Pieces of a Woman
NETLFIXKornél Mundruczó’s Pieces of a Woman, which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September 2020, is a film that doesn't hide away from a difficult subject matter and that is something it should be appreciated for. It requires patience and the will to really dive into its incredibly powerful emotional core, given the distressing theme of the film.
The premise of this film kind of ruins the experience to dive into it in detail, so it can simply be said that it is about Martha (Vanessa Kirby), a woman who has to cope with a devastating loss. This loss drives a huge rift in the love between her and her husband, Sean, so much so that their relationship may eventually not work out. The rest of the film follows the differing ways the couple, especially Martha, deals with the crushing emotional pain and unfathomable grief that comes with losing a child. It's the kind of tragedy that can tear apart a relationship and dramatically change, if not destroy, a person. In retrospect, this film isn't for anyone who is looking to genuinely enjoy a film, but rather an experience that utilises filmmaking and performances in the best ways possible.
There's no real way to discuss Kornél Mundruczó's Pieces of a Woman without first discussing the film's opening sequence. It's such a tragic and traumatic start to the film that by the time the title card appears on screen after half-an-hour, the viewer feels the need to pause the film in order to catch their breath. Mundruczó brings it to life with such realism and Benjamin Loeb's cinematography is to be lauded here, as his long takes only build the suspense to unbearable levels, while the Martha’s close-ups throughout the sequence transmit her panic to the viewer.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this film is Vanessa Kirby’s masterful performance as a grieving and isolated woman, who tries to make sense of an issue logic doesn't apply to. The way she manages to portray sorrow in such an ethereal way feels both damaging and heartbreaking. This is certainly the kind of performance that audiences will anticipate being nominated for an Oscar.
All in all, Pieces of a Woman is a touching character study about a flawed but essentially innocent woman who navigates the uncertain seas of loss, marriage, and parenthood. Although nothing extraordinary happens beyond the serious setback in the first act, the film still manages to tell a story of a woman learning to live alongside her loss in a respectful and touching manner. It features some rather powerful moments that include fractured families and poignant moments of reflection.