Review of What Maisie Knew (2013) by Douglas L — 06 Jul 2014

The film What Maisie Knew is based off of a novel of the same name, which I never read so I cannot comment on the films achievements on bringing the material to life. However I can say that I felt this film was well put together. Characters are developed nicely through actions not from voice over which is a common crutch with sentimental films about children in need. The child actress who plays Maisie (Onata Aprile) did a great job as she appeared distant emotionally but embraces a whole scope of emotions as the film develops. As her mother Susanne we have Julianne Moore who once again plays an emotionally unbalanced woman delivering wonderfully. The remainder of the cast did just fine without anything specific to make them jump out at you. Joanna Vanderham is a gorgeous woman but I didn't find anything more about her character to be all that striking. I would have expected a bit more Steve Coogan who plays the biological father, Beale; then again he was not a major character.

Ultimately I would say that this film only suffers from a lack of direction in relation to its story. The subject of a child caught between two neglecting parents is material enough to work out a very meaningful conclusion for better or worse. What Maisie Knew unfortunately pushes the narrative to a position where the struggle is momentarily solved, however it in no way is a true conclusion. Any mature audience member can tell that nothing in the end was resolved.

Questions of child custody are brought up but do not shift the story much at all. In my opinion I think this is a good choice, as it allows for the focus and language of the film to remain emotional rather than political. The cinematography attempted to reach out to the audience showing the world through a child's eyes. We are made to see things the way Maisie might as moments are often left unexplained in confusion as commotion between adults build. The editing is simple enough and the music fits the material well enough.

What Maisie Knew is good for a slow Sunday evening in front of the television.