A Canadian film is often obvious why it's Canadian. A Canadian film in name only (what we call a case study) is also often obvious why it's Canadian. Women Talking seemingly would be a Canadian film but this film isn't technically Canadian.
Our theory on why the film does not qualify as a Canadian film is not enough producing credits based in Canada. Still, we are going to discuss the Canadian elements and give some kind of review.
"How would you feel if in your entire life it never mattered what you thought." — Ona
Sarah Polley adapted the screenplay for Women Talking based on the Miriam Toews novel of the same name. You might recall that Michael McGowan adapted a Miriam Toews novel All My Puny Sorrows into a film. That film starred Sarah Gadon and Alison Pill and debuted at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival.
The film's primary cast — Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Ben Whishaw, and Frances McDormand (the latter is also a producer) — belong to countries that are not Canada. There are plenty of international stars that have done Canadian films, even though this is not a Canadian film. Prominent Canadian cast members include Sheila McCarthy (I've Heard the Mermaids Sing), Michelle McLeod (Don't Talk to Irene), August Winter (Mary Kills People), Shayla Brown, Emily Mitchell, Kate Hallett, Liv McNeil, Vivien Endicott Douglas, and Kira Guloien.
The story takes place in a Mennonite community where the women have been subject to rape and sexual assault by the men in the community. The men are temporarily gone from the community, getting bail for one of their own who was arrested. The women have 3 choices: do nothing, stay and confront, or leave the community. Soon into the film, the choices are narrowed down to 2 of them.
For those sensitive to the subject, the women talk about the occurrences without any detail (the subject may be enough of a trigger for some). The women are at a sharp disadvantage in that none of them are educated since education is only for the men. This is the impetus for Whishaw's character, who was kicked out of the community and is back to help the women.
As the title implies, there are a lot of scenes of women talking, agreeing on the need for a solution but disagreeing on what that solution should be.
Canadian film review: Take This Waltz
Canadian film review: Alias Grace
Canadian film review: Away From Her
Canadian film review: Stories We Tell
Alias Grace is 5 years old. Stories We Tell is 10 years old. Sarah Polley has had a number of issues, including a serious concussion. Her book Run Towards the Danger gives us some idea.
You feel like you are watching a Sarah Polley film in every positive sense of the word. The space and comfort she gives to her characters is evident. Polley treats the subject matter with great dignity yet offers moments of humour to show the humanity of these troubled characters.
McDormand is the biggest name on the callsheet yet is more in the background. Mara, Foy, and Buckley get chances to shine in ways for female characters lost on larger American films.
The pace of the film is rather straightforward. You find comfort in either side of the argument, not matter the route you root for the characters in the film.
Canadian film review: All My Puny Sorrows
My path down the TIFF Top 10 Canadian films of all time
CanadianCrossing.com film reviews
CanadianCrossing.com film coverage
Women Talking could certainly get some Oscars buzz for acting, costumes, and for Polley herself. Polley received an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for Away From Her, her writer/director full-length feature debut in 2006. British actor Julie Christie also received a Best Actress nomination for that film.
The film community, Canadian and otherwise, is glad Sarah Polley is back and working on amazing projects.
We recommend seeing the film for the way a tough subject is handled in caring, skilled hands in a creator such as Polley.
Sarah Polley has a new book of personal essays
#WomenTalking is nominated for 3 #SpiritAwards! - Best Feature, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, along with being selected to receive the Robert Altman Award ✨ pic.twitter.com/iekqQ6pBaB
— Women Talking (@Women_Talking) November 22, 2022
Women Talking won the People's Choice Award at the 2022 Windsor International Film Festival. The film had its Canadian debut at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.
The film won the Robert Altman Award, given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast for the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards. The film also received nominations for Best Feature and for Polley for Best Director and Best Screenplay.
Women Talking debuts in some U.S. theatres today; the film should come to most places by December 25. The Canadian theatre release will be on December 16.
photo credit: Women Talking
video credit: YouTube/MGM; YouTube/TIFF Originals
Twitter capture: @Women_Talking
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