Bernadette not leaving until halfway through the movie causes the trailer and title to be confusing. Also, knowing where Bernadette is five minutes later (if you didn’t already assume it) makes it feel like a trick that this whole film is suppose to center around “where she went.” Piecing together Bernadette’s life before Seattle and attempting to figure out who she is today, is just as confusing. I would not classify this movie as a “mystery” but it does have a handful of comedic moments and it is certainly dramatic (cue the Russian mobsters sub-plotline I am still scratching my head about).
What this movie focuses on is a woman who has lost herself. Through life, people will slap labels on you, and Bernadette was labeled many things. When we are introduced to her she is a mother. She has anxiety. She is a wife. She is antisocial. But the film is about who she was before, why she is who she is currently, and most importantly- who will she be next?
Cate Blanchett is great as Bernadette. Her lines deliver and she plays the eccentric character well. Bernadette is creative, a genius, aloof, rude, witty, and scared. She is everything, all the time, to the point where having her committed crosses the mind.
A moviegoer who read the book first shares, “the movie ending was better than the book, more conclusive.” A second audience member, Peggy, reflects, “I went through a myriad of emotions. It was slow then I wondered what the point was. However, it’s about support, individuality, and finding who you are.”
Not the most riveting movie, and the trailer was misleading at face value). Scrap all expectations before going in.
Movie times: click here
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Mystery
Run Time: 2 hour, 10 minutes
Director: Richard Linklater
Actors: Cate Blanchett, Judy Greer, Kristen Wiig
Rating: Rated PG-13 for some strong language and drug material.
