A contemporary adaptation of Henry James' 1897 novel of the same title, What Maisie Knew, which premiered at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, may be too heartbreaking to watch but should be a required movie for all, especially for parents.
Set in New York City, with all the female characters dressed so cute but not too distracting to derail us from the story, the movie shows the perspective of a six-year-old girl named Maisie (Onata Aprile) who is in the middle of a custody battle between her emotionally unstable and possessive rock star mom (Julianne Moore) and her cool art dealer English father (Steve Coogan). Now, Maisie's parents are so astonishingly selfish and self-absorbed that you want to nail them to a tree, pour syrup on them before sprinkling huge angry red ants. Yes, the bickering parents smother Maisie with hugs and kisses like you'd do with an adorable cat, and they are gentle and nice to her, but they leave Maisie alone, passing her on to the care of others, refusing total responsibility of her, like she's a huge obstacle. An unwanted thing keeping them from living their lives.
Directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, What Maisie Knew does not offer a tear-jerker sentimental movie, but a raw illustration of a little girl unloved by her own parents. It's brilliantly acted by the cast, which makes the movie feel real. However, it's Onata Aprile as Maisie who delivers the most natural, stunning performance in her quiet, generous, and resilient role, that she will break your heart into pieces. If six-year-old Maisie knew anything, it's only little and very innocent: her parents "love" her (because they say so), it's just that the adult world is an extremely busy one with no time for her. That it's just the way life works...and her pure heart simply has to accept that.
What Maisie Knew paints a painful and effective picture of a different kind of child abuse: neglect. It's a quiet parent brutality beyond the veneer of kind words, phony displays of affection, and financial support that no child should suffer from.
Also starring Alexander Skarsgård and Joanna Vanderham.
Also starring Alexander Skarsgård and Joanna Vanderham.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Comments