tastemaker Posted January 26, 2014 Posted January 26, 2014 If anyone is looking for a drama to watch, I would highly recommend the movie "What Maisie Knew". A contemporary adaptation from the novel by Henry James, it tells the story of a bitter divorce as seen through the eyes of a child. I was quite surprised to see a film shot in such an unapologetic manner in regards to the abusive treatment and negligence all too common in divorce (and single parent) situations. Julianne Moore gives one of her best performances as Maisie's aging rock star mother, and Onata Aprile, the young actress playing Maisie, does a wonderful job. For those of you with Netflix, it is available to stream for free. If anyone does watch it, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.
dsayers Posted January 26, 2014 Posted January 26, 2014 When I first read the synopsis of this movie (before your recommendation), I had passed on it because I thought it was going to be a bit more caustic. Now that I've seen it, part of me wishes that it had been. Why? I really couldn't figure out what the movie was trying to say. Like how did the mother and father manage the first six years of her life and then once divorced, both are never around? What are the chances that both end up picking significant others that just happen to care about the child? It was as if it had a lot of potential to be honest in an important realm and pulled most of its punches. The first time there was yelling, I was actually a little jarred. I do remember my parents yelling at each other before they were divorced, but I have mostly blocked it out. I also remember being exposed to the swearing an name calling. It also resonated with me the way the parents were using the child as a pawn to get at, and even spy on the other parent. And being dropped off here and there like I was luggage with nobody asking me what I wanted. Which was the other thing that the movie confused about: The moment when the mother actually accepted that her impact was her own fault and uncharacteristically asked what the child wanted. It pretty amazing that these sorts of things are making it into the media and the arts. I just wish they'd up their game before people start looking at it nonchalantly.
CanadianWoodcck Posted February 21, 2014 Posted February 21, 2014 I really liked it. The relationship between the young man and the young woman was very sweet.
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