33. (2020) AMERICAN WOMAN June 17th.

Film No. 33 (2020)  June 17th.  8:10 PM.  APPLE T.V.  Living Room  Mt. Hawthorn. W.A. 

"They (times) are not going to go back to the way they were. You make do with what's left". (The words used by Debra's sister Katherine as she wills Debra to move on).

Tough independent films of the American Woman kind are hard to watch for those seeking simple, uncomplicated entertainment. Me, well I loved the way Sienna Miller's Debra dragged me by the collar into her life. A life which highlights the adage "life wasn't meant to be easy". Our ride with Debra is staged over 11 years. She was a young mum and the loving relationship she has with teenage daughter Bridget (Sky Ferreira) is touching. Bridget and her baby son Jesse live at home with Debra . Bridget is sixteen. Her path in life would seem to be following a similar pattern to Debra's. Bridget suddenly disappears from Debra's chaotic life. The immediate impact on Debra and family is devastating, but as time passes seedlings of new hope germinate. Family trust is tested but with every test comes a closer binding of loyalties. While the tension and mystery surrounding Bridget's disappearance are at the forefront of the narrative, Debra's unhinged love life and haphazard career path also draw our attention. Her relationship with sister Katherine, (wonderfully played by Christina Hendrick)  provides the fuel that drives her will to press on, that, along with the pure love she develops for grandson Jesse. The test with this type of film is, will you reach for the tissues in the closing sequence? I'd be surprised if you don't. Miller is a force here! 10GUMS.