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All of Us Strangers (2023): The Script He Wrote for Them
All of Us Strangers, directed by Andrew Haigh, follows Adam, a gay screenwriter who visits his deceased parents to seek acceptance and resolve childhood grief. Set in 1980s England, the film explores the artistry of memory and loss while highlighting the complexities of love and loneliness. Its emotional depth has garnered critical acclaim.
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An Angel at My Table (1990): What the Hair Knows
“An Angel at My Table,” directed by Jane Campion, explores Janet Frame’s life through her autobiography, highlighting the contrast between the film’s portrayal and Frame’s own understanding of her identity. While celebrating her resilience against psychiatric misdiagnosis, the film ultimately struggles to convey the richness of her prose, which defined her true genius.
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The Piano (1993): The Voice of Her Mind
The Piano opens with a woman speaking. She immediately tells us the voice we hear is not her voice. Thirty years of criticism have debated whether her silence is power or damage. The film never notices it might be both. “I have not spoken since I was six years old. No one knows why —…
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Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019): The Poet’s Choice
“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” explores the ethics of observation through a love story between painter Marianne and subject Héloïse. The film contrasts secret observation with reciprocal gazes, culminating in a poignant final scene. It highlights the contradictions of love and art, asserting that even ethical frameworks can be compromised by deep emotional connection.
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Summertime (1955): Two Love Affairs, One Camera
“Summertime” is a 1955 film directed by David Lean, starring Katharine Hepburn as Jane Hudson, an American woman discovering Venice. Lean imbues the film with his love for the city, paralleling Jane’s journey. While the film appears to focus on her romantic adventure, it ultimately reflects Lean’s deep connection to Venice, creating a complex interplay…