Martha (Vanessa Kirby) and Sean (Shia LeBeouf) have long awaited the birth of their daughter. They’ve designed and put together the nursery, purchased a minivan, and scheduled a midwife for a home birth. It would seem that they are, in every way, ready to be parents and welcome their daughter into the world. However, when the birth goes awry and ends how no one could have expected, Martha and Sean are left dealing with a flood of emotions and hardships. Pieces of a Woman is the story of Martha’s struggles after the birth of her daughter as the relationships that once held her together are tearing her apart at the seams. Feeling alone, Martha will do whatever she can to get her life back on track.
The film’s introduction is one of the strangest that I’ve ever seen. The lead up to the birth and the birth itself all take place before the audience is introduced to the film’s title. This intro takes thirty minutes! Thirty minutes until you get to the title and understand just what this film is about. As the words “Pieces of a Woman” appear on screen, viewers understand that this placement is perfect and that it’s so important to the overall story. The title at the thirty minute mark reminds viewers what they’re in for and what Kirby and director Kornél Mundruczó want so desperately to convey. Film after film hits theaters and streaming services that depict a life after childbirth that, regardless of the obstacles, is full of joy and laughter. The female protagonist, no matter what her family puts her through, is able to understand the importance of those who surround her. These films certainly aren’t played out and they resonate with their audience, whoever it might be (because these stories transcend all genres of film). However, there’s another side to that part of life; there’s a side that doesn’t see the good in things and isn’t able to understand that anything beautiful has remained after a child is born. This harsh reality is one that occurs far too often, and is rarely discussed in mainstream cinema. This is what Mundruczó so badly wants to express to the world.
Pieces of a Woman progresses slowly, as even the birth of Martha and Sean’s baby takes upwards of twenty minutes. Each scene is deliberately drawn out as to slowly grab hold of viewers and pull them under with Martha. Mundruczó is successful in doing this. The audience feels what Martha does as a result of every close up on Kirby, every tear shed by her, and every slowly developing scene that mirrors the real world. In addition to what Mundruczó and writer Kate Wéber are able to accomplish in terms of direction and writing, Kirby brings to life this heartfelt story of love and loss. It’s hard to describe her with anything other than the following: perfection. Her ability to quickly transition from happy go lucky to depressed and crying is essential to Pieces of a Woman, and having nailed every second of her time on screen, she beautifully expresses what I believe everyone would be feeling in her situation.
Pieces of a Woman is a whirlwind of emotion that viewers will likely struggle to fully absorb. That is not a jab at the cast or crew by any means, but quite the opposite actually. Mundruczó, Wéber, Kirby, LaBeouf, and everyone else involved are able to incorporate so much genuine emotion in their writing, directing, acting, etc. that it seems impossible for viewers to understand everything the first go around. The cast and crew’s meticulous attention to detail permits the film to appeal to the masses and present the world with very real trauma and darkness. While not everyone has experienced what Martha and Sean must work through, the story and the emotion present throughout Pieces of a Woman resonates with everyone watching.
Directed by Kornél Mundruczó.
Written by Kata Wéber.
Starring Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf, Ellen Burstyn, Iliza Shlesinger, Benny Safdie, Sarah Snook, Molly Parker, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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