Women Talking - 2 nominations

 

Best Adapted Screenplay Sarah Polley

Best Motion Picture of the Year Jeremy Kleiner (producer) Dede Gardner (producer) Frances McDormand (producer)

We have finally arrived at the Best Picture nominee I've most wanted to blog about, Women Talking. How I wish that the Academy (like SAG) had an award for the entire cast, but since it doesn't, I'd like to nominate every single actress in this film for the Lead Actress award (yes yes, I know that some of the women were in supporting roles, but each contributed to the whole so completely that I award the entire cast the Oscar, so mazel tov to Claire Foy, Frances McDormand, Rooney Mara, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey and so many others who deserve this prestigious made up award).

The importance of this movie can't be overstated. A community of women elected by their peers has come together to decide what to do about the continuing attacks on women and girls in their patriarchal and extremely conservative Christian community.  The women and girls have been given tranquilizers and raped (and in one case, a girl as young as 4 years old), but even when that is not happening, many of them are also severely abused by their husbands.  They are in a sheltered Mennonite community where they've received little to no education, and all they are perceived to be good for is household management. Even the act of not forgiving the men for their violence is considered sinful and would deny them their place in the hereafter, or so they've been told.

They debate three choices - forgive and do nothing, stay in the community and fight (maybe even expel the men), or leave and escape this life.  The power of their voices lamenting the bone-crushing sadness of no good choices, and the utter horror of having no personal autonomy make the film nearly debilitating for the audience.  The story is a loud and visceral scream from deep down in the soul.  I am only sorry that the brilliant direction from Sarah Polley was overlooked for an Oscars nomination, and frankly, I would have happily seen this film receive so many more as recognition of what it accomplishes.  It's a must see.