Oscar Nominee Film Review: WOMEN TALKING

nd…the Oscar for most truthful title of a film goes to…WOMEN TALKING.

You get exactly what is advertised in this Oscar Nominee for Best Picture, WOMEN TALKING, you get…that’s right…women talking for most of the film. But what you also get is a powerful, emotional, well Directed and Acted story of a subjugated group of people deciding whether or not to remain subjugated.

As Directed by Sarah Polley (AWAY FROM HER) - who is exactly the right Director for this movie - WOMEN TALKING takes place mostly in a barn as a group of women from a strict religious-based community (the picture never say that they are Amish but that is the type of religion-based community that is being portrayed here) decide (after a series of brutalities inflicted upon them by the men of their colony) whether to Do Nothing…Stay and Fight…or Leave. It is this discussion that drives the narrative of the film.

As Written and Directed by Polley (based on the book by Miriam Toews), this film is a powerhouse of performances debating all slides of this issue fairly and squarely, with each option being given it’s due (both plusses and minuses). That is always a trick with this type of film - do all of the options get a fair shake in the discussion, or is the film slanted towards one decision - but under the capable hands of Polley, these women debate all sides of the issue at hand and arrive at a satsifying conclusion.

Polley is Oscar Nominated for Bet Adapted Screenplay, but it is her work as Director that could have easily been Nominated as well. She takes what could have been a staid and boring “talk-fest” and turns it into an emotionally rich and moving think piece that deserves the accolades it is receiving.

Polley, smartly, fills this movie with Actresses every bit as smart, intelligent and emotionally rich as this film (and her Direction) is. From former Oscar nominees Rooney Mara & Jessie Buckley to Broadway Veteran Judith Ivie to newcomer (at least to me) Michelle McLeod…all bring their “A Game” to this character piece and (one must think) that each elevated the work of the other.

There are a few other women to point out. 3x Oscar Winner Frances McDormand makes an all to brief appearance in this film and the film is lesser for it. Clearly, Ms. McDormand took on this small role to give this film a boost of star power to bring an audience (and probably some much needed funding) to this production. And…if that is the case…THANK YOU!

Claire Foye (THE CROWN) almost steals this film out from the other actresses as she brings her A+ game to this film, in a room full of strong, dramatic performance…hers is, perhaps, the strongest and most dramatic. And finally, the biggest pleasant surprise in this film is the work of veteran character actress Sheila McCarthy. The very definition of “that person” in a movie - she usually plays “mousey, librarian” types. But in this film she is FIERCE and STRONG and she brings a power to her performance that, heretofore, was not present on the screen.

Oh…and there is a male on screen as well…the always good Ben Whishaw (Q in the recent series of Daniel Craig James Bond films) provides support - and secrets of his own - during the discissions.

All-in-all, a moving, emotional character piece that could easily be turned into a stage play. WOMEN TALKING is a slow-moving, deep and touching film that will reward it’s audience for sitting down and listening to these women talk.

Letter Grade A- (not the fastest moving film in motion picture history)

8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)