Morvern Callar
Might be one of the most devastating films I’ve ever seen. Morvern Callar tells the story of a young, lost woman battling grief after her partner's suicide. It doesn’t do so in a conventional way, but handles it from a completely different and unique perspective. It is dirty like depression, quiet like sorrow, and loud like wrath.
What I think the movie does perfectly is completely ignoring Morvern's boyfriend, not explaining his past, and refusing to explore their relationship. Some may call it a loophole, or simply laziness, but I think it allows us to dissociate from their connection, and instead focus purely on the character.
The character herself has many flaws, which make her realistic and remind us that people who deal with grief aren’t perfect. These negative traits make her relatable and don’t stop us from cheering for her. I’ll forever remember her as one of my favorite complex female characters.
Morvern's emotional refusal to face the truth stands as a beautiful metaphor and makes us sympathize with her even more. She’s so scared of acknowledging what happened, both out loud and inside, because then it will become real. That’s why throughout the movie, she runs from place to place, meets new people, and leaves no room for her thoughts.
Whether you’ll appreciate the raw, emotional atmosphere, the intimate dialogue, the amazing soundtrack, or the grainy shots, this film sticks with you forever.