MOVIE REVIEW - THE KEEPING ROOM

FIERCE WOMEN

Movie Review – “The Keeping Room”

Review by Ray Schillaci

Both poetic and majestic, Daniel Barber and Julia Hart’s “The Keeping Room” takes three women from the South and pits them against the tail end of a losing war, but their battle is not concerned with the overall picture of The Civil War, it is one of survival, family and friendship. Their tale is the struggle of keeping one’s home safe and keeping what’s left of their life and their pride. Through the earthy and poignant performances of all three actresses, Daniel Barber’s directing, and Julia Hart’s thought provoking script, a story unfolded before my eyes that both saddened and uplifted me.

“The Keeping Room” opens with an unsettling tone with a black woman carrying crops down a path and happening upon a threatening dog. The exchange is unusual and what precedes sets a tone of fear and violence that will slowly pervade throughout the film. Director Barber uses this to full advantage, building upon an art house thriller whose intentions are far from surface. He and writer Julia Hart deliver an impending doom that is arriving to what is left of the South.

Two sisters and their slave have now become equals attempting to keep the sanctity of their home. But the struggle of survival wears thin on all of them as they forage for food, and keep the occasional invader at bay. Brit Marling (“Another Earth”, “The East”) as Augusta, plays the older sister who appears to be the backbone of the three, but she is not portrayed as some macho, take charge heroine. Marling not only displays a sense of cunning and strong survival instincts, she also comes across vulnerable, and as one that battles with her responsibilities and strength. Hers is a tour-de-force performance.

Hailee Steinfeld (2010’s “True Grit” and “Ender’s Game”) as Louise, the younger sister, continues to display a natural spunkiness in her roles. She also wonderfully underplays a young woman struggling into maturity with insecurities, especially given the situation she and her family are going through. It’s a well-rounded performance by Steinfeld that could have easily become an annoying character.

Then there is Muna Otaru’s (“Syriana”, “Lions for Lambs”) complex portrayal as Mad, the help (or former slave). What could have easily been a throwaway role has been fleshed out by the actress, director and writer to bring to the screen a dignity that captivates from beginning to end. Her role as a former slave, and now has a fellow survivalist adds an incredible amount of depth to the tale of all three women.

Director Barber takes in these three women’s surroundings, the claustrophobic room, and nearly all things beautiful that the land can provide, but there is always a hint of danger whether it be animals in the woods or man himself that misrepresents the North’s win by pillage, rape, and murder. Perhaps that’s the only flaw in Barber and Hart’s tale – the men are either cowardly or downright evil.

Sam Worthington (“Avatar”, “Everest”) as Moses, the gun-totin’ Northerner with no conscience, is unredeemable, but there is little depth in his character. The men are in no way as fleshed out as the women in this film. Yes, it’s the brave story of these three women, but with as much care that has been put into this story, one would come to expect just a bit more substance rather than just two ends of the character spectrum. It’s a minor detail that one could argue compared to the strength of the rest of the film.

I would be willing to bet that audiences have not seen such strength in three women sharing the screen since possibly Robert Altman’s “3 Women” which starred Shelly Duvall, Sissy Spacek, and Janice Rule. Collectively, the young women of “The Keeping Room,” director Daniel Barber, and writer Julia Hart take us on a journey that is intense, beautiful and melancholic. A journey well worth taking.