More somber than Sarah Polley's other films, Women Talking nevertheless finds small moments of humor to break up what is a very serious film about serious things. The women of a religious colony, having outed systemic rape by the men of their community, much make a choice - do nothing, stay and fight, or leave - and ask the women and girls of three families to debate the options and come to a decision for the group. It's a logical puzzle that deals with security, family, morality, faith, ambition, and more. One of those conversation films that could have been a play, but a deeply interesting one, and masterfully acted by Foy, Buckley, Mara, everyone really, though the secret MVP is Sheila McCarthy. Ben Wishaw is the only man allowed at these proceedings (as secretary) and his role serves several purposes. One of these is as a kind of sin eater, taking on a general male guilt for what has been happening in the colony, but there's an ambiguity as to what he might actually be guilty of personally, if anything. There's room in his performance for it. But another role he fills is that of the "woman" as the world order is reversed - he's the one who, if he speaks, does so out of turn, who is silenced, if only by the culture of the room. He feels what these women have felt all their lives. It's the female experience writ very large and intense, but remove the issues from their specific context here, and it still speaks to society at large. This one's sticking with me.
As an isolated film we thought it was excellent - powerful performances that facilitated a deep debate about the horrific issues women universally struggle with around the world.
After it finished, we looked up the actual history of the Manitoba Colony and our opinions on it became a lot more complicated. In the real events that it was based off of, the women choose something closer to "Option A" with a little bit of "Option B" sprinkled in. When looking at the film with that knowledge it comes across as a bizarre wish fulfillment fantasy - "here's what we, as privileged western women outsiders (Miriam Towes - writer of original book, Sarah Polley - director) think these women should have done instead".
In retrospect it honestly feels insulting to the original women, as if they weren't strong enough to take the action that the writers/film makers think they should have.
As a piece of filmmaking it was phenomenal, but I really haven't figured out how to reconcile that with the awkwardness of the original work. I do appreciate that it is bringing the horrific events to prominence, but I think a lot of the film's message is lost when juxtaposed with real life.
Phenomenal. Touches on so much with so much existing beneath the surface in looks and trauma. Absolutely riveting and vital. I cannot fault it. All performances are Oscar worthy. What a film.
When women talk, you just have to listen and then stand up out of respect for her because she bears enough worries. Most of the movie, if I did not say all of it, was dialogues and there are no events on the ground because the director and the scriptwriters realize that when a woman stands unable to do something, she doesn't stop talking. She talks a lot to find a way out of her worries and sorrows
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Siskoid
More somber than Sarah Polley's other films, Women Talking nevertheless finds small moments of humor to break up what is a very serious film about serious things. The women of a religious colony, having outed systemic rape by the men of their community, much make a choice - do nothing, stay and fight, or leave - and ask the women and girls of three families to debate the options and come to a decision for the group. It's a logical puzzle that deals with security, family, morality, faith, ambition, and more. One of those conversation films that could have been a play, but a deeply interesting one, and masterfully acted by Foy, Buckley, Mara, everyone really, though the secret MVP is Sheila McCarthy. Ben Wishaw is the only man allowed at these proceedings (as secretary) and his role serves several purposes. One of these is as a kind of sin eater, taking on a general male guilt for what has been happening in the colony, but there's an ambiguity as to what he might actually be guilty of personally, if anything. There's room in his performance for it. But another role he fills is that of the "woman" as the world order is reversed - he's the one who, if he speaks, does so out of turn, who is silenced, if only by the culture of the room. He feels what these women have felt all their lives. It's the female experience writ very large and intense, but remove the issues from their specific context here, and it still speaks to society at large. This one's sticking with me.Linkmaster89
So painful, so sad, so strong and powerful. Great!airi86ja
painful to watchCaerus
As an isolated film we thought it was excellent - powerful performances that facilitated a deep debate about the horrific issues women universally struggle with around the world.After it finished, we looked up the actual history of the Manitoba Colony and our opinions on it became a lot more complicated. In the real events that it was based off of, the women choose something closer to "Option A" with a little bit of "Option B" sprinkled in. When looking at the film with that knowledge it comes across as a bizarre wish fulfillment fantasy - "here's what we, as privileged western women outsiders (Miriam Towes - writer of original book, Sarah Polley - director) think these women should have done instead".
In retrospect it honestly feels insulting to the original women, as if they weren't strong enough to take the action that the writers/film makers think they should have.
As a piece of filmmaking it was phenomenal, but I really haven't figured out how to reconcile that with the awkwardness of the original work. I do appreciate that it is bringing the horrific events to prominence, but I think a lot of the film's message is lost when juxtaposed with real life.
frankqb
Phenomenal. Touches on so much with so much existing beneath the surface in looks and trauma. Absolutely riveting and vital. I cannot fault it. All performances are Oscar worthy. What a film.5 stars
ahmetaslan27
When women talk, you just have to listen and then stand up out of respect for her because she bears enough worries. Most of the movie, if I did not say all of it, was dialogues and there are no events on the ground because the director and the scriptwriters realize that when a woman stands unable to do something, she doesn't stop talking. She talks a lot to find a way out of her worries and sorrowsdvdgrdnr
good cast. good idea. bad script.