by Foster Harlfinger, Contributing Writer
The Lost Daughter is an unflinchingly honest film about the often messy reality of motherhood. This confident directorial debut from actress Maggie Gyllenhaal tells the story of Leda (Olivia Colman) on a summer vacation as she reflects on the early years of her own motherhood as a result of her interactions with Nina (Dakota Johnson) and her young daughter.
In contrast to the glamorized view of motherhood Hollywood typically portrays, The Lost Daughter presents its audience with a complex protagonist whose decisions in the film will surely upset some viewers. Conversely, many audience members, particularly those who have experienced the hardships of being a mother firsthand, will appreciate the film’s candid look into the all-consuming burden of caring for your children as a young mother. Regardless, this is a film where your own appreciation will heavily depend on your own life experiences. For this reason, I had a tough time sympathizing with the characters’ actions in this film.
However, it is precisely this messiness and moral ambiguity that makes The Lost Daughter unique. Gyllenhaal and her performers allow you to understand these characters’ perspectives without asking you to agree with their decisions. I would be remiss if I did not note the expertly nuanced performances from Colman, Johnson, and Jessie Buckley, who makes for an uncanny younger Leda in the film’s many flashback sequences. Colman in particular solidifies her status as possibly the greatest actress of the past 10 years. Her ability to convey her character’s subtle mood shifts through a skillfully placed dart of the eyes or turn of the lip is unparalleled, and the Academy would be wise to recognize her excellent work in this film.
Though Colman and Buckley are effectively convincing in their roles and allow the viewer to understand their characters’ decisions, that does not always make for an enjoyable cinematic experience. For many, The Lost Daughter will be slow and unrewarding. For some, including myself at certain points in the film, The Lost Daughter may even frustrate you with the actions of its characters. The film’s honesty and fearlessness is admirable, and I believe that Gyllenhaal made exactly the film she wanted to make. Given the film’s wide-ranging reactions, The Lost Daughter is sure to become yet another film where the critical reception differs significantly from the experience of general audience members. For this reason, I suggest you view the film for yourself to form your own opinion.
Grade: C+
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