Review: Trace Lysette and Patricia Clarkson Shine in Andrea Pallaoro’s ‘Monica’

“Monica” (directed by Andrea Pallaoro and written by Pallaoro and Orlando Tirado) shines in how it treats its main character. Monica is a trans woman, but the film rarely dwells on that aspect of her life. Instead, it focuses on its lead wrestling with universal issues such as loneliness, alienation, and conflicts with family.

Monica (played by Trace Lysette) is scraping by through life. She is earning money through internet sex chat and giving massages. Her boyfriend just broke up with her, which nearly shattered her as she continually calls and texts him, trying to get him back. At this low point in her life, her sister-in-law Laura (Emily Browning) calls, telling her that Monica’s mother Eugenia (Patricia Clarkson) is seriously ill and needs around-the-clock care. She asks Monica to come down to help take care of her. Monica hasn’t seen her mother or brother Paul (Joshua Close) in years, ever since Eugenia kicked Monica out of the house, refusing to accept her son’s desire to be female. Now, Monica returns home to a bitter brother and a mother who doesn’t remember who she is, all while dealing with feelings of loneliness and abandonment.

Of Bonds and Loneliness

Have you ever had moments in your life where you felt totally lost? Where you wonder why you’re here and if things will ever get better? Well, Trace Lysette does a masterful job conveying those feelings as Monica. She always seems to be staring off into the distance, consumed by ennui and looking like she’d love nothing more than to combust spontaneously. There are rare times during the film when she’s passionate. Still, it’s either despair when she calls her boyfriend for the hundredth time and gets no response, or when she has sleazy encounters with guys in the local bar, rough sex and rougher booze giving her a temporary respite from the relentless drudgery of existence.

Patricia Clarkson’s Eugenia suffers from an illness that seems to be similar to Alzheimer’s. Despite this, Eugenia, unlike Monica, is fighting to live. She rejoices when she remembers something and goes into a rage when her body fails her. She doesn’t remember Monica, but there’s something familiar about her that she can’t quite grasp.
There’s a wonderful awkwardness between Monica and Eugenia. Monica feels terrified and angry at Eugenia, while Eugenia is dazzled by Monica’s fast life. Their scenes together are the best scenes in the film. These two women slowly form a bond and give each other the comfort and joy they’re craving.

‘Monica’ Overcomes its Rough Edges

I felt the film could have been trimmed by ten or fifteen minutes. It wallows in Monica’s misery for a bit too long before progressing the story. A movie stands or falls based on the performances of the lead actors. And Trace Lysette and Patricia Clarkson deliver magnificent portrayals of broken characters. The acting in Andrea Pallaoro’s film was so good that it ultimately didn’t matter. This is a lovely movie with many moments, both relatable and heart-warming.

“Monica” is available to rent or buy from streaming networks such as Apple TV and Amazon Prime.