SAVAGE GRACE... MORE SAVAGE THAN EXPECTEDWARNING: The images in this movie may cause blindness, paranoia, motion sickness, anxiety, depression and/or gastronomical distress. This film belongs to Julianne Moore as Barbara Baekeland and it's a shame that it was treated poorly due to its subject matter. Baekeland was a socialite extraordinaire, jet setting with her husband Brooks (Stephen Dillane) and their son Tony (Barney Clark/Eddie Redmayne). Brooks and Barbara live large by old money. She is prone to almost manic episodes of temperament while Brooks keeps it close to his vest. The movie begins with Tony as a baby and end with Tony as an impaired young adult. The one thing she could count on was her relationship with her son; unconditional and loving. As events unfold, it seems that they are two against the world and the world is winning. The movie is stylish, lush and ornate. Unfortunately, the characters are broken, depraved and indifferent. Moore presents a roller coaster of emotions during this film and was placed in some not to comfortable situations. It would have been easy to villanize Baekeland, yet Moore is able to find at least one hair, a thin strand of compassion, as misplaced as it was. The ending to this essentially one-woman monologue builds piece by piece until the last scene that I remind you, is not for the faint at heart. I myself can stomach a fair amount (Shortbus) but this made my arms hairs stand straight. When I thought it had reached the crucial scene, it was made more disturbing by the afterword on each character as the film was based on real life. How much love is too much and how much is too little?
PICK: Disturbing to watch. A period-piece delight and engaging and unusual story.
