The previous two reviewers insist on the quality of M. Fois portrayal, and regret that the movie Darling didn't get much attention and praise. I don't know about that, but I'm afraid the film is not as good as the performance. For me, it is due to inadequate narrative and a confusion of genres.
First, it begins like a dark comedy, and uses this tone repeatedly later on. The events are gut-wrenching, however, and do not call for some cynical detachment. It effectively confuses the viewer's emotions. This is one of the reasons why one can hardly perceive Catherine/Darling as a real person.
Second, the events and the motives themselves are unclear. The first scene enumerates the extent of physical damage suffered by Darling's body, the multiple concussions, new and ancient traumas, etc. Yet we never learn when and how the old injuries occurred. We see her as a kid kicked by her father, once, but not to the point of being damaged. Up to the pivotal beating scene, we never see her injured, not even visiting any doctor.
Her passivity is equally puzzling. She was sanely rebellious towards her dreadful parents, so her acceptance of her husband's abuse is rather surreal. There isn't even a clear sign of physical abuse. This is only an example, as a lot of what she does, or doesn't do, feels out of place.
That Darling is biographical comes as a real surprise in the closing credits. Darling the character says that people only care for beautiful stories about beautiful persons. True or not, Darling the movie isn't the correct answer: it's a grave story given an unfitting tone and an awkward retelling.
First, it begins like a dark comedy, and uses this tone repeatedly later on. The events are gut-wrenching, however, and do not call for some cynical detachment. It effectively confuses the viewer's emotions. This is one of the reasons why one can hardly perceive Catherine/Darling as a real person.
Second, the events and the motives themselves are unclear. The first scene enumerates the extent of physical damage suffered by Darling's body, the multiple concussions, new and ancient traumas, etc. Yet we never learn when and how the old injuries occurred. We see her as a kid kicked by her father, once, but not to the point of being damaged. Up to the pivotal beating scene, we never see her injured, not even visiting any doctor.
Her passivity is equally puzzling. She was sanely rebellious towards her dreadful parents, so her acceptance of her husband's abuse is rather surreal. There isn't even a clear sign of physical abuse. This is only an example, as a lot of what she does, or doesn't do, feels out of place.
That Darling is biographical comes as a real surprise in the closing credits. Darling the character says that people only care for beautiful stories about beautiful persons. True or not, Darling the movie isn't the correct answer: it's a grave story given an unfitting tone and an awkward retelling.