The Lost Daughter2021

The mystery and filmmaking style of the lost daughter reminds me of françois ozon's swimming pool. Like Charlotte Rampling's character there, Leda (played by Olivia Colman) is having a working holiday alone. We see her do solitary activities and often find her in situations where she acts unexplicably repulsive. Motherhood is the essential story of this film. In real world and not only in cinema, motherhood is often idealised, we only see the positives, but we rarely see the struggles of being one and the burden of child-rearing, because most of the time mother's were told that it's a great experience and if they have a problem they just have to "suck it up" or "to be grateful". We occasionally get scenes of mother's struggling to take care of their children in cinema, especially when their kids go on a crying fit (which brings me to mind the Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood). It's a rarity as I said. I think it's because the social norms when it comes to motherhood is that one is expected to be a superwoman, like she will be invulnerable to any mental health issues, and unfortunately no one listens to them or often times they were rebuffed for being weak. I think it's a gift when we see stories like these, because it opens up a discussion that mother's are also human beings. Maggie Gyllenhaal made a superb directorial debut, and I would love to see her get nominated or win the best adapted screenplay award for her work here. I like the ambiguity of the set, and even the people because it makes Leda appear as a complete outsider, except when she's around Lyle, because they may have the same experience. Giving us a nod that her decisions in life—leaving her children behind—is considered taboo and people will not easily understand or forgive her for it. I think her stealing the doll represents her trying to take back what is innocent and pure and wants to go back to that place, only to end up in the worst situation. Will not give any more spoilers here, so let's call it a day.