Review of Thou Wast Mild and Lovely (2014) by Matthew S — 15 Jun 2015

Josephine Decker's second feature length film is not for all tastes. Sensual, grotesque, beautiful, perverse, erotic, repugnant, neb-gothic, poetic, intense, horrifying, electrifying and ultimately captivating.

There is a lot going on here and just as you expect the film to trip itself up, it only manages to take us deeper into the darkest corners of the damaged human psyche. More concerned with creating an unrelenting tone of tension which sneaks in under your skin.

She is not playing by the rules. This is quite an achievement for an indie filmmaker challenged with such a low budget) than big budget movies. It is also essential to note that Decker's cast is amazing.

Joe Swanberg is at times deceptively benign but the threat of suppressed sexual rage is always looming. Robert Longstreet can always be counted on to deliver a memorable turn, but here the level menacing danger is unnerving.

The real acting power here is Sophie Traub. She is given some more than challenging lines and situations - all of which she makes believable. I will never think of frogs in the same way. Despite the challenges of a severely limited budget, Josephine Decker has established a unique and potent cinematic voice.

And, the comparisons I often read/hear to David Lynch are lazy comparisons. Decker is exploring aspects of human connection in a strange but strongly female perspective. Her interests are totally unique from David Lynch.

A brilliant film.