The Staggering Girl

The Staggering Girl is a visually stunning drama film from director Luca Guadagnino that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019. The movie stars Julianne Moore, Marthe Keller and Kyle MacLachlan.

At its core, The Staggering Girl is a tale of a daughter's journey back to her roots. The story follows Francesca (Julianne Moore), a successful New York City artist who receives a visit from her mother, Lillian (Marthe Keller), who has been living in Rome for many years. The two women haven't seen each other for a long time, and their reunion is initially awkward.

Francesca is struggling with her creative identity and her relationship with her long-time lover, filmmaker Carlos (played by Kyle MacLachlan). Lillian is a former dancer and choreographer who is slowly losing her memory. As the two women reconnect, Lillian reveals to Francesca the truth about her past, including a shocking secret about a childhood friend.

As Francesca tries to piece together the missing parts of her mother's past, she starts to see the world around her in a different light. The movie features flashbacks to the 1960s and 70s, providing a glimpse into Lillian's life as a dancer in New York City during that time period. The film is a meditation on memory, art, identity, and self-discovery.

The movie is visually stunning, and Guadagnino's direction is masterful. The use of color and light in the film creates a dreamlike atmosphere, and the camera movements and framing are often unconventional, adding to the film's overall dreamlike quality. The movie's hypnotic score by Ryuichi Sakamoto only adds to the dreamlike atmosphere.

Julianne Moore's performance as Francesca is superb. She brings a vulnerability and depth to the role, and her chemistry with Marthe Keller is palpable. Keller's portrayal of Lillian is equally impressive. She brings a warmth and humanity to the character that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Kyle MacLachlan's performance as Carlos is also noteworthy, and his scenes with Moore crackle with chemistry.

At its core, The Staggering Girl is a love letter to creativity and the power of memory. It's a film that will stay with you long after you've watched it. Not every viewer will love this movie, as it is somewhat abstract and ambiguous in its storytelling. Still, those who appreciate art-house films should find it rewarding. Overall, The Staggering Girl is a poignant and visually arresting film that is sure to leave an impression.