“Where’d You Go, Bernadette” is a film that deals with mental illness. Based off the Maria Semple novel of the same name, the 2019 movie stars Cate Blanchett and was directed by the great Richard Linklater.
I’ve loved every Linklater film I’ve watched thus far. “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” is well crafted, though didn’t hold the same level of captivation as the others I have watched.
The locations are stunning
The cinematography is stellar. Scenes were filmed in beautiful locations, ranging from the urban backdrop of Seattle to the glacier filled waters of Greenland. At its heart, “Bernadette” is a family drama with excellent acting.
The film opens with a memorable shot. A lone kayak drifting amidst massive glaciers. We get narration that introduces the Branch family and takes us back to a rainy Seattle five weeks prior.
Cate Blanchett plays the titular Bernadette. She’s a renowned architect who suffers from extreme anxiety and agoraphobia. She’s anti-social to say the least, and has been a society recluse for twenty years. She bundles up like Jacki-O to go out in public, quarreling with her neighbors and being quite bizarre. Blanchett is fine in the performance, which is oddly an unlikeable character.
The acting is good
This film reveals the history of the family in bits and pieces. There are marital issues with her husband (Billy Crudup) and teen issues with daughter Bee (Emma Nelson) as well as her own anxiety. Judy Greer and Kristin Wiig are solid in supporting roles. The acting is good. Most of the characters are less than sympathetic. Bernadette is an artist who lost her way after marrying a super-rich tech guy. They reside in an old warehouse building in Seattle. They can take a month off to travel to Antarctica. Stop complaining.
It’s tough to compare this piece with other Linklater films. That it’s based off a book explains quite a bit. The 109 minute run time feels rushed. There’s a strain in the relationship that doesn’t feel fully dived into and as a result, the problems aren’t earned. I felt like we barely got to know Bernadette’s husband, but were supposed to dislike him. And while the need to stifle artistic dreams is understandable, it doesn’t really make sense why it was required.
“Where’d You Go, Bernadette” isn’t bad. It’s actually worth checking out for a decent movie. I wouldn’t recommend it as a Linklater fan as there are others that are immensely better.
“Where’d You Go, Bernadette” is currently available to rent on Amazon.
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