★★★★☆
ECLECTIC director Todd Haynes, known for everything from the bold Far From Heaven to the rapturous Carol, returns with this endearing and visually creative little film all about the longing for interpersonal human connection and seeing the beauty in the meticulous detail that makes up the patchwork of an awe-inspiring larger world.
The drama is split over two distinct timelines separated by half a century but connected through a higher meaning that is unveiled quite beautifully as the film progresses.
In 1977 we follow Ben (Pete’s Dragon star Oakes Fegley), a 10-year-old boy from the American Midwest who has been left newly deaf after a lightning strike and in mourning over the death of his mother (played in flashbacks by Michelle Williams). He soon sets off to New York City in search of an absentee father he’s never known.
That is both contrasted and complimented by the story of 12-year-old Rose (revelatory newcomer Millicent Simmonds), also deaf but growing up instead in New Jersey in 1927. Her historical childhood tale visualised in beautiful, old-fashioned black-and-white contrasts the evocative colour of Ben’s future story.
Yearning for an end to her sense of loneliness created by her restrictive father Dr Kincaid (James Urbaniak), she also flees to the Big Apple to try and find her absent mother. Once there she meets actress Lillian Mayhew (Julianne Moore), a silent screen star whom Rose has idolized for years but who appears to have no time for children.
Although it can feel quite slow arriving at how exactly the dots are connected and stars are aligned, the culmination of its themes and style is worth the wait. It feels like something of a steadily building magic trick that hints and teases along the way with a warm-hearted tone, embodied in Carter Burwell’s playful score; a plethora of visual flourishes depicting New York’s labyrinthine streets, brought to life by Edward Lachman’s sumptuous cinematography; and plenty of wistful narrative pit stops.
Far from being gimmicky and maudlin like the thematically and narratively similar Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close, it’s imbued with a sense of empathy for its characters. Both Ben and Rose are well-rounded protagonists and role models for deaf children who may feel similarly detached from the world around them.
It provides a sincere portrait of childhood wonderment that will speak as much to the imagination and earnestness of a younger audience as it will the nostalgia of adults for a more wide-eyed time in their life gone by. Its reach may ultimately exceed it grasp but it’s a great lesson in how ambition and heart can help a film reach above its station.
Released on February 6
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here