The Lost Daughter (2021)
Some men will definitely feel lost for this one.
Presentation:
Olivia Colman is one of the best actresses in my opinion, single handedly making this film relevant. There appears to be many things the writers want to say, but they are presented obscurely to reflect the literary nuances it attempts to purport. The film attempts to bridge literature and film, but from a casual viewing will probably be completely lost on the audience.
Story:
I believe the main theme is maternal instinct. There is a bit of symbolism with the orange, the doll representing motherhood and neglect. It's a complicated and nuanced take on the shackles of motherhood along with it's joys and compromise as many mothers inevitable feel confused and lament in the opportunities robbed from pregnancy and youth. It's quite powerful material from Maggie Gyllenhaal, but I feel could have been executed to include more audiences.
Conclusion:
A story of moral ambiguity of motherhood and the modern woman in the debacle of freedom and ambition versus responsibility. This film should speak volumes for the audiences it is clearly targeted toward, especially for women, so I might not be able to review fairly. However, I think it is one of the best films for female empowerment with a modern take on feminism.
Recommendations
Lee Chang-dong finds humanity where no one else does.