Kornél Mundruczó‘s “Pieces Of A Woman” is an intense, emotionally raw story fulled by grief and anger. Vaness Kirby gives the performance of her career, enduring a 23-minute long birthing scene at the start of the film.
The heartbreaking story follows Martha (Vanessa Kirby) and Sean (Shia LaBeouf), a Boston couple who decide on having a homebirth for their daughter instead of going to the hospital. Unfortunately, their newfound happiness doesn’t last when their baby unfortunately dies not long after being born. This unexpected tragedy sends the once loving couple down a dark tunnel full of sadness, anger and grief. It’s soon revealed that their baby’s death may be down to foul play on behalf of their midwife (Molly Parker), who is then taken to court to answer for her actions. As a trial awaits, Martha and Sean drift apart as their spark fades and the intimacy they once had becomes plagued with physical abuse—in one scene Sean throws a yoga ball at Martha while she smokes a cigarette!
The entire cast delivers outstanding performances. Vanessa Kirby gives the performance of her career and her Volpi Cup award is well-deserved with her presentation of Martha brimming with fragility and emotion. Shia LaBeouf plays Sean for the boorish, unstable character for what he is, a recovering drug addict knocked off course by a heart-wrenching tragedy. The rest of the cast is superb with Ellen Burstyn giving a poignant monologue begging Martha to stand up for herself.
Molly Parker and Vanessa Kirby in a scene from “Pieces of a Woman” (BRON Studios, 2020).
Kornél Mundruczó directs the 128 minutes with such care and doesn’t minimalise the sadness a neo-natal death has on everyone involved, not just the parents. The 23-minute, single shot birth scene in the film’s opening is filmmaking at it’s finest—from the camerawork to the acting itself. It’s almost flawless. Benjamin Loeb’s cinematography is gorgeous and makes “Pieces Of A Woman” a visual feast for viewers, and Howard Shore’s score is equally incredible.
This film deals with a topic that is a reality for many families, and as viewers watch the closing scenes, it’s clear Martha and Sean’s relationship has been destroyed by grief and anger. They are physically detached from each other with their closeness becoming non-existent. The only form of intimacy the couple show is a rough, self-indulgent sex scene on behalf of Sean who (spoiler alert) eventually has an affair with Martha’s cousin Suzanne (Sarah Snook).
Overall, “Pieces Of A Woman” is a heart-wrenching depiction of the devastating effects the death of a child can have on a family, physically and mentally. It’s a daunting 128-minute affair that rewards viewers with powerful performances and beautiful imagery.
