‘Women Talking’: A new film that asks ‘is it better to stay or walk away?’
Theatrical offerings this week: A beautifully claustrophobic film by Sarah Polley. Plus Tom Hanks stars as Otto, and a film about a doll with AI.
‘Women Talking’
Women Talking is that rare movie that’s bursting with ideas — about faith, freedom, education, power, fear, and love. It’s of another time and yet very timely. Written and directed by the brilliant Sarah Polley (Away From Her), adapted from the book by Miriam Toews, the film is beautifully claustrophobic in both the world it presents and how it presents it.
The story is about an isolated religious community, where the women, who can’t read or write, have decided to no longer be victims of the sect’s men. And so, for the first time, they try democracy. They vote: Should they leave, stay and fight, or do nothing? When the result is too close to call, a handful of them gather in a hayloft to debate the pros and cons. They talk. And talk. And it’s riveting.
In the way the 1957 classic 12 Angry Men put a variety of opposing viewpoints into the cauldron of a jury room and let them stew, what could be called “A Colony of Angry Women” does the same in the hayloft, and let’s powerful performances by Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Sheila McCarthy, and a trio of young actresses lift the dialogue’s various arguments — should they stay or should they go.
Women Talking asks whether it’s braver to stay and fight, or walk away? Is it better to follow one’s faith as it is written or follow it in the way it’s been interpreted by those who want control?
These women, no matter how bad their lives have become, never question their faith. They never question the value of being welcomed into the kingdom of heaven — only the best way to get there. (Rated PG-13. Premieres Friday, Jan. 6, in theaters.)
‘A Man Called Otto’
Tom Hanks plays Otto, a suicidal curmudgeon, reeling from the death of his wife, who’s given a reason to live by his new neighbors. And a cat. A remake of the Oscar-nominated 2015 Swedish film, A Man Called Ove. Directed by Marc Foster (Finding Neverland, The Kite Runner). (Rated PG-13. Premieres Friday, Jan. 6, in theaters.)
‘M3GAN’
A woman who specializes in robotics builds a lifelike doll/companion for her niece after the girl has lost her parents. Soon the doll’s artificial intelligence becomes a bit too intelligent — and perhaps a tad overprotective. Allison Williams (Girls) stars. Story by James Wan (Saw). (Rated PG-13. Premieres Friday, Jan. 6, in theaters.)