Movie #2063 ........................."The Lost Daughter" (Netflix)

 Movie #2063 "The Lost Daughter" (Netflix)  On my quest to see the nominations for Critics' Choice Awards (for a ceremony now postponed to who knows when?), this was an obvious one to see since it is available to stream on Netflix.  But before you check into it, you need to know that it is one of those art films with an indie feel to it--- translation:  not much happens storywise, but probably good in the tech/style stuff --- and this one is, with quality acting from a wonderful cast, starting with Olivia Colman and her younger self, Jessie Buckley, and the young mom Dakota Johnson, and great visuals in Greece.  But the story?  Well, it's gutsy, trying to cover just how stifling being a mother can be, in any time period -- that is aptly shown from  the daily watching Coleman's character gives to this new mother's life with a demanding daughter which in turn  conjures up stifling moments of the younger Coleman raising her two demanding girls.  Ed Harris is in this film, but for what reason, I don't know --- it was nice to see "Normal People's" Paul Mescal, and I wondered if he was really necessary to remind everyone, including her, what might have been for her if she weren't so saddled down with her daughters.  But then, he was a bright spot  with his big smile and affable personality in this really dimly lit story/film.  And that lost doll!  Wish the payoff on that was better than Coleman's answer as to what happened to it. (I don't want to give anything away)  --  disappointment there.  But I guess it underlines the style of the film --- the importance of what is and is not said.  It's just at that moment , I kind of wanted her to tell finally what was on her mind to Dakota.  But then that isn't in her character, is it?  Overall,  I didn't need to see this film, really --- I'm not the audience for it, but I wondered how mothers felt about the characterizations. But then, I'm not sure you will get a lot of people talking about this subject --- that's why Maggie G probably tackled it it in this film.  But thank god, the ending hits a good point , and I'm glad I watched it until the end --- I felt better, anyway, for doing that.  That's the second movie this film season that I ended up saying that the ending might have made the slow journey through the film worthwhile.  Hmm. Interesting. It is probably that kind of year!

"THE LOST DAUGHTER"      2 hours and 1 min           2021    R-rated

A woman's beach vacation takes a dark turn when she begins to confront the troubles of the past.

Director Maggie Gyllenhaal

Writers:  Maggie Gyllenhaal, Elena Ferrante (novel)

Stars:  Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson