"The Lost Daughter" follows Leda Caruso (Olivia Colman), a professor on a Greek island vacation. At first look, Leda appears to be any ordinary woman in her forties. She goes for a walk every day, spends her time sitting on the beach, and enjoys talking about her two girls whenever she gets the chance. But when people ask where her daughters are, her face turns pale and words just fail to come out from her mouth.
Leda made questionable choices in the past. And the sight of Nina (Dakota Johnson), a young mother, and her daughter Elena forces her to confront these memories. She sees a lot of herself in Nina. Like her, she is fed up and overwhelmed with the duty of motherhood. The only difference they have is that Nina is constantly surrounded by her family. People who the island's residents believe are dangerous.
One day, Elena got lost on the beach. Leda stepped in and found the girl right away. The family is grateful, however the little girl is still upset and won't stop crying because her doll disappeared. It was eventually revealed that Leda took the doll because it reminded her of a doll she owned. But Leda had no idea that stealing the doll would lead her deep into the family's affair.
I've never read Elena Ferrante's novel before, but you don't have to read it to appreciate Maggie Gyllenhaal's feature film.
The plot of "The Lost Daughter" is out of the ordinary. Mothers are frequently portrayed as a strong person who constantly keeps the highest moral standards. They are considered beautiful, sensitive and delicate. But there is that ugly and devastating aspect of motherhood that is often overlooked and romanticized. This film captured that ugliness, but not without empathy and care.
Olivia Colman's dedicated performance in "The Lost Daughter" helps the film to hit its marks. She's a fantastic actress that can captivate you with any character she plays. And in this film, Colman is in her A-game playing a mother with dark depths. Leda is an odd character whose impulses make it difficult to relate to her. However it is her whims that makes her the ideal protagonist for a story about a character grappling with her emotions and her choices. Of course, Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley, and Ed Harris all played admirably alongside Colman. But it was the English actress who commanded every scene.
It is unusual for a first-time actor turned full length director to receive rapturous praise from both the audience and the critics. It is well deserved and true, though. Watching "The Lost Daughter," it is clear that Maggie Gyllenhaal has complete control over the underlying material. There are many emotions bursting in the narrative, yet Gyllenhaal is able to keep and release them at the perfect time.
“The Lost Daughter” is a terrific debut for her because she was able to capitalize on the abilities of her ensemble actors while also capturing and maintaining the heart of the story. Gyllenhaal is truly a director to watch out for in 2022. And I'm really looking forward to seeing what else she has to give.
