Direction: Kornél Mundruczó
Country: Canada / USA
In Pieces of a Woman, Hungarian director Kornél Mundruczó examines the grieving process of a couple who lost their child at birth. The screenplay came from the pen of Kata Wéber, who had collaborated with the director in his previous two efforts, White God (2014) and Jupiter’s Moon (2017). It was based on the stage play of the same name by Mundruczó and Wéber, inspired by their personal experience with respect to the loss of an infant.
The expecting Martha Weiss (Vanessa Kirby) and her recovered alcoholic partner Sean Carson (Shia LaBeouf) lead a happy life together. They agree to a home birth. The midwife initially hired for the task gets stuck in another labor and is replaced at the last minute by Eva Woodward (Molly Parker), who makes every possible effort to assure that the procedure goes fast and smooth. Unfortunately, she was helpless to save the baby from cardiac arrest.
The relationship of the couple deteriorates considerably after the incident and the rupture seems inevitable. To worsen the scenario, Martha’s tenacious and manipulative mother, Elizabeth (Ellen Burstyn), insists that Eva should be prosecuted for criminal negligence, reasoning that finding a culprit would substantially ease suffering.
Following an uncluttered narrative, the film alternates solid and crumbling moments, but never loses sight of a resolution. What makes Pieces of a Woman satisfying is the quality of the performances, which emphasizes the authenticity of the inner struggles and relationships alike. Despite of a gradual loss of strength and inspiration as it moves further away from that agonizing 24-minute take labor scene, the outcome is still powerful. And it’s not a comfortable seat, let me tell you.
