Martha (Vanessa Kirby) gives birth to Yvette, a baby girl, after an excruciating home birth. But the child died shortly due to heart failure. Leaving her and her husband, Carson (Shia LaBeouf), in total disbelief and denial.
Their inability to accept the loss of their daughter fractured many relationships. Such as towards each other and their family.
Martha retreats to isolation. She drifts every day, uncertain of what she wants and how she can move on from that night. Carson is unlike her, though. He also mourns Yvette's death, but he wants someone to be accountable for it. This leads to a legal case against Eva, their midwife.
It was Martha's mother, Elizabeth (Ellen Burstyn), idea though to sue Eva. She was always critical and controlling to her daughter's life for no specific reason.
Somehow Elizabeth believes that she's the only person who can help her daughter move on. If only she participates in the trial, she can bring her daughter the justice she needs.
“Pieces of a Woman” is a heart-stopping drama about a parent’s grief, directed by Kornél Mundruczó.
The Hungarian director's English-language debut is a difficult film to intake. It touches on topics such as death, depression, and grief within the two hours runtime.
“Pieces of a Woman” is a family drama that focuses on a young couple who experience the death of their newborn. It also works as an examination of anguish and sorrow.
This only works because of Vanessa Kirby and Shia LeBeouf's emphatic performance. Kirby owns the character of Martha. She embodies the character to such a remarkable level. Labeouf also plays his character with complete dedication. A performance that proves this actor's dedication to the craft.
Veteran actress Ellen Burstyn aces her role, as expected. But the movie treats her character unfairly. From what it looks like, there's more to Elizabeth than what meets the eye. She's a master manipulator and concerned mother, deep inside. Mundruczó and Burstyn can further flesh out the mother-daughter dynamic with Kirby. If only she'd given more screen time.
“Pieces of a Woman” is fascinating because it's a story that shows how losing a loved one breaks a person. At the same time, it acknowledges the idea that we will never get back what is lost.
The message in this film is clear as crystal. True peace doesn't start by point fingers. It starts with opening your heart.
3/5
