Product: The Dead Girl (2006)
Rating: 5.0
One Of a Trio of Great Character Studies
In the past year I've watched The Junebug, Vera Drake, and then the Dead Girl. All three movies are tremendous character studies. The Dead Girl is uncompromisingly dark. There is no comic relief, no moments of hope. The shock of the movie is the beginning scene, and from there the movie moves slowly down to its inescapable ending.Most of the characters are drowning in their inability to cope with their lives. One woman in a miserable marriage destroys evidence that would implicate her husband in a hideous crime. She would rather continue living with this monster than be alone. Another woman who shows great kindness to others is married to a child molester. A third character showers her daughter with unbelievable verbal abuse. The seriously flawed and failing woman who is the dead girl comes across as one of the few likable people in this film.Most of these people are sinking in the quicksand of life. Yet this is a fascinating piece of work, and the actors are masterful. If you enjoy this movie (is "enjoy" really the right word to use?) you should also see Junebug, and Vera Drake. Don't see all three at one time, though. You might have to start taking anti-depressants.