In Northern Ireland, two estranged brothers reunite in the wilderness to deal with the dark past that still haunts them.
Slow, intriguing, dark, and esoteric. Two amazing actors, Daniel Day-Lewis and Sean Bean, unite in a dark psychological drama that exposes the self through trauma, isolation, and silence, and reveals the difficulties of the strongest, yet also the most fragile, complicated, lovable, and painful bond of them all: the family.
Ronan Day-Lewis, Daniel’s son, co-writes with his father and directs this painful, slow-burning reconciliation drama that, for better or for worse, is not for everyone. While the script is tight, the two stories unfold slowly, and the brothers’ personal predicament will not be relatable to mass audiences.
Father and son do a brilliant job in front of and behind the camera, and, other than Sean Bean, Samantha Morton adds a beautiful darkness to the already dark shots whenever she’s in them. Daniel Day-Lewis came back from retirement for this film, which is nothing like anything he’s ever been in. While his role is less demanding than in previous films, he still proves he’s one of the best actors alive. At this point, it’s worth praising cinematographer Ben Fordesman and editor Nathan Nugent, as this film wouldn’t be what it is without them. Cinematography, especially, is Oscar-worthy – utterly mesmerising.
So, what’s the verdict? Go for it. In a time when most films cut to the chase and the messages are as deep as a teaspoon, Anemone explores the outcomes of The Troubles, the personal shame, the shameless church, the abandonment, the childhood trauma, and the unexpressed pains that shape us. So, give it a chance. It is painful and requires patience, but it is a profound cinematic experience nonetheless.
P.S. Brad Pitt is one of the executive producers.
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