‘Marvel’ Review: Sebastian Lelio’s Mind-boggling Study of Florence Pugh’s Faith and Abuse

world premiere in Telluride and will be distributed by Netflix this fall, Wonderful He shines for many reasons. On the one hand, the study of religious fanaticism and sexual abuse affects today’s culture. It also perhaps represents the coronation of Chilean director Sebastián Lelio, who won an Oscar for the film. a fantastic woman and also made well-received films like Glory (and its American remake, bell of glory) S Disobedience. But the film will mostly be remembered for Florence Pugh’s monumental performance, taking audiences through her character’s journey to save the life of a child victim of 19th century society.

However, in giving credit, we must not ignore the contribution of writer Emma Donohue, who first created the story and also wrote the book. bedroom, another study on the violence and suffering of women and children. (The film version won an Oscar for actress Brie Larson.) Donohue wrote the screenplay. WonderfulWith Lelio and Alice Birch.

The story is set in 1862, when an English nurse, Lib Wright (Pugh), arrives in a small town in famine-ravaged Ireland to investigate a strange occurrence on an abandoned farm. The family’s youngest daughter, Anna (Killa Lord Cassidy), has been fasting for several months, with apparently no ill effects. The girl’s family and community elders want to ensure the girl’s safety and also to see if this can be a true Christian miracle. Libby is skeptical of any supernatural interpretation; Her only desire is to help the boy and he clashes with a community of elderly people who are suspicious of her medical expertise.

Perhaps it would be wise not to reveal too much of the film’s plot. Telluride’s press materials describe it as a gothic suspense thriller, which doesn’t really do the film justice; It is yet another commentary on the dangerous extremes of religious fanaticism, as well as the oppression of women in many isolated communities. (The film has unmistakable parallels to Telluride’s second release, Sarah Polley. women are talking.)

The community priest (Oscar nominee Ciaran Hines) and the doctor (Toby Jones) despise Lib, even though she clearly has a lot more knowledge than they do, as well as a lot more empathy. Lib has a troubled past that is slowly coming to light, and this may in part explain her desire to save custody of the child. Her only real ally is a journalist from England (Tom Burke) who is investigating a story that has clearly crossed the boundaries of this small town.

Technically, the film is a remarkable feat, with elegant and appropriately dark cinematography by Ari Wegner, who also directed. the power of the dog last year. Matthew Herbert’s haunting soundtrack adds to the film’s impact.

But nothing would work so well without Pugh’s performance. He has dominated the screen since his first appearance, and we never doubt that anyone who tries to interfere with him will face a formidable opponent. Libby is not a paragon of virtue: she has unmistakable arrogance and her judgment is not always perfect. But her concern for the child is never in doubt, and we are always involved in her quest to find freedom for her and young Anna. Newcomer Cassidy works wonderfully under Lelio’s direction. We can never be sure if he’s hiding important information, and that uncertainty adds to the film’s power.

Some of the other actors have very little to do. Hinds’ role seems scripted and the other family members are drawn a little loosely. But you can’t argue with the power of the story and the central performance. Pugh has shown great strength in previous films such as lady macbeth s little woman, but here it holds our attention from the first frame to the end. In a world increasingly threatened by religious extremism and male arrogance, we can take comfort in the idea that women like Lib Wright, at least embodied by Florence Pugh, are there to fight the good fight, and sometimes even win.