THE GIRL IN THE PARK
US, 2007, 118 minutes, Colour.
Sigourney Weaver, Kate Bosworth, Alessandro Nivola, Keri Russell, Joanna Gleeson, David Rasche.
Directed by David Auburn.
There is a rather unprepossessing title, even prosaic, for what is a much better film than we might be led to believe. It has been written and directed by playwright, David Auburn (Proof, which was filmed with Gwynneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins, and the screenplay for the romantic time travel story, The Lake House).
There has been a mini-proliferation of films about child abductions in the last year. Ben Affleck directed a film version of Denis Lehane's Gone Baby Gone to considerable effect. Angelina Jolie was impressive as a mother whose child disappeared in Clint Eastwood's Changeling. The very dark side and consequences of a child disappearing and subject to sexual abuse featured sombrely in Damian Harris's Gardens of the Night. All three films were well worth seeing.
This time the focus is on the effect of the abduction on the family, especially the mother who blames herself for the loss of her daughter and cannot forgive herself and who cannot really move on in her life. The film is a star vehicle for Sigourney Weaver as the mother, Julia. In the opening sequences, she shows she is a sweet and loving mother. However, 16 years are passed over after the disappearance of her child. She is separated from her husband (David Rasche), alienated from her son (Alessandro Nivola), embittered by life and fate. She returns to New York for her bank job and her boss (Elias Koteas) at the time of her prosperous builder son's engagement. His fiancee (Keri Russell) takes great pains to bring her fiance and his mother together.
The film is tough going emotionally for the audience. While there is great sympathy for the bereft mother, there is always the hope that she can make more of a life for herself and the feelings of frustration when she doesn't.
The core of the drama is a young woman, Louise, whom Julia impulsively helps when Louise is shoplifting a pair of sunglasses. They meet again and Julia gives her money to help her home. But, that is a facade and Julia is angry at their next chance encounter. However, Louise who has serious drugs and sex relationships is roughly the age her daughter would be and she takes her in. We guess what the consequences will be but also want to see whether Julia will be changed or not, whether she will be reconciled to her son, and how the young woman will react. Kate Bosworth gives a strong performance as Louise.
Serious themes and good performances.
1.The impact of the drama, the personal drama, family drama? A drama of child abduction and grief?
2.New York in the 1980s, family life, school, the park – happiness?
3.The 21st century, the broken family, sadness, work, apartments, the restaurants? A harder world?
4.The title, in general, Julia’s daughter, the children in the park, Louise?
5.The 1980s and Julia, her loving children, storytelling to her daughter, her tenderness, Doug and the family life? Chris going to school? Her singing in the club, the offer of the recording? Her daughter asking her questions? Going to the park, playing, the sudden disappearance, the search, frantic, asking people?
6.Sixteen years later, Julia, her return to New York, her age, bitterness, consumed by grief, mentally disturbed? The divorce, distant from Chris, not going to his graduation? Alone, the apartment, her hard work at the bank, the boss and his concern, a serious world?
7.The engagement party, Chris and Celeste, Celeste’s parents, the speeches, Doug and his new wife? Chris and the sense of separation from his mother? Julia, working, arriving late, leaving, Chris pursuing her?
8.Julia and Doug, the seven years after the abduction, hard for Doug, the divorce and his remarriage, Chris and his being part of his father’s family?
9.Julia and Louise, the incident with the sunglasses, Julia acting on an impulse, lying about Louise stealing them? The later encounter? Louise and her story, the gift of the money, her expression of gratitude? The encounter in the restaurant, Louise with the men, drinking, the scene and the attack on Julia?
10.Celeste and Chris, arranging the meal, Julia actually coming, the tension, the discussions, the scene?
11.Chris’s work, a good man, his clients, his partner, Celeste and her pregnancy?
12.Louise following Julia, Julia’s anger, Louise staying, the shower, settling in, their discussions? The true story, her brother coming, Julia’s anger? His being involved in Scrabble competitions? Her going to the bus station, hearing the name? The story of the adoption?
13.Louise as a character, young, sexual clients, bringing them home (Julia and her reaction – and her beginning a liaison with the boss)? The meals, going to the party with Celeste’s parents, the various reactions?
14.Chris, his reaction to Louise, trying to tell Julia the truth about her daughter, her death?
15.Julia and Louise, each changing the other, Julia becoming more open, sharing?
16.Chris, his visits, wondering about the relationship, his questions, angers?
17.Chris and his accident, in hospital? Celeste and the birth of the baby? Julia finally visiting Chris, overcoming her difficulties? The ending – the family, the creation of bonds, some hope?
