Film No. 102 (2021) December 17th. 3.40 PM Cinema 2. LUNA, Leederville.
"What were your daughters like? When they were little?"(Nina asks Leda a personal question which sparks memories of a bitter sweet nature).
The very talented Maggie Gyllenhaal makes her feature film debut, directing and writing (adaption of a novel by Elena Ferrante) THE LOST DAUGHTER. The magic of Netflix, in this new dawning of feature film projects, is its ability to take risks with few repercussions. More importantly, its ability to provide quality entertainment for everyone in any space, any time, is unprecedented. THE LOST DAUGHTER is a quality film told slowly where so much is conveyed without a word spoken.
I'd have to say that as I haven't read the book, it's the brilliance of the performances, particularly of leads Olivia Coleman and Jessie Buckley (as the middle aged and young (mid-twenties) Leda respectively) that makes there be a capital Q in the word Quality.
Leda, in metaphorical terms is an onion, she is a successful academic who arrives on this pre-organised island holiday (Greece) to take a break. While she is lounging near the beach in peace, a large, dark, motor boat overloaded with three generations of a local family arrives. Leda's holiday takes a turn, emotionally. This family, in particular Nina (Dakota Johnson),(caring for her three year old daughter) sparks memories Leda has been avoiding. With those vivid memories (flashbacks, hence Jessie Buckley) leading to regret and ultimately sorrow. The layers of the onion peel back. The use of a doll that becomes a symbol of Leda's regret is slightly baffling however.
Ferrante's novel would have surely been a hit in book clubs. Readers are going to examine the transposition of the book to film, a process for which I have no reference. I do know Colman has already been nominated, deservedly, for multiple awards. For me however, Jessie Buckley (WILD ROSE) shines. To have two well known actors convincingly play the same character at just a twenty year age difference is risky. Buckley's young Lena alleviates that risk. She is a serious talent. 9GUMS.
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