MADELINE'S MADELINE (2018)

Directed By: Josephine Decker 
Written By: Josephine Decker & Donna Di Novelli
Story Consultant: Gail Segal 
Story Editor: Sharon Mishihi 
Dramturg By: Alexandra Tatarsky 
Cinematography By: Ashley Connor 
Editor: Josephine Decker, Harrison Atkins & Elizabeth Rao 


Cast: Helena Howard, Molly Parker, Miranda July, Sunita Mani, Lisa Tharps, Blake Baumgartner, Emily Decker 


 A theatre director's latest project takes on a life of its own when her young star takes her performance too seriously.


This is definitely an original. As one has never seen a movie quite like it. This will be a movie that you will either really get into or hate.

The film is surreal in a more realistic less fantasy based way. It keeps you on your toes with it’s rapid editing that makes sure you are never quite comfortable. Making you keep examining what is happening. As It takes awhile before you realize that some of the scenes take place entirely from the protagonists point of view inside of her mind. Even when she is at the forefront and involved.

It’s interesting in this film how Miranda July an experimental artist in her own right is cast in the more normal role as Madeline’s loving mother who is not painted as saintly but you can tell cares for her daughter. But isn’t exactly equipped for the challenges her daughter brings with her. While Also trying to raise another younger child. As the move progresses she also seems to be at battle for Madeline against the more freewheeling acting and theater teacher who takes Madeline under her wing played by Molly Parker.

As we watch Madeline fall is we the influence of the theater teacher. Who at first seems her savior and motherly figure. As she seems to nurture Madeline’s openness, but we discover is more explosive and takes credit for any artistic breakthrough as sole author of not only Madeline but it seems anyone going or who has gone through any kind of Pain, personal and spiritual. As she seems to exploit it only her students but anyone around her. As she always seeks truth and wants everyone to reveal and confess but keeps most of her life secretive.

The scene of the photo shoot where the teacher wants Madeline and another black student to not be dressed as exotic unicorns and look normal in their regular clothes gives you the feeling of something going on and an exploitive measure she is trying to go with when it comes to her Students especially of color

The film builds as it goes along to a powerful third act. Where Madeline seems to throw off her shackles of both masters embarrassing and shaming her mom inadvertent then decides to fight back against the teacher with a in the moment art performance that expresses her and her feelings. Especially the subtle yet uncomfortable ways in which she might feel.

As even in certain scenes where Madeline is awkwardly sexual in trying to seduce the teachers husband or when she is more innocently showing porn to boys in her neighborhood and her mother goes over the top believing she is trying to have sex with them or that they are picking on her and trying to prey on her.

The film is easy to follow at first then seems to throw curve balls. As we are never sure when we are purely in madeline’s head especially as it isn’t exactly her point of view. As we see her in the narrative also.

Either way the acting is tight in this film and Helena Howard’s performance as Madeline is so strong and unpredictable that it is intoxicating. As you never know what is going to happen next.

The film definitely takes us on a journey especially emotionally. That leaves us not knowing necessarily who to trust either. But it will definitely get a reaction out of you. 

Grade: B-