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Queen of Earth
Elisabeth Moss stars in this devilish study of mental breakdown and dysfunctional power dynamics between female best friends, from director Alex Ross Perry (Listen Up Philip).
Drama 2015 90 mins
Director: Alex Ross Perry
Overview
Alex Ross Perry (Listen Up Philip) unleashes this devilish study of mental breakdown and dysfunctional power dynamics between female best friends. Elisabeth Moss’ Catherine and Katherine Waterston’s Ginny come together immediately following Catherine’s father’s suicide and her being unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend, James.
From the opening shot (with no reverse shot) of Catherine in hysterics as she pleads with James to reconsider, it’s clear this is dynamic filmmaking of the highest order, relying on superlative performances and Perry’s characteristically dark wit. And nothing shows the filmmaker’s dominance over the medium more than a breathtaking 9-minute pan, as power shifts from one woman to the other. Riffing on the influence of classics such as Bergman's Persona, Woody Allen’s Interiors and Fassbinder’s The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, Perry presents a stunning character drama that mines the dark side of the psyche.
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