REVIEW: WOMEN TALKING

4/5

She Said. 

104 Mins. Starring: Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Sheila McCarthy, Ben Whishaw & Frances McDormand. Director: Sarah Polley. In: Theatres. 

Lend me your ears for just a moment. Even though the last thing anybody needs is another guy like me trying to mansplain a movie, when really I should be just taking the minutes. But for all the Oscar darlings and winners this year, from 'Tar', to 'Everything Everywhere All At Once', this Academy Award nominated 'Best Picture' still deserves to be listened to. Thankfully, now you can hear 'Women Talking' in Japan, better late to the roadshow release dates in independent cinemas like Yokohama's Kino, than never. But despite the top ten acclaim of the National Board Of Review and American Film Institute, not to mention the Best Adapted Screenplay award at the 28th Critics' Choice Awards, 75th Writers Guild of America Awards, AND the 95th Academy Awards, it has been reduced to the box-office and media's margin somewhat, just like the 'All The Presidents Men' and 'Spotlight' meeting of 'She Said', bringing Harvey Weinstein to justice. 

You really need to listen to what she said too, as standing up against the patriarchy and decades of discrimination and abuse really talks. Ignorance will dismiss it as "Me Too movie" like it's such a bad thing to have a film that documents a world changing movement that looks for equality and accountability for all. Those reducing it to what they sneer as just as slogan or hashtag trend have no idea about what it or that is all about. And what it takes and makes of the lives brave enough to make a stand. There wouldn't even need to be a movement if it wasn't for the arrogance of abusers who believe those saying Me Too, Black Lives Matter, or Stop Asian Hate are less than. Failing to see what more we can make of this wonderful but weary world we live in if we all extend a hand instead of clench a fist. This is why, when women talk and say them too, boy, you better man up and listen. Because real strength belongs to what they used to refer to as "the fairer sex". 

Along comes Toronto, Canada's very own Sarah Polley, the 'Ramona' and 'Dawn Of The Dead Actor', now with her very own screenwriting Oscar, directing this definitive and formidable film. Slow burning in a barn in the middle of a farm. Following her adaptation of 'The Handmaid's Tale' writer Margaret Atwood's 'Alias Grace', Polley now adapts fellow Canadian writer Miriam Toews' 'Women Talking' novel for a towering achievement. Regarding a group of American Mennonite women this film is influenced by the gas-facilitated rapes in Manitoba Colony, Bolivia. Not to forget all the gaslit abuse and harm that has come women's way. In this remote, religious community the men remain mostly unseen, save the lovely, kindly Ben Whishaw ('Paddington' and Bond's Q in a compelling career turn) taking the minutes and a moment and song that reveals to you just how close this traditional yet timely tale that seems part of the past is to what so many still go through to this day. No matter if you're reading this article now, or much later like this week's Japanese release. 

Do nothing. Stay and fight. Leave. Those are the three big choices facing this epic ensemble cast who all deserved a nomination like women do their say. After discovering the rape and abuse of almost, if not all the women in the colony, doing nothing is not the way. Yet, the remaining tied choices all carry a glory and a consequence that binds them together in this barn. Only a child giving them a shocking moment of hilarious levity from the darkness of dealing with the depravity of devils who will never pay for their sins that the women do in blood. The powerful and profound nature of this plebiscite will even leave you wondering which way you would go and what strength you would have in each situation. Just like if you were faced with this difficult and dangerous dilemma yourself, you have no idea how 'Women Talking' will end. You just hope, for better or worse, it's liberating. 

Love for their fellow sister and transgender brother in the face of all this hate and disgrace, the actors here make movie history with this 'Suffragettes' struggle through the suffering. More than willing to fight, but more concerned with everybody making it out alive, you still won't be sure which way they will turn. 'Carol' star Rooney Mara, going up against co-star and 'Tar's' Cate Blanchett in friendly competition after 'Nightmare Alley' is subtly sensational here. This is her best performance since she haunted in 'A Ghost Story'. Another girl with a dragon tattoo in the 'Spider's Web' of Claire Foy is a kicking hornets nest of fury. The 'First Man' and original Netflix Queen Elizabeth gives us her crowning achievement with a character who wants to do more than just knight men with a sword. But it's 'I'm Thinking Of Ending Things' actress Jessie Buckley who strikes the deepest chord, stealing the show in this movie of twin star of the moment and veteran big-threes. The mesmerizing 'Men' star talks loudest after she gave Olivia Colman's 'Lost Daughter' backstory what Celia Rowlson-Hall did for Frankie Corio's later life in the amazing 'Aftersun' burn. 

'Devil's Advocate' and 'Flags Of Our Father's' star Judith Ivey has made even greater storytelling strides on TV (Emmy nominated for 'What The Deaf Man Heard') and the Tony Award-winning stage ('Steaming' AND 'Hurlyburly'). But now with this movie that one day may find its way on Broadway for a new generation of young women to hear influencing voices talking, she finally has her O film that matches the E and T she's got. Meanwhile, Genie and Gemini award-winning Canadian actress Sheila McCarthy, who you couldn't help but fall in love with in 'The Umbrella Academy', grounds this movie with her gravitas and the raw reality of the seriousness of this situation. If that wasn't enough star power, 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' and 'Nomadland', double Best Actress Oscar MVP and Triple Crown winner Frances McDormand is also on hand. 

Underused, yet undeniable in both what she communicates in the canvas of her character's scarred face, barely saying a word. And for her executive producers credit alongside Brad Pitt's Plan B production company. But enough about that once upon a time in Hollywood (he knows how to play the background like he did in 'Thelma and Louise', no '12 Years A Slave' cameo. Let's just hope he showed up on set unlike apparently 'Minari'). This is the real story for your cinematic chapters of lights, camera and time to take action moment. Women will be talking about this for years to come. Until the moment real justice is done. The time when men stop abusing and women don't have to run, or fight for their right. Where simply as it should be, they can make the choice to stay exactly wherever they want. Safely. Isn't that the only way? TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'She Said', 'Suffragettes', 'Nomadland'.