Review of Take This Waltz (2011) by Kimberly B — 07 Dec 2012

Many of the reviews on Netflix were negative. I can understand why this might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I think the critical reviews came mostly from people who refused to look past the surface story and/or were too quick to judge the main character for her moral failings. The movie takes a complicated and difficult topic -- love, and falling out of love or into love with the wrong person -- and does not make a strong judgment about the characters' actions. For those people uncomfortable with moral ambiguity or gray areas, this makes for a bad story. I couldn't disagree more. The most interesting, memorable, and relatable stories are the ones that depict the moral complexities and uncertainties most of us struggle with in life.

The plot moves slowly and the characters all have flaws, but the directing and acting are restrained so the depth of the characters is not thrown in your face. This in many ways provides an earlier bookend to Sarah Polley's earlier film (and superior one, I think), Away From Her. This movie depicts young love, and how it can fade, or wither, or NOT last . . . or how personal weaknesses, fears, and temptations can allow love to fail. Away From Her was the sad but triumphant/tragic tale of love that survived over the years. In Take This Waltz, we see a different story. I really enjoyed that both movies depicted the difficult parts of love, and how it can endure. Or not. Change over time; be given up or lost but linger.

This movie seemed to me a modern retelling of Madame Bovary. If you have read and enjoyed this classic novel, then you are likely to understand and enjoy this movie. Unfortunately, I identified with Madame Bovary when I read that book in high school, and I identified here with the main character.

I enjoyed the unromantic yet still respectful approach to love in this story; the passion and yet the emptiness of the relationships. Michelle Williams did her best work I think. If you are easily bored, unwilling to think, or morally judgmental, skip this film. If not, treat yourself to one of the most intelligent movies I have seen in a long time.