PIECES OF A WOMAN REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Although we’re only in the first month of 2021, I can definitely say that Pieces of a Woman is, by far, one of the most heartbreaking films of the year and I can’t imagine any other film matching the emotions that it leaves you with.

Martha (Vanessa Kirby) and Sean Carson (Shia LaBeouf) are a Boston couple on the verge of motherhood and parenthood whose lives change irrevocably during a home birth at the hands of a flustered midwife, who faces charges of criminal negligence. Thus begins a year-long odyssey for Martha, who must navigate her grief while working through fractious relationships with her husband and her domineering mother, along with the publicly vilified midwife whom she must face in court.

The strength of Pieces of a Woman lies in the traumatic opening sequence which lasts about thirty minutes and captures childbirth in a painfully realistic way. When Martha’s original midwife is preoccupied with another labour, a replacement is sent in the form of Eva (Molly Parker). When the baby’s heartbeat decreases following a contraction, Eva determines that the delivery has to be expedited and asks Sean to call 911. Unfortunately, shortly after Martha gives birth, the baby tragically dies. Those who have experienced labour may find the opening sequence tough to watch, especially those who, like Martha, have lost their baby. Many childbirth scenes in films are over the top and unrealistic, however, that’s not the case with Pieces of a Woman. Directed by Kornél Mundruczó, the opening sequence fully captures the unpredictability of childbirth with Benjamin Kiev’s cinematography focusing on Martha as she moves from the living room to the bathroom and then to her bedroom where she gives birth. Loeb’s cinematography helps viewers to feel Martha’s pain and fear as she is put under stress by Eva. I think that this opening sequence will really resonate with parents as they’ll be able to empathise with Martha. What’s most impressive about the opening sequence is that it was done in one take. Although the rest of Pieces of a Woman isn’t as powerful as the opening sequence, it is still a compelling drama.

Pieces of a Woman is divided into three different acts, the opening sequence, the impact the loss has on Martha and Sean and the court case. Although the final two acts aren’t as powerful as the opening sequence, it still provides viewers with compelling and thought provoking drama. It effectively shows the impact the loss of their baby has on Martha and Sean and their relationship. I think that Martha handles the loss really well. How she’s able to put on a brave face and remain calm and composed following her traumatic experience is beyond me, however, it’s something millions of women are forced to do. I really respect filmmakers who care about making meaningful films rather than making lots of money from unoriginal films. That’s definitely the case with Mundruczó as, with Pieces of a Woman, he has created a powerful drama. 

Kata Wéber’s screenplay effectively captures what it’s like to be a woman following the aftermath of a traumatic birth and the loss of a child. For nine months, excitement has been building up over the arrival of the newborn for it all to be taken away in a matter of minutes. Only those who have been in Martha’s situation will be able to fully feel her pain. Although I’m not a mother, I found Pieces of a Woman to be an insightful watch. 

While Mundruczó’s directing and the writing by Wéber are impressive, none of it would have had much of an impact of it wasn’t for Kirby’s incredible performance. Since Pieces of a Woman premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September last year, Kirby’s performance has received a lot of praise with many saying that she should be nominated at this year’s Academy Awards and rightfully so. Aside from her unforgettable appearance as Princess Margaret in the Netflix original series, The Crown, Pieces of a Woman showcases Kirby at her best and establishes her as one of the most talented acorns working today. Kirby’s performance is at its most impressive during the opening sequence. It’s quite hard to believe that she isn’t actually giving birth as she captures all of the mental and physical pain of childbirth with her performance. Following the devastating outcome of the birth and death of her baby, Martha is forced to move on with her life and returns to work sooner than normal. Kirby handles the seriousness of the subject matter really well and that shows in her portrayal of Martha. Another strong performance is delivered by Ellen Burstyn as Martha’s mother, Elizabeth. A memorable scene sees Elizabeth telling Martha about her own birth and how her mother struggled. Her character isn’t the easiest to like, however, she handles grief in a different way to her daughter.

While Pieces of a Woman is a compelling and powerful drama for the majority of its 128 minute runtime, the courtroom drama feels anticlimactic and, because it’s doesn’t last long, it doesn’t have the same emotional impact as the opening sequence. I think that it could have been a strong way to end the film if it had been given more time, however, it felt rushed and undeveloped. 

Netflix has become increasingly popular, she to lockdown in the UK and the majority of people being forced to stay at home. Many films, that have Oscar potential, have been released on the streaming service, including Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7, David Fincher’s Mank, George C. Wolfe’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods. Mundruczó’s Pieces of a Woman can also be added to that list as it’s sure to receive a nomination for Kirby’s outstanding performance. 

8/10