STOCKHOLM, PENNSYLVANIA
US, 2015, 99 minutes, Colour.
Saoirse Ronan, Cynthia Nixon, Jason Isaacs, David Warshovsky, Rosalind Chao.
Directed by Nikole Beckwith.
While the name of Stockholm has meanings beyond its being the capital of Sweden, it is associated with a Syndrome, a captive identifying with the captor, changing perspectives on life.
This film opens with a young woman, age 22, being rescued from abduction after 20 years. She is very awkward with her parents, does not remember, has no affection for them. The film shows their attempts, especially the mother, trying to make her daughter feel at home, showing her photos, reminding her of stories, yet really failing to connect.
The girl, Leanne, is played by Saoirse Ronan, a talented actress with Oscar nominations and a wide range of film roles. Cynthia Nixon, probably best known for Sex in the City, although she portrayed Emily Dickinson in A Quiet Passion, plays the mother.
Gradually, there are flashbacks to the basement where Leanne has been kept, given a new birthday, her name changed to Leia, windows blocked, her captor telling her that the world had been destroyed. He is played by Jason Isaacs.
The bulk of the film shows the mother trying to relate to her daughter, the daughter going to visit her captor in prison, her mother and father separating, her mother becoming more radical, restraining her daughter, becoming a new captor.
The film raises the issue abduction, the mentality of the abductor, the effect on the person abducted – and the consequences for the parents and possibilities and impossibilities of coping with the returned child.
1. The title? The American town? Echoes of captivity and the Stockholm Syndrome?
2. The town, homes, counselling offices? The contrast with the abduction and the isolation in the basement? The musical score?
3. The screenplay gradually filling in the background of the abduction, the occasion, the captor, the internment, the identification with the abductor? Finding the girl, restored to her parents, the difficulties? Forgetting the past, not relating immediately to the parents, memories of the abductor?
4. Leanne’s story? Seeing her first on her return, aged 22, her capacities, her lack of abilities because of being captive? Awkward with her parents? Not having had any practical experience like cooking? Her ignorance of the outside world? The discoveries, the emotional effect, her trying to adapt, failing, counselling?
5. The story of the abduction, sudden, her being young, interned for many years, a new birthday, a new name, the scenes of her childhood, being told that the world had been destroyed, believing everything from Ben, the bond with him, learning, protected, his absence and her attacking him?
6. Benjamin Mackay, his age, experience, the motivation for taking the baby? His mental state? Infatuated with the baby, bringing her up, lying about the world outside, blocking the windows? Limiting her experience? The scenes of the wonders of the world, and telling her they were no more? The audience seeing him arrested, in jail, Leanne’s visit? His declaration of love for her even in prison?
7. Marcy, memories of the abduction, living it for 20 years, the searches? Her husband, his seeming detachment, Marcy feeling she had to support him as well, feeling not supported by him? The return, his lack of involvement, her wanting a separation, his visit to get his clothes? Possibility of return?
8. Marcy and Leanne, the awkwardness, the embrace, the room, practical learning, the stove and the toaster? Her anger with Glenn? Growing tension with Leanne, trying to teach her, trying to support her, Leanne and the long absence and not telling the truth? Marcy and her books, training, using the rope, restraint, becoming her captor like the abductor? Leanne’s reactions, the drinks of water, the timetable, the meals, the therapies?
9. The visit to the therapist, the possibilities of some success? Marcy and her preventing the therapist seeing Leanne?
10. Too much for Leanne, the final message for Marcy, her leaving – where to?
