Review of Margaret (2011) by Eric N — 09 Aug 2013

I like this film. Its an ambitious film experiment that takes a simple narrative, and doesn't dwell on just plot alone. It follows the life of 17 year old Lisa Cohen, and the people around her.

After being partly responsible and witnessing a bus run a lady over, Lisa is goaded by her mother to cover for the bus driver in order to save his job so he can support his family. Riddled with guilt, Lisa attempts to amend her statement after she visits the bus driver (Mark Ruffalo) and he doesn't feel bad at all.

The cast listing may grab your attention, but only Anna Paquin is the real constant. Most of the other roles just add into the plot like glorified cameos, but they do extremely well. (ie: Matthew Broderick, Rosemarie DeWitt, etc.).

I watched the 3 hour director's cut, and it definitely sucked me in. Its a sprawling epic, not in the sense that the plot is anything epic, but as a human and emotional drama it does a great job of giving an actor plenty of space to emote and act.

Anna Paquin's character is not very likeable, but in a way she has a bravura (hehe inside joke) that keep the narrative going. Every scene is something important and has something to say, even though there are awkward editing cuts and music parts.

Not for impatient viewers, Margaret is a very profound and interesting drama epic with a solid cast, and a very unique vision.